SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING A VEHICLE MASS
First Claim
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1. A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle including a tractor, a trailer, and a transmission, the system comprising:
- a signal device operable to generate an indication signal;
a processor operable to communicate with the signal device and operable to receive the indication signal from the signal device,wherein the processor is further operable to determine whether a vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor based on the indication signal,wherein the processor is further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the indication signal, andwherein the processor is further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass.
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Abstract
A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, including a transmission is provided. A processor may be operable to receive a signal relating to a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle. The processor may be further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the signal. The processor may be further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass.
48 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle including a tractor, a trailer, and a transmission, the system comprising:
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a signal device operable to generate an indication signal; a processor operable to communicate with the signal device and operable to receive the indication signal from the signal device, wherein the processor is further operable to determine whether a vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor based on the indication signal, wherein the processor is further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the indication signal, and wherein the processor is further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle including a transmission, the system comprising:
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a processor in a vehicle operable to communicate with a remote station, the remote station operable to transmit a mass signal indicative of the mass of at least a portion of the vehicle, wherein the processor is further operable to receive the mass signal, and wherein the processor is further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in the transmission based, at least in part, on the mass signal. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle including a transmission, the system comprising:
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an input device associated with the vehicle operable to receive an input from an operator and to generate a first mass signal, wherein the input is indicative of a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle; and a processor operable to communicate with the input device and operable to receive the first mass signal from the input device, wherein the processor is further operable to estimate the vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the first mass signal; and wherein the processor is further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in the transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of estimating a vehicle mass comprising:
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receiving an indication signal; determining whether a vehicle trailer is connected to a vehicle tractor based on the indication signal; estimating a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the indication signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of estimating a vehicle mass comprising:
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receiving an input from an operator, wherein the input is indicative of a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle; generating a first mass signal based on the input; estimating a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the first mass signal; and selecting a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated mass. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification