On-board truck scale

Abstract

A system and method that can provide a measurement of the weight on a trailer or vehicle, e.g., a truck or rig. The system and method can be implemented on systems that are equipped with air suspension, as well as those without air suspension, unlike conventional systems that require air suspension systems for installation. Additionally, the system and method can yield gross trailer weight, even if the truck is not instrumented. Further, the system and method can provide axle weight on properly equipped axles. A system for measuring weight on a trailer of a vehicle has a sensor system having a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is attached to an axle of the trailer or the vehicle. A microcontroller receives a transmission of strain change from a sensor. A display unit displays a calculated weight on the trailer from the microcontroller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary figures wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a mass on a truck and trailer, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an instrumentation of a sensor on an axle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a circuit block diagram of a strain sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a circuit block diagram of a central data collection and display unit, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for measuring weight on a trailer of a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is attached to an axle of the trailer or the vehicle;a microcontroller for receiving a transmission of strain change from a sensor and for calculating the weight on the trailer; anda display unit for displaying from the microcontroller a calculated weight on the trailer.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors are positioned on the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors are positioned on the trailer.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a first sensor and a second sensor positioned on a first axle and a second axle of the vehicle, respectively.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a third sensor and a fourth sensor are positioned on a first axle and a second axle of the trailer, respectively.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor positioned substantially proximate to a fifth wheel connection point.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has an air suspension.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle does not have an air suspension.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein each sensor comprises a strain gauge.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the strain gauge is a semiconductor strain gauge.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a temperature sensor for determining temperature of the strain gauge.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless link on each of the plurality of sensors.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an RF system that temporarily binds the truck with the trailer.

14. A method for measuring weight on a trailer of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the strain at two or more locations on the vehicle;determining a strain difference since a previous tare cycle;calculating the bending moment; anddisplaying on a display unit the weight on the trailer.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of displaying further comprises displaying the weight of an at least one axle.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of displaying further comprises displaying the weight of a front portion of the trailer.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of displaying further comprises displaying the weight of a rear portion of the trailer.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of displaying further comprises displaying the gross vehicle weight.

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of clamping a strain gauge at the location where strain is to be measured.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting a change in strain to a microcontroller.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of determining a temperature of the strain gauge and adjusting the strain measurement based upon the temperature.

22. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of binding the vehicle with the trailer.