Digital load cell and cell network

• US 10,048,109 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2017
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mettler Toledo (Changzhou) Precision Instrument Ltd, Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Scale & System Ltd (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.), Mettler-Toledo Measurement Technology Company Limited (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mettler Toledo (Changzhou) Precision Instrument Ltd, Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Scale & System Ltd (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.), Mettler-Toledo Measurement Technology Company Limited (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.)
• Inventors: Zhang, Ying, Zheng, Shaowen, Wu, Jianwei
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Shahed
• Application Number:
  US15/479,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20170205271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 702 23, 702 32, 702 42, 702 47, 702 98, 702129, 702147
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/18 using change in resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/14 measuring variations of electrical resistance G01G3/13 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2262 involving simple electrical bridges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A digital load cell has a force measurement element, a power incentive module, a signal detection module, a microprocessor, a communication module, a current control module and a configuration control module. First configuration control information configures the signal detection module to use a corresponding detection mode to perform signal conversion. Second configuration control information configures the processor to use one or more corresponding kernels or processors for running. Third configuration control information configures the communication module to use a corresponding communication protocol, terminal matching and impedance control for communication. Fourth configuration control information configures the current control module to use the on/off, voltage values and current values of the power incentive module, the signal detection module, the microprocessor and the communication module. The configuration control module sends the first to fourth configuration control information according to a working mode selected by a user.

Claims

1. A digital load cell, comprising:

a force measurement element, arranged to detect a load stress of the cell and convert the load stress into an electrical signal;

a power incentive module, connected to the force measurement element to provide an incentive voltage for the force measurement element;

a signal detection module, connected to the force measurement element to receive the electrical signal therefrom and to convert the received electrical signal into a first digital signal;

a microprocessor, connected to the signal detection module to receive the first digital signal;

a communication module, connected to the microprocessor;

a current control module, arranged to provide voltages and currents to the power incentive module, the signal detection module, the microprocessor and the communication module; and

a configuration control module, which, according to a working mode selected by a user, is connected to;

the signal detection module, to provide first configuration control information to use a corresponding detection mode for converting the electrical signal;

the microprocessor, to provide second configuration control information to use one or more corresponding kernels or processors to operate;

the communication module, to provide third configuration control information to use a corresponding communication protocol, terminal matching and impedance control for communication; and

the current control module, to provide fourth configuration control information to use to determine the voltage and current provided.

2. The digital load cell according to claim 1, further comprising:

a diagnosis module, connected to the force measurement element to receive the electrical signal, to convert the electrical signal into a second digital signal that reflects cell state information, and to transmit the second digital signal to the microprocessor, wherein the configuration control module further configures the signal detection module and the diagnosis module according to a weighing mode or a diagnosis mode.

3. The digital load cell according to claim 1, wherein the detection modes of the signal detection module comprise:

a high precision detection mode;

a high response detection mode; and

an anti-interference detection mode.

4. The digital load cell according to claim 3, wherein the signal detection module comprises a high precision detection module, a high response detection module and an anti-interference detection module, for respectively working in the corresponding detection modes.

5. The digital load cell according to claim 1, further comprising:

a preset function control module, connected to the configuration control module to receive fifth configuration control information to enable the cell to work in a preset function mode.

6. The digital load cell according to claim 1, wherein, the current control module, using the fourth configuration control information, configures, controls and detects in real time, voltage values and current values of the power incentive module, the signal detection module, the microprocessor and the communication module.

7. The digital load cell according to claim 1, wherein the configuration control module configures the communication module in a communication configuration mode and a communication addressing mode.

8. A digital load cell network, comprising:

a weighing terminal; and

a plurality of digital load cells in communication with each other and with the weighing terminal, wherein each of the digital load cells comprises

a force measurement element, arranged to detect a load stress of the cell and convert the load stress into an electrical signal;

a power incentive module, connected to the force measurement element to provide an incentive voltage for the force measurement element;

a signal detection module, connected to the force measurement element to receive the electrical signal therefrom and to convert the received electrical signal into a first digital signal;

a microprocessor, connected to the signal detection module to receive the first digital signal;

a communication module, connected to the microprocessor;

a current control module, arranged to provide voltages and currents to the power incentive module, the signal detection module, the microprocessor and the communication module; and

a configuration control module, which, according to a working mode selected by a user, is connected to;

the signal detection module, to provide first configuration control information to use a corresponding detection mode for converting the electrical signal;

the microprocessor, to provide second configuration control information to use one or more corresponding kernels or processors to operate;

the communication module, to provide third configuration control information to use a corresponding communication protocol, terminal matching and impedance control for communication; and

the current control module, to provide fourth configuration control information to use to determine the voltage and current provided.

9. The digital load cell network according to claim 8, wherein each of the digital load cells further comprises:

a diagnosis module, connected to the force measurement element to receive the electrical signal, to convert the electrical signal into a second digital signal that reflects cell state information, and to transmit the second digital signal to the microprocessor, wherein the configuration control module further configures the signal detection module and the diagnosis module according to a weighing mode or a diagnosis mode.

10. The digital load cell network according to claim 8, wherein the detection modes of the signal detection module comprise:

a high precision detection mode;

a high response detection mode; and

an anti-interference detection mode.

11. The digital load cell network according to claim 10, wherein the signal detection module comprises a high precision detection module, a high response detection module and an anti-interference detection module, for respectively working in the corresponding detection modes.

12. The digital load cell network according to claim 8, further comprising:

a preset function control module, connected to the configuration control module to receive fifth configuration control information to enable the cell to work in a preset function mode.

13. The digital load cell network according to claim 8, wherein, the current control module, using the fourth configuration control information, configures, controls and detects in real time, voltage values and current values of the power incentive module, the signal detection module, the microprocessor and the communication module.

14. The digital load cell according to claim 8, wherein the configuration control module configures the communication module in a communication configuration mode and a communication addressing mode.