Intelligent load distribution system

• US 7,072,763 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Maly, Frank A. Jr., Miller, Steven R., Somnay, Rajesh J., Saxon, Nancy L., Eckelberry, James, Ma, John K., Melekian, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US10/689,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20040079557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 177 2511- 2517, 177136-141, 177/1, 702/101, 702173-174, 701/124
• US Class Current: 701/124
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/086 wherein the vehicle mass is dynamically estimated

Abstract

A vehicle information system has a first load sensor for generating a first load signal based on a first vehicle load. A first position sensor generates a first position signal based on a position of a vehicle axle. A second position sensor generates a second position signal based on a position of a vehicle kingpin. A memory unit stores vehicle optimization data. An evaluation unit is in communication with the first load sensor, the first position sensor, the second position sensor and the memory unit. A general user interface for receiving input is also in communication with the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit makes an evaluation of the first load signal, the first position sensor, the second position signal, and any input and generates a vehicle optimization instruction relating to a distance between the axle and the kingpin.

Claims

1. A vehicle information system for optimizing vehicle performance and load distribution, comprising:

a first load sensor for generating a first load signal based on a first vehicle load;

a first position sensor for generating a first position signal based on a position of a vehicle axle mounted on a trailer slider which is slidable to a plurality of positions forwardly and rearwardly along a vehicle trailer, the position of the vehicle axle being a position along an axis between a forward and rearward position of the vehicle trailer;

a second position sensor for generating a second position signal based on a position of a vehicle kingpin;

a memory unit storing optimization data;

an evaluation unit in communication with said first load sensor, said first position sensor, said second position sensor and said memory unit;

a general user interface for receiving an input relating to a request for optimizing vehicle performance and load distribution, said general user interface in communication with said evaluation unit; and

wherein said evaluation unit makes an evaluation of said first load signal, said first position signal, said second position signal, and said input and generates an optimization instruction relating to a distance between said vehicle axle and said vehicle kingpin, and said optimization instruction being a desired position of the trailer slider moved along the axis between forward and rearward positions relative to the vehicle trailer.

2. A vehicle information system for optimizing vehicle performance and load distribution, comprising:

a first position sensor for generating a first position signal based on an actual location of a trailer slider, said trailer slider slidable to a plurality of positions forwardly and rearwardly along a vehicle trailer, a location of the trailer slider being a position along an axis between a forward and rearward position of the vehicle trailer;

a first load sensor for generating a first load signal based on a first vehicle load;

an evaluation unit in communication with said first position sensor and said first load sensor, said evaluation unit having a first data output relating to a suggested location of said trailer slider based on said first position signal and said first load signal; and

said suggested location being a desired position of said trailer slider moved along the axis between forward and rearward positions relative to the vehicle trailer.

3. The vehicle information system of claim 2 wherein said first data output is based on a vehicle center of gravity determinable from said first position signal and said first load signal.

4. The vehicle information system of claim 3 including a second data output relating to an instruction for altering said vehicle center of gravity.

5. The vehicle information system of claim 2 including a second load sensor for generating a second load signal relating to a second vehicle load over a second vehicle component, said second load sensor in communication with said evaluation unit.

6. The vehicle information system of claim 2 including a second position sensor for generating a second position signal based on an actual position of a second vehicle component, said second position sensor in communication with said evaluation unit.

7. The vehicle information system of claim 2 including a general user interface to receive an input relating to a request for optimizing vehicle performance and load distribution.

8. The vehicle information system of claim 2 including a memory unit storing optimization data.

9. The vehicle information system of claim 8 wherein said optimization data relates to load limit information.

10. A method of adjusting vehicle load distribution comprising:

a) electronically sensing an actual location of a first vehicle component;

b) electronically determining a load distribution across a vehicle;

c) electronically determining an alternative location of the first vehicle component based on a sensed actual location of the first vehicle component and the load distribution across the vehicle;

d) electronically outputting the alternative location of the first vehicle component to a general user interface, and wherein the first vehicle component is a trailer slider, said trailer slider being movable forwardly and rearwardly along an axis which is perpendicular to a second and third axis of a pair of axles mounted on the trailer slider, and said alternative location being a proposed adjusted position of the trailer slider along the first axis between forward and rearward positions on a trailer.

11. The method of adjusting vehicle load distribution of claim 10 including the step of:

e) adjusting a location of the first vehicle component based on the load distribution.

12. The method of claim 11 including the step of:

f) adjusting the load distribution.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein step a) comprises determining the actual location of the first vehicle component relative to a second vehicle component.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second vehicle component comprises a vehicle kingpin.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein step b) comprises determining a center of gravity of the vehicle.