Device and method for detecting the weight of the useful load of a commercial vehicle by means of a vertical sensor

• US 6,646,210 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pfreundt GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Pfreundt GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Wissing, Ludger
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, RANDY W
• Application Number:
  US09/720,023
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/137, 177/138, 177/139, 702/173, 702/174, 702/175
• US Class Current: 177/136
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detecting the weight of the useful load of a commercial vehicle, comprising sensors which detect the amount of vehicle load produced by said useful load, in addition to a data memory that records information detected by said sensors. The sensors are designed to detect vertical acceleration. The invention also relates to a method for determining the useful load of a commercial vehicle, whereby the signals from the sensors that register the weight of the load of the commercial vehicle or the weight of a component receiving said useful load are supplied to the data memory either immediately or in a prepared form in order to detect vertical acceleration.

Claims

1. Arrangement for recording a weight of a payload of a utility vehicle, comprising:

a first sensor for recording vertical acceleration caused by stress to the vehicle generated by the payload, wherein the first sensor is arranged on a sprung component of the vehicle;

for determining whether or not the payload is present on the vehicle;

a second sensor for measuring the weight of the payload; and

a data storage unit for registering information ascertained by the first sensor and the second sensor.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a system for recording time, whereby certain times are attributed certain measurement values of the sensor.

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising a system for recording stretches of road covered by the vehicle, whereby certain stretches of road are attributed to certain times.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein provision is made for two or more sensors for recording the vertical acceleration.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor is attached to a chassis of the vehicle.

6. Method for registering a payload of a utility vehicle, wherein signals of sensors for ascertaining vertical acceleration register a weight stressing of the vehicle or of a component assuming the payload, the method comprising:

measuring whether or not the payload is present on the vehicle; and

feeding the signals of the sensors to a data storage unit directly or in processed form.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein, at a later point in time, an exact weight determination of the payload is made.

8. Method according to claim 6, wherein information on time of day, operating time or travel time and on stretches of road covered by the vehicle are attributed to the signals of the sensors recording the vertical acceleration.