On-board microprocessor controlled load weighing system

An on-board load weighing system for trucks or other vehicles having a load platform, the system comprising:

• a plurality of load sensors coupled to the load platform, each load sensor producing an output signal that is a function of the load placed on the load platform;
• a plurality of transmitters electrically connected to the load sensors, at least one load sensor being connected to each transmitter, each transmitter including a microprocessor, a memory capable of storing data, and a data interface, the microprocessor receiving the output signal from the load sensors connected to the transmitter and using the output signal along with calibration data stored in the memory to produce a load signal that is a function of the load being placed on the load platform;
• and
• a master controller electrically connected to said transmitters to form a network in which the master controller is connected to the first one of the plurality of transmitters and the remaining transmitters are connected in chain-like sequence to the first transmitter, the master controller including a microprocessor that interrogates each transmitter in the network in sequential order to assign each transmitter a unique address to allow the master controller to identify each transmitter, the master controller receiving the load signals from each transmitter and using the load signals to produce a display signal that is a function of the load placed on the load platform.

An on-board load weighing system for use on tractor trailer trucks, the system comprising:

• a plurality of load sensors connected to the truck and a plurality of load sensors connected to the trailer;
• a transmitter located on the truck and electrically connected to the load sensors on the truck and a transmitter located on the trailer and electrically connected to the load sensors on the trailer, the load sensors providing the respective transmitters with an output signal that is a function of the load being placed within the trailer, each transmitter including a microprocessor that uses the output signal from the load sensors combined with calibration data stored in a memory in the transmitter to produce a load signal indicative of the load placed on the platform;
• and
• a master controller located on the truck and electrically connected to said transmitters to form a network in which the master controller is connected to the transmitter located on the truck and the transmitter on the trailer is connected to the transmitter on the truck, each transmitter being provided a pre-assigned address value each time power is applied to the load weighing system, the master controller interrogating each transmitter sequentially to identify each transmitter and to assign each transmitter a unique address to allow the master controller to uniquely identify each transmitter and thus the load signals provided by each transmitter, the master controller receiving the load signals from said transmitters and producing a display signal.