Vehicle Weight Determination Using Reverse Gear Accelerometer Slope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of vehicles are often unaware of the exact weight of their loads, leading to misjudgment of the vehicle's performance capabilities, which can result in loss of control or safety issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the total weight of a vehicle and its load by using accelerometer data, filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, and calibration settings to calculate the slope of a line approximating the data pairs of longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and transmit this weight to a remote system for display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle operates without weight determination system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of vehicle load weight deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's existing accelerometer and sensor systems are utilized to determine weight, allowing the system to self-measure without external weighing infrastructure. The processor analyzes data from existing vehicle sensors (accelerometers, pitch/roll sensors) to calculate total weight, enabling the vehicle to service its own weight determination needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical weighing systems (external scales, physical weighing infrastructure) with an electronic/computational system. The processor uses software algorithms to analyze sensor data and determine weight, substituting mechanical measurement with electronic computation and data processing.
2Measurement precision
If traditional weighing methods are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to external weighing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and collects sensor data during normal vehicle operation, performing weight determination in advance before the vehicle needs to know its load. By continuously analyzing accelerometer and sensor data during driving, the system has weight information ready when needed, eliminating last-minute weighing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight determination system operates continuously during vehicle operation rather than requiring discrete weighing events. The processor continuously analyzes sensor data streams from accelerometers and other sensors, providing ongoing weight information without interrupting vehicle operation or requiring stops at weighing stations.
3Reliability
If real-time weight determination is implemented, then the reliability of vehicle operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional existing vehicle components for weight determination. The accelerometer and sensor systems serve both their original functions (vehicle dynamics monitoring, stability control) and the additional function of weight measurement. The processor analyzes the same sensor data for multiple purposes, making the system universally applicable without adding dedicated weight-only hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the weight determination function with existing vehicle sensor systems and processing units. Rather than creating a separate dedicated weight measurement system, the functionality is combined with the vehicle's existing electronic control units, sensor networks, and data processing infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity through integration.
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
This solution provides accurate and real-time weight determination, enabling users to adjust their vehicle operations safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring compliance with weight restrictions, while also eliminating the need for external weighing scales.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method for determining a haul weight are disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating force to engine speed for a specific vehicle in reverse gear while backing up, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a system and method for determining a gross combined weight of a vehicle and its load is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating force to engine speed for a specific vehicle travelling in a reverse direction, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, 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, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight, the total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; and transmitting the total weight to a remote system for display.