Patent ID: 7104614
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
1. A method for preventing rollover of a vehicle train, the vehicle train including a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, the tractor and trailer vehicles having wheels, the tractor vehicle having a tractor vehicle braking system, the trailer vehicle having a trailer vehicle braking system, the tractor vehicle further having a control system arranged and constructed to automatically actuate at least one of the tractor vehicle braking system and the trailer vehicle braking system when a vehicle train rollover danger is present, the method comprising the steps of receiving in said control system at least one data signal from said trailer vehicle and at least one other data signal from said tractor vehicle, said at least one data signal forming a basis for determining wheel speed of at least one wheel of said trailer vehicle disposed on a side of said trailer vehicle at the inside of a curve when said vehicle train is negotiating said curve and said at least one other data signal forming a basis for determining ground speed of said side of said trailer vehicle, and ascertaining whether a vehicle train rollover danger exists based on said wheel speed and said ground speed, wherein said at least one data signal includes at least one of (i) an average value of a speed of a wheel on a left side of said trailer vehicle and a speed of a wheel on the right side of said trailer vehicle, and (ii) a difference value of said speeds, and wherein said at least one other data signal includes at least one of a lateral acceleration value, a wheel speed and a steering angle value of said tractor vehicle.