Weighing Arrangement With Gyroscope Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weighing arrangements face challenges in providing accurate and robust measurements in harsh environments, particularly due to issues with electrical strain gauges buckling and breaking, and high maintenance costs associated with angular rate sensors, while also needing to account for acceleration and angle changes during noncontinuous handling of loads.
Innovation Solution
A compact weighing arrangement is developed that includes a flexible portion, a gap sensing detector, an electro-mechanical gyroscope, and an accelerometer, which together measure and adjust for rotational velocity and acceleration to calculate the actual weight of a load, ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness by compensating for changes in orientation and handling conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical strain gauges are used for measuring weight, then measurement capability is provided, but the gauges are prone to buckling and breaking in rough environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical strain gauges with a gap sensing detector that measures the distance between two surfaces. This substitution eliminates the mechanical strain gauge from the system, replacing it with a non-contact or contactless measurement method that uses magnetic fields or other fields to detect gap changes, thereby avoiding the buckling and breaking issues of traditional strain gauges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible portion as an intermediary element that transmits load information to the gap sensing detector. The flexible portion deforms under load, changing the gap distance, which is then detected by the sensing detector. This intermediary approach allows indirect measurement of weight without subjecting delicate electrical strain gauges to direct mechanical stress.
2Measurement precision
If angular rate sensors are mounted to measure rotational velocity, then rotational measurement is enabled, but service and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces angular rate sensors with an electro-mechanical gyroscope that measures rotational velocity. The gyroscope provides the same rotational measurement capability but with reduced maintenance requirements and lower service costs, making it more suitable for harsh environments where durability is critical.
3Volume of moving object
If weighing arrangement is compact, then space efficiency is improved, but accommodation of compensation means becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gap sensing detector and the electro-mechanical gyroscope into a single integrated weighing arrangement. The gap sensing detector measures weight by detecting gap changes, while the gyroscope simultaneously measures rotational velocity for compensation. By merging these functions into one compact unit, the patent achieves space efficiency while maintaining the compensation capability for accurate weight measurement during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions: weight measurement via gap sensing and rotational velocity measurement via gyroscope. This multi-functional design allows a single compact device to handle both measurement tasks, eliminating the need for separate compensation devices and reducing overall system complexity.
4Measurement precision
If acceleration and angle changes are compensated, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electro-mechanical gyroscope to measure rotational velocity and acceleration, replacing complex mechanical compensation mechanisms with a more compact and reliable sensor-based approach. The gyroscope provides direct measurement of motion parameters that are then used by the control circuitry to compensate for acceleration and angle changes in the weight calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electro-mechanical gyroscope continuously measures rotational velocity and acceleration, and the control circuitry uses this information to dynamically compensate for motion effects in the weight measurement. This feedback loop enables real-time compensation without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
The solution enables accurate and reliable weight measurement in motion, compensating for external vibrations and variations in rotational velocity, thus providing robust and efficient weighing without interrupting the lifting process, while reducing maintenance costs and improving accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible portion configured to deform, when a load affects the flexible portion
Implementation Method 2
an electro-mechanical gyroscope coupled to the electrical control circuitry; the electro-mechanical gyroscope is configured to measure rotational velocity of the weighing arrangement
Implementation Method 3
an electrical control circuitry coupled to the gap sensing detector and configured to convert said measure to a registered weight of the applied load
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6b
Figure 7
AI summary
The present invention concerns a weighing arrangement (1) configured to be mounted on a lift device (4). The weighing arrangement (1) comprises a flexible portion (21, 21', 21", S1) configured to deform when a load (22) is applied to the flexible portion. A gap sensor (23) is configured to detect the measure of a gap (g), the measure of which is dependent upon applied load (22). An electrical control circuitry (26) is coupled to the gap sensor (23) and is configured to convert the gap measure to a registered weight of the applied load (22). The weighing arrangement (1) further comprises an electro-mechanical gyroscope (28) coupled to the electrical control circuitry (26). The electro-mechanical gyroscope (28) is configured to measure rotational velocity of the weighing arrangement (1), whereby the electrical control circuitry (26) is configured to adjust the registered weight to actual weight from changes in rotational velocity. The present invention also concerns a method of weighing a load (22) by means of the weighing arrangement (1).