Patent ID: 9200898
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: B60T,B60W,F16H,G01C

Abstract:
1. A method for estimating a road gradient α in a vehicle by using a sensor fusion comprising: detecting whether at least one dynamic process is affecting said vehicle and outputting a detection result to at least one electronic control unit; estimating said gradient a by conducting joint weighting of at least two input signals to said sensor fusion in said at least one electronic control unit, such that said at least two input signals comprise an input signal based on an accelerometer received by said electronic control unit and an input signal based on at least one force equation received by said electronic control unit; determining at least one of said input signal based on said accelerometer, said input signal based on said at least one force equation and at least one weighting parameter for said sensor fusion on the basis of said detection of whether said at least one dynamic process is affecting said vehicle; and providing said road gradient α to an automatic gear change system in said vehicle, said gear change system being configured to select a gear of an engine of said vehicle based at least in part on said road gradient α, wherein said dynamic process affects the reliability of at least one of said two input signals when used for estimating said road gradient α.