NL2013883B1

NL2013883B1 - Weighing system.

Info

Publication number: NL2013883B1
Application number: NL2013883A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Nijhuis Johannes; Van Arkel Willem
Original assignee: Nijhuis Eng Dronten B V
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2014-11-27
Publication date: 2016-10-11

Abstract

The invention relates to a weighing system, comprising: a top plate having a first top surface, a first bottom surface and a first side circumference, wherein, during use, the top plate is connected to a lower part of a top construction member with the first top surface, a bottom plate having a second top surface, a second bottom surface and a second side circumference, wherein, during use, the bottom plate is connected to an upper part of a bottom construction member with the second bottom surface, wherein the top and bottom construction members are aligned in a load transfer direction and the top and bottom plates extend in a plane perpendicular to the load transfer direction, load transfer means, connected to the top plate and the bottom plate for transferring the load between the top plate and the bottom plate, provided with load measurement means for measuring the load being transferred through the load transfer means, characterized in that the load transfer means are arranged at an outer edge of the first and second side circumferences and the first bottom surface is situated adjacent to the second top surface.

Description

Weighing system

Field of the invention [0001] The present invention relates to a weighing system, comprising: a top plate having a first top surface, a first bottom surface and a first side circumference, wherein, during use, the top plate is connected to a lower part of a top construction member with the first top surface, a bottom plate having a second top surface, a second bottom surface and a second side circumference, wherein, during use, the bottom plate is connected to an upper part of a bottom construction member with the second bottom surface, wherein the top and bottom construction members are aligned in a load transfer direction and the top and bottom plates extend in a plane perpendicular to the load transfer direction, and load transfer means, connected to the top plate and the bottom plate for transferring the load between the top plate and the bottom plate, provided with load measurement means for measuring the load being transferred through the load transfer means.

Background of the invention [0002] Such a weighing system is known from practice. Such weighing systems are for instance used with mechanical constructions such as transport vehicles to weigh loads present in for example the suspension of such transport vehicles. Such weighing systems are often linked to computerized monitoring systems.

[0003] The present construction of such weighing systems makes them unsuitable for retrofitting, as the original design of the aforementioned vehicles did not take the inclusion of such a weighing system into account. Complete modification of for instance the suspension of these existing transport vehicles is often necessary. This is first of all expensive, but often also technically infeasible, because the mechanical construction itself does not allow the often bulky weighing systems to be fitted.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a weighing system that is less bulky such that it can be retrofitted in an existing mechanical construction.

Summary of the invention [0005] Hereto, the weighing system according to the invention is characterized in that the load transfer means are arranged at an outer edge of the first and second side circumferences and a space between the top and bottom plates is free from load transfer means, wherein the first bottom surface is situated adjacent to the second top surface.

[0006] Due to the the load transfer means being arranged at an outer edge of the first and second side circumferences, the first bottom surface can be arranged very close to the second top surface. I.e. according to the prior art the load transfer means are arranged in between the top and bottom plates, but according to the invention a space between the top and bottom plates is free from load transfer means and the load transfer means, usually along with the load measurement means, are located at the sides of the top and bottom plates, such that the top and bottom plates can be arranged very close together. This saves a lot of space, in particular height, and allows the weighing system to be easily retrofitted between a top construction member and a bottom construction member of for instance an existing suspension system of a vehicle, the mounting brackets of a silo, a trailer body, a truck body, a hopper, et cetera, for weighing purposes. Preferably, the top and bottom plates do not touch each other but are spaced-apart in the load transfer direction at a distance of for example 1-10 mm, such as 1-5 mm. Thus, the effective thickness of the weighing system is essentially the combined thickness of the top and bottom plates and the spacing between the top and bottom plates.

[0007] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein the load transfer means comprise a first load transfer arrangement arranged on one side of the first and second circumferences and a second load transfer arrangement arranged on an opposite side of the first and second circumferences. Thus symmetrical load transfer is ensured and at the same time the effects of torque (around an axis parallel to the load transfer direction) are minimized.

[0008] A preferred embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein the first and second load transfer arrangements each comprise a first connection part, provided with a first through-hole, and a second connection part, provided with a second through-hole, wherein the first connection part and the second connection part are arranged in such a way, that the first and second through-holes are aligned, wherein a load transfer pin is inserted into the aligned first and second through-holes to transfer the load between the first and second connection parts in a direction transverse to a pin longitudinal axis. Such a construction prevents horizontal forces on the top and bottom plates, caused by torque, during for instance turning of the vehicle, to disrupt the load measuring of the weighing system. Such torque loads are transferred between the top and bottom plates along the longitudinal axis of the pin, whereas load measurement takes places transverse thereto.

[0009] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein at least one load transfer pin is a load measurement pin provided with the load measurement means for measuring the load being transferred through the load transfer pin. Such load measurement pins allow for a very accurate weighing signal to be obtained.

[0010] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein one of the first or second connection parts comprises a tubular element having an elongated through-hole extending along the pin longitudinal axis and the other one of the first or second connection parts comprises a pair of ring-shaped members each arranged at opposite longitudinal sides of the tubular element, wherein the load transfer pin is inserted in the elongated through-hole of the tubular element and respective through-holes of the pair of ring-shaped members. Such a construction allows for the transfer of relatively high loads. Furthermore, torque effects on the load measurement are reduced. At the same time the load transfer pin and in particular the load measurement pin can be easily replaced by another one.

[0011] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein a spacer ring is arranged between each longitudinal end of the tubular element and a respective ring-shaped member, the load transfer pin also being inserted in a through-hole of the spacer ring, to prevent movement of the tubular element with respect to the ring-shaped members along the pin longitudinal axis.

[0012] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein the top plate and/or the bottom plate comprises a plurality of threaded holes to allow the top plate or bottom plate to be bolted to the lower part of the top construction member or to the upper part of the bottom construction member, respectively.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention concerns an assembly of a top construction member, a bottom construction member and an aforementioned weighing system, wherein the weighing system is arranged between the top and bottom construction members, wherein the top plate is connected to the lower part of the top construction member with the first top surface and the bottom plate is connected to the upper part of the bottom construction member with the second bottom surface.

[0014] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned assembly, wherein the lower part of the top construction member and/or the upper part of the bottom construction member comprises a mounting plate or mounting bracket extending in the plane perpendicular to the load transfer direction, wherein the top plate and/or bottom plate is rigidly connected to the mounting plate.

[0015] Another embodiment relates to an aforementioned weighing system, wherein outer dimensions of the mounting plate are so chosen that, when seen along the load transfer direction, in the vicinity of the load transfer means, an outer side circumference of the mounting plate stays within the confines of the first side circumference of the top plate, or the second side circumference of the bottom plate, respectively.

Brief description of the drawings [0016] Embodiments of a weighing system according to the invention will by way of non-limiting example be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: [0017] Figures la-lc show weighing systems according to the prior art; [0018] Figure 2 shows an assembly of a weighing system, a top construction member and a bottom construction member; [0019] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a weighing system according to the invention; and [0020] Figure 4 shows the weighing system according to figure 3 in an assembled state. Detailed description of the invention [0021] Figure la shows a prior art weighing system 1 that utilizes pressure-pad type cells 29 for measuring a load being transferred in a load transfer direction 14. An assembly 27 of a top construction member 7, a bottom construction member 13 and a prior art weighing system 1 is shown, wherein the weighing system 1 is arranged between the top 7 and bottom 13 construction members. The top plate 2 is connected to the lower part 6 of the top construction member 7 and the bottom plate 8 is connected to the upper part 12 of the bottom construction member 13. The lower part 6 of the top construction member 7 and/or the upper part 12 of the bottom construction member 13 comprises a mounting plate or bracket 28 extending in the plane perpendicular to the load transfer direction 14. The top plate 2 and bottom plate 8 are rigidly connected to the mounting plate 28, for instance by bolting. As can be seen in figure la, such a construction is relatively high. Furthermore, resistance against horizontal forces is virtually zero. In fact, when horizontal forces occur, the weighing system 1 will easily get damaged.

[0022] Figure lb shows a prior art weighing system 1 comprising multiple load pins 25 for transferring (and measuring) the load between the top 7 and bottom 13 construction members. Again, a relatively bulky and high weighing system is created and resistance against horizontal forces is again low.

[0023] Figure lc shows a prior art weighing system 1 comprising multiple load pins 25 for transferring (and measuring) the load between the top 7 and bottom 13 construction members. Again, a relatively bulky and high weighing system is created and resistance against horizontal forces is again low.

[0024] Figures 2-4 will be discussed in conjunction. Figure 2 shows an assembly 27 of a top construction member 7, a bottom construction member 13 and a weighing system I according to the invention, wherein the weighing system 1 is arranged between the top 7 and bottom 13 construction members, wherein the top plate 2 is connected to the lower part 6 of the top construction member 7 with the first top surface 3 (see figure 3) and the bottom plate 8 is connected to the upper part 12 of the bottom construction member 13 with the second bottom surface 10 (also see figure 3). The lower part 6 of the top construction member 7 and/or the upper part 12 of the bottom construction member 13 again comprises a mounting plate 28 extending in the plane perpendicular to the load transfer direction 14, wherein the top plate 2 and bottom plate 8 are rigidly connected to the mounting plate 28.

[0025] The weighing system 1 comprises load transfer means 15 connected to the top plate 2 and the bottom plate 8 for transferring the load between the top plate 2 and the bottom plate 8. Load measurement means 16 are provided (see figure 4), in the form of one or more electronic weighing pins, for measuring the load being transferred through the load transfer means 15, along with a signal wire 37 to transfer a signal to a computer for processing (usually via an intermediate amplifier). According to the invention, the load transfer means 15 are arranged at an outer edge 17 of a first 5 and second side circumferences 11 of the top plate 2, respectively bottom plate 8. A space 18 between the top 2 and bottom 8 plates is free from load transfer means 15, or other elements that prevent the plates 2, 8 to be arranged adjacent to each other. The first bottom surface 4 can be seen to be situated adjacent to the second top surface 9 (figure 4)· [0026] As shown in figures 2-4, the load transfer means 15 comprise a first load transfer arrangement 19 arranged on one side of the first and second circumferences 5, II and a second load transfer arrangement 20 arranged on an opposite side of the first and second circumferences 5, 11. The first and second load transfer arrangements 19, 20 as shown in figures 3 and 4 each comprise a first connection part 21, provided with a first through-hole 22 and a second connection part 23 provided with a second through-hole 24. The first connection part 21 and the second connection part 23 are arranged in such a way, that the first 22 and second 24 through-holes are aligned. A load transfer pin 25 is inserted into the aligned first and second through-holes 22, 24 to transfer the load between the first 21 and second 23 connection parts in a direction transverse to a pin longitudinal axis 26. At least one load transfer pin 25 is to be configured as a load measurement pin provided with the load measurement means 16 for measuring the load being transferred through the load transfer pin 25 (see figure 4).

[0027] As shown in figures 3 and 4, one of the first 21 or second 23 connection parts comprises a tubular element 30 having an elongated through-hole 31 extending along the pin longitudinal axis 26. The other one of the first 21 or second 23 connection parts comprises a pair of ring-shaped members 32 each arranged at opposite longitudinal sides of the tubular element 30. The load transfer pin 25 is inserted in the elongated through-hole 31 of the tubular element 30 and respective through-holes 33 of the pair of ring-shaped members. The tubular element 30 and the ring-shaped members 32 may be ‘rounded’ to yield an octagonal cross-section at a position along the pin longitudinal axis 26.

[0028] Preferably, a spacer ring 34 is arranged between each longitudinal end of the tubular element 30 and a respective ring-shaped member 32. The load transfer pin 25 then also is inserted in a through-hole 35 of the spacer ring 34. This to prevent movement of the tubular element 30 with respect to the ring-shaped members 32 along the pin longitudinal axis 26. The spacer rings 34 are preferably made of sintered bronze material.

[0029] To facilitate connection to the mounting plates or brackets 28, the top plate 2 and/or the bottom plate 8 comprises a plurality of threaded holes 36, such as four, to allow the top plate 2 or bottom plate 8 to be bolted to the lower part 6 of the top construction member 7 or to the upper part 12 of the bottom construction member 13, respectively.

[0030] Furthermore, the bottom plate 8 is provided with a male-type protrusion 38 that protrudes upwards from the second top surface 9. The male-type protrusion 38 is received in a female-type recess 39. The male-type protrusion 38 as well as the female-type recess 39 may have a square or rectangular cross-section as shown in figure 3. Other shapes are also conceivable, as long as they tightly fit into each other. Thus, horizontal forces will not affect the load transfer pins 25, for instance during acceleration or braking of a vehicle, when fitted in a vehicle’s suspension system.

[0031] Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

List of reference numerals 1. Weighing system 2. Top plate 3. First top surface 4. First bottom surface 5. First side circumference 6. Lower part of top construction member 7. Top construction member 8. Bottom plate 9. Second top surface 10. Second bottom surface 11. Second side circumference 12. Upper part of bottom construction member 13. B ottom con struction memb er 14. Load transfer direction 15. Load transfer means 16. Load measurement means 17. Outer edge 18. Space between top and bottom plate 19. First load transfer arrangement 20. Second load transfer arrangement 21. First connection part 22. First through-hole 23. Second connection part 24. Second through-hole 25. Load transfer pin 26. Pin longitudinal axis 27. Assembly 28. Mounting plate or bracket 29. Pressure-pad type load cell 30. Tubular element 31. Elongated through-hole 32. Ring-shaped member 33. Through-hole in ring-shaped member 34. Spacer ring 35. Through-hole of spacer ring 36. Threaded hole 37. Signal wire 38. Male protrusion 39. Female recess

Claims

A weighing system (1) comprising: a top plate (2) having a first top surface (3), a first bottom surface (4) and a first side circumference (5), wherein, in use, the top plate is connected to a bottom portion ( 6) of an upper structural member (7) with the first upper surface, a lower plate (8) with a second upper surface (9), a second lower surface (10) and a second side circumference (11), wherein, during use, the lower plate is connected with an upper portion (12) of a lower structural member (13) having the second upper surface, wherein the upper and lower structural members are aligned in a force transfer direction (14) and the upper and lower plates extend in a plane perpendicular to the force transfer direction, force transfer means (15), connected to the top and bottom plate for transferring the force between the top plate and the bottom plate, provided with force measuring means (16) for measuring the force transmitted by the force transfer means force to be transmitted, characterized in that the force transmission means are arranged on an outer edge (17) of the first and second side circumferences and a space (18) between the top and bottom plates is free of force transmission means, the first bottom surface adjacent to the second upper surface is situated.

The weighing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the force transfer means comprise a first force transfer device (19) arranged on one side of the first and second side contours and a second force transfer device (20) arranged on an opposite side of the first and second side contours.

The weighing system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first and second force transfer devices each comprise a first connecting part (21) provided with a first through hole (22), and a second connecting part (23) provided with a second through hole ( 24), wherein the first connecting part and the second connecting part are arranged such that the first and second through holes are aligned, a force transfer pin (25) being inserted into the aligned first and second through holes to control the force between the first and second connecting parts transferable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (26) of the pin.

The weighing system according to claim 3, wherein at least one force transfer pin is a force measurement pin, provided with the force measurement means for measuring the force to be transmitted by the force transfer pin.

The weighing system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein one of the first or second connecting parts comprises a tubular element (30) with an elongated through hole (31) that extends along the longitudinal axis of the pin and the other of the first or second connecting members comprises a pair of annular members (32), each of which is arranged on opposite sides of the tubular member, the force transfer pin being inserted is the elongated through hole of the tubular member and respective through holes (33) of the pair of annular members .

The weighing system (1) of claim 5, wherein a spacer ring (34) is provided between each longitudinal end of the tubular member and a respective annular member, the force transfer pin also being inserted into a through hole (35) of the spacer ring for movement of the tubular member relative to the annular members along the longitudinal axis of the pin.

The weighing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top plate and / or bottom plate comprises a plurality of threaded holes (36) to allow the top plate and the bottom plate to be screwed to the lower portion of the upper structural member or on the upper part of the lower structural member, respectively.

An assembly (27) of an upper structural member, a lower structural member and a weighing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weighing system is arranged between the upper and lower structural members, the upper plate being connected to the lower part of the upper structural member with the first upper surface and the lower plate are connected to the upper part of the lower structural member with the second lower surface.

The assembly (27) of claim 8, wherein the lower portion of the upper structural member and / or the upper portion of the lower structural member comprises a mounting plate (28) extending in a plane perpendicular to the force transfer direction, the upper plate and / or bottom plate is rigidly connected to the mounting plate.

An assembly (27) according to claim 9, wherein outer dimensions of the mounting plate are selected such that, when viewed in the force transfer direction (14), an outer side circumference of the mounting plate (28) or within the region of the first side circumference of the top plate, or the second side circumference of the bottom plate, remains.