According to improvement of the receptor layer of various sensors of the type for detecting physical parameters (for example, a surface stress sensor, QCM, and SPR), all of high sensitivity, selectivity, and durability are achieved simultaneously. A porous material or a particulate material, e.g., nanoparticles, is used in place of a uniform membrane which has been conventionally used as a receptor layer. Accordingly, the sensitivity can be controlled by changing the membrane thickness of the receptor layer, the selectivity can be controlled by changing a surface modifying group to be fixed on the porous material or particulate material, and the durability can be controlled by changing the composition and surface properties of the porous material or particulate material.

Aspects of self-powered weigh-in-motion systems and methods that utilize piezoelectric components for sensing load as well as powering data acquisition and analysis components. In one example, the weigh-in-motion system includes a number of piezoelectric stacks, each stack including a number of piezoelectric elements. Each stack includes one or more top or upper piezoelectric element that provides vehicle sensing data. Each stack also includes a set of piezoelectric elements used for energy harvesting. The sensing piezoelectric elements are connected to a data input of a microcontroller for vehicle classification, while the energy harvesting piezoelectric elements are connected to a power input of the microcontroller.

Aspects of self-powered weigh-in-motion systems and methods that utilize piezoelectric components for sensing load as well as powering data acquisition and analysis components. In one example, the weigh-in-motion system includes a number of piezoelectric stacks, each stack including a number of piezoelectric elements. Each stack includes one or more top or upper piezoelectric element that provides vehicle sensing data. Each stack also includes a set of piezoelectric elements used for energy harvesting. The sensing piezoelectric elements are connected to a data input of a microcontroller for vehicle classification, while the energy harvesting piezoelectric elements are connected to a power input of the microcontroller.

The present invention relates to a sensing and control device (40) and method for a weight measurement device (30) comprising a load unit for loading material to be weighted. To enable precise measurement with less expensive components, said sensing and control device comprises analog circuitry (50) configured to receive a weight measurement signal, convert the received weight measurement signal into a first voltage signal, subtract a second voltage signal representing the weight of at least the load unit without being loaded with material to be weighted from the first voltage signal when the load unit is loaded with material to be weighted to generate a third voltage signal representing the weight of the material to be weighted, and control circuitry (60) configured to receive the first voltage signal while the load unit is not loaded with material to be weighted, convert the first voltage signal into a first digital signal, and generate a pulse width modulated, PWM, signal having a pulse width representing the weight measured by the load unit while not being loaded with material to be weighted, and further configured to convert the third voltage signal into a second digital signal representing the weight measurement of the material to be weighted. The analog circuitry (50) is configured to generate the second voltage signal from the PWM signal generated by the control circuitry, wherein the voltage level of the second voltage signal is proportional to the pulse width of the PWM signal.

The present invention relates to a sensing and control device (40) and method for a weight measurement device (30) comprising a load unit for loading material to be weighted. To enable precise measurement with less expensive components, said sensing and control device comprises analog circuitry (50) configured to receive a weight measurement signal, convert the received weight measurement signal into a first voltage signal, subtract a second voltage signal representing the weight of at least the load unit without being loaded with material to be weighted from the first voltage signal when the load unit is loaded with material to be weighted to generate a third voltage signal representing the weight of the material to be weighted, and control circuitry (60) configured to receive the first voltage signal while the load unit is not loaded with material to be weighted, convert the first voltage signal into a first digital signal, and generate a pulse width modulated, PWM, signal having a pulse width representing the weight measured by the load unit while not being loaded with material to be weighted, and further configured to convert the third voltage signal into a second digital signal representing the weight measurement of the material to be weighted. The analog circuitry (50) is configured to generate the second voltage signal from the PWM signal generated by the control circuitry, wherein the voltage level of the second voltage signal is proportional to the pulse width of the PWM signal.

A system for monitoring payload of a vehicle includes at least one wireless transmitter comprising a piezo-resistive pressure sensor, a transceiver and a battery unit, encapsulated in an insulating casing, the at least one wireless transmitter being configured to be attached to an axle beam of the vehicle and to emit a wireless signal in response to a mechanical strain of the axle beam, a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signal from the at least one wireless transmitter.

A system for monitoring payload of a vehicle includes at least one wireless transmitter comprising a piezo-resistive pressure sensor, a transceiver and a battery unit, encapsulated in an insulating casing, the at least one wireless transmitter being configured to be attached to an axle beam of the vehicle and to emit a wireless signal in response to a mechanical strain of the axle beam, a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signal from the at least one wireless transmitter.

A Weigh-In-Motion force transducer includes a housing profile and a piezoelectric measuring arrangement that generates electric polarization charges from a reaction force acting along a force introduction axis via the housing profile, which includes a tubular part internally defining a cavity containing the piezoelectric measuring arrangement under mechanical prestress along the force introduction axis. The tubular par is configured to be expanded along the force introduction axis by a mounting force acting along a mounting force axis and applied to the tubular part. The configuration of the tubular part in a cross-sectional plane defined by the force introduction axis and the mounting force axis is elliptical in shape with a major semiaxis extending along the mounting force axis and a minor semiaxis extending along the force introduction axis.

An infant sleep device may include a platform for supporting an infant, a base upon which the platform is supported, and one or more weight sensors positioned to measure weight of an infant positioned on the platform.

An infant sleep device may include a platform for supporting an infant, a base upon which the platform is supported, and one or more weight sensors positioned to measure weight of an infant positioned on the platform.