AU684576B2 - Vehicle on-board weight indicator - Google Patents

Vehicle on-board weight indicator Download PDF

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Publication number
AU684576B2
AU684576B2 AU10596/95A AU1059695A AU684576B2 AU 684576 B2 AU684576 B2 AU 684576B2 AU 10596/95 A AU10596/95 A AU 10596/95A AU 1059695 A AU1059695 A AU 1059695A AU 684576 B2 AU684576 B2 AU 684576B2
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
vehicle
displacement
weight
converter
electrical signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
AU10596/95A
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AU1059695A (en
Inventor
Stephen Maxwell Morrison
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of AU1059695A publication Critical patent/AU1059695A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU684576B2 publication Critical patent/AU684576B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01GWEIGHING
    • G01G19/00Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/08Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for incorporation in vehicles
    • G01G19/10Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for incorporation in vehicles having fluid weight-sensitive devices

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Vehicle Waterproofing, Decoration, And Sanitation Devices (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Description

"VEHICLE ON-BOARD WEIGHT INDICATOR" FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a vehicle on-board weight indicator and in particular, but not limited to a weight indicator providing a display of weight distribution.
BACKGROUND ART Transport vehicles are permitted by law to carry up to a maximum load per axle. A fine is incurred where a vehicle is overloaded.
At present, on-board vehicle weight indicators are available but these are too expensive for most drivers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a less expensive alternative so that a driver can obtain an indication of overload so that he can elect to reduce or redistribute his load to avoid a fine.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In one aspect therefore, the present invention resides in a vehicle on-board weight indicator for a vehicle having relatively moveable parts displaceable in response to changes in the vehicle's load, movement of the parts providing a measurable displacement indicative of weight being carried by the vehicle, the .oo. on-board weight indicator comprising a converter means employing a differential j 20 pressure transducer, an electrical signal receiving and processing means and a numeric display, the converter means being operative to convert the displacement between the relatively moveable parts to a displacement related electrical signal, the electrical signal receiver and processing means being adapted to receive the displacement related electrical signal and provide an oijtput indicative of weight, 25 and the numeric display means visually displaying weight information derived from said output from said electrical signal receiver and processing means.
t Preferably, a plurality of converters are employed at spaced apart locations on the vehicle, and each converter being operative to convert respective displacements between respective spaced pairs of relatively moveable parts so that a weight distribution can be displayed on the numeric display means.
Typically, the relatively moveable parts comprise a chassis or part thereof Sand a wheel assembly or part thereof respectively. The displacement between the
I
chassis relative to an axle as the chassis is loaded against an intermediate suspension is typically the displacement used by the present invention. Typically, a converter is employed adjacent each wheel and/or each axle of a vehicle so that a weight distribution across the vehicle can be obtained and displayed.
A typical converter comprises first and second converter stages, the first converter stage is typically a mechanical displacement to liquid displacement conversion stage and the second conversion stage is typically a liquid displacement to electrical signal conversion stage.
Where the converter involves displacement of a liquid by a mechanical means, a load reduction means is preferably employed to reduce load on the mechanical means when a measurement is not being taken. Preferably the load reduction means includes one or a pair of floating pistons. The floating piston(s) preferably communicate with a check valve and solenoid valve arranged in parallel so that liquid can flow away from the floating piston(s) when the solenoid valve is closed.
The electrical receiver and processing means preferably includes calibration means so that the visual display gives a true indication of weight.
The numeric display means typically displays weight information selected :from the following:- S* 20 tare weight per axle; (ii) lyload per axle; (iii) gross weight per axle; and gross weight of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and be put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying :too drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:- Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating one preferred embodiment of a vehicle on-board weight indicator according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an alternative converter means suitable for use with the present invention; and RFigures 3 to 7 are flow charts illustrating a typical control program suitable 3 for a vehicle on board weight indicator according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is illustrated in schematic form a vehicle on-board weight indicator 10 comprising a converter means 11, an electrical signal receiving and processing means 12 and a numeric display 13.
The electrical signal receiving and processing areas is typically a PLC although a specifically designed circuit can be employed.
The converter means includes a first conversion stage comprising a linkage 14 connected at one end 15 to a fixed position relative to an axle 16 and at its other end 17 to a level actuator 18, the level actuator being secured to the vehicle chassis (not shown).
The chassis is suspended above the axle 16 via a spring suspension 19 and as the vehicle is loaded, the distance between the axle 16 and the chassis changes according to the applied load.
The displacement between the axle and the chassis displaces liquid in the level actuator which forms part of a second conversion stage displacing liquid in an electronic fluid level indicator 20 to generate a displacement related electrical :o signal along line 21. An air pressure chamber 22 is employed to maintain 20 pressure on the piston 18a of the level actuator 18.
The displacement related electrical signal is then fed to the electrical signal receiving and processing means which has a plurality of inputs 23, 24 and 25 so i that displacement related electrical signals from different locations on the vehicle can be input for processing.
25 In the illustrated embodiment, the display is positioned in the driver's cabin and in this case, comprises a two column display with one display for a first axle being given generally at 26 and the other column being display for a second axle being given generally at 27. Extra displays would be used for extra axles.
The first line in the display at column 26 and 27 would provide the tare weight per axle calculated from the input signals. The second line gives the payload per axle and the third line, the gross weight per axle. The lower display at 28 A97 provides the gross weight of the vehicle also calculated from a sum of the input I c signals. Calibration knobs 29 are provided in order to calibrate the signal receiving and processing means so that a true weight indication is given on the display.
A driver can easily check his approximate weight to sufficient accuracy so he can choose to reduce or redistribute his load to avoid a fine.
So that the piston 27 is only under load when a measurement is being taken, an electrically actuated valve 26 is employed between the level actuator 18 and the !evel indicator Referring now to Figure 2 there is illustrated an alternative converter means 28 based on a differential pressure transducer 29. A suitable transducer is marketed under the brand SMAR under the LD301 series available from SMAR International Corporation of Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
A typical arrangement for a single axle is illustrated in Figure 2 where a pair of actuators 18 linked to the axles in the same general way as previously described. A separate arrangement of this type would be employed for each axle, A check valve 30 is employed to prevent fluid flow to the pistons 18 when the vehicle is moving.
A solenoid valve 31 is employed and is opened when the vehicle is :2 stationary and in order to take a measurement. A fluid column 33 shows the S 20 various load positions between no load and full load.
The pistons 18 includes a floating piston 32 which is normally away from a piston seat 34 and as the check valve 30 only allows flow back up into the column 31 there will be no load on the axles until a reading is to be taken.
When the solenoid valve 31 opens the floating pistons will seat on the seats 34 25 and a ieading can be taken.
Referring now to Figures 3 to 7 there is illustrated a typical program sequence applicable to the present invention.
Figure 3 is the sequence in "off-line mode" where the system awaits an input from the keypad. The input can be say an F1 key to take a reading or a "page" key to display selected data or enter other operational modes including a S"configuration mode".
If the Fl key is struc:k the sequence of Figure 4 comes into play. The
I
solenoid valve 31 opens and the floating pistons 32 seat on the seats 34 and then inputs are read out. Inputs can include a raw level input and a liquid temperature. These inputs are then processed to correct for temnerature and to convert the raw level to display gross mass for the whole vehicle. Further key inputs can scroll through different data calculated say for each axle and sequentially display each one.
Only a limited time is available for further action and once that time is up the system is deactivated and the solenoid valve closed.
Figure 5 represents a sequence for display of stored values or limits following repeated striking of the "page" key. Once all limit values have been displayed the sequence leads into a "configuration mode" illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The configuration mode prompts for a security code as actual limit values and operating parameters can be changed in this mode.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention has been illustrated schematically, for clarity and ease of understanding of the basic principles of the present invention. It will therefore be appreciated that whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention, many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
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Claims (8)

1. A vehicle on-board weight indicator for a vehicle having relatively moveable parts displaceable in response to changes in the vehicle's load, movement of the parts providing a measurable displacement indicative of weight being carried by the vehicle, the on-board weight indicator comprising a converter means employing a differential pressure transducer, an electrical signal receiving and processing means and a display, the converter means being operative to convert the displacement between the relatively moveable parts to a displacement related electrical signal, the electrical signal receiver and processing means being adapted to receive the displacement related electrical signal and provide an output indicative of weight, and the display means visually displaying weight information derived from said output from said electrical signal receiver and processing means.
2. A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 1 where a plurality of converters are employed at spaced apart locations on the vehicle to convert the displacement between the chassis relative to an axle as the chassis is loaded S Sl against an intermediate suspension.
3. A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 1 or claim 2 .wherein the converter comprises first and second converter stages, the first converter stage being a mechanical displacement to liquid displacement conversion stage and the second conversion stage being a liquid displacement •of 606:9, to electrical signal conversion stage employing said differential pressure transducer.
4. A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 1 wherein the converter involves displacement of a liquid by a mechanical means, and includes a load reduction means employed to reduce load on the mechanical means when a measurement is not being taken.
A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 1 wherein the electrical receiver and processing means includes calibration means so that the visual display gives a true indication of weight.
6. A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 1 wherein the RV display means displays weight information selected from the following:- I I tare weight per axle; (ii) pa per axle; (iii) gross weight per axle; and (iv) gross weight of the vehicle.
7. A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 1 wherein the converter means includes a pair of floating pistons adapted to float to a position away from respective piston seats when the vehicle is moving.
8. A vehicle on-board weight indicator according to claim 4 wherein the load reduction means comprises a check valve in parallel with a solenoid valve both communicating with a floating piston so that liquid can flow away from the piston through the check valve when the solenoid is closed. 0* 0 a.* *0*o a. o r
AU10596/95A 1993-11-24 1994-11-24 Vehicle on-board weight indicator Expired - Fee Related AU684576B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPM2586 1993-11-24
AUPM258693 1993-11-24
PCT/AU1994/000728 WO1995014589A1 (en) 1993-11-24 1994-11-24 Vehicle on-board weight indicator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU1059695A AU1059695A (en) 1995-06-13
AU684576B2 true AU684576B2 (en) 1997-12-18

Family

ID=3777377

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU10596/95A Expired - Fee Related AU684576B2 (en) 1993-11-24 1994-11-24 Vehicle on-board weight indicator

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0680417A4 (en)
AU (1) AU684576B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2154280A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1995014589A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2195702B1 (en) * 2001-01-23 2005-03-01 Juan Carrion Espelta MECHANISM OF WEIGHT CONTROL IN WAGONS OF TRANSPORT OF BULK PRODUCTS.
US7142102B2 (en) * 2004-11-07 2006-11-28 Lear Corporation Weight overload warning system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4706768A (en) * 1986-03-03 1987-11-17 Gagik Kozozian Onboard truck scale
WO1989010284A1 (en) * 1988-04-11 1989-11-02 Ounaslehto Erkki Arrangement in a vehicle or the like for weighing the loading weight
US5161628A (en) * 1989-05-09 1992-11-10 Wirth Gallo Messtechnik Ag Axle spring balance

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3151692A (en) * 1962-10-23 1964-10-06 Dysart Norman Load measuring apparatus for vehicles
BE795389A (en) * 1972-02-18 1973-05-29 Sommer Rudolf DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE PAYLOAD OF VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY MOTOR VEHICLES
FR2221719B1 (en) * 1973-03-15 1976-05-21 Westinghouse Freins & Signaux
US3955636A (en) * 1973-06-01 1976-05-11 Malcolm Anthony Askew Weighing apparatus for truck and vehicle loads
US4219088A (en) * 1978-10-12 1980-08-26 Finney Orville H Load indicator
AU6764981A (en) * 1980-02-25 1981-09-03 Otto Pickermann Truck overload warning system
GB2178546A (en) * 1985-06-20 1987-02-11 Softlife Limited Vehicle load-measuring system
US4832141A (en) * 1986-11-28 1989-05-23 Accu-Weigh Systems, Inc. Vehicle mounted load indicator system
AU623291B2 (en) * 1987-08-28 1992-05-07 James Ylias Weight indication device
FR2684761B1 (en) * 1991-12-06 1996-01-05 Landais Jean Luc METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE AXLE LOAD OF A VEHICLE.
US5478974A (en) * 1993-05-17 1995-12-26 Hi-Tech Scales, Inc. On-board vehicle weighing system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4706768A (en) * 1986-03-03 1987-11-17 Gagik Kozozian Onboard truck scale
WO1989010284A1 (en) * 1988-04-11 1989-11-02 Ounaslehto Erkki Arrangement in a vehicle or the like for weighing the loading weight
US5161628A (en) * 1989-05-09 1992-11-10 Wirth Gallo Messtechnik Ag Axle spring balance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0680417A1 (en) 1995-11-08
AU1059695A (en) 1995-06-13
CA2154280A1 (en) 1995-06-01
EP0680417A4 (en) 1996-05-29
WO1995014589A1 (en) 1995-06-01

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