Weight Sensing Assembly for Semi-Trailer Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight sensing assemblies for semi-trailer trucks do not effectively balance load distribution across axles, leading to potential overloading and legal weight distribution challenges.
Innovation Solution
A sensing module system for semi-trailer trucks that mounts to each wheel, measuring tire pressure and transmitting data to an electronic device to calculate and display adjustments for optimal load distribution across axles, including the sliding fifth wheel and tandems, using a microprocessor, sensor, and transmitter within a housing, with programming code to determine and communicate necessary adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional weight sensing assemblies are used, then the system is simple in structure, but the load distribution across axles cannot be effectively balanced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the weight sensing function into multiple independent sensing modules, each mounted on individual wheels. Each module independently measures tire pressure and transmits data, allowing distributed weight measurement across all axles without requiring a complex centralized sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical weight sensing mechanisms with tire pressure measurement. By measuring tire pressure changes rather than directly measuring weight forces, the system achieves weight distribution monitoring using simpler pressure sensors instead of complex mechanical load cells or force sensors.
2Measurement precision
If precise weight measurement is implemented across all axles, then legal weight distribution can be achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device automatically processes weight distribution calculations and generates adjustment recommendations without requiring manual intervention. The system self-calculates the weight on each axle based on pressure measurements and determines the optimal positioning of sliding components, eliminating the need for complex manual computation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates the optimal positions for sliding fifth wheels and sliding tandems before the truck departs. By determining the correct load distribution configuration in advance, the system prevents illegal weight distribution rather than requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
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 calculation and display of adjustments for achieving legal weight distribution, ensuring compliance and safety by accurately assessing tire pressure changes and communicating necessary adjustments to users and computer systems.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing module is configured to obtain a pressure measurement of a tire engaged to the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A weight sensing assembly for a semi-trailer truck enabling balancing of a load includes a sensing module, which is one of a plurality thereof. The sensing modules are mountable to wheels of the semi-trailer truck so that each axle has a sensing module engaged to outside wheels thereof. The sensing module obtains a pressure measurement of a tire engaged to the wheel and transmits it to an electronic device. Programming code on the electronic device enables it to utilize a pressure change, upon positioning of a load upon the semi-trailer truck, to determine a weight that is positioned upon an associated axle. The electronic device calculates adjustments to positions of a sliding fifth wheel and of sliding tandems of the semi-trailer truck to obtain positions thereof that will achieve a legal weight distribution of the load. The electronic device presents, upon a screen thereof, the adjustments to a user.