Vehicle Gross Mass Detection for Overload and Load Shift Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Overloading a vehicle beyond its recommended weight capacity or failure to detect a shift in the load can lead to reduced vehicle service life, increased operating expenses, and higher accident risks due to altered braking distances, tire failure, and changes in the vehicle's center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a processor that communicates with a vehicle's controller to determine the gross mass, compares it to an overweight value, and performs operations such as notifying the driver or fleet management system if the vehicle is overloaded, and adjusts vehicle operations to mitigate risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the vehicle operates without overload detection, then the vehicle can carry maximum load capacity, but the vehicle service life is reduced and accident risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of vehicle gross mass before the vehicle operates in overloaded conditions. The processor receives calculated gross mass data from the vehicle controller and compares it against the overweight value to identify overload conditions early, preventing damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the processor continuously monitors gross mass data from the vehicle controller and provides overload detection feedback. When the gross mass exceeds the overweight value, the system generates an overload indication that can trigger alerts or operational modifications.
2Loss of energy
If the vehicle operates without overload detection, then operating expenses are reduced, but accident risk and tire failure rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to self-monitor its own gross mass using existing vehicle controller data. The processor utilizes calculated gross mass information already generated by the vehicle controller for other purposes, allowing the vehicle to self-detect overload conditions without requiring separate expensive measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If the system continuously monitors vehicle mass, then overload detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by utilizing the vehicle controller's existing calculated gross mass data, which was originally computed for other vehicle operations. This existing data serves dual purposes: maintaining vehicle control functions and enabling overload detection, thereby avoiding the need for separate dedicated measurement hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives and processes the calculated gross mass data from the vehicle controller. Rather than directly measuring mass with complex sensors, the system uses the controller's existing calculations as an intermediate data source, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for detecting an overloaded vehicle and/or detecting when a load of a vehicle has shifted. In one form, the present disclosure provides a system comprising a memory and at least one processor in communication with the memory. The at least one processor is configured to: send a request to a controller of a vehicle requesting a vehicle mass; receive a response from the controller, the response comprising a calculated gross mass of the vehicle; determine a gross mass estimate of the vehicle; compare the gross mass estimate of the vehicle to an overweight value associated with the vehicle and determine whether the vehicle is overweight; and upon a determination that the vehicle is overweight, at least one of store information associated with the overweight determination in the memory or transmit a message with information associated with the overweight determination.