Method for determining the gradient of a roadway

US5797109A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Mercedes-Benz Group AG · DE

Inventors

• Ali Aminpour · Waiblingen, DE
• Michael Reiner · Fellbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 1995
• Grant date: Aug 18, 1998
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60T2210/22
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The gradient of a roadway in the direction of travel of the vehicle is identified from signals present in the vehicle without any additional sensor systems. A freely rolling state of the at least one driven axle of the vehicle is detected at least once. In this state, the wheels of the driven axle also roll free of slip. In order to balance out the wheel speeds between the driven axles and the non-driven axles, the difference speed between the wheel speed of a driven axle and the wheel speed of a non-driven axle is identified. At the same time, the value of the braking, that is to say the value of the deceleration of the vehicle, is measured. The value of a gradient constant is identified from the identified values of the difference speeds and the braking operations. The gradient of the roadway can be determined with the gradient constant from the values of the difference speed and the values of the braking then identified. The gradient information can then be used to control the vehicle.