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

• US 20070200418A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Takeda, Shu, Matsuda, Kazuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,495,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 298/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/154 with an accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/112 on dampers, e.g. fluid dampers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/0262 Multi-axle trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/0511 Roll angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/0512 Pitch angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/5122 Fluid spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/61 Load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/63 Location of the center of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/702 Improving accuracy of a sensor signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 5/04 with two or more pivoted arms, the movements of which are resiliently interrelated , e.g. the arms being rigid
• 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 the loaded weight of a dump truck, accurately and inexpensively. In a dump truck comprising 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 the vehicle body separately from the equalizer bars, and being supported respectively by means of third suspension devices; a first load applied to the second suspension device is detected; a second load applied to the third suspension device is detected; the angle of inclination of the vehicle body is detected; and a loaded weight is calculated on the basis of the first and second loads, and the angle of inclination.

Claims

1. A loaded weight measurement device provided in a dump truck, comprising 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, said loaded weight measurement device comprising;

a first load detecting section for detecting a first load applied to either said first suspension device or said second suspension device;

a second load detecting section for detecting a second load applied to the third suspension device;

an inclination angle detecting means provided in said vehicle body for detecting an angle of inclination of said vehicle body; and

an overall load calculating section for calculating an overall load in response to said first load, said second load and said angle of inclination.

3. The loaded weight measurement device in a dump truck according to claim 1, wherein said overall load calculating section comprises:

a first calculating means for calculating a total load applied to said first and second suspension devices on a basis of a ratio between respective distances from a center of rotation of said equalizer bar to said first and second suspension devices, and said detected first load;

a second calculating means for respectively calculating a vertical load from said total load calculated in said first calculating means and said detected second load, on the basis of said detected inclination angle; and

a third calculating means for calculating said overall load by adding together a vertical component of said detected first load and a vertical component of said detected second load, calculated in said second calculating means.

4. The loaded weight measurement device in a dump truck according to claim 1, wherein a judgment means for judging whether or not the equalizer bars are in a state of free rotation is executed prior to detecting said first load, wherein if it is judged by said judgment means that said equalizer bars are in a state of free rotation, said first load detecting section, said second load detecting section, and said inclination angle detecting means detect respective loads and inclination, and wherein if it is judged by said judgment means that said equalizer bars are not in a state of free rotation, a notification is reported.

5. The loaded weight measurement device in a dump truck according to claim 4, wherein said judgment means judges whether or not said equalizer bars are in said state of free rotation on the basis of a detection signal from an abutment detecting means for detecting an abutted state of said equalizer bars and said vehicle body.

6. The loaded weight measurement method for a dump truck according to claim 4, wherein said judgment means judges whether or not said equalizer bars are in said state of free rotation, by comparing at least one of said detected first load in an empty state in said first load detecting section and said overall load calculated in an empty state in said overall load calculating section, with a previously established prescribed value for an empty state.

7. A dump truck, comprising:

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 dump truck further comprises a loaded weight measurement device according to any one of claims 1 and 3-6.

2. A dump truck, comprising:

a vehicle body;

a vessel provided on the vehicle body;

a set of equalizer bars respectively provided rotatably on the left and right-hand side of said 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;

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;

first load detecting means for detecting a first load applied to either said first suspension device or said second suspension device;

second load detecting means for detecting a second load applied to said third suspension device;

inclination angle detecting means for detecting the angle of inclination of said vehicle body;

control means for calculating the loaded weight of said vessel on the basis of said first and second loads and said angle of inclination; and

output means for outputting said loaded weight calculated by the control means.