EP3928064A1

EP3928064A1 - Vehicle load display method

Info

Publication number: EP3928064A1
Application number: EP20705442.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Said Benane
Original assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Current assignee: Stellantis Auto SAS
Priority date: 2019-02-21
Filing date: 2020-01-27
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Also published as: WO2020169895A1; FR3093179A1; FR3093179B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for displaying a load of a vehicle (1) comprising: - a plurality of sub-assemblies, - each sub-assembly comprising a vehicle wheel, a vehicle wheel suspension (11a, 21a, 31a, 41a) and a sensor (11, 21, 31, 41) supplying at least one measurement that makes it possible to estimate a variation in the length of said suspension due to a load applied to said suspension, - a display device (53, 71), - a processing unit, said method comprising the following steps: - acquisition by the processing unit of at least one measurement from each sensor, - determination by the processing unit of the load applied to each suspension, - calculation of the loads applied to the plurality of suspensions in order to determine the vehicle load, - display by the display device of the vehicle load and/or of the load applied to each suspension.

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle load display method

The present invention relates to the field of vehicles, in particular that of motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to

suspensions of such vehicles and more specifically refers to the method of displaying a vehicle load indication.

[0002] It is known in the prior art, in particular from document FR3009078, a method and device for displaying an indication of the load of a vehicle.

[0003] A drawback of this method and device lies in the fact that the measurement is imprecise and does not allow detailed knowledge of the distribution of the load in the vehicle. Moreover, this does not allow an optimization of the loading of the vehicle nor to have an extensive knowledge of the behavior of a fleet of vehicles equipped in the same way and / or using the same process, so as to be able to study their road behavior or usage habits, for example.

[0004] Consequently, the prior art offers perfectible solutions. There is therefore an interest in finding a more adequate solution which makes it possible, at least in part, to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks.

An object of the present invention is to respond to the drawbacks of

document of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to allow a detailed display of the load of a vehicle, both in terms of a better appreciation of the load and a better knowledge of the distribution at vehicle level.

[0006] For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for displaying a load of a motor vehicle, implemented by a system

including:

the vehicle comprising at least one sensor delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate the load of the vehicle and at least one transmission device, in particular a transmission device to a remote server or a smartphone, - a processing unit,

- a display device,

- a remote reception and treatment device, such as a remote reservoir or a smartphone,

said method comprising the following steps:

- acquisition by the processing unit of at least one measurement from at least one sensor,

- determination by the processing unit of the vehicle load,

- transmission of the vehicle charge to the remote reception and processing device, such as a server or a smartphone,

- display of the vehicle load by the display device.

[0007] This makes it possible to provide a display method with the transmission of the load from the vehicle to a remote reception and processing device, such as a server or a smartphone, and to have extensive knowledge of the

behavior of a fleet of vehicles equipped in the same way and / or using the same process, so as to be able to study their road behavior or use habits for example, and also to monitor the loading and / or road behavior of 'a vehicle.

[0008] Advantageously, the vehicle further comprises:

a plurality of sub-assemblies, each comprising a vehicle wheel, a vehicle wheel suspension and said at least one sensor delivering the at least one measurement making it possible to estimate a variation in length of said suspension due to an applied load on said suspension, the method further comprising the following steps:

- acquisition by the processing unit of at least one measurement from each sensor,

- determination by the processing unit of the load applied to each suspension,

- calculation of the loads applied to each of the plurality of suspensions in order to determine the load of the vehicle,

- transmission of the vehicle load and / or the load applied to each suspension to the remote reception and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone, - display of the vehicle load and / or the load applied to each suspension by the display device.

[0009] This makes it possible to provide a method for displaying the vehicle's load quickly and precisely, and to remotely monitor the loading and the

behavior of the vehicle, as well as that of a fleet equipped in the same way and implementing the same process.

[0010] This makes it possible to provide a method for displaying the load of a vehicle in a precise, practical and economical manner, with an indication of the value of the load applied to each suspension so as to have an excellent knowledge of the distribution. of the vehicle load. Thus, the vehicle load is known in detail at the level of the four wheels and

vehicle suspensions. In addition, this makes it possible to optimize the loading of the vehicle, and in particular to approach the maximum authorized loading while taking care not to exceed them. In addition, this makes it possible to inform the driver or user and to better use the vehicle in terms of safety, while optimizing road behavior.

[0011] This also makes it possible to provide a method for displaying the load with a transmission of the load (ie of the value of the load or of the indication of the value of the load), in particular of the load detailed by suspension. , so as to process this information also at the level of a remote server, of a mobile application or of any other storage or processing device receiving the transmission from the transmission device. In addition, this makes it possible to have extensive knowledge of the conditions of use of the vehicle and to be able to process this information in addition to the information coming from a fleet of vehicles equipped in the same way and implementing the same method. Thus, an application of the “big data” type (mass data processing) can process these data in mass and allow the deduction of the use and loading behavior of the vehicle, but also for the purpose of analyzing road behavior. of the vehicle, particularly in terms of optimizing comfort or safety. [0012] Advantageously, the vehicle further comprises a display device, and the method further comprises a step of displaying the load of the vehicle and / or the load applied to each suspension on the display device.

[0013] This makes it possible to display the vehicle load and / or the load applied to each suspension on the vehicle display device, preferably on the vehicle dashboard.

[0014] Advantageously, the vehicle further comprises,

a front axle of a vehicle comprising two sub-assemblies,

a vehicle rear axle comprising two other sub-assemblies,

the method further comprising the steps of:

- calculation of the loads applied to the front axle and to the rear axle,

- display by the display device of the vehicle load and / or the load applied to the front axle and the rear axle.

This makes it possible to know the loading of the vehicle at the level of the front axle or of the rear axle, so as to optimize the loading of the vehicle. In addition, this makes it possible to optimize road behavior by better informing the driver or the user of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the method further comprises a step of transmitting the load of the vehicle and / or the load applied to the front axle and the rear axle.

[0017] This makes it possible to transmit the load applied to the front axle and / or the rear axle, and to better understand the conditions of use of the motor vehicle.

[0018] Advantageously, the vehicle further comprises,

a front axle of a vehicle comprising a left subassembly and a right subassembly,

a vehicle rear axle comprising another left subassembly and another right subassembly,

the method further comprising the steps of:

- calculation of the loads applied to the left sub-assembly and the other left sub-assembly, and to the right sub-assembly and the other right sub-assembly,

- display by the display device of the vehicle load and / or the load applied to the left sub-assembly and the other left sub-assembly, and to the right sub-assembly and the other right sub-assembly.

[0019] This makes it possible to inform the driver or the user as to the distribution of the vehicle load at the left / right level and thus better optimize the loading of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the method further comprises a step of transmitting the load of the vehicle and / or the load applied to the left sub-assembly and the other left sub-assembly, and to the right sub-assembly and the left sub-assembly. 'other right subset.

This allows the load applied to the left side of the

vehicle and / or on the right side of the vehicle and thus better understand the conditions of use of the motor vehicle.

[0022] Advantageously, the transmission device communicates with the remote reception and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone, and the vehicle further comprises a local reception device, and the method further comprises the steps from:

- processing of the transmission of the vehicle load and / or the load applied to each suspension by the remote receiving and processing device,

- reception by the local reception device of information processed by the remote reception and processing device,

- determination by the processing unit of the re-determined load of the vehicle and / or of the re-determined load applied to each suspension on the basis of the information processed by the remote reception and processing device,

- display by the display device of the re-determined load of the vehicle and / or of the re-determined load applied to each suspension.

Advantageously, the display of the re-determined load and / or of the re-determined load applied to each suspension is carried out on said smartphone.

This makes it possible to provide a method of displaying the load of the vehicle or on each of the suspensions thanks to a remote server or to a smartphone, either on the display device of the vehicle, or on the user's smartphone. or on a computer connected to the remote server. This further allows to process additional information, for example by adding information that takes into account changes in regulations or usage habits (for example, not to exceed a load threshold in absolute value or in percentage), or leaving the load values unchanged at the remote processing level. This also makes it possible to display the charges in question at the user's smartphone, which is very practical for the latter.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a system for implementing the vehicle load display method according to the first aspect, the motor vehicle comprising at least one sensor delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate the load. of the vehicle and at least one transmission device, in particular a transmission device to a remote server or a smartphone,

- a processing unit,

- a display device,

- a remote reception and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone.

[0026] This makes it possible to provide a vehicle with a measurement of its load and to remotely monitor this load as well as the load of a vehicle fleet equipped in the same way.

[0027] Advantageously, the motor vehicle further comprises a plurality of sub-assemblies,

- each sub-assembly comprising a vehicle wheel, a vehicle wheel suspension, and said at least one sensor delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate a variation in length of said suspension due to a load applied to said suspension .

[0028] This makes it possible to provide a vehicle displaying and transmitting the load and the load on each of the suspensions quickly and efficiently.

This makes it possible to provide a vehicle with a display of the load of the

vehicle and distribution of this load at the level of the suspensions, in a precise, reliable, efficient and economical manner. [0030] This also makes it possible to transmit these data, for example to a remote server or to a mobile or interactive application so as to better understand the behavior of the user, the road behavior and to optimize safety.

[0031] Advantageously, the display device is installed in the vehicle.

[0032] In other words, the vehicle further includes the display device.

[0033] This makes it possible to perform the display step at the level of a device

display of the vehicle, in a practical and reliable manner, the display device preferably being at the level of the dashboard.

[0034] Advantageously, the vehicle further comprises a local device for

reception.

[0035] This makes it possible to provide a system making it possible to monitor the

road behavior of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles equipped in the same way.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows and which presents various embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by FIG. annexed in which:

[0037] [Fig.1] shows, in schematic form, a top view of a vehicle comprising a processing unit arranged to implement a method of displaying a vehicle load.

[0038] With reference to Figure 1, a top view of a vehicle in schematic form is shown, the vehicle comprising a processing unit arranged to implement a method of displaying a vehicle load. As well illustrated in this figure, the vehicle is preferably a motor vehicle. It will be understood that the device of the invention could, however, also equip any other type of vehicle.

The motor vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of sub-assemblies, each sub-assembly comprising a vehicle wheel 10, 20, 30, 40, a vehicle wheel suspension 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a and a sensor 11, 21, 31, 41 delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate a variation in elongation or in length of said suspension 11a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a due to an applied load on said suspension 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a. The vehicle 1 comprises four subassemblies in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0040] The vehicle 1 further comprises a battery 52 for supplying the various components with electricity. The vehicle 1 further comprises a processing unit 50, 51. The processing unit 50, 51 comprises a processor 50 (CPU: Central Processing Unit, i.e. Central Processing Unit) and an Intelligent Servitude Unit (BSI) 51.

The processing unit 50, 51 makes it possible to carry out the step of acquiring the at least one measurement of each sensor 11, 21, 31, 41 and the step of determining the load applied to each suspension 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a. In other words, the step of determining the load makes it possible to determine a value of the applied load so as to display or transmit an indication of the load or an indication of the value of the load. This value can, for example, be expressed in kilograms, tonnes, Newtons or any other unit, as well as a percentage of an adequate or maximum admissible or desired value.

The processing unit 50, 51 also makes it possible to perform the calculation step 60 of the loads applied to the plurality of suspensions 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a in order to determine the load or the indication vehicle charge.

Indeed, the variation of suspended mass in addition to the own weight of the

vehicle (passengers, gasoline, suitcases, etc.) induces a variation in the length or elongation of the suspensions 11 a, 21a, 31 a, 41 a.

The variation in suspended mass can therefore be determined by the following equation 1

[0045] [Math. 1]

[0046] The left term of equation 1 corresponds to the variation in mass

suspended at the level of the suspension i, j, with i and j varying from 1 to 2 in order to indicate the position of the suspension i, j in vehicle 1. For example, for i = 1 and j = 1, it s 'acts by convention of the suspension of the left front wheel 21 a. For i = 1 and j = 2, this is the front right wheel suspension 1 1 a. For i = 2, j— 1, this is the left rear wheel suspension 41a. For i = 2, j = 2, this is the suspension of the rear right wheel 31a.

The right-hand term of equation 1 corresponds to the stiffness coefficient of the suspension in question (identical for the four suspensions or identical by pair, or optimized by suspension), multiplied by the variation in the elongation of said suspension and divided by the gravitational constant.

Thus, by applying the same technique to the different corners of the vehicle

loaded, the total mass of the quarter of vehicle 1 and then the total mass of vehicle 1 are calculated according to the following equation 2, represented as a system of equations with two equations:

[0049] [Math. 2]

[0050]

With regard to the equation at the top of the system of equation 2, the left term is the total mass of quarter i, j of vehicle 1 and the right term is the addition of the initial mass (or at balance) of the quarter of a vehicle i, j and of the variation in suspended mass i, j as determined in equation 1.

Regarding the equation at the bottom of the system of equation 2, the left term is the total mass of the vehicle and the right term is the sum according to i, j, i and j ranging from 1 to 2 , total vehicle mass quarters defined by the upper equation of the two-equation system 2.

[0053] The vehicle 1 further comprises a display device 53, 71. The display device comprises a first screen or dial 53 allowing the

representation of the vehicle with the load or the load indication on each of the sub-assemblies. The first screen 53 is installed at the front of the vehicle, preferably at the level of the dashboard.

The display device 53, 71 also makes it possible to indicate the load by grouping of sub-assemblies, such as the left side of the vehicle 1 (the sub-assemblies comprising the left wheels 20, 40) and the right side vehicle 1 (the sub-assemblies comprising the right wheels 10, 30), or even such as the front axle (the sub-assemblies comprising the left and right front wheels 10, 20) and the rear axle (the sub-assemblies comprising the rear wheels 30, 40), or again such as the whole of the vehicle 1 (the subassemblies comprising all the wheels 10, 20, 30, 40). This makes it possible to indicate to the user 2 the precise and localized loading of the load of the vehicle 1.

[0055] The display device 53, 71 further comprises a second screen or luminous index 71 offset to the rear of the vehicle 1. The second screen 71 is installed at the rear of the vehicle 1 so as to indicate to the user 2 charges the vehicle 1 while it is loading. In fact, in a motor vehicle, loading is generally carried out from the rear, at the level of the trunk or the tailgate, and the second screen 71, located at the rear, thus avoids the user 2 having to climb up. in vehicle 1 to find out the distribution and / or the total load of the vehicle.

The second screen 71 can also be split, that is to say be present at the level of the rear left and rear right wheels.

The second screen 71 comprises a normal operating indicator 71 a, a normal loading indicator 71 b and an overload indicator 71 c.

The indication of normal load or overload can also be gradual.

[0058] The display device 53, 71 makes it possible to perform the display step of

the load indication of vehicle 1 and / or the indication of the load applied to each suspension 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a.

[0059] The vehicle 1 further comprises a transmission device, such as a

Autonomous Telematics Unit (BTA) 54, making it possible to transmit data on the load of the vehicle 1 and on the distribution to a remote server 62, to a mobile application, or in general to a connected service

geographical of this load at the level of each of the suspensions 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a, and at the level of grouping of suspensions (left / right and / or front / rear) as presented previously.

In other words, the Autonomous Telematics Box 54 makes it possible to carry out the step of transmitting the load or the load indication of the vehicle 1 and / or the indication of the load applied to each suspension 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a. The Autonomous Telematics Box 54 also makes it possible to receive a transmission and therefore to communicate with a remote reception and processing device.

[0061] The processing unit 50, 51 can determine the load indications by

static during loading but also in dynamics such as represented by graph 61, during travel of vehicle 1, so as to establish and optimize road behavior of vehicle 1. In fact, the location of the sensors 11, 21, 31, 41 at the level of the suspensions 11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a makes it possible to have a precise and real-time measurement of the behavior of the vehicle 1, and in particular its grip on the road.

The static and dynamic behaviors can be displayed on the

display device 53, 71 and also transmitted to a remote server 62, as used for the so-called "cloud computing" service (i.e. cloud computing). This makes it possible to display the load of vehicle 1 or the load on each of the suspensions 11a, 21a, 31a, 41a through the use of a user's smartphone or on a computer.

For example, it is then possible to monitor the load of the

vehicles of a vehicle fleet 1 equipped in the same way and using the same process, so as to monitor the behavior of the vehicle fleet 1.

In this case, the system comprises at least one vehicle 1 and a remote receiving and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone, and said at least one vehicle 1 further comprises a local receiving device (here the Autonomous Telematics Box 54), so as to allow communication with the remote reception and processing device.

Thus, in other words, one of the objects of the present invention relates to the method implemented by the processing unit comprising the steps of the method presented in this description according to any one of its modes. of achievement.

Another object of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the processing unit suitable for implementing the method described. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the latter to implement the method implemented by computer.

In a final aspect, the invention also relates to a computer readable medium and comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead the latter to implement the method implemented by computer.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description.

Claims

[Claim 1] method of displaying a load of a vehicle

automobile (1), implemented by a system comprising:

- the vehicle (1) comprising at least one sensor delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate the load of the vehicle (1) and at least one transmission device (54), in particular a transmission device to a remote server (62 ) or a smartphone,

- a processing unit (50, 51),

- a display device (53, 71),

- a remote reception and processing device, such as a remote server (62) or a smartphone,

said method comprising the following steps:

- acquisition by the processing unit (50, 51) of at least one measurement from at least one sensor (11, 21, 31, 41),

- determination by the processing unit (50, 51) of the vehicle load (1),

- transmission of the vehicle load (1) to the remote receiving and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone,

- display of the vehicle load (1) by the display device (53, 71). the vehicle (1) further comprising:

- a plurality of sub-assemblies, each comprising a vehicle wheel (10, 20, 30, 40), a vehicle wheel suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a) and said at least one sensor ( 11, 21, 31, 41) delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate a variation in length of said suspension (11 a,

21 a, 31 a, 41 a) due to a load applied to said suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a),

the method further comprising the following steps:

- acquisition by the processing unit (50, 51) of at least one measurement from each sensor (11, 21, 31, 41),

- determination by the processing unit (50, 51) of the load applied to each suspension (11 a, 21a, 31 a, 41 a),

- calculation of the loads applied to each of the plurality of suspensions (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a) in order to determine the load of the vehicle (1),

- transmission of the vehicle load (1) and / or the load applied to each suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a) to the remote receiving and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone,

- display of the vehicle load (1) and / or the load applied to each suspension (11 a, 21a, 31 a, 41 a) by the display device (53, 71).

[Claim 2] A method of displaying a load of a vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim,

the vehicle (1) further comprising:

a front axle of a vehicle comprising two sub-assemblies,

a rear axle of a vehicle comprising two other sub-assemblies, the method further comprising the steps of:

- calculation of the loads applied to the front axle and to the rear axle,

- Display by the display device (53, 71) of the vehicle load (1) and / or the load applied to the front axle and the rear axle.

[Claim 3] A method of displaying a load of a vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2,

the vehicle (1) further comprising:

the method further comprising the steps of:

- display by the display device (53, 71) of the load of the vehicle (1) and / or of the load applied to the left sub-assembly and the other left sub-assembly, and to the right sub-assembly and the other right subset.

[Claim 4] A method of displaying a load of a vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the transmitting device communicates with the remote receiving and processing device, such as a remote server or a smartphone, wherein the vehicle further comprises a local receiving device, the method further comprising the steps of: - processing of the transmission of the vehicle load (1) and / or of the load applied to each suspension (11a, 21 a, 31a, 41 a) by the remote receiving and processing device,

- determination by the processing unit (50, 51) of the re-determined load of the vehicle (1) and / or of the re-determined load applied to each suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a) on the basis of the information processed by the remote receiving and processing device,

- display by the display device (53, 71) of the re-determined load of the vehicle (1) and / or of the re-determined load applied to each

suspension (11a, 21 a, 31 a, 41a).

[Claim 5] A system for implementing the vehicle load display method (1) according to any one of the claims

previous and including:

- a motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one sensor delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate the load of the vehicle (1) and at least one transmission device (54), in particular a transmission device to a remote server ( 62) or a smartphone,

- a processing unit (50, 51),

- a display device (53, 71)

- a remote reception and processing device, such as a remote server (62) or a smartphone.

[Claim 6] A system according to the preceding claim, wherein the vehicle (1) further comprises a plurality of subassemblies,

- each sub-assembly comprising a vehicle wheel (10, 20, 30, 40), a vehicle wheel suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41a), and said at least one sensor (11, 21, 31, 41) delivering at least one measurement making it possible to estimate a variation in length of said suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31 a, 41 a) due to a load applied to said suspension (11 a, 21 a, 31a, 41 a).

[Claim 7] A system according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the display device (53, 71) is installed in the vehicle (1).

[Claim 8] System according to one of claims 5 to 7, in

wherein the vehicle further comprises a local receiving device (54). ]