CA2590185A1 - Low profile load cell - Google Patents
Low profile load cell Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2590185A1 CA2590185A1 CA 2590185 CA2590185A CA2590185A1 CA 2590185 A1 CA2590185 A1 CA 2590185A1 CA 2590185 CA2590185 CA 2590185 CA 2590185 A CA2590185 A CA 2590185A CA 2590185 A1 CA2590185 A1 CA 2590185A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- load cell
- load
- low profile
- present
- cup
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G23/00—Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measurement Of Force In General (AREA)
Abstract
A low profile load cell for use in harsh industrial environments and configurable between an active configuration and an inactive configuration. The load cell includes a load sensor and a spacer that can be placed between the load sensor and the floor, the spacer being in contact with the load sensor and the floor in the active configuration.
Description
LOW PROFILE LOAD CELL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to load ceal technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of load cells for weight measurement, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Load cell technology itself is not new. As is well known to those skilled in the art, load cells may be used for weight measurement. However, currently known load cell technology lacks the advantages of the present invention. For example, present load cells are not adapted for use in harsh industrial environments where they can fail due to rough handling. By way of further example, no such load cell exists where it can be taken off-line when not in use, for example, when structures to which the load cells are attached are moved within the industrial environment.
There are certain advancements and applications, which represent innovations that do not exist in the load cell industry today_ It is, therefore, desirable to provide low profile load cells for harsh industrial environments, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous load cell products.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a load cell comprising a load sensor and a spacer for being positioned between the load sensor and a floor. The spacer is in contact with the load sensor and the floor when the load cell is an active configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a load cell of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig, 3 shows another embodiment of a load cell of the present invention when in an inactive configuration; and Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of the load cell of Fig. 3 with the leg cup in an active configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Generally, the present invention provides a low profile load cell for use in industrial emvironments.
Load cells of the present invention provide high weight capacities while retaining a small form factor. There is a need for load cells having capacities exceeding 300kg per sensor within a housing the size of a hockey puck or smaller. These load cells are intended to provide industrial capacities to the Modular Scale Kit and Lightweight Shop Floor Scale product lines.
The present invention provides features that protect load cells from harsh industrial environments. These features allow sensors to be taken "off line" when not in use. The first approach employs a swinging arm (spacer) attached to the weigh bearing leg.
Figure 1 depicts the leg and arm in the "off-line" position (view 1) and in the "on-line"
position (view 2). In the "off-line" position, the bend of the arm exerts upward pressure to keep it above the plane of contact with the ground surface. In this position, only the outer sections of the housing make surface contact thereby protecting the load cell. In the "on-line"
position, the arm is swung to a point where the leg is positioned below the pin of the load cell.
In this position, only the leg makes contact with the floor. Figure 2 provides a topside view of the load cell equipped with the swinging arm feature. It is in the "off-line" position.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to load ceal technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of load cells for weight measurement, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Load cell technology itself is not new. As is well known to those skilled in the art, load cells may be used for weight measurement. However, currently known load cell technology lacks the advantages of the present invention. For example, present load cells are not adapted for use in harsh industrial environments where they can fail due to rough handling. By way of further example, no such load cell exists where it can be taken off-line when not in use, for example, when structures to which the load cells are attached are moved within the industrial environment.
There are certain advancements and applications, which represent innovations that do not exist in the load cell industry today_ It is, therefore, desirable to provide low profile load cells for harsh industrial environments, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous load cell products.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a load cell comprising a load sensor and a spacer for being positioned between the load sensor and a floor. The spacer is in contact with the load sensor and the floor when the load cell is an active configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a load cell of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig, 3 shows another embodiment of a load cell of the present invention when in an inactive configuration; and Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of the load cell of Fig. 3 with the leg cup in an active configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Generally, the present invention provides a low profile load cell for use in industrial emvironments.
Load cells of the present invention provide high weight capacities while retaining a small form factor. There is a need for load cells having capacities exceeding 300kg per sensor within a housing the size of a hockey puck or smaller. These load cells are intended to provide industrial capacities to the Modular Scale Kit and Lightweight Shop Floor Scale product lines.
The present invention provides features that protect load cells from harsh industrial environments. These features allow sensors to be taken "off line" when not in use. The first approach employs a swinging arm (spacer) attached to the weigh bearing leg.
Figure 1 depicts the leg and arm in the "off-line" position (view 1) and in the "on-line"
position (view 2). In the "off-line" position, the bend of the arm exerts upward pressure to keep it above the plane of contact with the ground surface. In this position, only the outer sections of the housing make surface contact thereby protecting the load cell. In the "on-line"
position, the arm is swung to a point where the leg is positioned below the pin of the load cell.
In this position, only the leg makes contact with the floor. Figure 2 provides a topside view of the load cell equipped with the swinging arm feature. It is in the "off-line" position.
A second approach for protecting the load cell when not in use employs a protective "leg cup" (spacer) as a cover, Figure 3 shows various views of the protective leg cup and the seat where the load cell is located on the bottom of the weighing platform.
The first side view depicts the cup in its "off-line" protecting position. The leg cup can be constructed of steel and held in place by a grooved magnet which forms part of the load cell base.
The lips of the cup fit into the groove. In this position, only the apex of the cup makes contact with the ground surface. The second side view is also an "off-line" view, but is rotated 90 degrees to show more detail on the load cell itself. The "top view" depicts the load cell and groove with no cup present. Note that the groove does not extend a full 360 degrees. The cup has a notch corresponding to the gap in the groove which allows the load cell's pin arrr, to pass through.
Figure 4 shows the leg cup in its active position. A magnet on the back of the pin arm holds the leg cup in place. In this "on-line" position, the rim of the cup makes contact with the ground surface while the apex is in contact with the pin.
Low Profile/High Capacity Load Cell Innovations: Increased load cell capacity within a small form factor, swing arm protective device, protective leg cup The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifZcations and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
The first side view depicts the cup in its "off-line" protecting position. The leg cup can be constructed of steel and held in place by a grooved magnet which forms part of the load cell base.
The lips of the cup fit into the groove. In this position, only the apex of the cup makes contact with the ground surface. The second side view is also an "off-line" view, but is rotated 90 degrees to show more detail on the load cell itself. The "top view" depicts the load cell and groove with no cup present. Note that the groove does not extend a full 360 degrees. The cup has a notch corresponding to the gap in the groove which allows the load cell's pin arrr, to pass through.
Figure 4 shows the leg cup in its active position. A magnet on the back of the pin arm holds the leg cup in place. In this "on-line" position, the rim of the cup makes contact with the ground surface while the apex is in contact with the pin.
Low Profile/High Capacity Load Cell Innovations: Increased load cell capacity within a small form factor, swing arm protective device, protective leg cup The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifZcations and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A load cell comprising:
a load sensor; and a spacer for being positioned between the load sensor and a floor, the spacer being in contact with the load sensor and the floor in an active configuration of the load cell.
a load sensor; and a spacer for being positioned between the load sensor and a floor, the spacer being in contact with the load sensor and the floor in an active configuration of the load cell.
Priority Applications (12)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2590185 CA2590185A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2007-05-29 | Low profile load cell |
| JP2010509644A JP2010527856A (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with weighing scale |
| KR1020097027307A KR20100023011A (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| BRPI0812075-7A2A BRPI0812075A2 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | ROCKING PALLETS |
| US12/602,146 US20100187022A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| EP08757159A EP2162708A4 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| TW097119900A TW200909788A (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| CN2008801011311A CN101809422B (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| MX2009012913A MX2009012913A (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale. |
| CA2689921A CA2689921A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| PCT/CA2008/001023 WO2008144913A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
| AU2008255550A AU2008255550A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-29 | Pallet with scale |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2590185 CA2590185A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2007-05-29 | Low profile load cell |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2590185A1 true CA2590185A1 (en) | 2008-11-29 |
Family
ID=40074386
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2590185 Abandoned CA2590185A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2007-05-29 | Low profile load cell |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2590185A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9506106B2 (en) | 2013-10-15 | 2016-11-29 | Genetrainer Limited | Weight sensor suitable for use under a bed with a deformable plate mounted to a base at three contact points |
| US10365149B2 (en) | 2013-10-15 | 2019-07-30 | Bedsense Limited | Bed based weight sensors for physiological analysis |
-
2007
- 2007-05-29 CA CA 2590185 patent/CA2590185A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9506106B2 (en) | 2013-10-15 | 2016-11-29 | Genetrainer Limited | Weight sensor suitable for use under a bed with a deformable plate mounted to a base at three contact points |
| US10365149B2 (en) | 2013-10-15 | 2019-07-30 | Bedsense Limited | Bed based weight sensors for physiological analysis |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |