Device for determining the overall mass of a vehicle

• US 20060108154A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Lich, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/528,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20060108154A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/136
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/172 Determining control parameters used in the regulation, e.g. by calculations involving measured or detected parameters B60T8/17551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/26 characterised by producing differential braking between front and rear wheels using electrical circuitry or regulation means B60T8/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/13 Load or weight
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus for determining the total mass of a vehicle, the apparatus being characterized by the fact that it has stored the curb mass of the vehicle and is connected to distributed weight sensors in the vehicle in order to determine the loaded mass in the vehicle. This includes occupants and luggage or other objects being transported. The total mass is determined by addition, and the kinetic energy is able to be calculated using, when necessary, the mass and a relative velocity between the vehicle and another object. In particular, the apparatus according to the invention allows a center of mass to be determined.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. An apparatus for determining a total mass of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of distributed weight sensors for determining a load mass;

a memory for outputting a curb mass of the vehicle; and

an arrangement for relaying a value for the total mass to at least one additional vehicle system.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

an arrangement for determining a mass from a weight, wherein the distributed weight sensors are configured for determining a respective weight of each individual occupant and a payload.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the distributed weight sensors are located in seats and on a cargo surface.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the cargo surface is located at least one of in a trunk and in a roof rack.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the at least one additional vehicle system is connectable to a pre-crash sensing system, and

the at least one additional vehicle system is configured to determine a kinetic energy from the total mass and a value for a relative velocity between the vehicle and another object.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the at least one additional vehicle system relays at least one of the kinetic energy and the total mass to at least one of a braking system, an electronic stability program, and a restraint system.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

an arrangement for determining a center of mass, the center of mass being accessible to the at least one additional vehicle system.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the distributed weight sensors include wheel bearing load sensors.