Wireless Load Cell Kit Integrating Battery and Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load cell systems face reliability issues due to cable failures and complex installation processes, and require external power supplies for wireless communication modules, limiting their application and increasing maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A load cell wireless kit that includes a waterproof shell with a circuitry board, battery, and communication modules, allowing for cable-free installation, reduced power consumption, and easy maintenance, featuring both wired and wireless communication capabilities powered by a battery or external supply, with interchangeable antennas and protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication module is equipped onto the load cell, then cable loss is avoided and installation difficulty is reduced, but the load cell requires external power supply which limits application scope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wireless communication module with the load cell into an integrated assembly, where the wireless module is mounted directly on the load cell body. This merging eliminates the need for separate external power supplies and cable connections, allowing the load cell to function autonomously while maintaining wireless communication capability, thus expanding application scope without compromising installation ease.
2Reliability
If load cell cable and junction box are used for electric connection, then power supply and signal transmission are achieved, but system reliability decreases due to cable breakage and flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cable and junction box components from the traditional load cell system. By integrating the wireless communication module directly onto the load cell, the system removes the vulnerable cable connections and junction boxes that are prone to breakage and flooding, thereby significantly improving system reliability while reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables and junction boxes for power supply and signal transmission, the load cell uses wireless communication modules to transmit data, eliminating the mechanical connection points that are susceptible to damage from cable breakage and environmental factors like flooding.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional load cell cable system is used, then electric connection is established, but construction workload and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable and junction box components from the system, eliminating the need for extensive cable laying and junction box installation. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces construction workload and the quantity of materials required, while maintaining full electrical connection functionality through the integrated wireless module.
4Reliability
If wireless communication module is added to load cell, then cable-related failures are eliminated, but power consumption increases due to external power supply requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management system with the wireless communication module, integrating power consumption optimization features directly into the wireless module. This allows the system to eliminate cable-related failures while managing power consumption efficiently through integrated power management circuits that regulate energy usage of the wireless module, preventing excessive power consumption despite the added wireless functionality.
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 enhances system reliability, reduces installation complexity, and lowers operational costs by enabling wireless communication without cables or junction boxes, while maintaining system functionality and flexibility across different load cell types.
Implementation Method 1
Upon being exposed to external forces, the counter force on the load cell takes a deformation. Simultaneously a resistance strain gauge, which is affixed on the load cell, is deformed which causes a change in a resistance value of the resistance strain gauge.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A load cell wireless kit includes a load cell (8) and a kit component removable attached to the outside of the load cell (8), wherein the kit component comprises a waterproof shell (3) and a circuitry board (4), an antenna port (2) as well as an electrical interface (7) is mounted on the waterproof shell (3), and the circuitry board (4) is configured with a core processing module, an analog-to-digital converter module, a wired communication module, a wireless communication module and a battery slot (6). A battery (5) is disposed in the battery slot (6). The input of analog-to-digital converter module or the input of wired communication module is coupled with the analog signal or digital signal outputted from the load cell. The output of the analog-to-digital converter module is coupled to the core processing module, and the wired communication module as well as the wireless communication module is coupled to a communication port of the core processing module. The wireless communication module is further coupled to an antenna (1) mounted on the antenna port (2). The load cell wireless kit is free of cables and junction box, and provides a great convenience for use and saves power consumption, without affecting normal functions of the system.