FORCE SENSOR DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE WEIGHT OF A VEHICLE

• US 20160153828A1
• Filed: 11/30/2015
• Published: 06/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haenni Instruments AG (Baumer Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Haenni Instruments AG (Baumer Holding AG)
• Inventors: KNEUB?HL, Daniel, Maurer, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 10,041,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/02 for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/022 for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies in motion G01G19/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/024 using electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/025 wheel-load scales
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/027 using electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/03 for weighing during motion G01G19/04, G01G19/07 take precedence check weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers G01G15/00; weighing a continuous stream of material during flow G01G11/00; G01G19/02, e.g. G01G19/022, G01G19/045 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/035 using electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/13 having piezoelectric or piezoresistive properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/04 by measuring elastic deformation of gauges, e.g. of springs
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/146 for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays G01L1/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/16 using properties of piezoelectric devices

Abstract

A force sensor device (200) for detecting a weight of a vehicle. The force sensor device (200) includes an elongated sensor mount (2) with a plurality of hollow sections (3) arranged at least partially overlappingly in the elongated sensor mount (2). A force strip sensor (1) is arranged in each hollow section (3).

Claims

1. A force sensor device for detecting a weight of a vehicle, the force sensor device comprising:

an elongated sensor mount;

a plurality of hollow sections arranged at least partially overlapping in the elongated sensor mount; and

a force strip sensor arranged in each of the hollow sections.

2. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the overlappingly arranged hollow sections extend in a longitudinal direction in which the elongated sensor mount extends.

3. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 2, wherein a sensitivity of the force strip sensors is approximately constant along the longitudinal direction in which the elongated sensor mount extends.

4. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 2, wherein a sensitivity of the force strip sensors is non-uniform in a radial direction of the elongated sensor mount.

5. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the sensitivity of the force strip sensors decreases continuously in the radial direction of the elongated sensor mount from a central position to an edge position.

6. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the force strip sensors are inserted into the hollow sections and are held in the hollow sections by non-positive connection or positive-locking connection.

7. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of overlappingly arranged hollow sections comprise a first hollow section, a second hollow section and a third hollow section;

the first hollow section and the second hollow section are arranged in a row at spaced locations from one another;

the third hollow section is arranged laterally next to the first hollow section and the second hollow section and at least partially overlaps the first hollow section and the second hollow section.

8. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hollow sections have connection interfaces at each of hollow section ends, the connection interfaces for the electrical connection of the force strip sensors.

9. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the force strip sensors are connected electrically in parallel or in series.

10. A force sensor device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hollow sections are formed by thin-walled tubes, with one of a circular cross section and a square cross section.

11. A strip sensor device comprising:

an elongated hollow section housing; and

a force sensor device arranged in the hollow section housing, the force sensor device comprising;

an elongated sensor mount;

a plurality of hollow sections arranged at least partially overlapping in the elongated sensor mount; and

a force strip sensor arranged in each of the hollow sections.

12. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the elongated sensor mount of the at least one force sensor device extends along a longitudinal direction of the hollow section housing.

13. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a guide element arranged in the hollow section housing along the longitudinal direction of the hollow section housing, wherein the at least one force sensor device is mounted displaceably in the guide element.

14. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the hollow section housing has elastic edge zones.

15. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the elastic edge zones of the hollow section housing have expansion joints with one of a sinusoidal shape, U-shape and rectangular shape.

16. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the overlappingly arranged hollow sections extend in a longitudinal direction in which the elongated sensor mount extends.

17. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

a sensitivity of the force strip sensors is approximately constant along the longitudinal direction in which the elongated sensor mount extends; and

a sensitivity of the force strip sensors is non-uniform in a radial direction of the elongated sensor mount.

18. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sensitivity of the force strip sensors decreases continuously in the radial direction of the elongated sensor mount from a central position to an edge position.

19. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of overlappingly arranged hollow sections comprise a first hollow section, a second hollow section and a third hollow section;

the first hollow section and the second hollow section are arranged in a row at spaced locations from one another;

the third hollow section is arranged laterally next to the first hollow section and the second hollow section and at least partially overlaps the first hollow section and the second hollow section.

20. A strip sensor device in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

the hollow sections have connection interfaces at each of hollow section ends, the connection interfaces for the electrical connection of the force strip sensors; and

the force strip sensors are connected electrically in parallel or in series.