Digital Load Cell Redundancy Design for Reliable Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital load cells lack a high-reliability redundancy design, which can lead to unreliable weighing data and system failures.
Innovation Solution
A digital load cell with redundancy design, featuring at least one force measuring element connected to two or more analog-to-digital conversion modules, and additional redundancy in processors, storage units, power supply units, communication units, alarm units, and limiting protection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single analog-to-digital conversion module is used per force measuring element, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of weighing data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the analog-to-digital conversion function into multiple independent modules (at least two per force measuring element). Each module can operate independently, and if one fails, the other can take over, ensuring continuous reliable operation without requiring a complete system failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundancy by providing backup analog-to-digital conversion modules before failures occur. This allows the system to withstand component failures without compromising weighing data reliability, as the backup modules are already in place and can immediately take over when needed.
2Reliability
If redundancy design is implemented for all functional elements, then the reliability of the digital load cell is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies redundancy systematically across multiple functional elements (force measuring elements, analog-to-digital conversion modules, processors, storage units, power supply units, communication units, alarm units, and limiting protection devices). This universal application of redundancy principles ensures that the entire system benefits from improved reliability while maintaining a consistent design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements backup components for all critical functional elements before failures occur. This comprehensive beforehand cushioning approach ensures that any single component failure will not compromise the overall system reliability, as redundant components are already in place to take over immediately.
3Reliability
If multiple analog-to-digital conversion modules are connected to each force measuring element, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analog-to-digital conversion functionality into multiple independent modules that can be manufactured and tested separately. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing processes, where redundant modules can be produced using the same manufacturing lines, potentially reducing per-unit costs through economies of scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the quantity parameter of analog-to-digital conversion modules from one to at least two per force measuring element. This parameter change enables the system to achieve improved reliability and proper operation assurance, with the associated manufacturing cost increase being the trade-off for enhanced system robustness and fault tolerance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a digital load cell with redundancy design, the digital load cell including: at least one force measuring element that measures a load force applied to the digital load cell, where each force measuring element converts the load force into one analog signal; and one or more analog-to-digital conversion modules, where each force measuring element is connected to at least one analog-to-digital conversion module, and the analog-to-digital conversion module converts the analog signal into a digital signal. According to the digital load cell of the present invention, redundancy design is provided at least for both the force measuring element and the analog-to-digital conversion module, which can effectively ensure the proper operation of the digital load cell.