Roll-Off Tipper Load Sensing for Center of Gravity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll-off tippers lack the ability to automatically determine the center of gravity and length of a load, leading to potential operating errors and reduced operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A roll-off tipper equipped with a force-measuring device, position-determining unit, and control unit that analyze the force and position data to automatically determine the center of gravity and length of a load, using geometric principles and sudden force changes to derive these parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual determination of load parameters is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but operating errors increase and automation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-measurement of load parameters by automatically detecting force changes and positions during the setting-up process, eliminating the need for manual input from operators. The control unit autonomously calculates center of gravity and length based on sensor data, making the system self-sufficient in obtaining load information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual determination of load parameters is replaced by an automated measurement system using force sensors and position sensors. The mechanical operation of the hook boom is instrumented with sensors that automatically capture force characteristics and positions, substituting human judgment with electronic measurement and calculation.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If load parameters are not automatically determined, then device complexity is reduced, but operating errors increase and safety decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating errorsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensor and position sensor serve multiple functions: they monitor the setting-up process, determine load parameters (center of gravity and length), and provide data for control decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement task, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors force changes and positions during the setting-up process and uses this feedback to automatically determine load parameters. The control unit processes real-time sensor data to calculate center of gravity and length, providing immediate feedback about load characteristics without requiring additional complex measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If precise load parameter determination is implemented, then load positioning accuracy is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload parameter precisionVSAvoidmeasurement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensor and position sensor continuously measure and store force characteristics and positions throughout the setting-up process before final load parameter calculation. By capturing data during the entire movement sequence, the system prepares measurement information in advance, enabling precise determination of center of gravity and length without requiring complex real-time calculations during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures dynamic force changes and positions during the motion of the hook boom rather than attempting static measurements. By analyzing force characteristics during the dynamic setting-up process, particularly the moment when the load's center of gravity passes the guide roller, the system achieves precise parameter determination using the natural dynamics of the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 and reliable automatic determination of load parameters, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by optimizing load positioning and reducing human error.

Implementation Method 1

a force measuring device associated with the hook boom or the drive which is designed to measure a force on the hook boom or the drive at least during setting-up processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Implementation Method 2

a position-determining unit assigned to the hook boom or the drive, which is set up to determine a current position of the hook boom or a current operating position of the drive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric measurement: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

a control unit which is operatively coupled to the force-measuring device and the position-determining unit and is set up to determine the center of gravity and/or the length of a load to be picked up by the hook loader on the basis of the data supplied by the force-measuring device and the position-determining unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCenter of gravity determination: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4563409A1Roll-off tipper and method for determining the centre of gravity and/or the length of a load to be received by a roll-off tipper
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 FRANZ XAVER MEILLER FAHRZEUG UND MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4563409A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4563409A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4563409A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a roll-off tipper (10), comprising a vehicle body (16), a pivotable hook boom (22) which is designed to pull a load (12) onto the roll-off tipper (10) and to set it down from the roll-off tipper (10), a drive (24) assigned to the hook boom (22) which is designed to drive the pivoting movement of the hook boom (22), at least one guide roller (28) arranged at the rear of the vehicle body (16) which is designed to guide the load (12) to be pulled onto or set down from the roll-off tipper (10) during a corresponding setting-up or setting-down process, a force-measuring device (30) assigned to the hook boom (22) or the drive (24) which is designed to measure a force which is attached to the hook boom (22) or the drive (24) at least during setting-up processes.to determine the force applied to the drive (24), a position-determining unit (32) assigned to the hook boom (22) or the drive (24), which is designed to determine a current position of the hook boom (22) or a current operating position of the drive (24); and a control unit (34) which is operatively coupled to the force-measuring device (30) and the position-determining unit (32) and is designed to determine the center of gravity (S12) and/or the length (L12) of a load (12) to be picked up by the roll-off tipper (10) on the basis of the data supplied by the force-measuring device (30) and the position-determining unit (32).