Forklift truck sensor scale
The present disclosure provides a lift truck weighing system that includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure forces acting on a lift truck. In particular, the sensors are secured at one or more interfaces between a plurality of axles and a chassis of the lift truck. In some examples, the sensors are secured to and/or incorporated with a plurality of axles configured to support the lift truck wheels, such as to or within the axles.
1 . A lift truck weighing system for a lift truck including a plurality of axles and a chassis, comprising:
a plurality of sensors configured to measure forces acting on the lift truck;
a plurality of sensor mounts arranged between the plurality of axles and the chassis, the plurality of sensor mounts configured to secure the plurality of sensors and the plurality of axles to the chassis of the lift truck; and
control circuitry configured to:
receive force measurements from the plurality of sensors;
calculate a change in force at one or more axles of the plurality of axles;
determine a weight distribution on the lift truck based on the calculated change;
compare the weight distribution to one or more threshold weight distribution plans; and
determine whether the weight distribution exceeds a threshold weight distribution plan.
2 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more secondary sensors arranged at one or more of a lift truck carriage, a lift truck carriage attachment, or a load handling fixture.
3 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a load on the lift truck based on the calculated change in force.
4 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to transmit a signal to one or more systems to adjust one or more operating parameters to modify the weight distribution in response to a determination that the weight distribution exceeds the threshold weight distribution plan.
5 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more systems include a counterbalancing system.
6 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to transmit an alert signal to an operator with the weight distribution determination.
7 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more threshold weight distribution plans defines a desired weight distribution on four wheels of the fork lift.
8 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises one or more of a strain gauge to measure changes in force, an inertial movement unit to measure changes in acceleration, or a spindle sensor to measure one or more of vibration, direction of spindle movement, position of the spindle sensor.
9 . A lift truck weighing system comprising:
a plurality of sensors configured to measure forces acting on a lift truck; and
a plurality of sensor mounts configured to secure the sensors at one or more interfaces between a plurality of axles and a chassis of the lift truck,
wherein the plurality of sensor mounts are arranged between the plurality of axles and the chassis, the plurality of sensor mounts configured to secure the plurality of sensors and the plurality of axles to the chassis; and
control circuitry configured to:
calculate a change in force at one or more axles of the plurality of axles;
determine a weight distribution on the lift truck based on the calculated change; and
transmit a signal to one or more systems to adjust one or more operating parameters to modify the weight distribution in response to a determination that the weight distribution exceeds the threshold weight distribution plan.
10 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
receive force measurements from the plurality of sensors;
calculate a change in force at one or more axles of the plurality of axles; and
determine a weight distribution on the lift truck based on the calculated change.
11 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sensor mounts are integrated within the chassis.
12 . The lift truck weighing system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sensor mounts are integrated in a suspension supporting a wheel of the lift truck.