Patent ID: 8396627
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: B60G,B60W

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a vehicle which comprises wheel suspensions and characteristic curves respectively associated therewith, each characteristic curves respectively generating a relation between the weight of the vehicle proportionally applied to a respective wheel suspension and a respective height of the vehicle at a wheel suspension point, and at least two height sensors for detecting heights at the wheel suspensions, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the heights, determining forces applied to the vehicle, determining an acceleration of the vehicle due to the forces applied to the vehicle, determining an estimated value of the mass of the vehicle from the determined forces applied to the vehicle and the determined acceleration of the vehicle, and determining values which represent one or more reference heights from at least one determined estimated value of the mass of the vehicle, the characteristic curves of the wheel suspensions, and the detected heights, the one or more reference heights representing a pre-defined loading state of the vehicle.