초록 ▼

A weighing system for determining the weight of material deposited from a container into a collection truck for collecting refuse or recyclable material includes at least one load cell installed into a lifting fork of the truck lifting arm for producing output signals based on the load on the arm as

A weighing system for determining the weight of material deposited from a container into a collection truck for collecting refuse or recyclable material includes at least one load cell installed into a lifting fork of the truck lifting arm for producing output signals based on the load on the arm as the full container is lifted and the emptied container is lowered. An acceleration or angle sensor is also provided on the lifting arm for sensing the acceleration or angle of the arm and producing a corresponding output signal. A processing unit receives the load cell and sensor outputs during raising and lowering of the lifting arm, and calculates the dynamic weight of the refuse lifted and deposited from the container, using the sensor output to compensate for the angle or G forces on the arm.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A weighing system for a refuse or recycling truck, comprising:a lifting arm movably secured to the truck at one end and having lifting forks at an opposite end having lifting portions for engaging a container, the lifting arm being movable between a lower position for engaging a co

[ We claim:] [1.] A weighing system for a refuse or recycling truck, comprising:a lifting arm movably secured to the truck at one end and having lifting forks at an opposite end having lifting portions for engaging a container, the lifting arm being movable between a lower position for engaging a container, a raised position for depositing material from the container into the truck, and back to the lowered position to release the emptied container;a load cell incorporated into each lifting fork for detecting the load carried by the lifting fork and providing an output signal proportional to the load;each fork comprising an elongate member and the associated load cell being installed along the length of the elongate member in line with the fork at a location spaced rearwardly from said lifting portion whereby a container does not directly engage said load cells;at least one acceleration sensor on the lifting arm for sensing G level on the arm and producing an output proportional to the sensed forces;a processing unit connected to the load cell and acceleration sensor outputs for receiving the output signals of the load cells and acceleration sensor at least for a predetermined time period as the arm is raised and for the same time period as the arm is lowered; andthe processing unit including means for compensating the load cell output signals for acceleration forces and inclination of the lifting arm, means for calculating the dynamic gross weight carried by the lifting forks as a container is raised and means for calculating the tare weight as the same container is lowered after emptying for each set of sensor outputs, and means for calculating the net weight of material deposited into the truck from the container based on the calculated dynamic weights.