Load Cell Support Structure for Container Weight Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the weight of loaded containers during transportation are inefficient and costly, particularly when large containers are involved, as they require complex installation of load cells in the truck chassis or time-consuming suspension processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that detect the momentarily acting force in a load lifting device's carrier during specific movement phases to calculate the weight of loads being pushed over the edge of a raised loading area, using load cells and deformation sensors integrated into the carrier, allowing for simple and cost-effective weight determination without modifying the truck's superstructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If load cells are installed in the truck chassis to measure container weight, then weight measurement capability is achieved, but installation complexity and repair effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight measurement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the weight measurement function from the truck chassis and relocates it to the lifting device's support structure. By placing load cells in the support structure that is already present in the lifting device, the system achieves weight measurement capability without modifying the truck chassis, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure of the lifting device serves as an intermediary element that enables weight measurement. Instead of directly installing load cells in the truck chassis, the invention uses the existing support structure as a mediator to transmit and measure the load forces, simplifying the overall system configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If containers are suspended freely during loading for weight measurement, then weight can be determined, but the loading process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight determination capabilityVSAvoidloading efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous weight measurement throughout the loading process by integrating load cells into the support structure. The weight can be determined at any point during the loading operation, eliminating the need to pause or suspend the container for measurement, thus maintaining loading efficiency while ensuring accurate weight determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The load cells are pre-installed in the support structure before loading begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that weight measurement capability is already in place, eliminating the need for time-consuming suspension or special positioning procedures during the actual loading process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If load cells support the entire container load (up to 40 tons or more), then accurate weight measurement is possible, but the structural requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight measurement accuracyVSAvoidstructural load capacity requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies load cells locally in the support structure where forces are already concentrated during lifting operations. Instead of requiring the entire truck chassis to support the full container weight for measurement purposes, the load cells are positioned to measure forces in the support structure, which is already designed to handle these loads during normal lifting operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables precise weight calculation of loads with minimal effort and cost, applicable to various load types, including large containers, by measuring axial and transverse forces during loading and unloading processes, providing accurate results with standardized container data for efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

a load measuring cell (16) arranged in a support section (15) of the support (5) for determining a lateral force Q acting in the support section (15) during the working movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2673601B1Method and device for measuring the weight of a load to be hoisted onto a loading area
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 DIGISENS
  • EP2673601B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP2673601B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2673601B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and device for measuring the weight of a load that is moved by means of a load-lifting apparatus over the edge of a raised loading area and pulled up onto said loading area or pushed down from the loading area, wherein during said operation the instantaneous force resulting from the movement of the load is measured while passing through a predetermined weighing window in a support of the load-lifting apparatus loaded by the load, and the weight of the load is computed from the force progression thereof. The load sensor is preferably designed as a pipe section that is provided with two deformation sensors that are provided substantially at a right angle to each other.