Lifting Platform Support Element for Weight Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle lifting platforms face imprecision in weight measurement due to load introduction over large areas, affecting the accuracy of weight force detection and display, particularly at specific support points.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a support element with at least two sensor devices arranged on support arms extending from a central area, allowing for precise measurement of partial weight forces and their combination to determine the total weight force, with independent control and potential for self-diagnosis of sensor discrepancies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If weight forces are measured over large areas in the prior art, then the measurement covers a broader region, but the measurement precision deteriorates because force introduction is not concentrated at specific points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight force measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor contact area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into multiple support arms (at least two) arranged on a central area and extending in different directions. Each support arm has its own sensor element, segmenting the measurement function across multiple concentrated points rather than one large-area sensor. This segmentation allows precise localization of weight forces at specific support points while maintaining comprehensive coverage through the multi-arm configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a uniform large-area sensor, the invention applies sensors locally at specific support arms extending from the central area. Each sensor element is positioned at a specific location where force introduction occurs, creating local quality enhancement at measurement points while the overall support element maintains structural integrity and coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensor elements are added to support arms, then the weight force measurement precision improves through concentrated point measurement, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartial weight force detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support through its arms, positions sensor elements at optimal measurement points, and integrates force determination capability. Each support arm with its sensor element is a universal module that can be configured in different arrangements (at least two arms in different directions) to meet various measurement needs without requiring completely different designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the support structure (arms) with the measurement function (sensor elements) into an integrated system. The support arms are not merely mechanical structures but are combined with sensor elements to create multifunctional components that simultaneously provide structural integrity and precise weight force measurement at concentrated points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If weight measurement is performed at specific support points, then the measurement precision improves, but the reliability deteriorates when sensor malfunctions occur without detection capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight force detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor malfunction detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The force determination device receives signals from multiple sensor elements (at least two on different support arms) and processes this feedback information to determine weight forces. This multi-sensor feedback system allows for cross-validation and detection of anomalies. If one sensor element malfunctions, the system can detect discrepancies through the feedback from other sensors and potentially compensate or flag the issue, improving reliability while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed with multiple sensor elements positioned in advance on different support arms, creating a redundant measurement capability before malfunctions occur. This preliminary arrangement of multiple independent measurement points allows the system to detect and respond to sensor failures proactively rather than reactively, maintaining reliability even when individual sensors malfunction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enables more accurate and precise weight force measurement by concentrating force introduction at specific points, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of lifting processes, with the ability to detect and adjust for sensor malfunctions, enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor element for detecting a partial weight force (and/or a value characteristic of this partial weight force) is provided on each of these support arms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain gauge measurement: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2754636B1Lifting platform and supporting element for lifting platforms with weight measurement
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 HERRMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2754636B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2754636B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b

AI summary

The device (1) has sensor elements which are arranged at supporting arms for detecting a partial-gravitational force, where a force detecting unit is formed for determining the gravitational force of the partial-gravitational forces determined by the sensor elements. The supporting arms extend from a central area in different geometric directions. The sensor elements are spaced from one another.