초록 ▼

An object of the present invention is to calculate the gross weight of a moving vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer combination, from measurements acquired exclusively on the tractor. Measurements of force and acceleration are taken from, for example, the engine and or drive shaft. A related object o

An object of the present invention is to calculate the gross weight of a moving vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer combination, from measurements acquired exclusively on the tractor. Measurements of force and acceleration are taken from, for example, the engine and or drive shaft. A related object of this invention is to accurately measure the weight distribution on the axles or tandems of a tractor-trailer combination based on measurements taken from either tractor suspension air bags or from tractor fifth wheel load, given the gross weight of the combination. The weight distribution on the axles is determined by combining sensor information taken from the fuel tank with sensor data taken from either the vehicle air springs of the vehicle or, alternatively, from a weight sensor on the fifth wheel with a known gross weight of the vehicle. Another object of the invention is to determine gross vehicle weight, in motion, using a single digital sensor to simultaneously determine force and acceleration.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for determining the weight distribution on the axles of a motor vehicle and generating values corresponding to the respective axle weights of the motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: (a) generating by first sensing means a first signal value corresponding to the weight restin

A method for determining the weight distribution on the axles of a motor vehicle and generating values corresponding to the respective axle weights of the motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: (a) generating by first sensing means a first signal value corresponding to the weight resting on the tractor fifth wheel; (b) generating by second sensing means a second sisal value corresponding to the weight of fuel in the tractor fuel tank; (c) generating third sensing means, a third signal value corresponding to the longitudinal position of the fifth wheel on the tractor in relation to the center of the front axle of said tractor; (d) evaluating by a computing means the weight of the tractor trailer combination resting on the front axle of the tractor from said signal values and one or more constant values; (e) evaluating by computing means the weight resting on the rear axle or axles of the tractor from said signal values and one or more constant values; (f) evaluating by computing means the weight resting on the axles of the trailer from said signal values and one or more constant values.