Bottle tray with magnetic coupling and load cell overload protection

1 . A load cell assembly for a vessel comprising:

a load cell including,

a fixed end, and

a free end configured to receive a force in a first direction; and

a deflection portion including,

a first component coupled to the free end of the load cell, the first component including a first magnet and defining a first cam surface, and

a second component including a second magnet, the second component configured to support the vessel, the second component defining a second cam surface configured to engage the first cam surface,

in an engaged state, the second cam surface is in continuous direct contact with the first cam surface,

in a disengaged state, at least a portion of the second cam surface is disengaged from the first cam surface,

the load cell assembly is configured to be retained in the engaged state by magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet, and

the load cell assembly includes a central axis.

2 . The load cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the load cell assembly is configured to transition from the engaged state to the disengaged state in response to an application of a force to the second component in a second direction different from a first direction, a moment, or both the force in the second direction and the moment.

3 . The load cell assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second cam surface is configured to slide along the first cam surface in response to the force in the second direction, the moment, or both the force in the second direction and the moment.

4 . The load cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second component includes,

a cam body including the second cam surface and defining a depression, the second magnet at least partially within the depression, and

a mandrel extending from the cam body.

5 . The load cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first component includes,

a cam body including the first cam surface and defining a depression, the first magnet at least partially within the depression, and

an extension coupled to the free end of the load cell.

6 . The load cell assembly of claim 5 , wherein

the first cam surface defines a plurality of valleys, and

the second cam surface defines a plurality of lobes, the plurality of lobes being complementary to the plurality of valleys.

7 . The load cell assembly of claim 6 , wherein

the first cam surface further defines a first flat portion,

the second cam surface further defines a second flat portion,

the second flat portion is configured to contact the first flat portion when the load cell assembly is in the engaged state, and

at least one of the plurality of lobes is configured to contact the first flat portion when the load cell assembly is in the disengaged state.

8 . The load cell assembly of claim 6 , wherein

the plurality of valleys includes three valleys, and

the plurality of lobes includes three lobes.

9 . The load cell assembly of claim 6 , wherein

valleys of the plurality of valleys are unevenly spaced about the central axis, and

lobes of the plurality of lobes are unevenly spaced about the central axis.

10 . The load cell assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a bracket including,

a wall, and

a flange, the wall and the flange cooperating to at least partially define an interior region, wherein

the fixed end of the load cell is fixed to the flange,

the free end of the load cell is spaced apart from the flange to at least partially define a deflection region, the free end configured to move within the deflection region.

11 . The load cell assembly of claim 10 , wherein

the first component is within the interior region of the bracket, and

a portion of the second component is within the interior region of the bracket.

12 . The load cell assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plate substantially perpendicular to the central axis, the plate defining an aperture, wherein

the load cell and the first component are on a first side of the plate, and

the second component extends through the aperture such that a first portion of the second component is on the first side of the plate and a second portion of the second component is on a second side of the plate.

13 . The load cell assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cradle coupled to the second component and configured to receive the vessel.

14 . A load cell assembly for a vessel comprising:

a load cell including,

a fixed end, and

a free end configured to receive a force in a first direction; and

a deflection portion including,

a first component coupled to the free end of the load cell, the first component defining a first cam surface and including a first magnet, and

a second component configured to support the vessel, the second component defining a second cam surface configured to engage the first cam surface, the second component including a second magnet; and

a bracket including,

a wall, and

a flange, the wall and the flange cooperating to at least partially define an interior region, wherein

the fixed end of the load cell is fixed to the flange,

the free end of the load cell is spaced apart from the flange to at least partially define a deflection region, the free end configured to move within the deflection region,

in an engaged state, the second cam surface is in continuous direct contact with the first cam surface,

in a disengaged state, at least a portion of the second cam surface is disengaged from the first cam surface, and

the load cell assembly is configured to be retained in the engaged state by magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

15 . A load cell assembly comprising:

a vessel;

a load cell including,

a fixed end, and

a free end configured to receive a force in a first direction; and

a deflection portion including,

a first component coupled to the free end of the load cell, the first component defining a first cam surface, and

a second component configured to support the vessel, the second component defining a second cam surface configured to engage the first cam surface; and

a cradle coupled to the second component and configured to retain the vessel in a desired orientation,

in an engaged state, the second cam surface is in continuous direct contact with the first cam surface,

in a disengaged state, at least a portion of the second cam surface is disengaged from the first cam surface, and

the load cell assembly includes a central axis.

16 . The load cell assembly of claim 15 , wherein the cradle is configured to retain the vessel such that an angle is defined between a horizontal plane and a longitudinal axis of the vessel, the angle ranging from 1° to 10°.

17 . The load cell assembly of claim 15 , wherein the cradle defines a slot, the slot configured to receive a portion of the vessel.

18 . The load cell assembly of claim 15 , wherein

the cradle includes a first pair of alignment surfaces at least partially defining a region, the first pair of alignment surfaces defining an angle therebetween,

the vessel includes a second pair of alignment surfaces defining the angle therebetween,

the region is configured to receive a portion of the vessel such that the second pair of alignment surfaces contacts the first pair of alignment surfaces, respectively.

19 . The load cell assembly of claim 15 , wherein

the vessel defines a first length at a first location parallel to a vessel longitudinal axis,

the vessel defines second length at a second location parallel to the vessel longitudinal axis, the second length longer than the first length, and

the cradle defines a third length parallel to a cradle longitudinal axis, the third length greater than the first length and less than the second length.

20 . The load cell assembly of claim 15 , wherein

the cradle defines a receptacle, and

the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of a cylindrical weight such that a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical weight is parallel to central axis when the cylindrical weight is at least partially in the receptacle.

21 . A load cell assembly for a vessel comprising:

a load cell including,

a fixed end, and

a free end configured to receive a force in a first direction;

a deflection portion including,

a first component coupled to the free end of the load cell, the first component defining a first cam surface, and

a second component configured to support the vessel, the second component defining a second cam surface configured to engage the first cam surface; and

a plate substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the load cell assembly, the plate defining an aperture,

in an engaged state, the second cam surface is in continuous direct contact with the first cam surface, and

in a disengaged state, at least a portion of the second cam surface is disengaged from the first cam surface, wherein

the load cell and the first component are on a first side of the plate, and

the second component extends through the aperture such that a first portion of the second component is on the first side of the plate and a second portion of the second component is on a second side of the plate.

22 . The load cell assembly of claim 21 , wherein

the plate includes a gasket on the first side,

the plate is configured to be coupled to an apparatus such that the gasket directly contacts the apparatus, the load cell and the first component are on an interior of the apparatus, and the plate is on an exterior surface of the apparatus, and

the gasket is an electromagnetic interference shielding gasket.