Foldable Weighing Device for Heavy Liquefied Gas Bottles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighing devices are unsuitable for large liquefied gas bottles, making bottle installation and removal difficult due to their heavy weight and high cost, often requiring manual lifting and lacking accuracy for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and foldable weighing device with two plates connected by a mechanical link, equipped with piezoresistive strain gauges for mass measurement, featuring protuberances for bottle positioning and data transmission, allowing for easy handling and accurate mass detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional weighing devices are used for large liquefied gas bottles, then mass measurement can be performed, but the device becomes expensive and operation becomes difficult due to heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device is divided into two separate plates that can be independently positioned and manipulated. Each plate can be placed under one end of the bottle base separately, allowing operators to work with lighter individual components rather than moving the entire weighing device or heavy bottle alone. This segmentation makes the operation feasible for heavy bottles without requiring manual lifting of the complete assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The two plates act as intermediary elements between the operators and the heavy bottle. By placing the plates under the bottle base and bringing them together, operators can support and position the bottle using the plates as mediators, rather than directly handling the heavy bottle or moving a large expensive weighing device.
2Measurement precision
If heavy bottles are handled for installation and removal, then mass measurement is achieved, but operator safety risks increase due to heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the weighing device into two separate plates reduces the weight that operators must handle individually, eliminating the need to manually lift heavy bottles or large weighing devices. This segmentation directly addresses safety concerns by making the handling portions manageable in weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle itself serves as its own positioning aid through the tilting operation. By tilting the bottle to raise one side of the base, the bottle's own weight and geometry are used to facilitate the insertion of the first plate, reducing the physical effort and risk to operators.
3Measurement precision
If known weighing devices are used for large bottles, then mass control is possible, but the devices become costly to achieve required accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing function is distributed across two separate, simpler plates rather than requiring a single large expensive weighing device. This segmentation allows for the use of more cost-effective measurement components in each plate while maintaining overall measurement accuracy for the complete bottle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive plates with basic measurement means rather than expensive industrial weighing devices. While the plates may need replacement or repositioning, their low cost and simplicity make them economically viable compared to expensive permanent weighing installations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates safe and efficient installation and removal of heavy bottles by enabling operators to tilt and position them on the device, providing accurate mass measurements and reducing operator strain while being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
equipped with piezoresistive strain gauges for mass measurement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The device has two plates (10, 11) arranged in a selectively spaced or closed manner to permit placing a pressurized liquid bottle in stable support on the plates. One of the plates includes a physical magnitude measurement unit (2) for measuring physical magnitude representative of weighted mass on the plate. An outer surface of each plate includes two protrusions (4) spaced apart from each other, where the four protrusions of the plates form four locking stops to maintain or position the bottle placed on the plates between the protuberances. The measurement unit is provided with an electronic sensor such as piezoelectric force sensor, piezoelectric-resistive strain gauge, traction force sensor, compression force sensor and flexible force sensor. An independent claim is also included for a method for weighing pressurized liquid on a pressurized liquid bottle weighing device.