Systems and methods for vehicle load management

A method for axle and tire management of a vehicle, comprising:

• receiving a first indicator signal from a first sensor, the first indicator signal comprising one or more of:
• a first tire pressure indicator signal from a first tire pressure sensor configured to measure a first tire pressure of a first tire configured to rotate about a first axle;
• a first wheel end indicator signal from a first wheel end sensor connected to the first axle, the first tire, or a first wheel connected to the first axle, configured to provide measurements of or proximate to the first axle, the first tire, or the first wheel, and comprising at least one of:
• a first wheel end temperature sensor;
• and
• a first wheel end accelerometer;
• a first load indicator signal from a first load sensor connected to the vehicle and configured to measure a first load of the vehicle;
• and
• a first height indicator signal from a first height sensor connected to the vehicle and configured to measure a distance within the vehicle;
• based at least in part to the first indicator signal, determining a vehicle load intervention;
• and
• based on the vehicle load intervention, transmitting one or more adjustment signals to cause one or more vehicle load adjustments to occur, the one or more vehicle load adjustments comprising at least one of:
• raising a liftable axle toward an undercarriage of the vehicle and away from contact with the ground;
• or
• lowering the liftable axle away from the undercarriage of the vehicle and into contact with the ground.

A control unit for load management of a vehicle, comprising:

• a manifold defining:
• a channel configured to be connected to a fluid source, a first discharge port configured to be connected to one or more tires of the vehicle, and a second discharge port configured to be connected to an actuator for controlling deployment of a liftable axle;
• a first control valve configured to selectively control air flow between the channel and the first discharge port for inflating the one or more tires of the vehicle;
• and
• a second control valve configured to selectively control air flow between the channel and the second discharge port for controlling the deployment of the liftable axle, and
• wherein controlling the deployment of the liftable axle includes each of:
• deploying the liftable axle into contact with the ground, and retracting the liftable axle away from contact with the ground.

A method for vehicle load management, comprising:

• determining, by an electronic control unit, a pressure parameter value based on one or more measured pressures;
• and
• commanding, by the electronic control unit and based on the pressure parameter value, a first control valve to an open position to conduct fluid from an air source and to inflate one or more tires;
• commanding, by the electronic control unit, a second control valve to cause a liftable axle to be raised or lowered;
• and
• determining, by the electronic control unit, satisfaction of a deployment criterion for deploying the lift axle, and
• wherein commanding the second control valve to cause the liftable axle to be raised or lowered further includes commanding the second control valve to cause the liftable axle to be lowered in response to the satisfaction of the deployment criterion.