Vehicle Mass Computation via Drivetrain Torque Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems lack accurate estimation of vehicle mass, which affects safety and performance, particularly in cargo and passenger vehicles, as it influences stopping distance and requires precise calculations for collision warning and avoidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates vehicle mass by measuring and comparing drivetrain torques during constant non-zero speed and acceleration, using a drivetrain torque sensor and controllers to adjust collision warning and avoidance systems based on the computed mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional recursive estimation algorithms are used to estimate vehicle mass, then mass estimation can be achieved, but computational load is high and accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mass estimation problem from complex recursive algorithms and isolates it to a simple torque difference calculation. By measuring drivetrain torque at two specific states (constant speed and acceleration) and computing the difference, the system obtains accurate mass estimation without the computational burden of traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from continuous recursive estimation to discrete parameter measurement. By measuring torque at two distinct operational states and using the parameter difference to calculate mass, the system achieves both accuracy and computational efficiency.
2Reliability
If vehicle mass is not accurately known, then control systems operate with insufficient information, but obtaining accurate mass requires complex measurement systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own drivetrain torque measurements to determine its mass. The existing torque sensor and controller are leveraged to perform self-diagnosis and self-characterization, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment or complex sensor arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque sensor and controller, originally designed for powertrain control, are made multi-functional by also enabling mass estimation. This single measurement system serves dual purposes: engine control and vehicle mass determination, avoiding additional hardware complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If collision warning systems use fixed parameters, then system design is simple, but safety performance deteriorates when vehicle mass changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the collision warning system from static (fixed parameters) to dynamic (adaptive parameters). By continuously updating the vehicle mass estimate based on torque measurements, the collision warning distance and threshold values automatically adapt to current vehicle loading conditions, improving safety without complicating the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a drivetrain is controlled based on a difference between a torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle has constant non-zero speed and the torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle is accelerating. The drivetrain torque may be measured by a drivetrain torque sensor. The effective vehicle mass is computed from the torque difference. The computed mass of the vehicle is used to adjust the activation of a collision warning system or a collision avoidance system. A method of operating a vehicle where the activation of a collision avoidance system is adjusted based on a difference between a torque transmitted by a drivetrain when the vehicle has constant non-zero speed and the torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle is accelerating is disclosed. The torque difference is used to compute a vehicle mass that is used to adjust a collision warning distance.