Vehicle weight observation system

• US 6,829,943 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Weyand, Wolfgang, Wickler, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martir, Lilybett
• Application Number:
  US10/248,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20030154798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 737/60, 738/623.81, 738/625.1, 738/625.2, 738/625.3, 340/667, 340/666, 340/665
• US Class Current: 73/760
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2250/02 Vehicle mass
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/086 wherein the vehicle mass is dynamically estimated

Abstract

The invention relates to a weight monitoring system for a motor vehicle (1) which can, if appropriate, be connected to a trailer (2). The system uses weight sensors to determine the weights (F₁, F₂) acting on the axles of the motor vehicle, in order to calculate from them the overall weight of the vehicle, and the axle loads. In addition, a tractive force sensor may be provided in the trailer hitch so that the mass of the trailer (2) can be determined by means of the tractive force (F₃) and the acceleration of the vehicle. The weight monitoring system calculates various weight variables from the measured values and monitors to determine whether they remain within defined limits. In this context, it is possible, in particular, to take into account a planned route in such a way that the limiting values of the charge are adapted with respect to the maximum altitude (H_max) above sea level and/or the maximum gradient (s_max) of the route. In addition, the system can be configured in such a way that it provides the driver with proposals for a different distribution of the payload which leads to a permissible axle load.

Claims

1. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of a motor vehicle; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines a maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

wherein said data processing unit compares said at least one weight variable to said maximum value;

wherein said data processing unit generates an alert when said at least one weight variable exceeds said maximum value.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display device, wherein said alert comprises a visual presentation displayed on said display device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said display device comprises a liquid crystal display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said data processing unit monitors said at least one weight variable.

5. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of a motor vehicle; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines a maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

wherein said at least one anticipated operating condition comprises a maximum height above sea level for the planned motor vehicle travel route.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said data processing unit compares said at least one weight variable to said maximum value.

7. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of a motor vehicle; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines a maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

wherein said at least one anticipated operating condition comprises a maximum gradient for the planned motor vehicle travel route.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a navigation system operatively coupled with said data processing unit, said navigation system comprising a memory, a set of navigation data stored in said memory, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, wherein said at least one anticipated operating condition is determined by said navigation system.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said data processing unit determines a loading plan for said motor vehicle.

10. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of a motor vehicle; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

a tractive force sensor, said tractive force sensor implemented such that said tractive force sensor determines a tractive force exerted on a trailer when said trailer is towed by said motor vehicle, and an acceleration sensor, said acceleration sensor implemented such that said acceleration sensor determines an acceleration measurement of said motor vehicle, said tractive force sensor and said acceleration sensor being operatively coupled to said data processing unit, wherein said data processing unit determines a trailer mass of said trailer based on said tractive force and said acceleration measurement.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said data processing unit compares said trailer mass of said trailer to a maximum trailer mass value, said maximum trailer mass value being determined by said data processing unit based on said at least one anticipated operating condition.

12. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of a motor vehicle; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines a maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

wherein said at least one anticipated operating condition comprises a maximum height above sea level and a maximum gradient for the planned motor vehicle travel route.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said data processing unit adjusts a motor vehicle parameter based on said at least one weight variable.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a user input unit, said user input unit being operatively coupled with the data processing unit.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said data processing unit compares said at least one weight variable from said at least one weight sensor to said maximum value and determines when said at least one weight variable exceeds said maximum value for said planned travel route for said motor vehicle.

16. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of at least one of a motor vehicle and trailer; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines a maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

wherein said at least one anticipated operating condition comprises a maximum height above sea level for the planned motor vehicle travel route.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said data processing unit compares said at least one weight variable from said at least one weight sensor to said maximum value and determines when said at least one weight variable exceeds said maximum value for said planned travel route for said motor vehicle.

18. A weight monitoring system of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one weight sensor, wherein said at least one weight sensor senses at least one weight variable related to the overall weight of at least one of a motor vehicle and trailer; and

a data processing unit, said data processing unit being operatively coupled with said at least one weight sensor, wherein said data processing unit determines a maximum value for said at least one weight variable based on at least one anticipated operating condition of a planned travel route for the motor vehicle;

wherein said at least one anticipated operating condition comprises a maximum gradient for the planned motor vehicle travel route.