Truck Scale Center of Gravity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional truck scales cannot determine the center of gravity of a vehicle, making it difficult to assess the risk of rollover accidents, especially when vehicles are loaded with high cargo or containers, as they lack the capability to measure the height and lateral position of the center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A truck scale apparatus with load cells at the corners and a raised front wheel platform, equipped with a wheel position detector and calculation means to determine the center of gravity by calculating the longitudinal and lateral displacement, and height of the center of gravity, allowing for automatic measurement of the vehicle's center of gravity during weighing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a truck scale only measures total weight using load cells at corners, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the center of gravity position cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle weight measurement into multiple components by using multiple load cells positioned at different locations (corners and intermediate positions) on the measuring table. This segmentation allows the system to not only measure total weight but also calculate the center of gravity position by analyzing the distribution of weight across the individual load cell measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring table with multiple load cells serves multiple functions: it measures both the total weight of the vehicle and the position of the center of gravity simultaneously. The same hardware infrastructure (measuring table and load cells) is used for both measurement purposes, avoiding the need for separate dedicated equipment and thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
2Reliability
If no center of gravity measurement is provided, then the truck scale structure remains simple, but rollover risk assessment is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback about the vehicle's center of gravity position and stability characteristics to the user. By calculating the center of gravity coordinates from the load cell measurements and comparing them against safe operating parameters, the system enables operators to assess rollover risks and make informed decisions about cargo loading and vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces calculation means as an intermediary that processes the raw load cell measurements and converts them into meaningful center of gravity position data. This intermediary computational layer bridges the gap between simple weight measurements and complex safety assessments, enabling reliability evaluation without requiring direct complex measurement hardware.
3Productivity
If manual inspection of cargo weight balance is used, then no additional measurement equipment is needed, but accurate center of gravity determination is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service measurement by automatically calculating the center of gravity position from the load cell data without requiring manual intervention for weight balance assessment. The calculation means processes the measurement values and determines the center of gravity coordinates automatically, eliminating the need for operators to manually estimate or calculate weight distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection method with an automated computational system. Instead of operators physically assessing cargo distribution, the system uses electronic load cell measurements and mathematical calculations to determine the center of gravity position, significantly improving both efficiency and accuracy.
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 the accurate determination of the vehicle's center of gravity, enhancing safety by predicting rollover risks and providing a secure safety level during road driving, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure.
Implementation Method 1
load cells provided individually at around four corners of a measuring table below a bottom surface thereof, the truck scale being configured to be able to measure the weight of the vehicle to be measured
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle position detector for detecting a specified position of the vehicle to be measured that is placed on the measuring table
Data Source
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AI summary
As a measurement table (10), an object provided with a flat surface (11) having an area on which all wheels of a vehicle can be mounted at the same time and a front wheel mounting table (12) which is disposed in front of the flat surface (11) and is lifted by a step of a predetermined height is used, a wheel position detector (8) which is capable of detecting a front wheel position and a rear wheel position of a vehicle to be measured is provided, a computation processing device (3) is provided with an anterior-posterior displacement calculation means, an inter-axle distance calculation means (21), a vehicle inclination calculation means (22), a front wheel axle load calculation means (23A), a rear wheel axle load calculation means (23B), an anterior-posterior gravity center position calculation means (24), a storage means (32), an anterior-posterior gravity center displacement calculation means (25), and a vehicle gravity center height position calculation means (26), and from a gravity center displacement which is calculated from anterior-posterior gravity center position information calculated on the flat surface (11) and anterior-posterior gravity center position information in the state in which front wheels are mounted on the front wheel mounting table (12) and a vehicle inclination which is calculated by the vehicle inclination calculation means (22), the position of the height of the center of gravity of the vehicle to be measured is calculated.