US 4,756,374 AGranted

Vehicle load sensing device

OwnerJohn D. Bailey, Robert L. Munn +1inventors

InventorsJohn D. Bailey, Robert L. Munn, Henry A. Thenikl

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A device (10) for providing an indication of loads exerted on a vehicle frame (12) comprises a sensing unit (22) mounted to and between the frame (12) and the vehicle axle (14) and for detecting vertical displacement of the frame (12) relative to the axle (14) when loads are exerted on the frame (12). The sensing unit (22) comprises an arm (126) pivotally mounted to the frame (12), through a pair of telescoping tubes (32, 44), and an adjustment rod (124) movably mounted to and between the arm (126) and the axle (14). When a load is exerted on the frame (12), the same depresses relative to the axle (14) and the arm (124) rotates. Rotational movement of the arm (124) is measured by a clinometer (128) mounted thereto and which converts the angular measurement into a coherent digital or analogue readout displayed by a receiving unit (26).

Claims18

Dependent claims

In a device adapted to be mounted to a vehicle for providing an indication of loads exerted on said vehicle, said vehicle comprising a drivetrain and a frame movable relative to said drivetrain, said frame comprising, on each side of said vehicle, an elongated substantially C-shaped, in cross section, frame member having upper and lower legs extending along longitudinal axes of said frame member and said device comprising a sensing means operable between said frame and said drivetrain and for detecting an alteration in distance between said frame and said drivetrain when a load is exerted on said vehicle, a clinometer means responsive to said sensing means for converting said alteration in distance detected by said sensing means to an output signal, a receivig means for receiving said output signal and indicating magnitude of a load exerted on said vehicle and a frame mounting means for mounting said sensing and clinometer means to said vehicle frame;

the improvement wherein:
said sensing means comprises an arm pivotably mounted to said frame mounting means and adapted to rotate in response to an alteration in distance between said frame and said drivetrain;
said clinometer means comprises a capacitive gravity sensor mounted to said arm and adapted to rotate with said arm, to measure rotational movement of said arm and to convert said rotational movement into said output signal;
and
said frame mounting means comprises a first mounting means adapted to be mounted to and anywhere along the length of one of said frame member upper and lower legs to selectively mount said sensing means at any one of a number of vertical and longitudinal positions relative to said frame.

2 more elements

In a device adapted to be mounted to a vehicle for providing an indication of loads exerted on said vehicle, said vehicle comprising a drivetrain and a frame movable relative to said drivetrain, said frame comprising, on each side of said vehicle, an elongated substantially C-shaped, in cross section, frame member having upper and lower legs extending along longitudinal axes of said frame member and said device comprising a sensing means operable between said frame and said drivetrain and for detecting an alteration in distance between said frame and said drivetrain when a load is exerted on said vehicle, a clinometer means responsive to said sensing means for converting said alteration in distance detected by said sensing means to an output signal, a receiving means for receiving said output signal and indicating magnitude of a load exerted on said vehicle and a frame mounting means for mounting said sensing and clinometer means to said vehicle frame, the improvement wherein:

said frame mounting means comprises a first mounting means adapted to be mounted to and anywhere along the length of one of said upper and lower legs for selectively mounting said sensing means at any one of a number of vertical and longitudinal positions relative to said frame.

In a device adapted to be mounted to a vehicle for providing an indication of loads exerted on said vehicle, said vehicle comprising a drivetrain and a frame movable relative to said drivetrain, and said device comprising a sensing means operable between said frame and said drivetrain and for detecting an alteration in distrance between said frame and said drivetrain when a load is exerted on said vehicle, a clinometer means responsive to said sensing means for converting said alteration in distance detected by said sensing means to an output signal, a receiving means for receiving said output signal and indicating magnitude of a load exerted on said vehicle and a frame mounting means for mounting said sensing and clinometer means to said vehicle frame;

the improvement wherein:
said sensing means comprises an arm pivotably mounted to said frame mounting means and adapted to rotate in response to an alteration in distance between said frame and said drivetrain;
said device further comprises a drivetrain mounting means for mounting said sensing means to said vehicle drivetrain;
and
said sensing means further comprises an adjustable rod means adapted to be mounted to and between said drivetrain mounting means and said pivoting arm and adjusted longitudinally to vary the length of said rod means, said adjustable rod means comprising a bearing and a pair of substantially parallel first and second vertical rods lockably and telescopically received in said bearing and movable longitudinally relative to each other, with said first rod adapted to be mounted, at a first end thereof, to said pivoting arm and said second rod adapted to be mounted, at a second end thereof opposite said first end of said first rod, to said drivetrain mounting means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/032,507Filed 31 Mar 1987
Granted: 12 Jul 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

G01G 7/06
Weighing apparatus wherein the balancing is effected by magnetic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic action, or by means not provided for in the…:…
G01G 19/08
Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups: for incorporation in vehicles
B60G 2200/30
Indexing codes relating to suspension types: rigid axle suspensions
B60G 2204/11
Mounting of suspension elements: mounting of sensors thereon