EP0898696A1 - Load measuring device for a vehicle - Google Patents

Load measuring device for a vehicle

Info

Publication number
EP0898696A1
EP0898696A1 EP97921970A EP97921970A EP0898696A1 EP 0898696 A1 EP0898696 A1 EP 0898696A1 EP 97921970 A EP97921970 A EP 97921970A EP 97921970 A EP97921970 A EP 97921970A EP 0898696 A1 EP0898696 A1 EP 0898696A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
torsion
support
load
ground engaging
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97921970A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Limited Ronani
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0898696A1 publication Critical patent/EP0898696A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60GVEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2401/00Indexing codes relating to the type of sensors based on the principle of their operation
    • B60G2401/12Strain gauge

Definitions

  • This invention relates to vehicle loading. In particular it is concerned with establishing
  • a weighing device According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a weighing device
  • the torsion can
  • the sole figure is a diagrammatic view of a pan of a vehicle suspension unit
  • a vehicle body 11, shown only in part, is supported on a ground engaging wheel 12 by
  • the axle 15 has an upwardly extending arm 18 which is
  • torsion rod 21 is
  • the torsion rod 21 is only subject to torque arising from the vertical motion of axle 15
  • the torsion rod 21 carries a compact network 23 of strain gauges and amplifiers
  • the output signal by way of lead 25 to a processor/display unit 26 in the vicinity of the driver of the vehicle.
  • the output signal is processed by way of the unit 26 and displayed as at least a static vehicle load figure to the driver.
  • This displayed figure can either be a
  • the torsion rod arrangement described is applied to one wheel or axle of a vehicle which can be used to provide a reasonably accurate representation of the propo ⁇ ion of the load acting at the mounting point from which the overall load on the vehicle can be extrapolated.
  • separate torsion measuring units can be provided for each of two wheels (such as two rear wheels) on opposite sides of a vehicle to provide two outputs to enable the load to be determined and also to establish the existence of an out-of- balance loading needing correction before the vehicle is used on the public highway.
  • the output of the transducer or transducers can be any suitable output of the transducer or transducers.
  • the transducers will serve to indicate a periodic weight oscillation.
  • control input is
  • the present invention provides for the ready display of an accurate indication of vehicle

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to vehicle loading. In particular it is concerned with establishing whether a load carried by a vehicle exceeds a pre-determined load limit for the vehicle. The invention utilises a torsion bar (21) fitted between the vehicle suspension unit and the vehicle body (11) supported by the suspension unit. A torsion distension detection device (23) is fitted to the torsion bar which provides a signal whose amplitude is relative to the distortion of the torsion bar and, hence, the vehicle loading. This signal is passed to a display unit (26) which presents at least a static vehicle load figure to the driver. This displayed figure can either be a direct reading (250) of the actual load (at least with the vehicle still) or a warning signal indicating that the safe working load has been exceeded. In this latter case the display could be maintained until the vehicle load has been reduced below the threshold of the safe working load.

Description

LOAD MEASURING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vehicle loading. In particular it is concerned with establishing
whether a load carried by a vehicle exceeds a pre-determined load limit for the vehicle
For a vehicle to make use of public roads and other locations to which members of the
public have access it has to meet a range of safety requirements One of these is a
loading requirement. This is particularly significant for heavy goods vehicles but is also
applicable to passenger carrying cars and derivatives thereof. In considering a weight
limit there is not only the question of static load transmitted to the ground through the
wheels of the vehicle but also the dynamic effects the load has on the handling and
behaviour of the loaded vehicle An excessive and/or badly distributed load can result in
a serious deterioration in the handling behaviour of the vehicle especially to an
inexperienced driver. The handling situation can be further aggravated by adverse weather conditions such as arise from heavy rainfall or snow and ice
Background to the Invention
In order to establish the size of the load carried by a vehicle it is known to weigh it on a weigh bridge when loaded and subtracting the unloaded vehicle weight to give the
weight of the load. However it would be a matter of considerable benefit to have an accurate weighing system which did not require a weighing device external to the
vehicle
Summary of Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a weighing device
in the form of a member for mounting between a vehicle body and a support adapted
for movement with a ground engaging means for the vehicle characterised in that the
member is subject to torsion when the support moves relative to the body the amplitude
of the torsion relative to some datum value serving as a measure of the displacement of
the support relative to vehicle body and so of the load generating the displacement
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having
a bodv supported by ground engaging means; a support for the ground engaging means
providing for the rotation of the ground engaging means to drive the vehicle; the
support further serving to provide for vertical motion of the support relative to the
vehicle body in response to vertical loading of the support, a longitudinal member
located by one end on the body member and by the other end to the one end on the
support such that motion of the support relative to the body results in the member being
subject to torsion, and means for detecting the amplitude of the torsion or a function
thereof and for relating the amplitude to the vehicle loading Typically the torsion can
be measured by means of, amongst other possible transducers, a strain gauge or a load
cell or a linearly variable differential transformer Such devices provide for a friction free transducer with few or no moving parts which can be readily housed so as be
shielded from dirt and impact damage.
Preferred features of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims 2 to 5 and 7
to 10
Brief Description of the Drawing
The sole figure is a diagrammatic view of a pan of a vehicle suspension unit
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the
sole figure of the accompanying drawing
A vehicle body 11, shown only in part, is supported on a ground engaging wheel 12 by
means of a suspension unit made up of a hub 13 mounted on end 14 of an axle 15 and
attached to the body by way of a conventional suspension unit made up of a spring 16 and a shock absorber 17 The axle 15 has an upwardly extending arm 18 which is
coupled by radial arm 19 to end 20 of a torsion rod 21. End 22 of torsion rod 21 is
anchored by block 22 to body 1 1. As the arm 18 and block 22 are constrained so that
the torsion rod 21 is only subject to torque arising from the vertical motion of axle 15
relative to the body 11 The torsion rod 21 carries a compact network 23 of strain gauges and amplifiers
enabling the amplitude of the torque to which the rod 21 to be sensed and fed as an
output signal by way of lead 25 to a processor/display unit 26 in the vicinity of the driver of the vehicle. The output signal is processed by way of the unit 26 and displayed as at least a static vehicle load figure to the driver. This displayed figure can either be a
direct reading of the actual load (at least with the vehicle still) or a warning signal
indicating that the safe working load has been exceeded
In this latter case the display could be maintained until the vehicle load has been
reduced below the threshold of the safe working load.
For a quantitative read out the system is readily calibrated by establishing a datum reading with the vehicle in an unloaded condition and then applying known loading and
establishing an operating curve from the indicated outputs. The torsion rod arrangement described is applied to one wheel or axle of a vehicle which can be used to provide a reasonably accurate representation of the propoπion of the load acting at the mounting point from which the overall load on the vehicle can be extrapolated. However it is also envisaged that separate torsion measuring units can be provided for each of two wheels (such as two rear wheels) on opposite sides of a vehicle to provide two outputs to enable the load to be determined and also to establish the existence of an out-of- balance loading needing correction before the vehicle is used on the public highway.
Apart from use in a static condition the output of the transducer or transducers can be
used to establish the occurrence of weight changes however generated such as when the vehicle is on the move. One example involves the use of transducers on two rear wheels
of a vehicle towing a trailer such as a caravan. In the event that the trailer starts to yaw
then the transducers will serve to indicate a periodic weight oscillation. Such
information suitably displayed could be particularly significant in warning a vehicle
driver when towing a trailer with little or no towing experience that control input is
urgently required In addition the nature of the required input could be generated
The present invention provides for the ready display of an accurate indication of vehicle
loading by means of a relatively cheap self contained measuring system Various
versions of the invention are applicable to a wide range of vehicles. However it is
particularly, though not exclusively, intended for use with a light goods vehicle where a
wide range of loads can be experienced in the course of a relatively short working
period It could also usefully be used in a passenger car subject to occasional load
carrying so that even an inexperienced driver can readily and unequivocally establish
whether the vehicle is approaching or exceeding a safe working load

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 A weighing device in the form of a member for mounting between a vehicle
body and a support adapted for movement with a ground engaging means for the vehicle characterised in that the member is subject to torsion when the support moves
relative to the body the amplitude of the torsion relative to some datum value serving as
a measure of the displacement of the support relative to vehicle body and so of the load generating the displacement
2 A weighing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ground engaging means is
a wheel or track
3. A weighing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member subject to torsion
includes means for converting the torsion to an electrical signal
4 A weighing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member subject to torsion
comprises at least one strain gauge
5 A weighing device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising another member
for mounting between a vehicle body and a support adapted for movement with a
ground engaging means for the vehicle
6 A vehicle having a body supported by ground engaging means, the vehicle comprising a support for the ground engaging means providing for the rotation of the ground engaging means to drive the vehicle; the support further serving to provide for substantially vertical motion of the support relative to the vehicle body in response to vertical loading of the support; a longitudinal member located by one end on the body member and by the other end to the one end on the support such that motion of the support relative to the body results in the member being subject to torsion; and means for detecting the amplitude of the torsion or a function thereof and for relating the amplitude to the vehicle loading.
7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ground engaging means is a wheel
or track
8 A vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for detecting the amplitude
of the torsion includes means for converting the torsion to an electrical signal.
9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for converting torsion to an
electrical signal comprises at least one strain gauge
10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6, further comprising another longitudinal member located by one end on the body member and by the other end to the one end on the support such that motion of the support relative to the body results in the member being subject to torsion
EP97921970A 1996-05-14 1997-05-14 Load measuring device for a vehicle Withdrawn EP0898696A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9609992 1996-05-14
GB9609992A GB2313203B (en) 1996-05-14 1996-05-14 Vehicle loading
PCT/GB1997/001318 WO1997043605A1 (en) 1996-05-14 1997-05-14 Load measuring device for a vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0898696A1 true EP0898696A1 (en) 1999-03-03

Family

ID=10793636

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97921970A Withdrawn EP0898696A1 (en) 1996-05-14 1997-05-14 Load measuring device for a vehicle

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0898696A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2000509482A (en)
KR (1) KR20000011058A (en)
GB (1) GB2313203B (en)
WO (1) WO1997043605A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19839542A1 (en) * 1998-08-31 2000-07-06 Franz Rottner Loading display/indicator for vehicles and supporters of every type that records at one or more measuring points
NL1020742C2 (en) * 2002-06-03 2003-12-08 Terberg Techniek B V Freight vehicle, refuse vehicle or trailer has chassis on which is mounted load space and axle assembly on which wheels are fitted, spring system between chassis and axle assembly and weighing device
GB0623802D0 (en) * 2006-11-29 2007-01-10 Brown Duncan An arrangement of interconnected devices or system to indicate loading state or overload of the axles on a vehicle
GB2480629A (en) 2010-05-25 2011-11-30 Horstman Defence Systems Ltd A retaining mechanism for retaining a vehicle suspension arm in a raisd position
GB2480631B (en) 2010-05-25 2016-06-22 Horstman Defence Systems Ltd Suspension unit
GB2480630A (en) 2010-05-25 2011-11-30 Horstman Defence Systems Ltd A suspension unit for use on a tracked vehicle
GB2480628A (en) * 2010-05-25 2011-11-30 Horstman Defence Systems Ltd A suspension unit for use on a tracked vehicle including a load sensor
FR2996637A1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-11 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Load sensor for measuring force applied to driving abutment along axis to slow down movements of base and intermediate part of commercial vehicle, has measuring sensor measuring force between support and part or displacement of support
DE102022208065A1 (en) 2022-08-03 2023-07-06 Vitesco Technologies GmbH Method of calibrating a weight sensing device of a vehicle and vehicle

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3707076A (en) * 1970-05-04 1972-12-26 Northern Technical Services In Load-registry device
GB1526457A (en) * 1977-05-17 1978-09-27 Strainstall Ltd Vehicle weighbridge
US4682665A (en) * 1986-08-20 1987-07-28 Young Brad J Portable low profile mechanical scales
US5616889A (en) * 1994-01-21 1997-04-01 Paul; John Apparatus for weighing a load with a pair of summing bars and suspension straps

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9743605A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2313203B (en) 2000-09-20
WO1997043605A1 (en) 1997-11-20
GB9609992D0 (en) 1996-07-17
JP2000509482A (en) 2000-07-25
GB2313203A (en) 1997-11-19
KR20000011058A (en) 2000-02-25

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