초록 ▼

A method and system for estimating weight of a trailer (10) being towed by a tractor (22) along a generally horizontal underlying surface. A portion of the trailer weight is borne on the tractor fifth wheel (26) and the remainder by rear wheels (18) rolling on the underlying surface. The tractor acc

A method and system for estimating weight of a trailer (10) being towed by a tractor (22) along a generally horizontal underlying surface. A portion of the trailer weight is borne on the tractor fifth wheel (26) and the remainder by rear wheels (18) rolling on the underlying surface. The tractor accelerates the trailer from an initial velocity to a final velocity over a time interval that is measured by a timer. The force that the tractor needed to exert on the trailer in order to change the velocity is also measured. Various data, including that force, are processed according to an algorithm to calculate the weight of the trailer by itself. Other data processed includes data (N0) representing the portion of the weight of the trailer borne through the tractor, data representing the change in velocity of propulsion (□v), data representing length of the interval of time (t), and data (μk) representing coefficient of friction of the wheels (18) with the underlying surface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for estimating weight of a first vehicle during propulsion of the first vehicle along a generally horizontal underlying surface by and in unison with a second vehicle through which a portion of the weight of the first vehicle is borne on the underlying surface at a l

What is claimed is: 1. A method for estimating weight of a first vehicle during propulsion of the first vehicle along a generally horizontal underlying surface by and in unison with a second vehicle through which a portion of the weight of the first vehicle is borne on the underlying surface at a location spaced horizontally from an interface between the first vehicle and the underlying surface through which interface the remainder of the weight of the first vehicle is supported on the underlying surface, the method comprising: changing velocity of propulsion of the second vehicle from an initial velocity to a final velocity over a time interval; measuring force that the second vehicle needed to exert on the first vehicle along a line of propulsion during the time interval in order to change the velocity of propulsion from initial to final velocity; and processing, according to a first-vehicle-weight-yielding algorithm, data that includes data representing force obtained from the measuring step, data representing the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle, data representing the change in velocity of propulsion, data representing length of the interval of time, and data representing coefficient of friction of the interface, to yield an estimate of weight of the first vehicle. 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the algorithm processes the initial velocity as a non-zero velocity. 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the algorithm processes the coefficient of friction as the coefficient of friction between pneumatic tires on the first vehicle and the underlying surface. 4. A method as set forth in claim 1 data including obtaining data corresponding to the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle from a first sensor, and obtaining data representing the force measurement from a second sensor. 5. A method as set forth in claim 1 including obtaining data corresponding to the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle from a first sensor disposed on the second vehicle, obtaining data representing the force measurement from a second sensor disposed on the second vehicle, and processing data according to the first-vehicle-weight-yielding algorithm in a processor on board the second vehicle. 6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of changing velocity of propulsion of the second vehicle from an initial velocity to a final velocity over a time interval comprises increasing the velocity of propulsion from an initial smaller velocity to a final larger velocity. 7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein force that the second vehicle exerted on the first vehicle during the time interval is measured by measuring force as a function of time that is integrated over the length of the time interval. 8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the algorithm comprises summing the force measurement with the product of a) the length of the time interval, b) the coefficient of friction of the interface, and c) the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle, and dividing that sum by the sum of the change in velocity and the product of d) the coefficient of friction of the interface, e) the length of the time interval, and f) the acceleration of gravity. 9. A method as set forth in claim 8 further comprising multiplying the quotient resulting from the dividing step by theacceleration of gravity. 10. A combination of two vehicles comprising: a first vehicle that is propelled along a generally horizontal underlying surface by and in unison with a second vehicle through which a portion of the weight of the first vehicle is borne on the underlying surface at a location spaced horizontally from an interface between the first vehicle and the underlying surface through which interface the remainder of the weight of the first vehicle is supported on the underlying surface; a first sensor for providing data measuring force that the second vehicle exerts on the first vehicle along a line of propulsion during a time interval over which the velocity of propulsion changes from an initial velocity to a final velocity; a second sensor for providing data measuring the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle; and a processor for processing, according to a first-vehicle-weight-yielding algorithm, data that includes data from the first sensor, data from the second sensor, data representing the difference between the initial velocity and the final velocity, data representing length of the interval of time, and data representing coefficient of friction of the interface, to .yield an estimate of weight of the first vehicle. 11. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein execution of the algorithm by the processor causes force data from the first sensor to be integrated during the time interval to provide at the end of the time interval a measurement of force that changed the velocity of propulsion from initial to final velocity. 12. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein execution of the algorithm by the processor further causes the force measurement to be summed with the product of a) the length of the time interval, b) the coefficient of friction of the interface, and c) the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle, and that sum to be divided by the sum of the change in velocity and the product of d) the coefficient of friction of the interface, e) the length of the time interval, and f) the acceleration of gravity. 13. A combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein execution of the algorithm by the processor further causes the quotient resulting from the division to be multiplied by the acceleration of gravity. 14. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, and the processor are disposed on the second vehicle. 15. A combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are disposed in association with a fifth wheel that is disposed on the second vehicle and that provides both operative coupling with the first vehicle and underlying support for some of the weight of the first vehicle, and wherein the first vehicle comprises wheels supporting the remainder of the weight of the first vehicle on the underlying surface via the interface. 16. A combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein the wheels of the first vehicle comprise pneumatic tires that are in rolling contact with the underlying surface at the interface. 17. A system for estimating weight of a first vehicle that is being propelled along a generally horizontal underlying surface by and in unison with a second vehicle through which a portion of the weight of the first vehicle is borne on the underlying surface at a location spaced horizontally from an interface between the first vehicle and the underlying surface through which interface the remainder of the weight of the first vehicle is supported on the underlying surface, the system comprising: a first sensor for measuring force that the second vehicle needed to exert on the first vehicle along a line of propulsion during a time interval over which the velocity of propulsion changed from an initial velocity to a final velocity; a second sensor for measuring the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle; and a processor for processing, according to a first-vehicle-weight-yielding algorithm, data that includes data from the first sensor, data from the second sensor, data representing the difference between the initial velocity and the final velocity, data representing length of the interval of time, and data representing coefficient of friction of the interface, to yield an estimate of weight of the first vehicle. 18. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the algorithm processes the initial velocity as a nonzero velocity and the final velocity as a nonzero velocity that is greater than the initial velocity. 19. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein force that the second vehicle needed to exert on the first vehicle during the time interval is measured by measuring force as a function of time that is integrated over the length of the time interval. 20. A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the algorithm comprises summing the force measurement with the product of a) the length of the time interval, b) the coefficient of friction of the interface, and c) the portion of the weight of the first vehicle borne through the second vehicle, and dividing that sum by the sum of the change in velocity and the product of d) the coefficient of friction of the interface, e) the length of the time interval, and f) the acceleration of gravity. 21. A system as set forth in claim 20 further comprising multiplying the quotient resulting from the dividing step by the acceleration of gravity.