Hollow Profile WIM Sensor Integrating Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Weigh in Motion (WIM) sensors face challenges in accurately determining ground reaction forces due to the need for stiff substrates and the limitations of housing electronic components outside the hollow profile, which can lead to electromagnetic interferences and incorrect force measurements.
Innovation Solution
A hollow profile design for WIM sensors that integrates a plate-shaped force introduction element, a tubular element, and an anchoring element, with a second cavity to house WIM electronics, maintaining stiffness and allowing for reduced cable lengths while keeping the profile flush with the roadway surface, thus minimizing interference and maintaining accurate force measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electronic members are arranged outside the hollow profile, then space for electronics is available, but electromagnetic interferences increase and cable lengths increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the housing for electronic members directly into the hollow profile structure, merging the sensor housing and electronics enclosure into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for external cable connections and reduces electromagnetic interference by co-locating electronics within the force transmission path.
2Measurement precision
If the hollow profile is firmly anchored to ensure stiffness, then force measurement accuracy improves, but the groove depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring elements are designed with pre-formed geometry that distributes anchoring forces over a wider area, allowing sufficient anchoring strength to be achieved with reduced embedment depth. The anchoring surfaces are configured to engage the base layer effectively without requiring excessive groove depth.
3Ease of operation
If the hollow profile height is reduced to keep it flush with the roadway surface, then installation simplicity improves, but the volume for electronics housing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow profile utilizes the circumferential space around the central force transmission path to accommodate electronics, rather than only extending in the vertical dimension. The annular cross-section provides adequate volume for electronics while maintaining a compact height profile that remains flush with the roadway surface.
4Measurement precision
If a stiff substrate is used under the anchoring flange, then force transmission accuracy improves, but material requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow profile structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the force transmission path, houses the electronics, and acts as the anchoring element itself. The integrated design eliminates the need for separate stiff substrate materials, as the hollow profile's own structure provides the necessary rigidity and force transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow profile for a WIM sensor elongates along a longitudinal direction and includes a plate-shaped force introduction element, an anchoring element and a tubular element disposed between the force introduction element and the anchoring element. The tubular element is integrally connected to the force introduction element and to the anchoring element and encloses a first cavity. The anchoring element encloses at least one second cavity. The anchoring element, tubular element and force introduction element are formed integrally with each other.