Intermodal Container Scale Using Jointed Member and Load Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the intermodal shipping industry, the weight of ISO intermodal freight containers is often inaccurately declared, leading to safety concerns and financial issues due to overweight or underweight containers, and the current methods for weight verification are inefficient, particularly at terminals where containers are already congested.
Innovation Solution
A scale system is integrated into the intermodal freight container that allows for the weighing of the mass inside without moving the container, using a jointed member with load cells and a controller to accurately measure the weight, enabling verification at any location, including distribution centers before loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weight verification is performed at the terminal before loading, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases due to terminal congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The scale system is installed inside the container before it arrives at the terminal, allowing weight verification to be performed in advance at the distribution center or fulfillment house. This preliminary action eliminates the need for terminal operators to perform manual weighing, thereby maintaining measurement precision while improving terminal productivity by reducing congestion-related delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary weighing system (scale with load cells, controller, and display) that acts as a mediator between the container and the terminal operator. This intermediary device enables weight verification without requiring the container to be moved to or through the terminal, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate weighing and terminal throughput
2Measurement precision
If manual weighing methods are used at the terminal, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scale system is designed to be self-contained within the container, with automatic weight measurement and display functions. The load cells automatically detect weight, the controller processes the data, and the display shows the result without requiring manual intervention or complex external equipment, thereby achieving measurement precision while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical weighing procedures with an electronic scale system using load cells and digital display. This substitution eliminates the need for manual operations and complex mechanical equipment, reducing operational difficulty while maintaining or improving measurement precision through electronic sensing
3Measurement precision
If containers are weighed using calibrated equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to the weighing process
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is installed inside the container before it leaves the distribution center or fulfillment house, enabling weight verification to be completed in advance. This preliminary weighing action eliminates the time loss that would occur if weighing had to be performed at the terminal, while maintaining measurement precision through the use of calibrated load cells
Solution Approach 2:
The scale system enables continuous weight verification without interrupting the container's movement or requiring dedicated terminal time. The weighing action can be performed continuously as the container is positioned on the scale, eliminating idle time and improving overall efficiency while maintaining accurate measurement
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 provides accurate and efficient weight verification, reducing safety risks and operational challenges by allowing for pre-terminal weight confirmation, thus preventing misdeclarations and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell associated with the first bottom side rail; a container floor positioned over the jointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on the container floor having the jointed member in the first predetermined state to be transferred through the third hinge, the first hinge and the second hinge into a first lateral force, relative the force from the weight of the mass, through the first member end of the first elongate section into the first bottom side rail, where the load cell provides an electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateral force being imparted by the weight of the mass
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is to a scale for measuring a weight of a mass inside of an intermodal freight container. The scale includes a first bottom side rail, a second bottom side rail, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, where the cross-members join the first bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail. The scale further includes a jointed member having a first elongate section joined to the first bottom side rail with a first hinge, a second elongate section joined to the second bottom side rail with a second hinge, and a third hinge that connects the first elongate section and the second elongate section. A container floor is positioned over the jointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on the container floor to be transferred through the hinges into a first lateral force through the first elongate section into the first bottom side rail, where a load cell associated with the first bottom side rail provides an electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateral force being imparted by the weight of the mass. A microprocessor receives and stores in memory the electrical signal from the load cell indicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freight container.