Weight sensing assembly

A weight sensing assembly for a semi-trailer truck enabling balancing of a load includes a sensing module, which is one of a plurality thereof. The sensing modules are mountable to wheels of the semi-trailer truck so that each axle has a sensing module engaged to outside wheels thereof. The sensing module obtains a pressure measurement of a tire engaged to the wheel and transmits it to an electronic device. Programming code on the electronic device enables it to utilize a pressure change, upon positioning of a load upon the semi-trailer truck, to determine a weight that is positioned upon an associated axle. The electronic device calculates adjustments to positions of a sliding fifth wheel and of sliding tandems of the semi-trailer truck to obtain positions thereof that will achieve a legal weight distribution of the load. The electronic device presents, upon a screen thereof, the adjustments to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to weight sensing assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new weight sensing assembly for a semi-trailer truck enabling balancing of a load positioned thereupon.

The prior art relates to weight sensing assemblies. Prior art weight sensing assemblies may comprise cab mounted indicator lights, load distribution sensing modules, and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sensing module, which is one of a plurality of the sensing modules. Each of the sensing modules is configured to be mountable to a respective one of a plurality of wheels of a semi-trailer truck so that each axle of the semi-trailer truck has a sensing module engaged to outside wheels thereof. The sensing module is configured to obtain a pressure measurement of a tire engaged to the wheel and to transmit the pressure measurement to an electronic device.

Programming code that is selectively positionable on the electronic device enables the electronic device to utilize a change in the pressure measurement for the tire, upon positioning of a load upon the semi-trailer truck, to determine a weight that is positioned upon an associated axle. The programming code enables the electronic device to calculate adjustments to positions of a sliding fifth wheel and of sliding tandems of the semi-trailer truck to obtain positions thereof that will achieve a legal weight distribution of the load. The programming code also enables the electronic device to present, upon a screen thereof, the adjustments to a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best illustrated inFIGS.1through3, the weight sensing assembly10generally comprises a sensing module12, which is one of a plurality of the sensing modules12. Each of the sensing modules12is configured to be mountable to a respective one of a plurality of wheels14of a semi-trailer truck16so that each axle20of the semi-trailer truck16has a sensing module12engaged to outside wheels22thereof, as shown inFIG.1. The sensing module12is configured to obtain a pressure measurement of a tire24engaged to the wheel14and to transmit the pressure measurement to an electronic device38.

The sensing module12comprises a housing26, which defines an interior space28. A battery30, a microprocessor32, a sensor34, and a transmitter36are engaged to the housing26and are positioned in the interior space28. The microprocessor32is operationally engaged to the battery30, the sensor34, and the transmitter36. The sensor34is configured to measure pressure and to relay the pressure measurement to the microprocessor32. The microprocessor32is positioned to selectively actuate the transmitter36to transmit the pressure measurement to the electronic device38.

A tube40, which is engaged to the sensor34and which extends from the housing26, is configured to engage a valve stem42of the tire24so that the tube40is in fluidic communication with the tire24. The tube40may be directly engaged to the tire24with the valve stem42being engaged to the tube40proximate to the tire24, as shown inFIG.2.

A connector44is engaged to the housing26and is configured to engage a respective wheel14of the semi-trailer truck16so that the sensing module12is mounted to the respective wheel14. The connector44may comprise bracket46, as shown inFIG.3. The bracket46has opposed ends48. The bracket46has a pair of holes50positioned therein, with each hole50being positioned proximate to a respective opposed end48. The hole50is positioned to be aligned with a respective orifice (not shown) that is positioned in a hub52of the wheel14. The hole50and the respective orifice are positioned for insertion of a fastener (not shown) to fasten the housing26to the hub52.

The present invention anticipates the connector44comprising other connecting means, such as, but not limited to, magnets, adhesives, welds, and the like.

Programming code54that is selectively positionable on the electronic device38enables the electronic device38to utilize a change in the pressure measurement for the tire24, upon positioning of a load upon the semi-trailer truck16, to determine a weight that is positioned upon an associated axle20. The programming code54enables the electronic device38to calculate adjustments to positions of a sliding fifth wheel56and of sliding tandems58of the semi-trailer truck16to obtain positions thereof that will achieve a legal weight distribution of the load.

The programming code54also enables the electronic device38to present, upon a screen60thereof, the adjustments to a user. The present invention also anticipates the programming code54commanding the electronic device38to communicate the actual weight distribution to a computer (not shown), such as one located in an office having responsibility for one or both of the load and the semi-trailer truck16.

In use, the sensing modules12are engaged to the outside wheels22of each axle20and the programming code54is positioned on the electronic device38, such as a cellular phone62. The electronic device38assesses the change in pressure of the tires24when the load is positioned on the semi-trailer truck16and calculates positions of the sliding fifth wheel56and of the sliding tandems58of that will achieve a legal weight distribution of the load. These positions are communicated to the user upon the screen60of the electronic device38.