EP-4735849-A1 - METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE VEHICLE-DISTRIBUTED LOAD OF A TRAILER COUPLED TO THE VEHICLE

EP4735849A1EP 4735849 A1EP4735849 A1EP 4735849A1EP-4735849-A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for estimating the variation in the load of a mounted assembly on a vehicle, the variation resulting from a trailer being coupled to the vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: ♦ coupling the trailer to the vehicle; ♦ recording the internal temperature T in the fluidic cavity of an equipped mounted assembly; ♦ ascertaining the internal pressure P in the fluidic cavity of the equipped mounted assembly using a specified law of change; ♦ evaluating a variation in the volume ΔV of the equipped mounted assembly by means of the recorded internal temperature T and the ascertained internal pressure P using a model of a fluid in adiabatic transformation, the fluid having a perfect gas behavior; and ♦ estimating a variation in the load ΔZ carried by the n equipped mounted assembly using a second function comprising, as a parameter, the evaluated intermediate variation in volume ΔV and the flattening stiffness of the tire of the mounted assembly per unit volume K p .

Inventors

QUADRINI, MATTHIEU
MARTIN, DENIS
PERNOT, Alexandre
BERLIOUX, LOIC

Assignees

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240625

Claims (19)

1. Method for estimating the variation in load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a stationary trailer comprising the following steps: In the preliminary phase, - Equip at least one mounted assembly of at least one axle of the vehicle not coupled to the trailer with at least one temperature sensor, said sensor being capable of measuring the internal temperature of the fluid cavity of the mounted assembly delimited by a pneumatic envelope and a wheel, preferably at least one mounted assembly of each axle of the vehicle, very preferably all the mounted assemblies of all the axles of the vehicle; - Determine the initial load ZI applied to at least one mounted assembly equipped with the uncoupled vehicle, - Determine the initial inflation pressure PI of the fluid cavity of at least one mounted assembly equipped with the vehicle; - Determine the initial internal temperature Tl of the fluid cavity of at least one mounted assembly equipped with the vehicle; - Evaluate the initial volume VI of at least one mounted assembly equipped using a first function comprising as parameter the volume VO of the fluid cavity of the mounted assembly unloaded and inflated to the initial pressure PI and the flattening rigidity of the tire of the mounted assembly per unit of volume Kp, - Evaluate the number of moles of fluid n in the fluid cavity of each assembled assembly equipped from a model taking into account the inflation pressure PI, the initial volume VI, the temperature Tl; - Determine a law of evolution of the internal pressure P of the fluidic cavity from the internal temperature T during an adiabatic transformation for at least one assembled assembly, inflated and subjected to the load Zl, equipped with at least one temperature sensor; In the main phase: - Attach the trailer to the vehicle at a geometry point M of the vehicle - Record the internal temperature T in the fluid cavity of at least one mounted assembly equipped with an acquisition frequency Fl; - Determine the internal pressure P of the fluid cavity of at least one equipped assembly using the evolution law determined in the preliminary phase; - Evaluate an intermediate AV volume variation of at least one equipped assembly using the determined internal pressure P and the internal temperature T recorded using a fluid model in adiabatic transformation, the fluid having perfect gas behavior; and - Estimate a load variation AZ carried by the at least one mounted assembly equipped using a second function comprising as parameter the intermediate AV volume variation evaluated and the flattening rigidity of the tire of the mounted assembly per unit of volume Kp.
2. Method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a stationary trailer according to claim 1 in which, in the preliminary phase, the at least one mounted assembly equipped with the at least one axle of the trailer comprising a pressure sensor capable of measuring the internal pressure of the fluid cavity, the method comprises, in the main phase, a step for recording the internal pressure P of the fluid cavity of the at least one mounted assembly equipped when at least the internal temperature T recorded changes direction of variation or after a duration TO corresponding to the end of the adiabatic transformation of the fluid and the method comprises a second step of evaluating the intermediate volume variation AV2 of the at least one mounted assembly equipped taking into account the internal pressure P recorded, the internal temperature T recorded corresponds to the period of recording the internal pressure P using a fluid model in adiabatic transformation, the fluid having ideal gas behavior.
3. Method for estimating the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a stationary trailer according to one of claims 1 to 2 in which, before the main step, the at least one equipped mounted assembly is in a thermomechanically stabilized state.
4. Method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a stationary trailer according to one of claims 1 to 3 in which the temperature sensor and/or the pressure sensor are placed in a subspace of the closed fluid cavity delimited by the pneumatic casing and the wheel.
5. Method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a stationary trailer according to one of claims 1 to 4 in which the acquisition frequency Fl is between 0.1 Hz and 10 Hz.
6. Method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a trailer when stationary according to one of claims 1 to 5 in which the determination of the initial volume V0 takes into account the geometry of a wheel rim and the geometry of an unloaded tire, mounted on a rim and inflated to a reference pressure PO, preferably the reference pressure PO is the initial pressure PI.
7. Method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a trailer when stationary according to claim 6 in which the geometry of the tire and/or the geometry of the rim is determined using an identifier of the tire and/or the wheel of the equipped mounted assembly, preferably obtaining the identifier of said tire and/or said wheel is carried out by a radiofrequency interrogation of an electronic device located on the mounted assembly.
8. Method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a trailer when stationary according to one of claims 1 to 7 in which the load Z of each equipped mounted assembly is estimated by a relationship according to the following formula: [MATH1] Z = K p * P * A(F) = K P * P * (Fl - FO) Where Kpp is the flat tire stiffness of the assembled tire per unit volume.
9. Method for estimating the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 1 to 8 in which the variation in volume AV of each equipped mounted assembly is estimated by solving the following differential equation: [MATH 2] With [MATH 3] where P is the internal pressure, V is the internal volume and T is the internal temperature of the fluid cavity.
10. A method for estimating the load carried by a vehicle integrally connected to a trailer comprising the method for estimating the variation in the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle generated by the coupling of a stationary trailer according to one of claims 1 to 9, the method is characterized in that, in the preliminary phase, the method comprises a step of determining a first load distribution on each axle of the uncoupled vehicle, preferably on each mounted assembly of the vehicle, associated with the application of an additional load exerted at the coupling point M of the trailer on the uncoupled vehicle, optionally the method also comprises a step of determining a second load distribution on each axle of the uncoupled vehicle, preferably a second load distribution on each mounted assembly of the vehicle, associated with the weight of the uncoupled vehicle, in that, in the main phase, the method comprises a step of estimating the load Z carried by each mounted assembly of each axle i of the vehicle using the load variation AZ carried by the at least one equipped mounted assembly, of the first load distribution associated with the application of an additional load to the coupling point M and of the determination of the initial loads Zli of each mounted assembly of the uncoupled vehicle, optionally the step of estimating the load Z carried by each mounted assembly takes into account the second load distribution associated with the weight of the uncoupled vehicle, in that the method comprises a step of comparing to at least one threshold value S the load carried Z estimated at each axle i of the coupled vehicle and/or the total load carried of the coupled vehicle which is the summation of the loads carried by each axle i of the vehicle, and when the at least one threshold value S is crossed, the mass content K of the trailer is adapted in the trailer during a secondary phase before carrying out all the steps of the main phase again.
11. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 1 to 9 and/or the method for estimating the load carried by a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to claim 10 comprising: - a vehicle (2001), equipped with a towing hook at a point M of the vehicle capable of receiving the attachment of a trailer, each axle i of which comprises at least one mounted assembly (2006) equipped with an electronic device (2007); the electronic device (2007) comprising at least one temperature sensor, at least one electronic chip, at least one memory space capable of recording the signals from the sensor, and at least one first means of radiofrequency communication (2101) at least in transmission; at least one calculation means (2002); and at least one display means (2003) comprising at least one second means of radiofrequency communication (2102) at least in reception
12. System (2000) for implementing the method for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to claim 11 in which the system (2000) comprises an analysis means (2004) capable of analyzing a result output from the at least one calculation means (2002).
13. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 11 to 12 in which the at least one calculation means (2002) comprises at least a third radiofrequency communication means (2103) in transmission/reception.
14. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to claim 13 in which the at least one analysis means (2004) comprising at least a fourth radiofrequency communication means (2104) in transmission/reception
15. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 11 to 14 in which the system (2000) comprises at least one reading means (2005) capable of at least reading data contained in the at least one memory space of the electronic device (2007) comprising at least a fifth communication means (2105) at least in reception.
16. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 11 to 15, in which part of the communication carried out by the communication means (2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105) from and to the elements included in the group comprising the electronic device (2007), the at least one calculation means (2002), the at least one display means (2003), the at least one analysis means (2004) and the at least one reading means (2005) is carried out by UHF radiofrequency waves, preferably in BLE.
17. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 11 to 16 in which the at least one display means (2003) is included in the group comprising a telephone, a computer, a human-machine interface located on the vehicle (2001), preferably located on the instrument cluster of the vehicle (2001).
18. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a trailer according to one of claims 11 to 17 in which part of the at least one reading means (2005) is located on the vehicle (2001).
19. System (2000) for implementing the method (1000) for estimating the variation in load and/or the load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle integrally connected to a trailer according to one of claims 11 to 18 in which part of the at least one calculation means (2002) and/or part of the at least one analysis means (2004) is located on the vehicle (2001), preferably located on the mounted assembly (2006).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE LOAD DISTRIBUTED ON THE VEHICLE OF A TRAILER COUPLED TO THE VEHICLE Field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to the field of real-time determination of the quasi-static load applied and in particular the load variation generated by the coupling of a trailer to a vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is stationary. Technological background [0002] Obtaining the quasi-static load applied to a stationary vehicle makes it possible to determine whether the vehicle or each of the vehicle's axles is in a safe condition before even setting it in motion, which makes it more reliable and makes it possible to comply with safe traffic conditions. Indeed, determining the load applied to inflatable systems such as mounted assemblies generally requires a balancing scale; it is not easy to determine this load outside of very specific loading locations such as quarries where the trailer coupled to the vehicle is loaded. In order to evaluate, outside of these specific locations, the load carried by the vehicle as well as by each axle of the vehicle, it is possible to evaluate the load carried by each mounted assembly of the vehicle by indicating the footprint of the tire on the ground. Yes, a measurement through a static pressure quantification system is possible by inserting the measurement system between the mounted assembly and the ground, its implementation is not simple and the accuracy of the measurement is subject to the correct positioning of the measurement system. Another alternative is to evaluate the dimension of the contact area in rolling conditions through a measurement of the deformation of the tire at the wheel turn in order to determine the dimension of the contact area. Through a mathematical model, linking the type of tire, the inflation pressure and the external dimension of the footprint on the ground, we then go back to the load applied to the tire casing. Unfortunately, this measurement is in rolling conditions. As a result, the vehicle may no longer be in its safe operating range at the time of the measurement. In addition, the precision of these measurements is delicate for very heavy loads where the deformation of the tire which determines the load variations tends to stabilize according to the circumferential direction on which the evolution of the measurement of the deformation of the tire envelope generally relates. [0003] The objects and methods of the invention which follow aim to solve the problem of measuring the load carried by the vehicle in the absence of a measuring system external to the vehicle, i.e. usable at any time without specific measuring means. In addition, this evaluation is carried out while stationary, making it possible to decide on the safety criterion of the loading of the vehicle before any movement thereof. Description of the invention [0004] The invention relates to a method for estimating the variation in load carried by a mounted assembly of a vehicle securely connected to a stationary trailer comprising the following steps: • In the preliminary phase, i.e. before coupling the trailer to the vehicle • Equip at least one mounted assembly of at least one axle of the vehicle not coupled to the trailer with at least one temperature sensor, said sensor being capable of measuring the internal temperature of the fluid cavity of the mounted assembly delimited by a pneumatic envelope and a wheel, preferably at least one mounted assembly of each axle of the vehicle, very preferably all the mounted assemblies of all the axles of the vehicle; • Determine the initial load ZI applied to at least one mounted assembly equipped with the vehicle; • Determine the initial inflation pressure PI of at least one mounted assembly equipped with the vehicle; • Determine the initial internal temperature Tl of at least one mounted assembly equipped with the vehicle; • Evaluate the initial volume VI of at least one mounted assembly equipped using a first function comprising as parameter the volume V0 of the fluid cavity of the mounted assembly unloaded and inflated to the initial pressure PI and the flattening rigidity of the tire of the mounted assembly per unit of volume Kp • Evaluate the number of moles of fluid n in the fluid cavity of each assembled assembly equipped from a model taking into account the inflation pressure PI, the initial volume VI, the temperature Tl; • Determine a law of evolution of the internal pressure P of the fluid cavity from the internal temperature T during an adiabatic transformation for the at least one assembled assembly, inflated and subjected to the load Zl, equipped with at least one pressure sensor; In the main phase, Attach the trailer to the vehicle at a geometry point M of the vehicle; • Record the internal temperature T of the fluid cavity of at least one mounted assembly equipped at an acquisition frequency Fl; • Determine the internal pressure P of the fluid cavity of at least one equipped