Richard T Smigel

US Patent:

49554417, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Sep 26, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/412835

Inventors:

Nigel G. Mills - Worthington OH
Larry C. Heckendorn - Columbus OH
Curtis W. Long - Worthington OH
Richard T. Smigel - Westerville OH

Assignee:

Toledo Scale Corporation - Worthington OH

International Classification:

G01G 2124
G01G 1902

US Classification:

177255

Abstract:

Load cells incorporating rocker pin configured columnar central structures within a weighing system have the attribute of self-erecting upon being displaced from a vertical orientation due to dynamic transverse loading effects, as may be occasioned by vehicle movements onto a scale. The resultant transient vector forces thus developed have been observed to cause a rotational phenomenon in the rocker pin configured cells which causes unacceptable damage to the instrumentation control communication components of the load cell system. A mounting technique for such load cells is developed wherein only these rotation inducing forces are restrained, while the vertical force vectors representing valid load data are maintained in an unrestricted or uncompromised manner. In one aspect of the invention, a hexagonal form of mounting between a rocker pin neck-contact surface region and a corresponding receiver cavity achieves a fully pivoting and freely abutting geometry while effecting the noted restriction of rotation. In another aspect, a resilient device such as spring is loaded during restricted rotational movement of the load cell and released at the termination of the transient rotational forces to return the load cells to their initial orientation while the load cells remain under load induced compression.