Vehicle Weight-Change Detection for Loading Event Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require physical scales at loading/off-loading sites to determine the weight of goods, which is time-consuming and expensive for both drivers and site owners, and cannot differentiate the weight of each vehicle during simultaneous loading and off-loading operations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted computer system that detects changes in weight while stationary or moving at reduced speed, obtains vehicle data including positioning and time data, and determines loading or off-loading events, eliminating the need for physical scales by identifying the site, load/off-load amount, and associating it with the driver/customer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical scales are installed at loading/off-loading sites, then weight measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight measurement capabilityVSAvoidphysical scales infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle's own computer system performs weight change detection and loading event determination autonomously without requiring external weighing infrastructure. The system uses the vehicle's existing sensors and processing capabilities to self-determine loading events, eliminating the need for external physical scales.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical physical scales with an electronic/digital system based on weight sensor data processing. Instead of using mechanical weighing platforms, the system uses electronic sensors integrated into the vehicle to detect weight changes and determines loading events through computational analysis of this data.

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

2Measurement precision

If physical scales are used at loading sites, then weight determination is possible, but time consumption increases due to manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight determinationVSAvoidtime consumption for weighing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors weight changes during the loading process without interruption. Weight sensor data is continuously processed to detect loading events in real-time, eliminating the need for manual weighing operations and allowing continuous loading/unloading activities without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle's computer system automatically detects and records loading events without requiring manual intervention. The system self-determines when loading occurs by analyzing weight change data, eliminating the time-consuming manual operation of physical scales.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If physical scales are installed at sites, then weight measurement is enabled, but maintenance costs and site expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight measurementVSAvoidsite maintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the weight measurement function from the site infrastructure and relocates it to the vehicle itself. By moving the measurement capability from the fixed site location to the mobile vehicle, the site no longer requires expensive physical scales and associated maintenance infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical scales infrastructure at sites with an electronic sensing system integrated into the vehicle. This substitution eliminates the need for site-based weighing equipment and reduces maintenance costs associated with physical scales.

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

4Measurement precision

If physical scales are used, then total weight is measured, but ability to differentiate individual vehicle weights during simultaneous operations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal weight measurementVSAvoidindividual vehicle weight differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the weight measurement function to operate independently for each vehicle. Each vehicle's computer system processes its own weight sensor data separately, allowing individual weight change detection and loading event determination for multiple vehicles simultaneously without mixing or losing individual vehicle information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4696994A1Method for determining loading event of a vehicle at a site
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4696994A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696994A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4696994A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A computer system comprising processing circuitry (702) configured to detect a change in weight (120) of the vehicle (10) when the vehicle is stationary or moving at a reduced speed, as a response to detecting the change in weight (120), determine vehicle data (110) of the vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle data (110) at least comprises positioning data (112) and time data (114). The processing circuitry (702) is configured to determine a loading event (102) or an off-loading event (104) of the vehicle (10), wherein the determination at least is based on the detected change in weight of the vehicle (10); and determine loading event information (130), wherein the loading event information (130) at least comprises the vehicle data (110) and the loading event (102) or off-loading event (104).