Vehicle Weight Calculation Body Roll Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle weight calculation systems face inaccuracies due to body roll caused by stay bars and solid axles, which affect suspension deflection and ride height measurements, leading to incorrect weight determinations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that compensate for body roll by using sensor data to calculate a roll angle and adjust weight measurements based on the properties of stay bars and solid axles, comparing the roll to a dynamically calculated threshold to determine necessary weight adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stay bars and solid axles are used to reduce body roll, then vehicle stability is improved, but weight measurement accuracy deteriorates due to altered suspension deflection and ride height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical weight measurement with a computational approach. Instead of relying solely on physical suspension deflection measurements that are corrupted by body roll, the system uses sensors to measure ride height and suspension deflection, then applies mathematical models to calculate and compensate for the body roll effect, substituting the flawed mechanical measurement with a corrected computational result.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct suspension deflection and ride height to a derived body roll angle parameter. By measuring multiple parameters (ride height at different locations, suspension deflection) and computing the body roll angle, the system transforms the problem from measuring weight directly to measuring body roll and then calculating weight with compensation.
2Measurement precision
If body roll compensation is implemented, then weight determination accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional calculations and threshold comparisons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold calculation based on vehicle operating conditions. Rather than using fixed thresholds for body roll detection, the system calculates thresholds dynamically based on current suspension characteristics and vehicle state, allowing the compensation system to adapt to different driving conditions and reduce false activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (ride height sensors, suspension deflection sensors) to continuously monitor body roll conditions and adjust weight calculations in real-time. The calculated body roll angle feeds back into the weight determination process, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for body roll effects without requiring manual intervention.
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 approach allows for more accurate vehicle weight determination, improving the reliability of weight calculations and enhancing the performance of vehicle systems that rely on precise weight data.
Implementation Method 1
Stay bars may be installed on the front axle, rear axle or both axles of a vehicle. Suspension systems with stay bars mechanically transfer some of the vertical load of the more heavily loaded side of the vehicle to the other side of the vehicle via the stay bar. The mechanical transfer of load occurs because stay bars act as torsion springs (e.g., have a stiffness), resist torsion and apply a force to mitigate the asymmetrical loading.
Implementation Method 2
stay bars act as torsion springs (e.g., have a stiffness), resist torsion
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to compensate for body roll in vehicle weight calculations are disclosed. An example method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle, determining a weight of the vehicle and determining a body roll of the vehicle. The example method further includes comparing the body roll to a threshold and, if the body roll satisfies the threshold, adjusting the determined weight of the vehicle based on the determined body roll and properties of a suspension system of the vehicle.