Chassis Load Sensor Mounting for Vibration-Accurate Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load detection devices for commercial vehicle chassis parts suffer from measurement inaccuracies due to external influences and screw connection looseness, which can be caused by vibrations, leading to reduced accuracy in recorded load values.

Innovation Solution

A device with a detachably attachable protective housing that does not contact the sensor carrier or carrier feet, and a screw connection with tooth-like surface structures for enhanced rigidity and a washer to reduce shear stresses, ensuring accurate load measurements by preventing external influences from affecting the sensor readings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective housing is attached to support the sensor carrier and carrier feet, then protection against external influences is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to influence on load sensor readings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external influencesVSAvoidaccuracy of measured values
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective housing as an intermediary structure that shields the sensor carrier and carrier feet from external influences. The housing is designed with specific mounting features (ears with threaded holes) that allow attachment to the carrier feet without contacting the sensor carrier, thus mediating between the need for protection and the requirement for measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing is segmented into distinct components: the housing body and mounting ears. The mounting ears are separated from the main housing body and specifically positioned to attach only to the carrier feet. This segmentation allows the housing to provide protection while isolating the sensor carrier from any mechanical influence by the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If screw connections are used to attach the sensor carrier to carrier feet, then assembly is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to connection looseness from vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates tooth-like surface structures (protrusions and recesses) on the mounting surfaces of the sensor carrier and carrier feet. These interlocking features are pre-formed on the components before assembly. When the screw connections are tightened, these tooth structures engage to create a rigid, vibration-resistant connection that prevents loosening over time, while still allowing for relatively simple assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the protective housing is attached to carrier feet, then protection is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to influence on sensor readings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external influencesVSAvoidaccuracy of load sensor readings
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting ears serve as intermediaries that connect the protective housing to the carrier feet. By positioning the ears on the carrier feet rather than having the housing body contact the sensor carrier, the design ensures that the housing and its fastening elements act as a protective shell that does not mechanically influence the sensor carrier or the load sensor readings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing is segmented into a housing body and separate mounting ears. The ears are specifically designed to attach only to the carrier feet, creating a mechanical separation between the protective function and the sensing function. This segmentation ensures that the housing provides protection without contacting or influencing the sensor carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3892974B1Device for measuring loads, preferably traction, pressure and/or torsion loads acting on a commercial vehicle running gear part
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 BPW HUNGARIA KFT
  • EP3892974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892974B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A device for detecting loads, preferably compressive, tensile, and/or torsional loads, on a commercial vehicle chassis component is proposed. The device comprises two support feet (3A, 3B) arranged at a distance from each other, each with a bottom and a top surface. The bottom surface of each support foot (3A, 3B) is weldable to the chassis component, while the top surface is provided with a mounting surface (42) for supporting a sensor carrier (10) that forms a bridge between the support feet (3A, 3B). The sensor carrier (10) consists of a single piece of material and carries a load sensor (12) in a central section (11) located between the support feet. At each of its two end sections (14A, 14B), the sensor carrier (10) forms a mounting area (39) in which it is supported against the mounting surface (42) of the respective support foot (3A, 3B).The sensor carrier (10) and the support feet (3A, 3B) are surrounded by a detachably attachable protective housing (50). The protective housing (50) is not supported in the longitudinal direction of the sensor carrier (10) against the sensor carrier (10) or against the first (3A) and the second (3B) support feet.