Haul Weight Determination via Acceleration and Drive Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of vehicles often underestimate the weight of loads being hauled, leading to inefficient operation and potential safety risks due to misjudgment of vehicle capabilities, which can result in loss of control or injury.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the weight being hauled by a vehicle using measured longitudinal acceleration and drive force, with calibration polynomials generated based on current velocity, allowing for accurate weight calculation and display to the driver or automatic adjustment of vehicle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no weight measurement system is installed, then the vehicle structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the driver cannot accurately determine the haul weight leading to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing propulsion system components (engine, transmission, sensors) to self-determine the haul weight through calibration polynomials and operational data analysis, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical weight measurement systems with a computational approach using calibration polynomials and operational parameter analysis to determine haul weight
2Reliability
If the driver estimates weight manually, then the system remains simple, but the driver may misjudge vehicle capabilities resulting in loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors operational parameters (acceleration, velocity, engine load) and uses calibration polynomials to provide real-time feedback on actual haul weight, enabling the driver to adjust operations accordingly
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration by comparing measured operational data with predicted values from calibration polynomials to determine accurate haul weight before the driver makes operational decisions
3Productivity
If heavy loads are hauled without accurate weight determination, then the vehicle can transport more goods, but the vehicle performance deteriorates with inefficient operation and potential safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback on actual haul weight by analyzing operational parameters and calibration data, enabling the driver to optimize vehicle operation for the actual load being transported
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances the accuracy of weight determination, enabling drivers to adjust operations safely and preventing overloading, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring vehicles operate within safe parameters.
Implementation Method 1
determining a weight being hauled by a vehicle based on a measured longitudinal acceleration and a drive force
Data Source
AI summary
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a haul weight are disclosed. A method includes, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, and determining the weight being hauled by the vehicle by subtracting the weight of the vehicle from the value representing the slope of the line.