Patent ID: 7818140
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle including a tractor, a trailer, and a transmission, the system comprising: a signal device operable to generate an indication signal; a processor operable to communicate with the signal device and operable to receive the indication signal from the signal device; wherein the processor is further operable to determine whether a vehicle trailer is connected to a vehicle tractor based on the indication signal; wherein the processor is further operable to determine at least one of a type of vehicle trailer, a density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, a volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or a type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer based on the indication signal, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor; wherein the processor is further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the at least one of the type of vehicle trailer, the density of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, the volume of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, or the type of payload transported by the vehicle trailer, if the vehicle trailer is connected to the vehicle tractor; and wherein the processor is further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass.