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 a vehicle tractor based on the indication signal;
wherein the processor is further operable to determine at least one of a type of vehicle trailer, a density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, a volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or a type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer based on the indication signal, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor;
wherein the processor is further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the at least one of the type of vehicle trailer, the density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, the volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or the type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor; 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.
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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.
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Citations
20 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 a vehicle tractor based on the indication signal; wherein the processor is further operable to determine at least one of a type of vehicle trailer, a density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, a volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or a type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer based on the indication signal, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor; wherein the processor is further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the at least one of the type of vehicle trailer, the density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, the volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or the type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor; 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)
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8. 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; determining at least one of a type of vehicle trailer, a density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, a volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or a type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer based on the indication signal, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor; and estimating a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the at least one of the type of vehicle trailer, the density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, the volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or the type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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 a presence or absence of a vehicle trailer connected to a 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 presence or absence of the trailer as indicated by 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 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification