US 12,311,918 B2
Methods and systems for monitoring vehicle load distribution
Ramachandran Sandrasekaran, Karnataka (IN); Kent Augustsson, Bollebygd (SE); and Marcel Palmgren, Torslanda (SE)
Assigned to Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
Appl. No. 17/777,412
Filed by Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
PCT Filed Nov. 22, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/082302
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 17, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/098974, PCT Pub. Date May 27, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0402482 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. B60G 17/017 (2006.01); B60G 17/016 (2006.01); B60G 17/019 (2006.01); B60K 31/00 (2006.01); B60T 8/1766 (2006.01); B60W 10/18 (2012.01); B60W 10/22 (2006.01); B60W 30/02 (2012.01); G07C 5/08 (2006.01)
CPC B60W 30/02 (2013.01) [B60G 17/016 (2013.01); B60G 17/017 (2013.01); B60G 17/019 (2013.01); B60K 31/00 (2013.01); B60T 8/1766 (2013.01); B60W 10/18 (2013.01); B60W 10/22 (2013.01); G07C 5/0816 (2013.01); B60G 2300/02 (2013.01); B60G 2400/61 (2013.01); B60G 2500/10 (2013.01); B60K 2031/0091 (2013.01); B60W 2300/12 (2013.01); B60W 2710/18 (2013.01); B60W 2710/226 (2013.01); B60W 2720/10 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control unit arranged to monitor a load distribution of a vehicle, the control unit comprising:
an interface arranged to receive a plurality of load values associated with one or more vehicle axles and/or three or more vehicle wheels from a plurality of load sensors arranged on the vehicle,
wherein the control unit is arranged:
to determine a vehicle load distribution based on the plurality of load values,
to compare the determined vehicle load distribution to a pre-determined allowable vehicle load distribution, and
to trigger an emergency procedure in case the determined vehicle load distribution differs from the pre-determined vehicle load distribution by more than an allowable amount,
wherein the pre-determined allowable vehicle load distribution is a relative load distribution compared to an initial load distribution,
wherein the plurality of load sensors is configured to measure respective load values associated with the one or more vehicle axles and/or the three or more vehicle wheels when the vehicle is stationary,
wherein the control unit is communicatively coupled to a second vehicle and arranged to control loading of the vehicle by the second vehicle; and
wherein the control unit is arranged to control a visual indication device depending on the plurality of load values associated with the one or more vehicle axles and/or the three or more vehicle wheels when the vehicle is stationary.