WO2002064407A1 - Systeme de reglage pour plates-formes transportables - Google Patents

Systeme de reglage pour plates-formes transportables Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002064407A1
WO2002064407A1 PCT/NZ2002/000017 NZ0200017W WO02064407A1 WO 2002064407 A1 WO2002064407 A1 WO 2002064407A1 NZ 0200017 W NZ0200017 W NZ 0200017W WO 02064407 A1 WO02064407 A1 WO 02064407A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
level
weighbridge
sensor
frame
leg
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2002/000017
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Richard Wells
Original Assignee
Nwm Trust Management Limited
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 Nwm Trust Management Limited filed Critical Nwm Trust Management Limited
Publication of WO2002064407A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002064407A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/02—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G23/00—Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
    • G01G23/002—Means for correcting for obliquity of mounting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
    • B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
    • B60G2204/17—Mounting of bogies, e.g. for trailers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
    • B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
    • B60G2204/43—Fittings, brackets or knuckles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
    • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
    • B60G2206/011—Modular constructions
    • B60G2206/0112—Bogies for heavy vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/04—Trailers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/40—Variable track or wheelbase vehicles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to levelling apparatus and method and is particularly, but not solely, directed toward levelling apparatus for weighing devices and toward mobile weighbridges.
  • the platform comprises weighing apparatus such as a weighbridge.
  • Weighing devices such as weighbridges are well known for use in weighing vehicles.
  • the main difficulty with mobile weighbridges is one of accuracy.
  • a weighbridge must weigh to within reasonable tolerances and in order to do this, one of the requirements of a weighbridge of a size for weighing vehicles and the like is that the vehicle be held level on the weighbridge when a weight reading is taken.
  • a further problem relating to ensuring that the weighbridge is level is that the quality of the ground that a mobile weighbridge may be set up on is usually not known to any degree of certainty. Therefore, the mobile weighbridge may be set up on a certain area of ground and levelled, but with continual traffic passing onto and off the weighbridge, there may be slight shifts in contour of the underlying ground which result in the weighbridge going out of level and therefore no longer being accurate.
  • a platform level is one where the platform supports a crane ladder, cherrypicker or a similar device.
  • a very long ladder may need to be supported from the rescue vehicle, and to ensure that the vehicle is in a safe condition, it is desirable to ensure that the vehicle is maintained in a relatively level state, or there is at least a warning provided if the vehicle begins to move from a level state or moves a certain distance from a level state.
  • a levelling system is desirable in connection with recreational vehicles. Often recreational vehicles may be located on ground which is not level, and for the purposes of occupying the vehicle, users will often wish to level the vehicle. For large vehicles, using a manual levelling system such as manually adjustable jacks can be very difficult.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist in levelling apparatus for levelling an object, the apparatus including
  • a sensor having a plurality of interconnected chambers, a liquid provided in the sensor and a liquid level indicator to indicate the level of liquid in each chamber, and
  • control means to move the moveable leg dependent upon the indication provided by the sensor to thereby alter the orientation of the object to level the object.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of levelling an object comprising the steps of
  • the object to be levelled may include a weighbridge, vehicle or other platform such as a crane, cherrypicker, ladder or recreational vehicle.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist in a mobile weighbridge including level adjustment means and level sensing means, whereby the level sensing means sense whether the weighbridge is level and the adjustment means adjust the position of the weighbridge until the weighbridge is substantially level.
  • the actuating means comprise hydraulic means.
  • screw actuators are also suitable.
  • the sensing means includes a liquid level sensing means.
  • a variety of other methods may be used, for example laser, ultrasonic, infrared or the like.
  • the level sensing means include a chamber having liquid therein and a float.
  • the float is arranged to actuate a switch means to cause the actuating means to move to a position whereupon a desired level is achieved.
  • the chamber includes a vent to vent air above the liquid in the chamber to atmosphere.
  • the vent includes a float-actuated shut off valve to substantially prevent liquid in the chamber from escaping therefrom.
  • a plurality of liquid level sensors are provided, being interconnected.
  • the platform includes ramps to allow vehicles to move on and off the platform.
  • the apparatus includes means to substantially prevent a weight reading being recorded until such time as the weighbridge is in a level position or at least a substantially level position.
  • the apparatus includes an interface to a weight readout device.
  • the apparatus includes a weight readout device.
  • the level adjustment means comprise adjustable legs.
  • the level adjustment means levels the apparatus by maintaining the position of the leg(s) nearest the highest part of the apparatus, and moving the other leg(s) to raise the lowest part until the apparatus is substantially level.
  • the invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the said parts, elements or features, and where elements or features are mentioned herein and which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of a mobile weighbridge according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front elevation in cross section of a level sensing device used in accordance with the weighbridge of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is an isometric view of an arrangement of level sensors, such as the sensor of
  • Figure 3 A is a flow chart of a levelling process.
  • Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a further sensing device according to the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart of a further levelling process for use with the sensor of Figure
  • Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
  • Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the weighbridge of Figure 1 together with a wheel and axle assembly and a towing device.
  • Figure 8 is a partial side elevation of the wheel and axle assembly shown in Figure 7.
  • Figure 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of a plurality of mobile weighbridges according to the invention concatenated together ends to end.
  • Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a plurality of mobile weighbridges linked at their end edges and side edges, and
  • Figure 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the weighbridges shown in Figure 9.
  • Example 1 Mobile weighbridge
  • weighbridges are frequently required for weighing items such as heavy vehicles, but may be used for weighing other items such as containers, cargo etc. Often items such as containers are weighed while on a vehicle. The vehicle is usually driven onto a weighbridge installation at a known location and a weight reading is taken.
  • a weighbridge installation One requirement of a fixed weighbridge installation is that it provides a weight measurement which accords with certain standards, which may vary from state to state or country to country. In order to provide predetermined levels of accuracy, the weighbridge needs to be level when the weight reading is taken. Accordingly, weighbridges are provided at fixed locations. Referring to Figure 1 , a weighbridge that may be transported from one physical location to another (referred to herein as a mobile weighbridge) is shown generally referenced 1.
  • the weighbridge is mobile insofar as it may be picked up and moved, or simply towed (by being provided with wheels for example) to an alternative location.
  • the weighbridge is one which is intended to weigh vehicles or similar apparatus.
  • the primary advantage with a mobile weighbridge device is that it may be set up from time to time at convenient locations so that weighing can be achieved anywhere without taking up unnecessary time and expense by having a vehicle or other device travel to a fixed weighbridge installation.
  • the weighbridge generally comprises a weighing platform 2 which is supported by an outer frame 4.
  • the outer frame has a number of legs, in this case four legs, although it will be seen that a number of other legs may be used, for example it is possible to use three legs.
  • the legs are generally referenced 6 and comprise an extended limb 8 having an adjustable foot 10 at the end thereof.
  • the foot 10 in use rests on a ground surface and is of a sufficient dimension to support the appropriate part of the overall weight of the weighbridge and any vehicle or other item which may be mounted on the bridge relative to the ground surface covered by the foot.
  • the foot 10 includes a support rod 12 which is extendible from, and retractable into, a hydraulic cylinder 14.
  • the cylinder 14 may be actuated through a known hydraulic circuit (not shown) to expel the support rod 12 from the cylinder 14 or retract the support rod 12 into the cylinder 14 to thereby adjust the height of the foot 10 relative to the outer frame 4.
  • a known hydraulic circuit not shown
  • the legs 6 do not need to include extended limb 8 i.e. the legs may be directly mounted on the frame 4, or even mounted within the frame.
  • the legs essentially operate as jacks, and those skilled in the art to which the invention relates will appreciate that alternative means of actuating the legs may be provided. Therefore, although reference is made above to use of hydraulic rams, electrical or possibly pneumatically operated jacks could also be provided.
  • the outer frame 4 also has ramps 16 which are provided either hingedly connected to the frame, or as separate elements, which allow apparatus to be weighed to be transported on or off the weighing platform 2.
  • the ramps 16, if hingedly connected to the frame 4, are preferably also connected to hydraulic actuators whereby the hydraulic system that operates cylinders 14 may also be used to raise or lower the ramps.
  • levelling sensors are also provided dependent from the frame 4 .
  • the levelling sensors may be provided attached to an outside part of the frame as illustrated in figure 1, or may be provided in or below the frame for example.
  • a number of different arrangements of the levelling sensors relative to the frame can be provided, the only requirement being that the levelling sensors are capable of providing an indication of a level datum for the weighing platform 2. In this example, there are four sensors, one being provided adjacent to each corner of the frame.
  • the sensor generally comprises a chamber 22 which has a vent to atmosphere 24 at the upper end and a further inlet/outlet 26 at the base which is connected to corresponding inlet/outlet ports at the base of the other level sensing devices via hose 27.
  • the level sensing devices are all partly filled with a liquid, such as water for example. Therefore, by virtue of the interconnection at inlet/outlet 26 of each device (all of the inlets/outlets being connected by hoses 27 or the like) the liquid level at each of the chambers 22 will be the same relative to a true level datum determined by gravity.
  • vent tube 29 is provided from the hose 27 back to the top of the chamber 22 so that any air in hose 27 can escape from the system and thus prevent any air locks, This self-bleeding aspect of the invention will be discussed further below with reference to figure 3.
  • Each chamber 22 also includes a float 28 which is in communication with a proximity switch 30 that senses the level of the float within the chamber 22.
  • the proximity switch 30, when actuated, is capable of opening or closing the relevant hydraulic circuit to move the leg 6 which is nearest to the level sensor either up or down i.e. either move the leg toward the frame 4 or away from the frame 4 to thereby adjust the relative position of the frame relative to the ground surface.
  • the apparatus is initially calibrated by manually setting the weighbridge to true level and then adjusting the proximity switch on each of the level sensing devices 20 so that it is located just above the level float.
  • the proximity switch is activated to make the corresponding foot 10 move away from the body of the relevant hydraulic cylinder.
  • the float and proximity switch arrangement is preferably designed so that the levelling process only occurs in the upward direction. Therefore the legs initially start off in a position relatively close to the frame 4, and the system is constructed to level the apparatus by only allowing leg(s) to lower i.e. to only move away from the frame. This simplifies operation, as the leg(s) which is (are) nearest the highest point of the apparatus (i.e.
  • the float is long enough in its axial length to ensure that when it reaches the top of the chamber 22, it is still in contact with the proximity switch.
  • the individual legs will move automatically so that the framed or at least the weighing platform 2, assumes an orientation relevant to the ground surface whereby it is completely level.
  • the sensor of Figure 2 also includes a lower proximity switch 31 which is activated if the float falls to a very low level in chamber 22 which is sufficient to indicate that the liquid level in the chamber is probably too low to obtain an accurate reading. Therefore, if proximity switch 31 is activated, an alarm sounds to alert the user that more liquid needs to be added, for example by taking the top that contains vent 24 off the tube 22 and pouring water into one or more of the chambers 22.
  • FIG. 3A a flow chart illustrates the general process for implementing automated levelling using the sensor described above.
  • simple relay logic may be used, and the implementation could take the form of actual relays, or an electronic logic network, or a programmable logic controller, or a programmed microprocessor.
  • step 40 the process begins at step 40 following which the system reviews each of the upper switches 30 to determine whether any one or more of the switches is closed. This occurs in step 42. If a switch is closed, then the relevant leg is extended in step 50 for example by opening a hydraulic valve to supply hydraulic fluid to a cylinder 14 ( Figure 1). The leg or legs is continued to be extended until the instant that each of the upper switches are closed, following which the lower switches 31 are interrogated at step 46. It will be appreciated that rather than operating on a principle of closing a switch, the switches could be in a normally closed state and "actuated" by being changed to the open state upon movement of the float. If a lower switch is closed, then a fault is indicated at step 44. Otherwise an enabling signal is provided at 49 to enable a weight reading to be taken. The process then ends at 46.
  • the process flow refers to extending a relevant leg depending upon the relevant sensor.
  • a sensor is located adjacent to each of the extendible legs so it is the leg that is adjacent to the sensor that is activated in the process flow described above, however, it is possible to create a levelling system where there are a different number of sensors to the number of legs.
  • Any practical system typically needs to have at least one leg and at least two sensor chambers in order to obtain a level, but there could be more legs than sensors or more sensors than extendible legs, provided the logic used to operate the system can identify which leg or legs needs to be extended (or retracted) in connection with the relevant sensor or sensors.
  • Figure 4 shows an alternative form of level sensor in which chamber 22, instead of being provided with proximity switches 30 and 31, has a float 28 which has a shaft 50 that is connected to a level indicating device 52 which in this example is a rotary encoder.
  • the float 28 in Figure 4 is shown in a number of different positions to show operation of the encoder.
  • the encoder comprises an absolute encoder having a 1024 bit output. Such encoder are readily available. In general, a high resolution encoder is preferred, as this enables greater levelling accuracy to be achieved.
  • the encoder output will be described as if it provides an output as a liquid level reading from about 0 units if no liquid is present to about 1000 units if the chamber is full.
  • the sensor can also operate in the reverse direction. Therefore, for example in the lowest position of the float shown in Figure 4, the encoder may provide a reading of say 150, in the central position in Figure 4 the reading may be 500 (i.e. a level reading when the desired quantity of liquid is present in the system, and a reading of say 850 when the float is in the highest position shown in Figure 4.
  • the encoder may provide a reading of say 150, in the central position in Figure 4 the reading may be 500 (i.e. a level reading when the desired quantity of liquid is present in the system, and a reading of say 850 when the float is in the highest position shown in Figure 4.
  • FIG. 5 a flow diagram for providing a levelling process using the sensor of Figure 4 is shown. The process begins in Figure 5 at step 60 following which the user switches to auto-level mode in step 61 and a "snap shot" of each sensor is taken in step 62.
  • the readings for all the sensors are averaged in step 67 and the difference between the average and the reading for each sensor is established.
  • the average indicates a level condition.
  • the average is compared with a lower threshold in step 68, and if it is too low an alarm is activated at 69. If the average reading is below 400, then a low liquid alarm is indicated to the user. This will allow the system to continue operating, but informs the user that the liquid level in the sensors needs to be topped up. If the average reading is less than 300, then the system shows a low liquid alarm and cuts out i.e. an alarm is indicated in step 66 and the system will cease to operate until such time as the liquid level has been restored.
  • step 70 the difference for the lowest legs between the average and the actual reading for each sensor is determined with a predetermined "tolerance" which is an acceptable tolerance from a true level condition. If the difference is within the tolerance, then no action needs to be taken to move the leg or legs that relate to that sensor. Therefore, if the reading for each leg shows that the required tolerance has been achieved, then no further action needs to be taken and the enabling relay is closed at step 71 to allow a weight reading to be taken. As an example, if the average reading for all sensors is 500, and one of the sensors has a reading of 496, and the required tolerance is 5 units, then the leg or legs relating to that sensor do not need to be moved. In the preferred embodiment, the tolerance can be adjusted depending upon the accuracy required for the level state.
  • the relevant leg or legs is activated by the system to be moved in the appropriate direction(s) to substantially eliminate the difference.
  • the system control would attempt to move the leg or legs relating to that sensor sufficiently to raise the level of the part of the unit near that sensor to substantially eliminate the 100 unit difference.
  • the system is calibrated by knowing what distance (and therefore what time) is required to correct a difference of one unit. This time period can simply be multiplied by the number of units of the difference reading. In the preferred embodiment an 80% correction is made with each iteration, as described further below. This reduces the possibility of over-correction. This occurs in step 74.
  • step 72 a counter for each leg that is moved is incremented in step 72.
  • step 72 a comparison is made to determine whether the count for any leg exceeds three. If the count for any one leg does exceed 3, then an alarm is activated in step 73. If the count does not exceed 3 for any leg, then the process returns to step 62 to provide a further iteration. Therefore, after the relevant legs have been moved from a first step, a further reading of all the sensors is taken, to perform a further average and again try to compensate for the differences. The reason for providing an alarm if one leg extended more than three times is that movement more than three times probably indicates that the leg is mounted on an unstable surface.
  • Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a platform as described with reference to Figure 1.
  • the four sensors one sensor corresponding to each of the four legs, are referenced 101, 102, 103 and 104. If the platform is disposed in an unlevel condition with sensors 102 and 103 each reading 500 units, and sensors 101 and 104 reading 400 units and 600 units respectively, then the average reading will be 500. Thus, the difference is zero for sensors 102 and 103 and legs corresponding to sensors 102 and 103 would not be moved. However, the difference for sensors 101 and 104 is 100 for each sensor. Therefore, the leg corresponding to sensor 101 needs to be moved away from the platform so as to raise that part of the platform.
  • the system typically marks by levelling upward movement of the platform, since the platform is initially located on, or very close to, the ground. Levelling by having legs is also possible using the method described.
  • the system performs a calculation to move the leg a sufficient distance to correct for 80% of the difference. The factor of 80% is used in the preferred embodiment in order to avoid an over correction situation occurring. Therefore, in this example, leg 101 is moved to a position by the system whereby it will be expected to read 480 upon a further reading. Leg 104 is not moved and would be expected to read 520 after a further reading.
  • leg movement Once the leg movement has taken place, a reading is taken again. If all proceeds as expected, then legs 102 and 103 would remain at a reading of 500, leg 101 would read 480, and leg 104 would read 520. Again, the average reading is 500, and the difference for leg 101 would be 20 and the difference for leg 104 would be 20. 80% of the difference of 20 for each of these legs is 16. Therefore, the system tries to compensate by moving only leg 101 a corresponding distance. Therefore, the new target for leg 101 would be reading of 496 and reading for 104 would be 504.
  • the tolerance is plus or minus 5 units, then when the next reading is taken, again the average will be 500, but legs 101 and 104 will be within the tolerance, so no further movement is required, the levelling process will end and in the preferred embodiment an indication is provided that the platform is now sufficiently level.
  • vent 24 includes a valve.
  • This may be a float actuated shut off valve for example, such as the valve generally represented 32, having a float 34 which is moved up to contact the valve seat 36 upon liquid rising to contact the float 34 within the chamber.
  • an electrically operated solenoid valve may be used.
  • connector hoses 27 are directed upwardly toward their connection with inlet/outlet ports 26. In this way, any air in the hoses 27 will rise to the ends of the hoses and from there travel through vent tubes 29 and then out of the system to atmosphere through vent 24.
  • the weighbridge may be carried on a trailer, or other vehicle, operated as a trailer.
  • a levelling platform according to the invention in this example a mobile weighbridge, may be transported from one location to another as a trailer. Therefore a rear axle and wheel arrangement 110 can be provided which is connectable to one end of the weighbridge.
  • the other end of the weighbridge 112 can be provided with a suitable towing connection to a vehicle such as a truck 114.
  • the extendible legs are sufficiently long to lift the weighbridge to a height whereby the detachable wheel and axle assembly 1 10 can be connected to one end of the weighbridge, and so that the truck towing unit 114 can be backed under the other end of the weighbridge to be connected at end 112.
  • the weighbridge can be easily towed to any location, and the legs can then be extended to lift the weighbridge clear of the truck and the rear wheels.
  • the tow truck and the rear wheels can then be removed, and the weighbridge can be lowered so that it is adjacent to the ground, ramps can then be extended from the weighbridge (or optionally connected to the weighbridge as separate items), then the levelling operation can commence.
  • the vehicle or other item which is to be weighed can be moved up the ramps onto the weighbridge, and the weighing operation can take place. Then, the legs can be extended to raise the weighbridge for attachment of the wheels and tow truck so that the apparatus can be moved to another location.
  • the relevant end of the weighbridge has a bracket 120 which is configured to abutt a bracket 122 provided on the wheel and axle arrangement.
  • Bracket 122 includes an aperture 124 and a corresponding aperture 126 is provided at the end of the weighbridge.
  • a pin is placed through aperture 124 and 126 to retain the wheel and axle arrangement in place, The pin can be removed to release the wheel and axle from the weighbridge,
  • the other end of the wheel and axle assembly has a bracket 128 which has a curved recess 130 that in use engages with a cylindrical projection 132 on the weighbridge.
  • the wheel and axle assembly is connected to the weighbridge by placing recess 130 against projection 132, then rotating the other end of the wheel and axle assembly upwardly so that bracket 122 contacts bracket 120 and the pin is placed through the apertures 124 and 126.
  • brackets 120 and 122 which are forced toward each other in use and by bracket 128 and projection 132 which in use sustain a force as shown by arrow 136, Accordingly, the pin through apertures 124 and 126 merely prevents inadvertent disconnection of the assembly.
  • quite large weighbridges or other platforms may be transported using the trailer arrangement described with respect to Figures 7 and 8.
  • auxilliary hydraulic ramps apart from those provided to extend or retract the legs. This is because quite large hydraulic assemblies may be required to raise or lower the legs in large constructions. Also, making large hydraulic ramps which are also very long in length i.e. sufficiently long to raise the weighbridge to the height needed for adding the rear axle and towing it add considerably to the cost. Therefore, quite apart from having the hydraulic rams used to extend or retract the legs, auxiliary rams which are rated with a carrying capacity which is only that of the weighbridge device itself (and not the weighbridge plus the load that the weighbridge is intended to measure) can be used to lift the weighbridge to the required height for the towing operation.
  • the mobile weighbridge referred to above in Figures 7 and 8 may typically be a 60 ton weighbridge i.e. have a maximum load of 60 tons. In some instances, such as when very large vehicles like mining trucks need to be weighed, a 60 ton weighbridge will be insufficient. However, a number of individual weighbridges may be interconnected in such a way as to spread the load. Therefore in Figure 9, three 60 ton weighbridges are shown attached end to end to thereby provide a total capacity of 180 tons. Similarly, in Figure 10, four weighbridges (providing a total of 240 tons) are shown, being connected at side edges and end edges. In Figure 11, a proposed methodology for connecting weighbridges in an end to end fashion as shown in Figure 9 is illustrated.
  • a first weighbridge 140 may be provided and operable substantially as described above.
  • One end of weighbridge 140 has a ramp 142, and the other end has a connecting pin 144 over which a connection bracket 146 is disposed in use.
  • Bracket 146 depends from a further weighbridge 148, and in turn is connected by a similar arrangement to another weighbridge 150 which has a ramp 152.
  • the connections between weighbridges provide a flexible arrangement whereby the weighbridges may move independently of each other. This arrangement may also be used to connect weighbridges along their side edges to effect the construction of Figure 10, It will be seen that only one leg needs to be provided adjacent to two connections between the weighbridges.
  • the levelling systems of each weighbridge may be connected to a central processor which implements the control strategies described above.
  • the noses 27 ( Figure 3) for the individual weighbridges can be interconnected, and each weighbridge can operate independently to achieve a uniformly level platform.
  • Example 2 Mobile support platform
  • the assembly of Figure 1, in particular the frame 4 may be part of a vehicle which provides a support platform having an articulated arm extending therefrom, the arm either carrying a cage, for example, or ladder to be used by a user, or alternatively providing some form of lifting device such as a crane.
  • a user will typically wish to know whether the load which is being carried at the end of the arm is causing the platform to tilt to an undesirable level and/or to compensate for an undesirable degree of tilt.
  • the platform may be a fire truck for example, or a mobile crane.
  • the present invention can provide a means of ensuring that the vehicle or base platform is level.
  • periodic adjustments may be carried out by the automatic levelling strategy described above in relation to a mobile weighbridge to keep the lower platform in a substantially level state.
  • the apparatus can be programmed so that if, once a level state has been achieved, a re-reading of the sensors at periodic intervals shows that the level state is not being maintained, an alert will sound to the user. In this way, the platform can continually compensate for any external changes which would attempt to place it in a non-level condition.
  • invention also has application to vehicles such as camper vans and the like which must be made level in order to be used satisfactorily.
  • vehicles are often parked in locations where ground is not level, and the apparatus of the present invention, when provided on or in the chassis of the vehicle, can provide a method for creating a level state,

Abstract

L'invention concerne un pont-bascule mobile équipé d'un système de réglage automatique. Le système de réglage peut également être utilisé dans d'autres applications. Le réglage s'effectue à l'aide d'un certain nombre de capteurs remplis de liquide, chaque capteur contenant un flotteur de commande d'un commutateur de proximité et/ou d'un codeur rotatif. A partir d'informations générées par les capteurs, des béliers hydrauliques sont activés pour régler le pont-bascule selon des seuils de tolérance prédéfinis. Des rampes dépendant du pont-bascule permettent à un véhicule d'accéder à une plate-forme de pesage afin d'enregistrer une mesure de poids exacte.
PCT/NZ2002/000017 2001-02-14 2002-02-14 Systeme de reglage pour plates-formes transportables WO2002064407A1 (fr)

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NZ509921 2001-02-14
NZ50992101 2001-02-14

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WO2008134906A1 (fr) * 2007-05-04 2008-11-13 Carag Ag Balance
CN103204141A (zh) * 2013-04-22 2013-07-17 湖北江南专用特种汽车有限公司 一种带数字感载的支脚
CN103438965A (zh) * 2013-09-04 2013-12-11 山东胜油固井工程技术有限公司 铰链式储罐称重计量装置
US8832890B2 (en) 2012-08-29 2014-09-16 Progress Rail Services Corp System and method for aligning portions of a loading ramp
US9101519B2 (en) 2013-02-07 2015-08-11 Dallas Smith Corporation Leveling ramp for a wheelchair
CN106855465A (zh) * 2017-03-13 2017-06-16 吉林大学 一种车身自调平试验台
CN107246904A (zh) * 2017-07-24 2017-10-13 山西万立科技有限公司 随路面的轴重式动态汽车衡
CN110155892A (zh) * 2019-05-30 2019-08-23 上海格拉曼国际消防装备有限公司 一种支腿自动调平方法
CN111609907A (zh) * 2020-06-08 2020-09-01 童加宝 一种动态称重汽车衡及使用方法
CN111891947A (zh) * 2020-06-18 2020-11-06 中国一冶集团有限公司 升降系统的控制装置及控制方法

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WO2008134906A1 (fr) * 2007-05-04 2008-11-13 Carag Ag Balance
US8832890B2 (en) 2012-08-29 2014-09-16 Progress Rail Services Corp System and method for aligning portions of a loading ramp
US9009900B2 (en) 2012-08-29 2015-04-21 Progress Rail Services Corporation System and method for aligning portions of a loading ramp
US9101519B2 (en) 2013-02-07 2015-08-11 Dallas Smith Corporation Leveling ramp for a wheelchair
CN103204141A (zh) * 2013-04-22 2013-07-17 湖北江南专用特种汽车有限公司 一种带数字感载的支脚
CN103438965B (zh) * 2013-09-04 2016-02-10 山东胜油固井工程技术有限公司 铰链式储罐称重计量装置
CN103438965A (zh) * 2013-09-04 2013-12-11 山东胜油固井工程技术有限公司 铰链式储罐称重计量装置
CN106855465A (zh) * 2017-03-13 2017-06-16 吉林大学 一种车身自调平试验台
CN106855465B (zh) * 2017-03-13 2023-09-29 吉林大学 一种车身自调平试验台
CN107246904A (zh) * 2017-07-24 2017-10-13 山西万立科技有限公司 随路面的轴重式动态汽车衡
CN110155892A (zh) * 2019-05-30 2019-08-23 上海格拉曼国际消防装备有限公司 一种支腿自动调平方法
CN111609907A (zh) * 2020-06-08 2020-09-01 童加宝 一种动态称重汽车衡及使用方法
CN111891947A (zh) * 2020-06-18 2020-11-06 中国一冶集团有限公司 升降系统的控制装置及控制方法
CN111891947B (zh) * 2020-06-18 2023-03-14 中国一冶集团有限公司 升降系统的控制装置及控制方法

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