Loaded weight measurement method and loaded weight measurement device for dump truck

• US 20050167164A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Takeda, Shu
• Granted Patent: US 7,395,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/136
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/017 characterised by their use when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. during loading, engine start-up or switch-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/318 two or more axles being mounted on a longitudinal rocking or walking beam
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/324 with a single pivot point and a triangular "T" or "U"-shaped axle, e.g. DeDion arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/61 Load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 5/00 Resilient suspensions for a set of tandem wheels or axles having interrelated movements
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/002 Means for correcting for obliquity of mounting for pendulum-weight apparatus G01G1/16

Abstract

To measure loaded weight in respective work statuses of a dump truck. The loaded weight of a dump truck 11 is calculated and stored at prescribed time intervals. It is judged whether or not the dump truck 11 has transferred to a transporting status (S31-S33), and if it has transferred to a transporting status (S31: YES, S32: YES, S33: YES), then the transported weight G1 at the end of loading and immediately before transition to the transporting status is calculated and stored (S34). The transported weight G2 during the period in which the truck is in the transporting status is also calculated and stored (S35). If the truck has transferred from the transporting status to an unloading status (S36: YES), then the transported weight G3 before unloading is calculated and stored (S37). A transported weight selected from these respective transported weights G1-G3 is read out and output to a display device, or the like (S38, S39). Thereby, it is possible to measure the transported weight at a previously established plurality of measurement timings.

Claims

1. A loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck, comprising:

a first step of respectively detecting a plurality of work statuses of a dump truck;

a second step of respectively detecting a plurality of basic information for calculating the loaded weight of said dump truck;

a third step of calculating respective loaded weight values of said dump truck in a previously established plurality of prescribed work statuses, of said respective work statuses detected in said first step, on the basis of said respective basic information detected in said second step;

a fourth step of respectively storing said calculated loaded weight values; and

a fifth step of outputting all or a portion of said loaded weight values thus stored.

2. The loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck according to claim 1, wherein

in said fifth step, only the loaded weight value in the selected prescribed work status is output, of the respective loaded weight values stored in said fourth step.

3. The loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck according to claim 1, wherein of the respective work statuses detected in said first step, said plurality of prescribed work statuses include:

a particular work status;

a status of transition from a work status to said particular work status; and

a status of transition from said particular work status to another work status.

4. The loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck according to claim 1, wherein

said first step detects whether said dump truck is in an empty status, a loading status, a transporting status, or an unloading status;

and

said third step respectively calculates;

a first loaded weight in a case where said dump truck has completed loading and is transferring from said loading status to said transporting status;

a second loaded weight in a case where said dump truck is in a transporting status; and

a third loaded weight in a case where said dump truck is in a status prior to unloading and is transferring from said transporting status to said unloading status;

said respective loaded weights being calculated on the basis of said basic information detected respectively in said second step.

5. The loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck according to claim 1, wherein said dump truck comprises:

a set of equalizer bars respectively provided rotatably on the left and right-hand sides of a vehicle body;

first vehicle wheels supported respectively by means of first suspension devices on one side of each equalizer bar;

second vehicle wheels supported respectively by means of second suspension devices on the other side of each equalizer bar; and

third vehicle wheels provided respectively on the left and right-hand sides of said vehicle body separately from said equalizer bars, and being supported respectively by means of third suspension devices;

wherein said second step comprises;

a step 2A of detecting a first load applied to either said first suspension device or said second suspension device, as one of said basic information;

a step 2B of detecting a second load applied to said third suspension device, as one of said basic information;

a step 2C of detecting the angle of inclination of said vehicle body as one of said basic information; and

a step 2D of calculating said loaded weight on the basis of said first and second loads detected respectively in said steps 2A and 2B, and said angle of inclination detected in said step 2C.

6. The loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck according to claim 5, wherein

said step 2D comprises:

a step 2D1 of calculating a total load applied to said first and second suspension devices on the basis of the ratio between the respective distances from the center of rotation of said equalizer bar to said first and second suspension devices, and said first load detected in said first step;

a step 2D2 of respectively calculating a vertical load from said total load calculated in step 2D1 and said second load detected in said second step, on the basis of said angle of inclination detected in said third step; and

a step 2D3 of calculating said loaded weight by adding together the vertical component of said first load and the vertical component of said second load calculated in said step 2D2.

7. The loaded weight measurement device for a dump truck, comprising:

loaded weight calculating means for calculating the loaded weight of a dump truck;

work status detecting means for respectively detecting a plurality of work statuses of said dump truck;

storage means for respectively storing loaded weight values, of the plurality of loaded weight values respectively calculated by said loaded weight calculating means, in cases where a plurality of prescribed work statuses are detected by said work status detecting means; and

output selecting means for reading out and outputting a loaded weight value for a prescribed work status selected from said plurality of prescribed work statuses, from said storage means.