ON-BOARD WEIGHING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

摘要

An on-board weigh scale for a vehicle is disclosed. The weigh scale has a transport configuration wherein the weigh scale is substantially protected from damage during transport, and a weighing configuration wherein the weigh scale is in an operative condition for measuring the weight of a material. The weigh scale includes a support-frame capable of being mounted on a frame of a vehicle; a weighframe mounted above the support-frame, and capable of supporting a quantity of a material. Structural supports are mounted on the support-frame for securely supporting the weigh-frame in the transport configuration. Hydraulic jacks are used to lift the weigh-frame off of the structural supports when said weigh scale is in transition between the transport and the weighing configurations. The weight of material is detected by load cells, via load transfer elements which are installed when the weigh scale is in the weighing configuration. The load transfer elements are removed in the transport configuration, in which condition, the load cells are not subject to any of the weight of the material. Finally angle sensors are used to detecting the angle of orientation of weigh scale with respect to vertical. The detected angle is used to determine a calibration signal, thus allowing for compensation of an error in the weight detected by the load cells resulting from an out-of level condition of the weigh scale, thereby facilitating accurate weight measurements.