On board weighing system for weighing the load borne by a vehicle
AssigneeRice Lake Bearing, Inc.
InventorHarold D. Dojan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a onboard weighing system for a vehicle the load is carried by a load frame which during the transport mode rests on the vehicle support frame and for weighing, after the vehicle has come to a stop, a force is applied to raise the load frame off the vehicle support frame and onto a load cell so that the load cell will produce a signal indication of the weight of the load. As a feature the load cell is pivotally mounted in gimbal rings to compensate for any pitch or roll angles due to tilting of the vehicle and/or the load frame. As yet another feature a mechanism is provided to securely but releasably lock the load or weigh frame onto the vehicle support frame during the transport mode.
Claims14
An onboard load weighing system for a vehicle having a vehicle support frame and a load frame for carrying a load, said load frame resting on said support frame when the load is being transported, comprising:
- (a) load cell means for producing a signal indication in response to an applied force;
- (b) means for coupling said load cell means to the vehicle support frame;
- (c) means for elevating said load frame from said vehicle support frame and for coupling said load frame to said load cell for transferring the weight of said load frame to said load cell, having a double acting linear power device having a driving member and a driven member, said driving member pivotally attached to said load frame;
- and having means for pivotally coupling said driven member to said load cell, said means for pivotally coupling said driven member to said load cell having (i) a first elongated lever arm pivotally attached at an end to the load frame and pivotally attached to said power device driven member at a substantial distance from said first-mentioned end;
- (ii) an elongated weigh arm pivotally attached at an end to said load frame;
- (iii) means for pivotally attaching said load cell to said weigh arm;
- and (iv) means for contacting said weigh arm with said first elongated lever arm to apply a force to said weigh arm and to said load cell when said driven member is driven;
- and
- (d) said means for coupling the load cell to said vehicle support frame and to said load frame arranged to apply the force of the load frame weight on said load cell in line with the earth's gravity pull even if the load frame is tilted with respect to the vehicle support frame.
An on-board load weighing system for a vehicle having a vehicle support frame and a load frame for carrying a load, said load frame resting on said support frame when the load is being transported, comprising:
- (a) a load cell for producing a signal indication of the weight of a load when in tension;
- (b) a first gimbal ring pivotally attached to the vehicle support frame;
- (c) means for pivotally attaching an end of said load cell to said first gimbal ring;
- (d) a second gimbal ring generally parallel to said first gimbal ring;
- (e) means for pivotally attaching the opposite end of said load cell to said second gimbal ring.
- (f) a double acting linear power device having a fixed member and a movable member, said fixed member pivotally attached to the load frame;
- (g) a first engaged lever arm pivotally attached at an end to the load frame and pivotally attached to said movable member away from said first-mentioned end;
- (h) a weigh arm pivotally attached at one end of said load frame, said weigh arm including a gimbal support yoke extending upward from said weigh arm;
- (i) means for pivotally attaching said second gimbal ring to said yoke;
- (j) a lip member extending outward from said weigh arm;
- (k) said first elongated lever arm contacting said weigh arm lip member and applying a force thereto when said movable member is moved to cause said fixed member to raise the load frame from the vehicle support frame and to transfer the weight of the load frame to said load cell to produce a signal indication of the load frame weight.
An on-board load weighing system for a vehicle having a vehicle support frame and a load frame for carrying a load, said load frame resting in a rest disposition on said support frame when the load is being transported, comprising:
- (a) load cell means for producing a signal indication in response to an applied force;
- (b) means for coupling said load cell means to the vehicle support frame;
- (c) means for elevating said load frame from said vehicle support frame from the rest disposition to a weighing disposition and for coupling said load frame to said load cell for transferring the weight of said load frame to said load cell having a liftoff system for bearing the weight of the load frame during transit of said load frame from the rest disposition to the weighing disposition wherein said liftoff system includes a cammed arm having a cam surface, the cam surface bearing the weight of the load frame only during said transit of said vehicle support frame from the rest disposition to the weighing disposition.
- (d) said means for coupling the load cell to said vehicle support frame and to said load frame arranged to apply the force of the load frame weight on said load cell in line with the earth's gravity pull even if the load frame is tilted with respect to the vehicle support frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.