Evaluating Axle and Leaf Spring Sensor Setup Methods for Weight Sensing on Lorry

This study investigates the optimal configuration of sensors for lorry weight sensing undertaking a comparative study of strain gauge setups on the lorry axle and leaf spring respectively to provide comparative insights on sensor setup not done in previous research. These sensors were strategically attached on axles and leaf spring. Two setups were studied namely setup of strain gauges at front axle and setup of strain gauges at leaf spring. Signals from these sensors were processed by signal conditioning circuit to produce output in voltages that represent the weight being measured. Load tests were conducted, and the output voltages tabulated. The data was analyzed to look for linear and accurate measurements using linear regression. The coefficient of determination R<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup>, standard error (SE) and sum square error (SS) from ANOVA were analyzed to seek the closest approximation to true weight. Based on the results, it is determined that placing the strain gauge at the front axle produced the most linear and accurate measurements among the two setups. This may imply that attaching strain gauge to axle may provide more reliable strain measurements for weight sensing.