Sensor Controller for Cargo Weight Measurement and Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight measurement systems for transportation vehicles are costly, cumbersome, and less reliable due to the need for multiple sensors and frequent recalibration, and they struggle to accurately determine the load state of cargo vehicles and containers across varying weight standards.
Innovation Solution
A sensor controller with a processor and memory that receives weight data from multiple sensors on a cargo vehicle, determines the empty weight, calibrates sensors based on inclination, and uses GPS signal strength to verify cargo removal, allowing for real-time monitoring of weight changes and unauthorized loading/unloading detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are mounted on the vehicle and in multiple points within or beneath the cargo container, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration function from the sensor hardware itself and implements it through software processing. The system uses a single sensor mounted on the vehicle chassis and determines cargo weight by extracting the tare weight through software algorithms that process sensor data over time, eliminating the need for multiple physical sensors and complex calibration hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/calibration-based weight measurement system with an electronic/software-based system. Instead of using multiple physical sensors and manual calibration procedures, the system uses a single sensor combined with software algorithms that automatically determine tare weight through data processing, substituting mechanical calibration with electronic computation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and calibration equipment are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration automatically through software processing of sensor data. The tare weight is determined autonomously by the processor analyzing weight measurements over time, eliminating the need for manual calibration operations by users. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting and calibrating without external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions automatically during normal operation. The software continuously monitors and processes sensor data to determine tare weight in advance, preparing the measurement system for accurate cargo weight calculation without requiring separate calibration steps or procedures.
3Measurement precision
If frequent recalibration is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous measurement and automatic calibration throughout operation. The software continuously processes sensor data to track weight changes and determine tare weight in real-time, eliminating interruptions for periodic recalibration. This continuous action allows the system to maintain precision without stopping for calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration continuously in the background during normal operation. The processor automatically monitors sensor data and adjusts tare weight determinations without requiring dedicated calibration time or interrupting cargo operations, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing time loss.
4Measurement precision
If wired connection to off-vehicle calibration equipment is required, then measurement precision is ensured, but ease of operation and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration functionality from external off-vehicle equipment and integrates it into the vehicle's onboard system. The processor uses onboard sensors and software algorithms to determine tare weight independently, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and wired connections, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired calibration system with an electronic/software-based system. Instead of requiring physical connections to external calibration equipment, the system uses electronic sensors and computational algorithms to perform calibration, substituting mechanical infrastructure with electronic processing and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for weighing transportation vehicles and cargo and determining their load state. The disclosed technology can include a sensor controller configured to received one or more sensor readings from weight sensors on a cargo vehicle. The sensor controller can determine an inclination and/or deflection of the cargo vehicle and modify the sensor readings based on the inclination and/or deflection. The sensor controller can calculate a weight of cargo carried by the cargo vehicle based on the modified sensor readings.