System for automatically controlling weight distribution among truck axles
US6203045A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D53/0814
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control system and method provides automatic adjustments in a heavy duty vehicle that effectively redistributes the weight among the various wheel axles. A plurality of sensors are associated with the plurality of wheel axles on the vehicle. An electronic controller gathers information from the sensors and determines the weight at each wheel axle. The electronic controller then automatically determines adjustments that can be made to effectively redistribute the weight among the wheel axles in the event that the weight at any one axle is outside of a preselected range. The adjustments preferably are made by automatically moving the position of an adjustable "fifth wheel" relative to the cab portion. Additionally, this invention provides the capability of automatically adjusting the position of at least one trailer wheel axle. The adjustments can be made dynamically even while the vehicle is in motion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.