FI109616B - Method, apparatus and system for measuring the solid volume of a load - Google Patents

Description

109616

Method, apparatus and system for measuring the solid volume of a load

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for measuring the volume of goods according to the species definition of the appended independent claims.

Such methods, devices and systems have a variety of uses, but for purposes of simplification and thus not by way of limitation, the present invention will be described below in the case of volume measurement in the forest industry. In the case of payment for timber delivered in the form of pulp, the amount of the charge is primarily determined by the volume of the pulp and not by its weight. Thus, when such a paper-wood load arrives in a truck at a pulp mill, the solid volume of the load to be delivered must be determined in order for the supplier to receive the correct payment.

20: Until recently, the determination of this volume has been performed by experienced ··· meters who estimate the solid volume of the load by means of mechanical gauges and possibly arithmetic tables. However, such an estimate could occasionally differ by as much as 10-15% of the actual value, which is hardly acceptable because the value of the load can be very high, especially when this type of value is used for sawmill logs to be sent to a sawmill. 30 '. · A method and apparatus for overcoming the above disadvantage are proposed in Applicant's Swedish Patent Application No. · ···. 8804149-6. This prior art device comprises a building within which a lorry is loaded with a load, 35 thereafter closed to form an airtight enclosure around the lorry. The compartment volume is then changed and the resulting pressure increase is measured. The solid volume of the load can then be calculated using the general gas law 5 if the solid volume of the empty lorry is known. However, if the volume of the lorry was not known, the empty lorry would be driven inside the building once the load had been unloaded and the procedure repeated, after which the solid volume of the load could be reduced.

While this device performs well because it provides a very easy and accurate way of measuring the actual volume of a load in a truck, it is desirable to provide a device and a method for sensibly measuring the solid volume of a load when measuring such a load. the volume of the vehicle's partial loads. The truck often retrieves loads from many suppliers, and therefore arrives at the load solid volume measurement site with several such partial loads.

·; In such a case, it will be relatively complex and time consuming to use the device of the applicant's prior application, although this would certainly result in accurate volume values, and it is thus desirable to provide a device and a method for measuring the solid volume of such partial loads. Such a device could then be provided in addition to the device of the applicant's prior Swedish patent application, which would provide an inexpensive system to measure the solid volume of the goods, with two options for measuring the volume. -; * si.

35 3 109616

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, apparatus and system for measuring the solid volume of goods which also allows for a sensible and accurate measurement of the solid volume of smaller loads such as sub-loads forming part of a larger load but also capable of accurately measuring the solid volume of almost arbitrary loads.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a method, apparatus and system of the type discussed above having the features mentioned in the characterizing part of the appended independent claims.

15

A very rational measurement of the solid volume of the goods can be performed by the device of the invention, since it comprises a member adapted to receive the goods outside the jacket member, a jacket member and a tail receiving means adapted to perform a relative movement to insert the goods receiver member also: · _. arranged to carry out relative movement relative to one another such that together they form a closed compartment 25, which is airtightly enclosed around the goods receiving member and the articles contained therein, the additional members changing the volume and / or pressure of the gas in this compartment; at the same time the modified quantity (s) is measured. This is mainly provided on the one hand by the diaper member and the goods receiving member and on the other hand by the diaper member and. of the closure member in accordance with the present invention. The solid volume of the goods can thus be measured in a short time by placing them in the receiving means of the goods, then causing said relative movements of 4,109,616 and then said change in the volume of the gas in the compartment and measuring it. The relative movements are then reversed and the goods can be lifted out of the goods receiving means so that the device 5 is ready for determining the solid volume of other goods. Thus, for example, the volume of a truck's partial loads can be quickly measured by unloading a partial load from the truck and placing it in the goods receiving device of the device, for example with a forklift truck 10 or a forklift truck.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device has a member adapted to support the goods receiving member while providing free space around it for receiving the walls of the mantle member and for relative movement of the latter and the goods receiving member. Due to such a support member, the article receiving element can be very easily inserted into the diaper member and this can be done by movement of either the diaper member, the article receiving member or both.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, after the said airtight sealed compartment is provided, the diaphragm member and the closure member are adapted to continue movement with respect to one another while reducing the volume of gas of the compartment while said measuring member is adapted to measure. gas pressure in the compartment after a certain reduction in gas volume. This feature of the device according to the invention strongly contributes to the short time required by the device to measure the volume of the goods, since the relative movement of the pen, ··· and the diaper member is practically performed to a certain point, gas pressure is measured. 35 at this point and thereafter, the relative movement is reversed and the relative movement of the diaper member and the article receiving member is initiated, allowing removal of the articles from the article receiving member.

5

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the goods receiving means and the closing means are arranged in a fixed relationship with one another on the same support member, resulting in the need to develop only one relative movement of said support member and diaper member to achieve the desired relative movements. savings.

Other advantages and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the appended specification and from other dependent claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the following is a specific description of the 20 preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are provided by way of example.

• ·>

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a highly schematic top view of a system for measuring the solid volume of loads carried by trucks, FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

• t I

Fig. 3 is a partially cut away side view of the device of Fig. 2, with some parts cut off, Fig. 4 is a side view of the right-hand portion of the device of Fig. 3, shown in Fig. 3; and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 in a second operating position.

10

The system for measuring the solid volume of articles according to the invention is shown schematically in plan view in Fig. 1, comprising a first station 1 comprising a device of the type described in Applicant's Swedish Patent Application No. 8804149-6 and a second station 2 having the best a device according to a preferred embodiment. The intention is that the two positions are arranged close to each other and that the truck 20 entering the volume measurement system selects the first position if one is desired. times to measure the solid volume of the entire load, and another position to measure the solid volume of the load • · # · · '·'. This system thus provides an optional feature that allows for • the most sensible measurement of the load volume in each individual case.

* I I

In the case of selecting a second position, the lorry is driven and parked near it, after which the load or part loads to be measured are discharged to the goods receiving means in the second position device. ···· 30 Such disassembly or transfer may be arbitrary. ”But in the case of logs,

• I

plumming means which engage the log assembly and, ·· * transfer this from the truck to the machine.

i »·

»I

7 109616

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a device for measuring the solid volume of goods is shown in plan and side view respectively. The device 5 3 comprises an article receiving element 4 having a elongated base plate 5 and a beam-like member 6 extending upwardly and outwardly on both sides thereof longitudinally such that the article receiving element 4 forms a pocket or cradle suitable for receiving primarily oblong pieces such as logs. The short ends of the base plate 5 are resting on scales 7, which in turn are mounted on a base 8 in the form of a cantilever, which at its other end (left side of the figures) is fixed to a rack 10 fixedly mounted on the base or floor 9. others such, but these are omitted to make the device clearer in the figures.

The apparatus also comprises a diaper member 11 having a gas holding wall and an aperture 12 through which the article receiving member 4 and its articles 13 are intended to be inserted into the diaper member and the article receiving member. t *; ·· 35 β 109616

The device also comprises a closure member 17 which is secured to the rack 10 by a rear wall 16. The closing member 17 has a first bellows portion 18 in the form of a foldable collapsible plate projecting from the rear wall 16. The first bellows 5 portion 16 expands from the rear wall 16 and is gas-tightly secured to the second bellows portion 20 by a continuous circumferential closure ring 19 going away. The second bellows portion 20 is connected to a plate 21 having an aperture 22 in its orifice away from the rack. A continuous shutter strip 23 is disposed around the aperture region of the plate 21. A portion of the sealing strip and the two bellows portions and the sealing ring are cut off at the top of Figure 3 so that the openings 22 in the plate 21 are visible.

The closing member 17 thus forms a chamber which is open upwards only through the opening 22 formed in the plate 21.

The apparatus is further provided with a manometer 24 adapted to measure the gas pressure inside said chamber.

»· * * · ,, !! The operation of the device according to the invention proceeds as follows: ♦ »» | For example, when the solid volume of the log bundle 13 is set to mi- '! This is then placed in the pocket formed by the goods receiving means 4 »» »*; V 25. The drive member 15 is then guided such that the diaper member 11 moves along the carrier member 14, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, to the right of the goods receiving member, the latter being introduced through the opening 12. You will find 30 thanks to the distance between the support bracket \, 14 and the projection support 8 for the rib receiving member

* I

; The lower parts 11 can be easily moved under the goods receiving member. While the sheath member 11 is moved relative to the goods receiving member 4, it is also moved with respect to the closure member 17 which is fixed by means of a 10 t * 9 109616 rack. When the sheath member 11 facing the closure member 17 and surrounding portions 12 abuts against the closure tab 23 as part of the closure member 17 (position shown in Figure 4), the sheath member 11, together with the closure member 17, forms a sealed compartment and having a first chamber within the mantle member and a second chamber communicating therethrough through an opening 22 in the closure member 10, thus determining the amount of gas which then surrounds the goods receiving member and the scales and trays and goods, the amount of which depends on the solid volume of the goods. Gas pressure m the unique inner compartment in the position shown in Figure 4 is the same as the ambient air-15 pressure.

However, the movement of the diaper member 11 continues, preferably without interruption, past the position shown in Fig. 4 while the bellows portions 18 and 20 of the closure member are compressed by the force f. · Exerted by the diaphragm member 20 '·. through. This movement is preferably continued to a predetermined position (see Fig. 5) in which the projection 26 disposed on the underside of the diaphragm member is adapted to collide with the support; a limit switch 27 disposed on the rack 14 and actuate 25; and then interrupt the movement of the actuator 15.

The gas pressure in the compartment comprising the two chambers mentioned above is then measured by a manometer 24 at this position. The pressure gauge 24 transmits a signal indicating the magnitude of the gas pressure to an electronic device 28 on rack 10 which is programmed to calculate the 'solid volume of the goods in the receiving member based on said pressure information and' possibly print out a volume indicating said volume '. A button can be fitted inside the cargo vehicle 3 (3 ") to transfer a specific load serial number or other such information from a wireless electronic device.

The electronic device uses the following formula to calculate the load volume 5:

P? AV

V = V - V - ---- (1) Goods Tot m '' P2 P1 10 where

V goods = Solid volume of goods <^ i VTot = Volume of completely empty compartment at position 4 in the figure 15 V = Volume of the goods receiving element with accessories such as scales and chassis Δν = Decrease in volume when moving from position 4 in Figure 4 ·. to position v · 5 • Gas pressure in the compartment in a position where the compartment is not "" compressed (Fig. 4) •; P2 = Gas pressure in compartment at position 25: compartment pressed to '·' (Figure 5) This formula is obtained using Boyle-Mariotte's law, ie P x V = constant with ideal gases at constant temperature 30 ··· with a certain amount of gas.

· · / · When always using the same goods receiving member with additional devices to measure the solid volume of goods or loads by means of the device according to the invention, V. and V 35 "'; are previously known and stored in the memory of the electronic device 1X 109616. Due to the arrangement of the limit switch 27, a certain predetermined volume reduction Δν is also always achieved and this information is also stored in the electronic device. P. ^ is the ambient atmospheric pressure and preferably is also flown to the electronic device. Thus, only the measurement of? 2 is necessary to calculate the solid volume of the goods using formula (1).

The device according to the invention also comprises a display device 29, 10 which is disposed in the housing member 11 and is arranged so that it is easily visible to the user or the driver of the vehicle unloading the goods. This device is connected to a pressure gauge, but its scale is calibrated to provide an approximate solid volume of goods in the position of Figure 5, and its needle then aligns with this reading to allow the user to compare it with the estimated value and to verify that the measurement appears to have been performed without interference.

20 *. Preferably, some type of stop member is adapted to be secured so that the closing member in a state not affected by the jacket is in a certain position and is positioned against these stop members at a certain preload to ensure that Vm. is always the same.

Tot 25; In addition, Fig. 3 shows a drilling device 30 which makes it possible to take drilling samples from logs to determine their dry bulk weight separately.

30 ··· Finally, the device still has a platform 31 that has been lowered. ground or floor level adjacent to the goods receiving element and the • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • for controlling the actuator 15, the energy of which may be stored, for example, in the form of hydraulic overpressure. If the base 31 and the remainder of the device are adapted to be movable, this device can be positioned in different locations without having to be connected to a dedicated power supply network. as a power source for the electronic device and various manometers.

The presence of the scales 7 is not essential, but it is possible to determine the raw density of the goods.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above, but several possibilities for its modification will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the diaper member could be fixed and the goods receiving and locking member moved relative thereto by providing a fixed rack 10 with wheels rotating on rails or other: * such, but other combinations are possible as long as the diaper member is displaced - on the one hand, the goods receiving body and, on the other hand '; with respect to the occlusion.

2 * 5 * 'It would very well be possible for the closure member to have a rigid appearance and instead to compress, for example, the diaper member having a telescopic function, so that the relative movement of the diaper member and the closure member continues after mutual alignment. The closure member could also comprise a single air / holding plate adapted to pass against the portions 25 of the diaper member surrounding the opening 12 and to seal this air so that the compartment comprises a single chamber 13 109616 indoors. Of course, the manometer then also has to be fitted inside the diaphragm member.

It would also be possible to ensure that the volume of the diaper member and the 5 occlusion member may vary.

Further, it is conceivable that the shell member and the closure member comprise two identical or substantially similar structural elements such that the closure member is also constructed as the mantle member and that the two can then be arranged to be displaceable and arranged to move relative to one another longitudinal to the center of the goods receiving means.

15

Of course, the issue is that different types of bellows could form parts of the closing member, and that the beams could have, for example, one bellows portion or that the first bellows portion could be tapered away from the rear wall, 2Cf ·.

• · ♦

The electronic device could be attached to a first drive to process data from it and could be:; also a part of the system of the present invention or could use a separate, dual-station computer device.

Although the device of the present invention is particularly suitable for measuring the solid volume of log loads carried by a truck or part load of a load of paperwood, the device is well capable of measuring the solid volume of any quality goods.

The claims define that a change in gas volume and / or gas pressure is achieved in the method and apparatus of the present invention in the airtight closure. This definition is to be interpreted in its broadest sense. Thus, any combination of such changes is possible. 5 the weather in the preferred embodiment is performed reduction of the volume, so instead it is possible to use a body which is closed compartment air pressure resistance after reaching must increase in concern with the volume such that the compartment respectively by 10 pressure drop. it would also be possible to keep the volume in said compartment constant and to change the gas pressure in a positive or negative direction by opening a valve or the like in a container with a gas underpressure or overpressure for a period of time, after which the tank and compartment Said valve may then be kept open until the same pressure prevails in the container and compartment, so that the container is then considered to be part of the compartment, and in this case, an increase in volume and an increase in pressure are achieved. It would also be possible to Annex-TAA in the Department of the above type, a gas tank for a short period of time and provide a means to take care of SII -... TA, the volume of the compartment is continuously changed to maintain the gas pressure prevailing therein at the same level as the two ?! ambient atmospheric pressure.

• · * · »· t» · »· i * * *»

Claims (24)

Method for measuring the fixed volume of goods, characterized in that the goods (13) whose volume is to be measured are supplied to a goods receiving means (4), that the goods receiving means and a housing means (11) provided with an opening (12) are moved relative to each other such that the goods receiving means with the goods moves into the hojees means through its opening 10 and so that the hoist means and a relatively goods receiving means fixedly arranged sealing means (17) are moved relative to one another so that they come into contact with each other and together define a the goods receiving means with the goods 15 enclosing, leaking gas tightly sealed space, changing the gas volume and / or pressure of the enclosed space, and measuring the changed quantities (s) on the basis of which the volume of the goods is calculated. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative movement between the housing means (11) and; the goods receiving means (4) is effected by a displacement. only the housing member (11). 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealing means (17) and the goods receiving means (4) are held mutually arranged at their relative movement relative to the housing means. (11). ; Method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized by -. : characterized in that the goods receiving means (4) at the relative movement relative to the housing means (11) is poured at a distance above a support (14) the housing means (11) rests so that the bottom parts of the housing means at said relative movement the space between the supporting material and the receiving body. 5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the volume of the leaking gas tightly sealed chamber is reduced, and the consequent increased gas pressure in the room is the quantity supplied. 6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the relative movement of the housing member (11) and the sealing member (17) is continued after they have contacted each other and formed said space for reducing the gas volume of the room. 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that said compartment comprises a compartment arranged in the housing member (11) and a second compartment in communication therewith of the sealing member (17), and that * in the second chamber is compressed to achieve of «room gas volume reduction. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the continued relative movement between housing means (11) and sealing means (17) is stopped in a predetermined, given gas volume reduction of the room in the corresponding position. 9. A method according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that a portion of the thread of a load located on a truck is supplied to the goods receiving means (14), and that the volume is measured for one such partial load (13) at a time. 5 An installation for measuring the fixed volume of goods, comprising a housing member (11) and a sealing means (17) arranged to close said opening to form, together with the housing member, a leaking gas-tight closure compartment; characterized in that it further comprises a means (4) arranged to receive the goods outside the housing means, that the housing means (11) and the goods receiving means (4) are arranged to perform a relative movement to insert the goods receiving means into the housing means through its opening and that the sealing means (11) and the relatively goods receiving means fixedly sealing means (17) are arranged to, in consequence of said relative movement, perform a relative movement in relation to each other so as to form together a leaking gas-tight sealed space around the housing member: * · *: introduced the goods receiving body with the goods, and that • · *: · facility a further comprises means (15, 18, 20) j ': arranged to change the gas volume and / or pressure in it) | And the means (24) arranged to measure the changed quantities to enable the volume of the goods to be calculated on the basis thereof. 11. An installation according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means (8, 10) arranged in: pouring the goods receiving means (4) while thereby providing free spaces for receiving walls of the hoijes means (11) in said relative movement between the latter and the goods receiving means. Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that the pouring means (11) is arranged to lean the goods receiving means (4) at a distance above a support (14) the housing means (11) is intended to rest, that the opening (12) of the housing means is directed. substantially parallel to the support, and that the housing member and the goods receiving member are arranged to perform said relative movement substantially parallel to the support, introducing the bottom of the housing member between the goods receiving member and the support. 15 Installation according to any of claims 10-12, characterized in that the goods receiving means (4) are arranged stationary and the housing means (11) arranged to perform said relative movement relative to the goods receiving means. Plant according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a path arranged on said support (14) and along which the housing means (11) is *: * slidably arranged, and that the goods receiving means: (14) rests stationary. on a pouring means in the form of a bracket (10) or similar fastened bracket (8) which projects freely suspended above the male to enable the bottom of the housing means to pass under the goods receiving means. • I »· 26 109616 Installation according to any of claims 10-14, characterized in that the sealing means (17) is stationary. Installation according to claims 10-15, characterized in that the goods receiving means (4) and the sealing means (17) are arranged in a fixed relationship between one and the same holding means (10). Installation according to any of claims 10-16, characterized in that said changing means (15, 18, 20) are arranged to change the gas volume of said space, that the housing means (11) and the sealing means (17) are arranged to perform a relative movement to achieve a sealing abutment of the sealing member against the opening of the housing member surrounding housing member portions (25) and then continue this movement while decreasing the gas volume of the housing and sealing member formed by leaking gas tightly sealed, and the measuring means (20) being provided measure the gas pressure in the room at a given gas volume decrease. An installation according to claim 17, characterized in that the sealing means (17) comprises one or more openings (22) having, otherwise gas-tight casing, and that the sealing means is arranged for sealing abutment against the casing means (11). ) have internal openings on the abutment portions and directed towards: the opening of the housing member (12) to form a leaking gas tightly sealed chamber with a first chamber within the housing member and a second chamber communicating therewith within the sealing member. 27 109616 19. A plant according to claim 18, characterized in that the housing of the sealing means is volume-changing and arranged to be compressed in said continued relative movement between the housing means and the sealing means. Installation according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the sealing member (17) has a rear wall (16) facing away from the housing member (11) and bellows portions (18, 20) arranged to connect this wall to the sealing abutment against the wall. the housing member is provided with portions (23), and the sealing member is arranged to perform relative movement relative to said housing member with respect to said back wall. 15 Installation according to any of claims 17-20, characterized in that it comprises a means (26, 27) arranged to stop the movement of the movement between the housing member (11) and the sealing member (17) in a predetermined mutual position corresponding to said given gas volume reduction. . • · »· · An installation as claimed in any of claims 10-21, characterized in that it is intended to measure the volume t i «i * · *; of a portion of the load of a load transported to the facility by means of a loading vehicle, which is intended to be loaded in partial loads (13) by the goods receiving means (4). : 23. A system for measuring the fixed volume of cargo carried by cargo by means of a truck, comprising a: first station (1) in the form of a housing leaking gas-tight enclosed space, in which the cargo with the cargo is 28 1 0 9 6 1 6 retractable means arranged to change the gas volume and / or pressure in this room in the case of run-in cargo means and means arranged to measure the changed magnitude (s) to enable, on the basis thereof, to calculate the volume of the load 5, characterized in that the system comprises a second station (2) in the form of a system with a means (4) arranged to receive from a cargo on which unloaded cargo (13), a housing (11) provided with an opening (12) and a sealing means (17) ), that the housing means and the load receiving means are arranged to perform a relative movement to insert the load receiving means with the load into the housing means through its opening and that the housing means and the relative g the receiving means, the fixed sealing means arranged to effect a relative movement relative to each other in consequence of said relative movement, to come into contact with each other and together define a load receiving means with the load enclosing, including a gas-tight sealed space, 15, 18, 20) arranged to change the gas volume. and / or pressure in this enclosed space and means (24) arranged to measure the changed quantities (s) to enable it to calculate on the basis thereof the V. volume of the goods, and that the first station (1) is intended to measure the volume. of loads in lorries with a uniform l '.' cargo and the second station (2) are intended to measure the volume of a portion of the load of a cargo of multi-load cargo vehicles. * * · System according to claim 23, characterized in that it comprises a computer unit (28) arranged for the two stations (1, 29) to calculate the volume of the load and the sub-loads, respectively, on the basis of signals from said measuring means. (24).