Gyroscope Sensor for Material Transfer Vehicle Weighing Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material transfer vehicle weighing systems face inaccuracies due to the influence of vehicle position, angle, and movement, particularly with the use of accelerometers which struggle to accurately measure turning and rotating movements and require frequent zeroing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sensor system comprising a gyroscope and an accelerometer, along with a magnetic field sensor, to measure angular position and provide stable, accurate weighing results by compensating for the effects of movement and rotation, allowing for 3-dimensional measurement data and reduced need for frequent system zeroing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If accelerometers are used to measure angular position for weighing compensation, then the system can provide acceleration and position data, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately measure turning and rotating movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement reliability during turning and rotating
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from linear acceleration (measured by accelerometers) to angular velocity (measured by gyroscopes). This parameter change enables accurate measurement of turning and rotating movements, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability during rotational operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the accelerometer-based mechanical measurement system with a gyroscope-based system. The gyroscope uses different physical principles (angular momentum conservation) to measure angular position, providing superior accuracy during turning and rotating movements compared to the accelerometer approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If accelerometers are used for weighing compensation, then the system can track vehicle movement, but the device complexity increases due to need for frequent zeroing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweighing measurement precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gyroscope-based system provides self-service by automatically maintaining accurate angular position measurements without requiring frequent manual zeroing or calibration. The gyroscope's inherent stability and memory of angular position eliminate the need for external intervention, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the gyroscope continuously provides angular position data to the weighing compensation system. This real-time feedback enables automatic compensation for vehicle movement effects, maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex manual calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If accelerometers are used to measure angular position, then the system can provide position data, but the speed of response deteriorates during rapid movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position measurement precisionVSAvoidresponse speed during rapid movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measured parameter from linear acceleration to angular velocity, which the gyroscope can measure with faster response times. This parameter change enables the system to accurately track rapid rotational movements that would be missed or inaccurately measured by accelerometers, resolving the speed-response contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution achieves more accurate and stable weighing measurements during vehicle movement, improving the overall precision and reducing the frequency of system zeroing, applicable to various material transfer vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

the second sensor unit comprises a gyroscope sensor for the measurement of angular position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

Accelerometers are based on measuring forces directed to a small mass by using strain gauge transducers, piezoelectric transducers or capacitive, MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) transducers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2511678B1Measurement system for a material transfer vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 TAMTRON OY
  • EP2511678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2511678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention relates generally to a measurement system (20) of a material transfer vehicle. The present invention can be applied in weighing a load of the vehicle. The material transfer vehicle may be e.g. a wheel loader, a forklift, an excavator, a dumper, a forwarder, a harvester, a crane, a passenger hoist, a timber jack, or a truck such as a a fire truck, forklift truck, a pallet truck, a reach truck, or a garbage truck. Prior art measuring systems often have insufficient capability to compensate varying positions and movement of the material transfer vehicle structures. The object of the invention is met by a solution, wherein a material transfer vehicle has at least one first sensor unit (21) including a weighing sensor for weighing a load of a vehicle, and at least one second sensor unit (22a, 22b, 22c) for measuring an angular position/movement of a boom and/or a carrying means of the vehicle. According to the invention, the second sensor unit has a gyroscope.