METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING A VERTICAL LOAD ON A TOWING VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a towing aid method for determining towing parameters including a vertical load applied to a towing vehicle (1) comprising a chassis (1), at least one rear axle (3), at least one front axle (4, 5) and a towing arm (6) articulated on the chassis (2), comprising: - a) measuring, using at least one pressure sensor, the fluid pressure in at least one large chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or a leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6), which has a mass suspended at the level of a tool holder (10) during a towing operation, - b) determining the distance between the tool holder (10) and a pivot axis (6a) of the towing arm (6), and - c) determining the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder (10) from the measured values ​​and correction coefficients. Figure for the abridged version: [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING A VERTICAL LOAD ON A TOWING VEHICLE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of vehicle breakdown assistance and more particularly to the breakdown assistance of heavy vehicles in difficult environmental conditions. These difficult environmental conditions are often encountered during the breakdown assistance of military vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to breakdown recovery vehicles that face significant safety issues, requiring the fastest possible breakdown intervention while ensuring the integrity of the recovery equipment and the safety of personnel involved in the recovery operation. Furthermore, such breakdowns may be necessary in difficult terrain, in the face of enemy attacks, gunfire, or other threats of any kind.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to breakdown vehicles whose chassis are generally equipped with mechanical leaf spring suspensions, in order to increase the permissible load on the axles Previous technique

[0004] In such a challenging situation, it is known that a recovery vehicle operator uses a load chart that takes into account the configuration of the recovery vehicle to determine, in particular, the maximum load that can be lifted with a tow arm of the recovery vehicle, also referred to as a tow truck or recovery vehicle hereafter. Thus, depending on the characteristics of the vehicle to be recovered, the operator, using the load chart, knows whether they can carry out the recovery while ensuring the integrity of the recovery equipment.

[0005] Reading such a chart is, however, complex, because the operator must take into account a multitude of factors while being subjected to an environment of intense stress.

[0006] A towing assistance system for a tow vehicle is known, for example from US patent 11,820,372 B2. This system includes a towing arm extending towards the rear of the tow vehicle and adapted to lift at least a portion of the vehicle to be towed. The towing assistance system includes force sensors mounted along the length of the vehicle that indicate a load applied, for example, to the various axles, via the towing arm under which a portion of the vehicle to be towed is suspended. The towing assistance system also includes a controller that processes the signals from the sensors to Calculate the payload resulting from lifting the recovered part of the vehicle, as well as the operating limits of the towing vehicle. Such a technical solution is not without drawbacks.

[0007] Indeed, extreme environmental conditions can affect the measurement reliability of the sensors used and the calculation of operating limits, particularly the maximum axle load. Such a calculation is complex, since it depends directly on the structural parameters of the axles, suspension, and chassis of the towing vehicle.

[0008] To date, no reliable technical solution is known for measuring axle load on a mechanically suspended leaf spring axle, and even less so under difficult environmental conditions. Examples include extreme temperatures to which recovery vehicles may be exposed, and extreme operating conditions, such as fording a stream while completely submerging the drivetrain of said vehicles, which substantially complicate the recovery operation.

[0009] There is therefore a recurring problem related to the risk of chassis breakage of breakdown vehicles during the breakdown recovery phase known as "tow-lift". Presentation of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a new method of reliable towing assistance, enabling the operator to be quickly provided with reliable information relating to the vertical load applied in particular to the axles of the towing vehicle in order to continuously inform him that the operating limits of the recovery system are not reached.

[0011] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new method of towing assistance, the implementation of which is compatible with all types of chassis and axles of a towing vehicle.

[0012] Another object of the invention aims to provide a towing assistance system facilitating the work of the operator and in particular the execution of breakdown operations.

[0013] Another object of the invention aims to provide a towing vehicle equipped with a reliable and easy-to-use towing assistance system.

[0014] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using a towing assistance method to determine towing parameters comprising a vertical load applied to a towing vehicle having a chassis, at least one rear axle, at least one front axle with mechanical suspension and a towing arm articulated towing on the chassis by means of a pivot axis, said towing arm comprising a telescopic arm, said method comprising the steps: - a) measuring, using at least one pressure sensor, the hydraulic fluid pressure in at least one chamber of at least one lifting cylinder and / or one leveling cylinder of the towing arm, which includes a mass suspended at the level of a tool holder during a towing operation, - b) determine the distance between the tool holder and the pivot axis of the towing arm from a measurement of the extension of the telescopic arm, - c) determine the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder, and consequently to the towing arm, from the values ​​measured during step a) and during step b) and pre-recorded correction coefficients.

[0015] According to one embodiment example, the method includes a step d) in which the vertical force applied to the tool holder determined under c) is displayed.

[0016] According to an example of implementation, step d) also consists of displaying a limit value of vertical force applicable to the tool holder.

[0017] According to an example of implementation, the method includes a step of comparing the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder with a corresponding limit value to check if the vertical force applied to the tool holder is compatible with the towing operation and of displaying the result of this comparison.

[0018] According to one embodiment example, the method includes a step e) in which the values ​​determined under c) are combined with the mass balance of the towing vehicle to estimate the rear axle load and the front axle load during the towing operation.

[0019] According to one example of implementation, the method includes a step f), according to which the axle loads are displayed.

[0020] According to an example of implementation, the method includes a step (f), also consists of displaying load limits applicable to axles.

[0021] According to an example of implementation, the method includes a step of comparing the axle load values ​​with corresponding limit values, to check if the axle load values ​​are compatible with the towing operation, and of displaying the result of this comparison.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the method consists of measuring a hydraulic fluid pressure in a large chamber of at least one lifting cylinder and / or at least one leveling cylinder of the towing arm.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the method consists of measuring a hydraulic fluid pressure in a small chamber of at least one lifting cylinder and / or at least one leveling cylinder of the towing arm.

[0024] According to an example of implementation, in step b) the distance between the tool holder and the pivot axis of the towing arm is determined by also using a measurement of the angle of the telescopic arm of the towing arm.

[0025] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a towing assistance system to implement the method presented above, said system equipping a towing vehicle comprising a chassis, at least one rear axle and at least one front axle, with mechanical suspension, a towing arm comprising a telescopic arm, one end of which is equipped with a tool holder and the other end of which is articulated on the chassis via a pivot axis transverse to the chassis, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one pressure sensor mounted on a chamber of at least one lifting cylinder and / or at least one leveling cylinder of the towing arm, - a measuring device for measuring or determining the distance between the tool holder and the pivot axis, and - a calculator or automated system containing pre-recorded theoretical values ​​including correction coefficients to determine, with the measured values, the estimated value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder.

[0026] The pre-recorded theoretical values ​​also include, for example, the mass balance of the towing vehicle, so as to provide an estimate of the load applied to the rear axle and an estimate of the load applied to the front axle.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes a display device of the screen type, associated with the computer or PLC to display at least the estimated value of the vertical force on the tool carrier.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the towing assistance system, the display device is designed to simultaneously display the estimated value of the vertical force at the tool carrier and a corresponding limit value.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the towing assistance system, the display device is designed to display the estimated value of the loads applied to the axles and the corresponding limit values.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes at least one pressure sensor mounted on the large chamber of at least one lifting cylinder and / or at least one leveling cylinder of the towing arm.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes at least one additional pressure sensor mounted on the small chamber of at least a lifting cylinder and / or at least one leveling cylinder for the towing arm.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes a visual indicator to provide visual information about the level of vertical load applied to the towing arm, indicating whether the towing parameters are within an operating range that allows for safe towing. The visual indicator is, for example, a light column mounted on the towing vehicle.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes an audible indicator providing an audible signal when the maximum permissible vertical load for the towing arm is reached.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the towing assistance system, the measuring device includes a cable encoder for measuring the extension of said telescopic arm in order to determine the distance between said tool holder and the pivot axis of the towing arm. The cable encoder is, for example, mounted in the telescopic arm.

[0035] According to an example of an embodiment of the towing assistance system, the leveling cylinder, articulated on the angled part via a first articulation and on the telescopic arm via a second articulation, is equipped with a measuring device to measure the distance between its first articulation and its second articulation, to provide information on the leveling of the telescopic arm.

[0036] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved with the aid of a towing vehicle comprising a chassis having at least one rear axle and at least one front axle, with mechanical suspension, a towing arm having an angled part, one end of which is articulated on the chassis via a pivot axis transverse to the chassis and the other end of which extends into an articulated telescopic arm, on which a tool holder is mounted, hydraulic control elements of the towing arm comprising a lifting cylinder articulated on the angled part and on the chassis, a leveling cylinder articulated on the angled part and on the telescopic arm, an extension cylinder mounted in said telescopic arm and a hydraulic circuit for supplying hydraulic fluid to said control elements, said vehicle comprising a towing assistance system as presented above.

[0037] The breakdown assistance method according to the invention has the enormous advantage of simplifying breakdown operations as much as possible by guaranteeing to the operator that the operating limits of said system are not reached and that they will be able to extract themselves as quickly as possible from a sensitive area without damaging their vehicle. It thus avoids potential breakdowns related to incorrect readings or faulty interpretation of an operating parameter of the towing vehicle during the towing operation.

[0038] One advantage of the towing assistance system according to the invention lies in the fact that it eliminates all the problems related to the chassis of the towing vehicle. Indeed, the towing assistance system according to the invention is integrated into the towing arm common to almost all towing vehicles and is independent of the chassis. Thus, it is possible to modify the axles and equipment of a towing vehicle without affecting the towing assistance method. It is then sufficient to modify the mass balance of the towing vehicle, that is to say, to modify accordingly the pre-recorded parameters corresponding to the main parameters of the towing vehicle's architecture so that they are representative of the specific architecture of the vehicle in question. But the architecture and structural implementation of the towing assistance system will not be impacted.This will reduce the costs of developing and adapting the towing assistance system.

[0039] The towing assistance system according to the invention can thus be easily adapted to any new or existing towing vehicle as a second-hand option.

[0040] The towing assistance system according to the invention eliminates the need for strain gauges or force sensors located on the chassis, particularly at each axle. Such a design would be technically complex and would not provide satisfactory operational reliability with mechanical suspensions. Brief description of the drawings

[0041] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0042] [Fig. 1] is a side view of an example embodiment of a towing vehicle equipped with a towing assistance system according to the invention,

[0043] [Fig.2] is an illustration of a rear part of the towing vehicle of [Fig.1] showing a towing arm in various positions and with a telescopic arm deployed,

[0044] [Fig.3] is a rear and perspective view of the towing vehicle of [Fig.1],

[0045] [Fig.4] is an enlarged and cross-sectional illustration of the rear part of the towing vehicle of [Fig.1] with the telescopic arm in a deployed and retracted position,

[0046] [Fig.5] is an enlargement of [Fig.2] showing the towing arm in a lowered position,

[0047] [Fig.6] is an enlargement of [Fig.2] showing the towing arm in an intermediate position,

[0048] [Fig.7] is an enlargement of [Fig.2] showing the towing arm in a high position

[0049] [Fig.8] is a view showing the towing arm of the towing vehicle of [Fig.1] in an intermediate position and with the telescopic arm at maximum extension, and

[0050] [Fig.9] is an enlargement of [Fig.2] showing the towing arm with the telescopic arm in a folded upwards position. Description of the implementation methods

[0051] Structurally and functionally identical or similar elements, present on several distinct figures, are assigned the same numeric or alphanumeric reference.

[0052] Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a towing vehicle 1 equipped with a towing assistance system according to the invention. The towing vehicle 1 comprises, in particular, a chassis 2 equipped with a double rear axle 3 and two front axles 4 and 5. Each of the axles 3, 4, and 5 is equipped with a corresponding mechanical suspension 3a, 4a, and 5a. The mechanical suspensions 3a, 4a, and 5a are, for example, leaf spring suspensions.

[0053] According to another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the double rear axle 3 can be replaced by two rear axles with independent suspensions.

[0054] According to another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the towing vehicle 1 has a single front axle and a single rear axle.

[0055] According to another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the towing vehicle 1 comprises a front axle group and a rear axle group.

[0056] The towing vehicle 1 includes a towing arm 6 mounted on the rear part of the chassis 2.

[0057] The towing arm 6 has an angled part 7, one end of which is articulated on the chassis 2 via a pivot axis transverse to the chassis 2, and the other end of which extends into a telescopic arm 8. A tool holder, not shown, is advantageously mounted on the free end 8a of the telescopic arm 8.

[0058] The towing vehicle 1 includes hydraulic control devices and a hydraulic circuit to control the pivoting of the towing arm 6, the pitch correction of the telescopic arm 8 articulated on the angled part 7 and the extension and retraction of said telescopic arm 8.

[0059] The control elements include a lifting cylinder 9 articulated on the angled part 7 and on the chassis 2.

[0060] Figure 2 is an illustration of a rear portion of the towing vehicle 1, showing the towing arm 6 in various positions and with a telescopic arm 8 deployed,

[0061] The angled part 7 is thus illustrated in various pivoting positions corresponding respectively to a low position B, an intermediate position M and a high position H. The intermediate position M illustrates the telescopic arm 8 in maximum extension and the low position B and the high position H illustrate the telescopic arm 8 in maximum retraction.

[0062] Fig. 3 is a rear and perspective view of an example embodiment of the towing vehicle 1. The telescopic arm 8 is equipped with a tool holder 10 for attaching a vehicle to be towed.

[0063] Fig. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional illustration of the rear part of the towing vehicle 1 with the telescopic arm 8 in an intermediate deployed and retracted position.

[0064] The control elements include a leveling cylinder 11 articulated via a first joint 1a on the angled part 7 and via a second joint 11b on the telescopic arm 8. It is necessary to level the telescopic arm 8 when the towing arm 6 pivots about a pivot axis 6a in order to maintain a substantially horizontal extension. The pivot axis 6a is mounted, in a direction transverse to the towing vehicle 1, on or in the chassis 2.

[0065] During a towing operation, in order to remain within optimal operating ranges for the towing vehicle 1, it is necessary to maintain the telescopic arm 8 in a position with a substantially horizontal attitude. Measuring an image parameter of such an attitude can therefore prove very useful.

[0066] Thus, according to one embodiment, the leveling cylinder 11 is equipped with a measuring device to measure the distance between its first joint 1la and its second joint 11b. This distance between the joints 1la and 11b then makes it possible to determine the level of the telescopic arm 8.

[0067] The leveling cylinder 11 also allows the telescopic arm 8 to be moved around a joint 8a, between a deployed position as shown and an upwardly folded position, called the rolling position. This upwardly folded position of the telescopic arm 8 corresponds to a maximum extension of the leveling cylinder 11.

[0068] The control elements include an extension cylinder 12 mounted in the telescopic arm 8. The extension cylinder 12 thus makes it possible to modify the length of the telescopic arm 8 and consequently to modify the distance between the pivot axis 6a of the towing arm 6 and the free end of the telescopic arm 8 corresponding to the position of the tool holder 10.

[0069] The value of the extension of the telescopic arm 8 allows the distance between the tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a to be determined indirectly. The calculated value of the telescopic arm 8's attitude, obtained via a measurement of the extension of the attitude correction cylinder 11, then allows the determination of the distance between the tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a to be refined.

[0070] Fig. 5 is an enlargement of Fig. 2 showing the towing arm 6 in a low position B, in which the telescopic arm 8 is deployed and retracted.

[0071] Fig. 6 is an enlargement of Fig. 2 showing the towing arm 6 in an intermediate position M, in which the telescopic arm 8 is deployed and retracted.

[0072] Fig. 7 is an enlargement of Fig. 2 showing the towing arm 6 in a high position H, in which the telescopic arm 8 is deployed and retracted.

[0073] Fig. 8 is a view showing the towing arm 6 of the towing vehicle 1 in an intermediate position M, in which the telescopic arm 8 is deployed and at maximum extension.

[0074] Figure 9 is an enlargement of Figure 2 showing the towing arm 6 with the telescopic arm 8 in a retracted and folded upward position. This folded position of the telescopic arm 8 is used, for example, for moving the towing vehicle 1 when not in towing operation.

[0075] The towing vehicle 1 includes a towing assistance system enabling the operator to have simple and quick access to information on towing parameters and in particular whether towing can be carried out while guaranteeing the integrity of the towing vehicle 1.

[0076] The towing assistance system includes at least one force measurement device, such as a pressure sensor, strain gauge or force acquisition chain, mounted on a chamber of the lifting cylinder 9 or the leveling cylinder 11.

[0077] According to an embodiment described in more detail below, the force measurement device includes a pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor is mounted on the large chamber of the lifting cylinder 9 or the leveling cylinder 11, when said cylinder 9 or 11 is working in compression.

[0078] According to another embodiment, the towing assistance system includes at least one additional pressure sensor mounted on the small chamber of the lifting cylinder 9 or the leveling cylinder 11. Such an additional pressure sensor then makes it possible to take into account back pressures appearing in the small chamber of the lifting cylinder 9 or the leveling cylinder 11.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the force measurement device includes a pressure sensor mounted only on the small chamber of the lifting cylinder 9 or the leveling cylinder 11, when said cylinder 9 or 11 is working in extension.

[0080] The towing assistance system includes a measuring device for measuring the distance between the tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a of the towing arm 6.

[0081] The measuring device preferably comprises a cable encoder associated with the telescopic arm 8 to measure the extension of said telescopic arm 8 in order to determine the distance between said tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a. The cable encoder is advantageously mounted in the telescopic arm 8.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the measuring device includes a position sensor for the rod of the extension cylinder 12.

[0083] According to another embodiment, the cable encoder can be associated with an inclinometer.

[0084] The towing assistance system includes a computer or automaton comprising correction coefficients and the mass balance of the towing vehicle 1, in particular a mass balance of the towing vehicle 1 in working order, i.e. fully fueled, with personnel and in lifting position for towing purposes.

[0085] The mass balance includes the main parameters of the architecture of the towing vehicle 1 in working order. These are determined by the design of said vehicle and are therefore known. These main parameters include the mass of the towing vehicle 1, the position of axles 3, 4, 5 and of the tool carrier 10 relative to the center of gravity CDG of the towing vehicle 1.

[0086] The correction factors are determined using mass measurements at each axle 3, 4, 5, carried out with calibration masses suspended from the tool carrier 10 in different height and extension positions. These correction factors compensate for any error that may arise from potential measurement drifts related to the configuration of the hydraulic circuit of the towing vehicle 1 and / or the configuration of the chassis 2 and / or the configuration of the towing arm 6.

[0087] In order to enable the towing operation, the towing vehicle 1 should preferably be in a particular situation. Thus, for the towing vehicle 1, different assumptions were considered, namely, a substantially horizontal vehicle, a telescopic arm 8 with a particular attitude, namely substantially horizontal and located within a limited height range such that the longitudinal offset of the tool holder 10, linked to the rotation around the axis 6a, is negligible.

[0088] In a situation conducive to towing, thanks to the measured values ​​of hydraulic pressure and extension of the telescopic arm 8 and the coefficients correctors, the calculator or the automated system can calculate an estimate of the mass suspended from the tool holder 10.

[0089] Using these same values ​​and the mass balance of the towing vehicle 1, the computer or the automaton can calculate an estimate of the mass supported by each axle 3, 4, 5.

[0090] The calculation for the distribution of mass between the axles can advantageously take into account a different suspension stiffness from one axle to the other of the towing vehicle 1.

[0091] The towing assistance system advantageously includes a screen associated with the computer or PLC to display various parameters related to the towing vehicle 1, at the operating limits during a towing operation.

[0092] The screen allows, for example, at least the estimated value of the mass suspended from the tool holder 10 to be displayed. According to one embodiment, the screen is designed to simultaneously display the estimated value of mass at the tool holder 10 and a corresponding limit value.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the screen is designed to display the estimated value of loads applied to axles 3, 4, 5 and corresponding limit values.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes a visual indicator to provide visual image information of the level of vertical load applied to the towing arm 6, indicating whether the towing parameters are within an operating range allowing towing to be carried out safely.

[0095] The visual indicator is for example a light column 13 mounted on the towing vehicle 1. The light column 13 provides for example a green light signal when all operating parameters are within operating ranges guaranteeing the integrity of the towing vehicle 1 and its various constituent parts.

[0096] The light column 13 provides, for example, an orange light signal when one or more operating parameters approach pre-established limit values, but still allowing towing to be carried out.

[0097] The light column 13, for example, provides a red light signal when one or more operating parameters exceed a predetermined limit. Such a light signal indicates to the operator that the integrity of the towing vehicle 1 is no longer guaranteed if the towing operation is carried out. In circumstances where there is no apparent danger, the operator can therefore decide to postpone the towing operation while the necessary adjustments are made to the vehicle being towed.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the towing assistance system includes an audible indicator providing an audible signal, for example, when the vertical load The maximum permissible force for the towing arm 6 is reached. This audible signal can, for example, be muted.

[0099] The towing assistance system is based on a towing assistance method in particular to determine towing parameters including a vertical load applied to the towing vehicle 1.

[0100] The towing assistance method includes a step a) in which the hydraulic fluid pressure in at least one chamber of at least one lifting cylinder 9 and / or a leveling cylinder 11 of the towing arm 6 having a mass suspended at the tool holder 10 is measured using at least one pressure sensor.

[0101] According to a step b), the distance between the tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a of the towing arm 6 is determined from a measurement of the extension of the telescopic arm 8.

[0102] Next, according to a step c), the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder 10, corresponding to the mass suspended from said tool holder 10, and consequently from the towing arm 6, is determined from the values ​​measured during step a) and during step b) and from pre-recorded correction coefficients.

[0103] The method includes a step d) in which the vertical force applied to the tool holder 10 determined under c) is displayed. According to an example of implementation, step d) also consists of displaying a limit value of vertical force applicable to the tool holder 10.

[0104] According to an example of implementation, the method includes a step of comparing the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder 10 and a corresponding limit value to check if the vertical force applied to the tool holder 10 is compatible with the towing operation.

[0105] According to one embodiment example, the method includes a step e) in which the values ​​determined under c) are combined with the mass balance of the towing vehicle 1 to estimate the load on the rear axle 3 and the load on the front axle 4, 5 during the towing operation.

[0106] According to one example of implementation, the method includes a step f), in which the loads on axles 3, 4, 5 are displayed.

[0107] By way of implementation example, step f), also consists of displaying load limits applicable to axles 3, 4, 5.

[0108] According to an example of implementation, the method includes a step of comparing the load values ​​at axles 3, 4, 5 and corresponding limit values, to check if the axle load values ​​are compatible with the towing operation.

[0109] Advantageously, the method consists of measuring a hydraulic fluid pressure in a large chamber of at least one lifting cylinder 9 and / or at least one leveling cylinder 11 of the towing arm 6.

[0110] According to another embodiment, the method consists of measuring a hydraulic fluid pressure in a small chamber of at least one lifting cylinder 9 and / or at least one leveling cylinder 11 of the towing arm 6. A simultaneous measurement in the small and large chamber of the lifting cylinders 9b and leveling cylinders can also be envisaged.

[0111] In the context of the implementation of step b) the distance between the tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a of the towing arm 6 is determined for example by also using a measurement of the pitch of the telescopic arm 8 of the towing arm 6. The measurement of the pitch of the telescopic arm 8 thus makes it possible to provide with a better accuracy the value of the distance between the tool holder 10 and the pivot axis 6a, which is obtained by means of an indirect determination, based on the measurement of the extension of said telescopic arm 8.

[0112] It is evident that the present description is not limited to the explicitly described examples, but also includes other embodiments. Thus, a described technical feature may be replaced by an equivalent technical feature without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, a described implementation step may be replaced by an equivalent implementation step without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A towing aid method for determining towing parameters comprising a vertical load applied to a towing vehicle (1) having a chassis (2), at least one rear axle (3), at least one front axle (4, 5) with mechanical suspension, and a towing arm (6) articulated on the chassis (2) by means of a pivot axis (6a), said towing arm (6) having a telescopic arm (8), said method comprising the steps: - a) measuring, using at least one pressure sensor, the hydraulic fluid pressure in at least one chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or one leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6), which has a mass suspended from a tool holder (10) during a towing operation, - b) determining the distance between the tool holder (10) and the pivot axis (6a) of the towing arm (6) from a measurement of the extension of the telescopic arm (8),- c) determine the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder (10), and consequently to the towing arm (6), from the values ​​measured during step a) and during step b) and from pre-recorded correction coefficients.

2. A towing aid method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step d) in which the vertical force applied to the tool holder (10) determined under c) is displayed.

3. Towing aid method according to claim 2, characterized in that step d) also consists of displaying a limit value of vertical force applicable to the tool holder (10).

4. A towing assistance method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it includes a step of comparing the value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder (10) with a corresponding limit value to check whether the vertical force applied to the tool holder (10) is compatible with the towing operation and of displaying the result of this comparison.

5. A towing assistance method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step e) in which the values ​​determined under c) are combined with the mass balance of the vehicle tug (1) to estimate the load on the rear axle (3) and the load on the front axle (4, 5) during the towing operation.

6. A towing aid method according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a step f), according to which the axle loads (3, 4, 5) are displayed.

7. Towing assistance method according to claim 6, characterized in that step f), also consists of displaying load limits applicable to axles (3, 4, 5).

8. A towing assistance method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it includes a step of comparing the axle load values ​​with corresponding limit values, to check whether the axle load values ​​are compatible with the towing operation, and of displaying the result of this comparison.

9. A measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it consists of measuring a hydraulic fluid pressure in a large chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or at least one leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6).

10. A measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it consists of measuring a hydraulic fluid pressure in a small chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or at least one leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6).

11. A measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in step b) the distance between the tool holder (10) and the pivot axis (6a) of the towing arm (6) is determined by also using a measurement of the angle of the telescopic arm (8) of the towing arm (6).

12. A towing assistance system for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said system equipping a towing vehicle (1) comprising a chassis (2), at least one rear axle (3) and at least one front axle (4, 5), with mechanical suspension, a towing arm (6) comprising a telescopic arm (8) one end of which is equipped with a tool holder (10) and the other end of which is articulated on the chassis (2) via a pivot axis (6a) transverse to the chassis (2), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one pressure sensor mounted on a chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or at least one leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6), - a measuring device to measure or determine the distance between the tool holder (10) and the pivot axis (6a), and - a computer or PLC with pre-recorded theoretical values ​​including correction coefficients to determine, with the measured values, the estimated value of the vertical force applied to the tool holder (10).

13. Towing assistance system according to claim 12, characterized in that the pre-recorded theoretical values ​​also include the mass balance of the towing vehicle (1), so as to provide an estimate of the load applied to the rear axle (3) and an estimate of the load applied to the front axle (4, 5).

14. Towing assistance system according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes a display device of the screen type, associated with the computer or automaton to display at least the estimated value of the vertical force at the tool holder (10).

15. Towing assistance system according to claim 14, characterized in that the display device is designed to simultaneously display the estimated value of the vertical force at the tool holder (10) and a corresponding limit value.

16. Towing assistance system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the display device is designed to display the estimated value of the loads applied to the axles (3, 4, 5) and the corresponding limit values.

17. Towing assistance system according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that it comprises at least one pressure sensor mounted on the large chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or at least one leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6).

18. Towing assistance system according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional pressure sensor mounted on the small chamber of at least one lifting cylinder (9) and / or at least one leveling cylinder (11) of the towing arm (6).

19. A towing assistance system according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that it comprises an indicator visual to provide visual image information of the vertical load level applied to the towing arm (6) indicating whether the towing parameters are within an operating range allowing towing to be carried out safely.

20. Towing assistance system according to claim 19, characterized in that the visual indicator is a light column (13) mounted on the towing vehicle.

21. Towing assistance system according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that it comprises an audible indicator providing an audible signal when the maximum permissible vertical load for the towing arm (6) is reached.

22. Towing assistance system according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the measuring device comprises a cable encoder for measuring the extension of said telescopic arm (8) so as to determine the distance between said tool holder (10) and the pivot axis (6a) of the towing arm (6).

23. Towing assistance system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cable encoder is mounted in the telescopic arm (8).

24. Towing assistance system according to any one of claims 12 or 23, characterized in that the leveling cylinder (11), articulated on an angled part (7) of the towing arm (6) via a first articulation (1la) and on the telescopic arm (8) via a second articulation (11b), is equipped with a measuring device for measuring the distance between its first articulation (1la) and its second articulation (11b), to provide information on the leveling of the telescopic arm (8).

25. A towing vehicle (1) comprising a chassis (2) having at least one rear axle (3) and at least one front axle (4, 5), with mechanical suspension, a towing arm (6) having an angled portion (7) one end of which is articulated to the chassis (2) via a pivot axis (6a) transverse to the chassis (2) and the other end of which extends into an articulated telescopic arm (8), on which a tool holder (10) is mounted, hydraulic control elements for the towing arm (6) comprising a lifting cylinder (9) articulated to the angled portion (7) and to the chassis (2), a leveling cylinder (11) articulated to the angled portion (7) and to the telescopic arm (8), an extension cylinder (12) mounted in said telescopic arm (8), and a hydraulic circuit for supplying in hydraulic fluid said control elements, characterized in that it comprises a towing assistance system conforming to any one of claims 12 to 24.

Images