Lift Truck Fork Weighing Device with Floating Load Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical/electronic weighing systems for lift trucks face issues such as complex installation, inaccurate weight readings due to lateral forces and contamination, and high manufacturing costs, often requiring structural modifications and additional attachments, which complicate operations and safety.
Innovation Solution
A weighing device with a base, a cover, and two load cells where one load cell is attached to the cover and the other floats relative to it, connected by an analyzing circuit, allowing for accurate weight measurement while using a standard lift truck fork with minimal modifications, and incorporating features like spacing plates and angle brackets to prevent lifting and accommodate twisting forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art weighing systems require structural modifications or additional attachments to the lift truck, then weighing function can be achieved, but installation becomes more difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cover serves multiple functions: it provides a load bearing surface for weighing operations, protects the load cells from lateral forces and contamination, and can be configured to work with standard lift truck forks without requiring structural modifications. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving weighing capability while maintaining ease of installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device must be set to a first configuration for weighing operations and a second configuration for transport operations, then both functions can be performed, but operation becomes time consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell attachment configuration allows the cover to dynamically adapt to different operational modes. The load cells are attached in a manner that enables them to function during both weighing and transport operations without requiring reconfiguration, reducing operation time while maintaining versatility.
3Measurement precision
If technically and physically elaborate approaches are employed to address excessive vertical forces, lateral forces and binding in the weighing system, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover acts as a protective shell that shields the load cells from lateral forces and contamination without requiring complex mechanical restraint systems. This simple protective approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves as an intermediary element between the load and the load cells, protecting the load cells from harmful lateral forces and contamination while allowing accurate vertical force measurement. This intermediary approach improves measurement precision without complicating the system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If only a portion of the lifting surface is used for weighing, then load placement options are limited, but the system is prone to false weight readings due to contamination by foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The cover provides a complete load bearing surface that accepts various load configurations while simultaneously protecting the weighing mechanism from contamination. This resolves the contradiction by offering both versatility in load placement and protection against false readings.
5Measurement precision
If mechanically elaborate designs are employed to address weight measurement accuracy problems resulting from eccentric loads, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but mechanical malfunction risk and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The analyzing circuit uses electronic parameter adjustments and signal processing to compensate for eccentric load conditions rather than requiring complex mechanical alignment systems. This approach improves measurement accuracy while reducing manufacturing cost and malfunction risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces elaborate mechanical designs with an electronic analyzing circuit that processes load cell signals to accurately determine weight measurements even under eccentric loading conditions. This substitution reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision.
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
The solution provides improved accuracy and ease of use, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances safety by allowing standard fork usage with simple installation, while resisting inaccuracy from lateral forces and contamination, and maintaining balance during lifting and transport operations.
Implementation Method 1
two load cells (20, 40)... When a load is positioned on a load bearing surface of the cover, the load cells flex and cause electrical signals to be transmitted
Data Source
AI summary
The weight sensing device may include a base, a cover, a first load cell attached to the base and the cover, a second load cell attached to the base and in contact with the cover but not attached, and an analyzing circuit which is connected by electrical wires to the load cells. The base may be a fork, for example, a lift truck fork. When a load is positioned on the load bearing surface of the cover, the load cells flex and cause an electrical signal to be transmitted over the wires to the analyzing circuit.