Roll Over Warning System
OwnerKevin Walker, John Darren Daviesinventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for alerting an operator of a vehicle (1) for mixing concrete about a potential vehicle roll-over event. The method comprises: determining the centre of gravity (COG2) of a vehicle; determining the forces acting on the vehicle; determining the resultant force vector (R); comparing the determined centre of gravity (COG2) and resultant force vector (R) to known conditions for vehicle rollover; and indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll-over event occurring. The present invention also relates to a roll-over warning system (100) configured to perform the method and a vehicle (1), namely a concrete mixer, comprising the roll-over warning system (100).
Claims25
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about a potential vehicle roll over event, the method comprising:
- determining the centre of gravity of a vehicle (S1);
- determining the forces acting on the vehicle (S2);
- determining the resultant force vector (S3);
- comparing the determined centre of gravity and resultant force vector to known conditions for vehicle roll over (S4);
- and
- indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring (S5).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of determining the forces acting on the vehicle (S2) comprises:
- determining the weight of the payload (S201);
- determining the weight vector of the vehicle (S202);
- and
- receiving, from one or more sensors, data comprising at least one of the lateral forces and the vertical forces acting on the drum assembly (S203).
The method according to anyone of the preceding claims;
- wherein the step of determining the resultant force vector (S3) comprises establishing the resultant force vector based on the measured lateral forces, the measured vertical forces and the weight vector of the vehicle.
The method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the step of comparing the determined centre of gravity and resultant force vector to known conditions for vehicle roll over (S4) comprises:
- determining known conditions for vehicle roll over by determining a stability vector between the determined centre of gravity and an end of the wheel track (S401);
- and
- comparing the direction of the resultant force vector to the direction of the stability vector (S402).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring comprises continuously providing an indication of the risk of a potential vehicle roll-over event to an operator of a vehicle.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring is performed visually via a display in a cabin of the vehicle.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring is performed audibly via a speaker in a cabin of the vehicle.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring comprises alerting an operator of a vehicle about a potential vehicle roll over event is performed when the direction of the resultant vector is within the wheel track and within 30 degrees of the known roll over condition.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring comprises alerting an operator of a vehicle about a potential vehicle roll over event is performed when the direction of the resultant vector is within the wheel track and within 10 degrees of the known roll over condition.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle the risk of a potential vehicle roll over event occurring comprises alerting an operator of a vehicle about a potential vehicle roll over event is performed when the direction of the resultant vector is in line with the known roll over condition.
A roll-over warning system comprising:
- a vehicle comprising a base vehicle and a drum assembly;
- one or more sensors;
- one or more processors;
- a memory;
- wherein the system is configured to perform the method of any one of the preceding claims.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.