Electrical system for detecting and correcting loss of vehicle control caused by wheel slipping

• US 6,804,599 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terry Lee Burnett
• Original Assignee: Terry Lee Burnett
• Inventors: Burnett, Terry Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/120,216
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 701/76, 701/70, 701/71, 701/74, 701/75, 340/431, 307/10.8, 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 180/54.1
• US Class Current: 701/76
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/0262 Multi-axle trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/042 Semi-trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/21 Traction, slip, skid or slide control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/70 Estimating or calculating vehicle parameters or state variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/95 Automatic Traction or Slip Control [ATC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/165 acting on elements of the vehicle drive train other than the propulsion unit and brakes, e.g. transmission, clutch, differential acting on brakes B60T8/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/175 Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel spin during vehicle acceleration, e.g. for traction control safety devices for propulsion unit control responsive to, or preventing, skidding of wheels B60K28/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/26 Wheel slip
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/147 Trailers, e.g. full trailers or caravans

Abstract

An electrical system for detecting and correcting loss of control, including wheel slipping or skidding, of a vehicle pulling a fifth wheel trailer includes a first wheel movement sensor disposed adjacent a driven wheel of the vehicle, and a second wheel movement sensor operably disposed adjacent to a non-driven wheel of the vehicle. A computer receives electrical signals from the sensors which indicate a function of either drive wheel rotational speed, or non-driven wheel rotational speed, respectively. The computer compares the signals produced by the wheel sensors and activates a disengaging mechanism which disengages a drive line of the vehicle by disengaging the drive line from a vehicle clutch when the driven wheel rotational speed exceeds the non-driven wheel rotational speed by a predetermined amount.

Claims

1. An electrical system for detecting and correcting loss of control, including wheel slipping or skidding, of a vehicle pulling a fifth wheel trailer, the system comprising:

a first wheel movement sensor operably disposed adjacent to a driven wheel of the vehicle and producing an electrical signal as a function of drive wheel rotational speed;

a second wheel movement sensor operably disposed adjacent to a non-driven wheel of the vehicle and producing an electrical signal as a function of non-driven wheel rotational speed;

a computer in electrical connection with the wheel sensors for receiving and comparing the signals produced by the wheel sensors; and

a disengaging mechanism controlled by the computer for disengaging a driveline of the vehicle when the driven wheel rotational speed exceeds the non-driven wheel rotational speed by a predetermined amount.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the disengaging mechanism disengages the driveline from a vehicle clutch.

3. The system of claim 1, including a temperature sensor associated with the vehicle and electrically connected to the computer for monitoring ambient temperature.

4. The system of claim 1, including a monitor connected to the computer and disposed within a cab portion of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the monitor includes a tachometer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the disengaging mechanism is controlled by means of a cruise control system of the vehicle operably connected to the computer.

7. The system of claim 1, including a trailer pivot sensor producing an electrical signal as a function of trailer pitch and yaw, operably connected to the computer.

8. The system of claim 7, including a steering wheel position sensor operably connected to the computer.

9. An electrical system for detecting and correcting loss of control, including wheel slipping or skidding, of a vehicle pulling a fifth wheel trailer, the system comprising:

a first wheel movement sensor operably disposed adjacent to a driven wheel of the vehicle and producing an electrical signal as a function of drive wheel rotational speed;

a second wheel movement sensor operably disposed adjacent to a non-driven wheel of the vehicle and producing an electrical signal as a function of non-driven wheel rotational speed;

a computer in electrical connection with the wheel sensors for receiving and comparing the signals produced by the wheel sensors;

a trailer pivot sensor producing an electrical signal as a function of trailer pitch and yaw, operably connected to the computer;

a temperature sensor associated with the vehicle and electrically connected to the computer for monitoring ambient temperature;

a monitor connected to the computer and disposed within a cab portion of the vehicle; and

a disengaging mechanism controlled by the computer for disengaging a driveline of the vehicle from a vehicle clutch when the driven wheel rotational speed exceeds the non-driven wheel rotational speed by a predetermined amount, the disengaging mechanism being controlled by means of a cruise control system of the vehicle operably connected to the computer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the monitor includes a tachometer.

11. The system of claim 9, including a steering wheel position sensor operably connected to the computer.