VEHICLE LOAD REGULATING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a method of regulating a vehicle load of a motor vehicle. The method comprises measuring, by way of a sensing module, an onboard loading data of a motor vehicle; transmitting, by way of a vehicle bus, the onboard loading data measured to a processing unit of a motor vehicle load regulating system; receiving, by way of a processing unit, the onboard loading data measured; and determining, by way of a processing unit, a centrifugal force of a motor vehicle relative to the onboard loading data measure; and executing, by way of the processing unit, a feedback mechanism for regulating a motion of a motor vehicle in response to the centrifugal force determined. A vehicle load regulating system, a computer program and computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of regulating a vehicle load of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: measuring, by way of a sensing module, an onboard loading data of a motor vehicle; transmitting, by way of a vehicle bus, the onboard loading data measured to a processing unit of a motor vehicle load regulating system; receiving, by way of a processing unit, the onboard loading data measured; determining, by way of a processing unit, a centrifugal force of a motor vehicle relative to the onboard loading data measure; and executing, by way of the processing unit, a feedback mechanism for regulating a motion of a motor vehicle in response to the centrifugal force determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by way of the sensing module, the onboard loading data relative to a change in an amount of pressure pressing on a floor of a trailer compartment of the motor vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: determining, by way of the processing unit, a weight of load within the trailer compartment of the motor vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by way of the sensing module, the onboard loading data relative to at least two contact points pressing on a floor of a trailer compartment of the motor vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining, by way of the processing unit, a location of load within a trailer compartment of the motor vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: identifying, by way of the sensing module, a movement of load within the trailer compartment of the motor vehicle.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in response to the weight of load determined, the method further comprises: determining, by way of the processing unit, a frictional force of one or more tires of the motor vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by way of a steering angle sensor, a radius of a turning curve of the motor vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: notifying, by way of a human-machine-interface module, an operator of a load condition of the motor vehicle in response to measurement of load reaching a pre-determined load limit.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises: the weight of load within a trailer compartment determined by the processing unit; the location of load within the trailer compartment determined by the processing unit; the movement of the load within the trailer compartment determined by the processing unit; the frictional force of one or more tires of the motor vehicle; and the radius of a turning curve of the motor vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein regulating the motion of a motor vehicle in response to the centrifugal force determined further comprises: transmitting, by way of the processing unit, the feedback mechanism to an anti-lock braking system; transmitting, by way of the processing unit, the feedback mechanism to a throttle control system, or combination thereof.

12. A motor vehicle load regulating system comprising: a sensing module operable to measure an onboard loading data of a motor vehicle; and a processing unit comprising: an algorithm operable to determine a centrifugal force of a motor vehicle using the onboard loading data measured, wherein the processing unit is further operable to execute a feedback mechanism to a vehicle load regulating system to regulate a motion of a motor vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensing module comprises at least one pressure sensor.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is an air-filled tube sensor.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is a force sensitive resistor mat.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensing module is embedded within a floor of a trailer compartment.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the onboard loading data comprises: a change in an amount of pressure pressing on a floor of a trailer compartment of the motor vehicle; at least two contact points pressing on the floor of the trailer compartment of the motor vehicle; and a movement of load within the trailer compartment of the motor vehicle.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle load regulating system further comprises: an anti-lock braking system; a throttle control system, or combination thereof.

19. A computer program comprising instructions, the instructions comprising: measuring, by the way of a sensing module, an onboard loading data of a motor vehicle; transmitting, by way of a vehicle bus, the onboard loading data measured to a processing unit of a motor vehicle load regulating system; receiving, by way of a proessing unit, the onboard loading data measured; determining, by way of a processing unit, a centrifugal force of a motor vehicle relative to the onboard loading data measure; and executing, by way of the processing unit, a feedback mechanism for regulating a motion of a motor vehicle in response of he centrifugal force determined.

20. The computer program of claim 19, further comprising a computer-readable medium.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] Other objects and aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a system block diagram of a vehicle load regulating system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 2a-c shows a sensing module in accordance with an embodiment;

[0051] FIG. 2d shows a sensing module in accordance with an embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 3a-3b shows a sensing module placement and simulation of a location of load within a commercial vehicle in accordance with an embodiment;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a sensing module placement within a commercial vehicle in accordance with an embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a detection of a movement of load within a commercial vehicle in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for a method of regulating vehicle load in accordance with an embodiment.

[0056] In various embodiments described by reference to the above figures, like reference signs refer to like components in several perspective views and/or configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the disclosure or the following detailed description. It is the intent of this disclosure to present a vehicle load regulating system and method thereof.

[0058] Hereinafter, the term processing unit used herein may broadly encompass a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and so forth. Under some circumstances, a processing unit may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The term processing unit may refer to a combination of processing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The processing unit may include a memory, for loading a sequence of instruction, causing the processing unit to perform steps of actions. The term memory should be interpreted broadly to encompass any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The term memory may refer to various types of processor-readable media such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with a processor if the processor can read information from and/or write information to the memory. Memory that is integral to a processor is in electronic communication with the processor. Henceforth, the term processing unit may also be taken to encompass system on chip (SoC) which uses a single integrated circuit (IC) chip that contains multiple resources, computational units, processors and/or cores integrated on a single substrate. A single SOC may contain circuitry for digital, analog, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency functions, as well as any number of general purpose and/or specialized processors (digital signal processors, modem processors, video processors, etc.), memory blocks (e.g., ROM, RAM, Flash, etc.). Unless otherwise specifically stated, the processing unit is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit.

[0059] The term first, second, third and the like used in the context of this disclosure may refer to modification of different elements in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, but not limited thereto. The expressions may be used to distinguish one element from another element, regardless of sequence of importance. By way of an example, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor may indicate different pressure sensors regardless of order or importance. On a similar note, a first pressure sensor may be referred to as the second pressure sensor and vice versa without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a system block diagram of a vehicle load regulating system 100. The system 100 comprises a sensing module 102 and a processing unit 104. The sensing module 102 is operable to measure an onboard loading data of a motor vehicle. The term onboard loading data shall refer to information relating to a vehicle load onboard a motor vehicle. The parameters may include amongst others, a weight of load, a movement of load, a location of load onboard a motor, but not limited thereto.

[0061] The system 100 may further comprises an accelerator sensor 106, to monitor vehicle speed when the motor vehicle is travelling. A centrifugal force acting on a horizontal axis of the motor vehicle may be measured using accelerator sensor 106 mounted on either side of the motor vehicle. A steering angle sensor (not shown) may be used to monitor a radius of a turning curve of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is travelling along a curved path.

[0062] The system 100 may further comprises a human machine interface (HMI) module 108 for notifying an operator when a load condition of the motor vehicle reaches a pre-determined load limit, i.e. a vehicle overload condition. The pre-determined load limit may be a maximum vehicle load determined by factory configuration when manufacturing the motor vehicle. The HMI module 108 may include a display for displaying the load condition to the operator, or a voice activated function for notifying the load condition to the operator. In the event a vehicle overload condition is detection, the information may be stored in the processing unit 104 for future reference.

[0063] Optionally, the system 100 may be in communication with an engine system 114, a wheel speed sensor 1106, a throttle unit 110 and an anti-locking brake system (ABS) 112 of the motor vehicle. An advantage of the aforesaid configuration is to prevent vehicle overturning during operation of the motor vehicle, in the event poor vehicle load condition is determined by the processing unit 104. The transmission of information measured or monitored by the sensing module 102 to the processing unit 104 and to other sub-system or modules onboard the motor vehicle may be carried out by a communication network protocol, such as a vehicle bus. Types of suitable vehicle bus includes Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN) and FlexRay, but not limited thereto.

[0064] The sensing module 102 may be embedded within a floor of a trailer compartment of a motor vehicle, for sensing an amount of pressure pressing against the floor of the trailer compartment, as shown in FIG. 3a-3b or FIG. 4a-4b. The measurement of an amount of pressure pressing against the floor of the trailer compartment is transmitted to the processing unit 104, of which in response to the information on the pressure amount measured, the processing unit 104 determines a weight of load onboard the trailer compartment.

[0065] In one embodiment, the sensing module 102 comprises an air-filled tube pressure sensor 200a, as shown in FIG. 2a. The air-filled tube pressure sensor 200a comprises an air-filed tube sensor 204 and at least one pressure sensor 202, 202 on each end of the air-filled tube sensor 204. An example of such an air-filled tube sensor may be Continental's Pressure based Pedestrian Protection System PPS pSAT. Referring to FIG. 2b which shows a cross-section view of an embodiment 200b of an air-filled tube pressure sensor embedded within a floor of trailer compartment, it can be seen that the air-filled tube pressure sensor 204 is arranged across an axis of the floor 210 of the trailer compartment, with a pressure sensor 202, 202 on each end of the air-filled tube pressure sensor 204. Optionally, a buffer layer 208 may be arranged around the air-filled tube pressure sensor 204, for protection against wear and tear. An example of a suitable type of buffer layer may be soft foam. Additional mechanical plate 206 may be placed over the buffer layer 208 to conceal the buffer layer 208 from view.

[0066] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 2d, the sensing module 102 comprises force sensitive resistor (FSR) mats, which may be embedded within a floor of the trailer compartment. As shown on FIG. 2d, a FSR mat provides a sensing area 214 for measuring or sensing pressure and sensing pins 216 for connecting to a circuitry.

[0067] The sensing module 102 is further operable to monitor at least two contact points CP.sub.1, CP.sub.2 at least partially pressing on sensing module 102. By way of an example as shown in FIG. 2c, a load 212 has at least two contact points CP.sub.1, CP.sub.2 pressing against a surface of the air-filled tube pressure sensor 204. Due to a weight of load 212 pressing against the air-filled tube pressure sensor 204, a volume of air, V.sub.1 and V.sub.2 on the left and right side of the load 212 changes. The information the at least two contact points CP.sub.1, CP.sub.2 may be transmitted to the processing unit 104 for interpreted as location of load 212.

[0068] Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2c, a vehicle load condition is measured and be pre-stored in the processing unit 104. In response to monitoring a change in the at least two contact points, CP.sub.1, CP.sub.2 when the motor vehicle is accelerating or in an acceleration mode, the load 212 moves from a first end of the trailer compartment to a second end of the trailer compartment, the pressure sensor 202 sense a decrease in pressure, while the pressure sensor 202 sense an increase in pressure. Consequently, the processing unit 104 interprets a change in location or a movement of the load 212 within the trailer compartment.

[0069] For clarity, FIG. 3a illustrates placement of sensing module 102 within a trailer compartment 302 of a motor vehicle 300a. As seen in FIG. 3a, one or more air-filled tube pressure sensors 200a-c may be strategically arranged on an area or a floor of the trailer compartment 302, such that vehicle load 212 or cargo which are loaded onto the floor of the trailer compartment 302 may be sense by the sensing module 102. In this exemplary embodiment, the one or more air-filled tube pressure sensor 200a, 200b, 200c are placed in a front area of the trailer compartment 302, nearest to an operator compartment 304. One or more air-filled tube pressure sensor 200a, 200b, 200c may be placed in a middle section of the trailer compartment 302, and one or more air-filled tube pressure sensor 200a, 200b, 200c may be placed at a rear section of the trailer compartment 302. FIG. 3b illustrates a side view of a motor vehicle 300b, with a load 212 placed within a trailer compartment 302 of the motor vehicle. Since the load 212 is placed over the air-filled tube sensor 200a, 200b, 200c, the aforesaid configuration enables measuring, monitoring and/or sensing of changes to vehicle load within the trailer compartment 302.

[0070] In another embodiment 400 as shown in FIG. 4, the sensing module 102 comprises one or more FSR mats 200d, 200d and 200d. Similar to the earlier embodiment disclosed herein, the FSR mats may be arranged at a front end of the trailer compartment 302, nearest to the operator compartment 304. The FSR mats may also be arranged in a middle section of the trailer compartment 302 and at a rear end of the trailer compartment 302. In the event a force is asserted on a subsequent FSR mate, i.e. a change of force from a first FSR mat to a force exerted on a second FSR mat is detected when the motor vehicle is accelerating or in an acceleration mode may be interpreted by the processing unit 104 as a change in location of load 212 or a movement of load 212 within the trailer compartment 302.

[0071] FIG. 5 shows a load movement 500 within a commercial vehicle in accordance with an embodiment. In this embodiment, a load 212 is placed near a front end of the trailer compartment 302, i.e. nearest to the operator compartment 304. A weight of load 212 may be measured by the sensing module 102. Presuming during acceleration of the motor vehicle, the load 212 moves from the front end of the trailer compartment 302 to a rear end of the trailer compartment 302, i.e. furthest end away from the operator compartment 304, a change in at least two contact points of the load 212 is thus monitored by the sensing module 102 which is embedded in a floor of the trailer compartment 302. This change contact points CP1, CP2 monitored by the sensing module 102 is in turn transmitted to the processing unit 104 to determine a movement of the load 212 within the trailer compartment 302.

[0072] The processing unit 104 may comprises a computer-readable medium to execute a calculation algorithm (not shown in system diagram) stored on the processing unit 106. The calculation algorithm may be executed to determine a centrifugal force of the motor vehicle based on a set of parameters determined and/or monitored by the sensing module 102, such that the centrifugal force calculated may be used as a feedback mechanism to regulate a motion of the motor vehicle.

[0073] The calculation algorithm may include formulas to calculate (1) a weight of load, (2) a location of load, (3) a frictional force of tires, (4) a centrifugal force and/or (5) velocity of a moving motor vehicle carrying a load.

[0074] In one embodiment, a weight of load within a trailer compartment 302 may be determined or calculated but the calculation algorithm as follows:

[00001]$\mathrm{Weight}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{load}\left(W\right)=\left[\left(\frac{A}{g}\right)*.Math.P_n\left(\mathrm{summation}\mathrm{from}n=1\mathrm{to}n\right)\right],$ [0075] Where [0076] A=area of floor of trailer compartment [0077] g=acceleration due to gravity=9.8 m/s [0078] P=Pressure from individual pressure sensor [0079] n=number of sensors

[0080] In one embodiment where air-tube filled sensors are used as sensing device of the sensing module 102, a location of load within a trailer compartment 302 may be determined or calculated but the calculation algorithm as follows:

[00002]${\mathrm{CP}}_1=\left(\frac{k}{P_1}*r_1^2\right)\&{\mathrm{CP}}_2=\left(\frac{k}{P_2}*r_2^2\right)$ [0081] Where [0082] CP.sub.1 & CP.sub.2 are the position coordinates or contact points of the load [0083] P.sub.1 & P.sub.2 are the pressure exerted on sensors 202, 202 [0084] r.sub.1=r.sub.2=r is the radius of air tube connecting the two pressure sensors

[0085] In another embodiment where FSR mats are used as sensing device of the sensing module 102, a total number of FSR mats required (N) may be calculated using the following formulas:

N=((Axle load limit of truck*9.8)/load measured by individual FSR mat) Formula F1

[0086] The FSR maximum load is greater than load measured by FSR.

[0087] Spacing of FSR mat inside the floor of trailer compartment may be determined using formula F2,

Weight/Area (N/m2)=((Axle load limit of truck*9.8)/Area of trailer floor)

[0088] And formula F3,

Spacing of FSR mats=(Area of trailer floor/N) [0089] Where [0090] N=Total number of FSR used

[0091] By way of an example, if a motor vehicle has an axle limit of 21 tonnes with a trailer compartment area of 3790 m.sup.2, the axle load limit in Newtons=205939.65 N. Max load of FSR=30000 N. The maximum load of FSR may be obtained from specification of FSR component.

[0092] The intended load measured by FSR is 10000 N (10000N<30000 N)

[0093] Total no of FSR required(N)=21 (determined from formula F1)

[0094] Weight/Area=54 N/m2 (determined using formula F2)

[0095] Spacing of FSR mats=180, which means 1 sensor for 180 m2 (Determined using formula F3)

[0096] In both embodiment, a minimum velocity with respect to a centrifugal force and within a trailer compartment 302 may be determined or calculated but the calculation algorithm as follows:

Frictional force (f.sub.s)=*m*g [0097] Where [0098] =coefficent of friction [0099] m=mass of vehicle+load g=9.8 m/s

[0100] Therefore, the centrifugal force may be calculated by the calculation algorithm as follows:

Centrifugal force(f.sub.c)=(m*V.sub.2)/r [0101] Where [0102] m=mass of vehicle+load [0103] V=Velocity of vehicle [0104] r=radius of curvature of turn

[0105] The frictional force provides the centripetal force required for the trailer to avoid fishtailing or jack knifing.

[0106] Consequently, the minimum velocity required to prevent the motor vehicle from fishtailing or jack knifing may be calculated by the calculation algorithm as follows:

V.sub.min=sqrt(*g*r) [0107] Where [0108] sqrt=function =coefficent of friction [0109] g=9.8 m/s [0110] r=radius of curvature of road

[0111] In all of the above embodiments, the value of r can be calculated from the steering angle sensor data and steering ratio of a motor vehicle in accordance with factory specification.

[0112] Turning now to FIG. 6 which shows a flowchart 600 fora method of regulating vehicle load in accordance with an embodiment, at step 602, an onboard loading data of a motor vehicle is measured, by way of a sensing module.

[0113] In next step 604, the onboarding data measured by the sensing module is transmitted to a motor vehicle load regulating system, for example motor vehicle load regulating system 100 as disclosed herein. In nest step 606, a processing unit of the motor vehicle load regulating system receives the onboard loading data and determines a centrifugal force in accordance with a set of parameters measured and/or calculated by a calculation algorithm stored on the processing unit, at step 608.

[0114] In the next step 610, the processing unit executes a feedback mechanism to the vehicle load regulating system, to regulate motion of the motor vehicle.

[0115] Optionally, in response to the centrifugal force determined by the processing unit, further steps may be executed, including the step of transmitting the feedback mechanism to an anti-lock braking system.

[0116] Optionally, in response to the centrifugal force determined by the processing unit, further steps may be executed, including the step of transmitting the feedback mechanism to a throttle control system.

[0117] Optionally, the set of parameters for calculating the centrifugal force may include a step of monitoring the onboard loading data relative to a change in an amount of pressure pressing on a floor of a trailer compartment of the motor vehicle. The amount of pressure measured, by way of the sensing module, may be transmitted to the processing unit for calculating or determining a weight of load withing the trailer compartment.

[0118] Optionally, the set of parameters may further comprise a step of monitoring the onboard loading data relative to at least two contact points pressing on the floor of the trailer compartment of the motor vehicle. The location of the at least two contact points pressing on the floor of the trailer compartment as monitored by the sensing module may be transmitted to the processing unit, such that a location of the load on the floor of the trailer compartment may be identified.

[0119] Optionally, the set of parameters may further comprise a step of identifying a movement of load within the trailer compartment of the motor vehicle, by measuring a weight of load and/or contact point of the load between a first sensing module and a subsequent sensing module.

[0120] Optionally, in response to the weight of load determine, in a next step, the processing unit may determine a frictional force of one or more tires of the motor vehicle. The frictional force of the commercial vehicle equates to the centripetal force of the commercial vehicle. An advantage of determining the frictional force avoid fishtailing or jack knifing when the motor vehicle is travelling at high speed, along a curved path. Optionally, a radius of a turning curve of the motor vehicle may be monitored using a steering angle sensor.

[0121] Optionally, in response to determining a load condition of the motor vehicle has reached a pre-determined load limit, a notification may be issued to warn an operator a maximum load limit has reached.

[0122] Thus, it may be seen that a vehicle load regulating system and method having the advantage of providing a feedback mechanism based upon a set of parameters measurable by at least one sensing module has been provided. A main advantage of the vehicle load regulating system and method is to prevent vehicle overturning due to overload, underload and/or uneven load of commercial vehicle. Further thereto, the set of parameters measured may be used to determine a frictional force of at least one tires, and a centrifugal force may be calculated based upon the set of parameters relative to the vehicle load measurable by the at least one sensing module. The effect of determining a centrifugal force achieves the objective of preventing fishtailing or jack-knifing accidents when the commercial vehicle is travelling at high speed on a curved road. While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variation exist.

[0123] It should further be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, operation or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements and method of operation described in the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.