ON VEHICLE OVERWEIGHT SYSTEM DETECTOR

• US 20170113607A1
• Filed: 10/26/2015
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Corrales Salgado, Ulises, Cruz Mendez, David, Davalos Rodriguez, Hector Manuel
• Application Number:
  US14/923,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20170113607A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/10 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/13 Load or weight
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/021 having electrical weight-sensitive devices G01G19/04 - G01G19/07 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/024 using electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

A disclosed vehicle information system includes a controller configured to receive information indicative of a weight of at least a portion of a vehicle and a communication device disposed within the vehicle cabin for communicating a recommended limit of a vehicle operating parameter based on weight of at least a portion of the vehicle. The system provides for communicating a determined range of vehicle operating parameters to an operator within the vehicle cabin with a communication device such that the operator understands the modified limits of the vehicle based on the current measured vehicle weight.

Claims

1. A vehicle information system comprising:

a controller configured to receive information indicative of a weight of at least a portion of a vehicle; and

a communication device disposed within the vehicle cabin for communicating a recommended limit of a vehicle operating parameter based on weight of at least a portion of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 1, including at least one sensor configured for sensing a weight of at least a portion of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of a weight of a load placed in the vehicle.

4. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of a weight of the entire vehicle including a load placed in the vehicle.

5. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a display visible within the vehicle cabin.

6. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a speedometer indicating vehicle speed including a graphical representation of a recommended speed limit of the vehicle based on the weight of at least a portion of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a portion of a vehicle instrument panel including a digital display, wherein the digital display is configured to display a recommended maximum speed of the vehicle based on the weight of at least a portion of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises an audible alert device configured to emit an audible alert signal that is activated upon nearing a recommended maximum speed based on weight of at least a portion of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle information system as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle operating parameter comprises one of a vehicle speed, minimum stopping distance, hill grade, and turning radius.

10. A method of communicating vehicle operating parameters to a vehicle operator, the method comprising:

generating a signal indicative of a measured weight of at least a portion of the vehicle;

determining a range of vehicle operating parameters based on the measured weight with a controller located within the vehicle; and

communicating the determined range of vehicle operating parameters to an operator within the vehicle cabin with a communication device.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, including generating a signal indicative of a measured weight of the vehicle with a sensor and sending the signal to the controller.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the measured weight comprises a weight of a load placed within the vehicle.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the measured weight comprises a weight of the entire vehicle.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the communication device comprises a speedometer disposed within the vehicle cabin and the vehicle operating parameter comprises a maximum recommended speed of the vehicle based on the measured weight.

15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the communication device comprises a digital display disposed within the vehicle cabin and the vehicle operating parameter comprises a maximum recommended speed for the measured weight displayed on the digital display.

16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the communication device comprises an audible device actuatable to generate an audible signal responsive to a vehicle operating parameter approaching a recommended maximum value.

17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the vehicle operating parameter comprises at least one of a vehicle speed, minimum stopping distance, hill grade, and turning radius.