Method and apparatus for 3-D acceleromter based slope determination, real-time vehicle mass determination, and vehicle efficiency analysis
US9170913B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2556/50
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Three dimensional accelerometer data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling a detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Previous techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.