Claims:
1. A pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility, the system (100) comprising:
a navigation electronic controller (120) configured to determine an actual elevation of a predetermined points of a slant distance selected for the vehicle from a plurality of routes identified by the navigation electronic controller (120), the slant distance being determined by coordinates of initial and final destination of the vehicle;
an engine electronic controller (110) configured to determine an angle of capable elevation of a vehicle, the engine electronic controller (110) communicating with a plurality of pressure sensors fitted to the vehicle;
a comparator (130) configured to compare the vehicle capable elevation determined by the engine electronic controller (110) and the actual elevation determined by the navigation electronic controller (120) thereby generating an alert; and
a display (140) for displaying the route based on received from the comparator (130).

2. The pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comparator (130) generates the alert if the actual elevation of the vehicle is more than the capable elevation of the vehicle.

3. The pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the points on the slant distance are determined on basis of distance between wheels of the vehicle.

4. The pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert includes a message indicating amount of load to be shedded as per the angle of elevation.

5. The pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert includes a message indicating selection of a route.

6. The pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system provides alerts to the user regarding selection of route at start of the journey as well at any intermediate point where the user deviates pre-selected route based on information received from the navigation electronic controller

7. A method for pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the steps of:
determining a vehicle capable elevation by an engine electronic controller (110) using pressure sensors;
determining slant distance by a navigation electronic controller (120) based on coordinates of initial and final destination being travelled by the vehicle;
determining an actual elevation by the navigation electronic controller (120) at predetermined points on the slant distance determined by the navigation electronic controller (120);
comparing the vehicle capable elevation and the actual elevation by a comparator (130) thereby generating an alert if the actual elevation is more than the calculated vehicle capable elevation; and
displaying the alert in form of a message on a display (140) screen.
, Description:
FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

PREWARNING ALERT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESS MOBILITY

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, WHOSE ADDRESS IS MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY, MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, ANJUR P.O. CHENGALPATTU, TAMILNADU – 603004, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to warning alert for load carriers and more particularly, to a pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Load carriers are the road vehicle used for carrying loads. Load carriers commonly include heavy duty vehicles such as trailer, trucks and the like. There are real world accidents where so many load carriers are fall in accident because of overloaded condition. This situation can be avoided if considerable amount of load is shedded beforehand. Accordingly, it is necessary to use load predictor for predicting if the carried loads can reach its destination.
Elevation and mass are two main parameters which creates trouble for seamless mobility. The drivers who drive commercial vehicle like cargo and truck face incidences of pulling back of vehicles due to overload or sudden slipping of the vehicle due to unevenly distributed heavy load or insufficient power or torque to propel at certain points, or at the points which have highest degree of inclination.
The current state of art includes systems for giving warning in real time only at the starting point and there is no suggestion available to avoid the situation. Such systems include obtaining vehicle at the slope of the ramp, calculating the gradient ramp of the ramp starting auxiliary torque according to the vehicle, and controlling the motor to output the hill start assistance torque. However, the existing systems fail to provide pre-suggestion or pre warning.

Accordingly, there is need of the system for prediction of the situation affront and advise the driver for seamless journey.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pre-warning alert system for seamless mobility. The system includes an engine electronic controller configured to determine an angle of capable elevation of a vehicle. A navigation electronic controller configured to determine an actual elevation of a plurality of predetermined points of a slant distance selected for the vehicle. The slant distance being determined by coordinates of initial and final destination of the vehicle. A comparator configured to compare the capable elevation of a vehicle received from the engine electronic controller and the actual elevation received from the navigation electronic controller. The comparator generates alerts if the actual elevation is more than the capable elevation of a vehicle. A display for displaying alerts received from the comparator.
In another aspect, a method for prewarning alert for seamless mobility is disclosed. Vehicle actual elevation is determined by an engine electronic controller using pressure sensors. In next step, a slant distance is determined based on coordinates of initial and final destination to be travelled by the vehicle by a navigation electronic controller using map application configured with the navigation electronic controller. In the next step, an actual elevation is determined at predetermined points on the slant distance by the navigation electronic controller. In the next step, the capable elevation of a vehicle and the actual elevation are compared by a comparator and an alert is generated if the actual elevation is more than the calculated vehicle capable elevation by the comparator. In the last step, the alert is displayed in a form of a message on display screen provided to a user or driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system architecture diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for theoretical calculation of the parameters required for calculation of vehicle capable elevation and mass in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a screenshot of navigation alert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a display showing pre-warning alert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.
In general aspect, the present invention provides a system and method for prediction of the situation affront and advises a driver of heavy duty vehicles for seamless journey. The system of the present invention includes use of the coordinates system from the map to determine angle of elevation at certain points of the road. The calculated angles of elevation are stored in a memory. A vehicle capable elevation is determined from the predefined mass and predefined torque of the system. A comparator makes use of all the data stored in the memory and compares each point with vehicle’s capable inclination.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.
Referring to FIG. 1, architecture of a pre-warning alert system (herein after “the system (100)”) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system (100) includes an engine electronic controller (110), a navigation electronic controller (120), a comparator (130) and a display (140). The comparator (130) receives a capable elevation for a vehicle from the engine electronic controller (110) and actual elevation prescribed for the vehicle from the navigation electronic controller (120). The comparator compares the both the values and advices the user by giving message in form of text alerts on the display (140).
In accordance with this one embodiment, a pressure sensor is fitted with a suspension system or wheels of the vehicle. The pressure sensor detects the actual mass of the vehicle with passenger. An actual torque or elevation is obtained from a pressure or torque sensor. The capable elevation of a vehicle is calculated by the engine electronic controller (110) using obtained actual values of mass and torque. The capable elevation of the vehicle Ø can be calculated with initial masses, starting torque and the complete slant distance which is (R) by using the formula:
Ø= sin-1(T/F*R)
Where T is starting torque;
F is Mass x Acceleration of the vehicle;
Ø is vehicle capable inclination; and
R is total slant distance which is calculated by formula:
R= v (X2 - X1)2 + (Y2 - Y1)2
Where X1 and Y1 are coordinates of starting points; and
X2 and Y2 are coordinates of ending points.
Referring to FIG. 2, an initial location coordinates (X1, Y1) and a final location coordinates (X2, Y2) value are captured by the navigation electronic controller (120) from the maps. The maps show all the possible routes after setting initial and final location coordinates. In this one embodiment, goggle maps are used for finding possible routes. However, it is understood here that other map applications may be used in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
The distance between initial and final destination is considered as the slant distance (R). The slant distance (R) is calculated is for determination whether the slant distance (R) has any higher elevation compared to the capable elevation of the vehicle. In order to determine this, the slant distance is discretised into various points. The points are selected on basis of distance between the wheels of the vehicle. The angle of elevation is determined for all the points and stored separately in a memory (Not shown). The angle of elevation is calculated by a formula feeded in the navigation electronic controller (120). The calculated angle is stored in the memory and forwarded to the comparator (130).
Theoretical calculations for determination of parameters required for calculation of torque or elevation is presented.
T=FR sinØ
T =m*a R sinØ
wherein,
m is the mass of the vehicle and the mass of passenger including load carried by the vehicle which is obtained from the pressure sensor;
a is the acceleration due to gravity; and
R is the slant distance.
In accordance with this one embodiment, the comparator (130) receives values of actual elevation from the navigation electronic controller (120) and a predermined calculated vehicle capable elevation stored in the memory. The comparator (130) compares if the actual elevation is lesser than calculated capable elevation of the vehicle. In this case, there is no chance of vehicle propelling ahead and the alert is given. If the torque is greater than or equal to the actual torque, vehicle moves seamlessly. In this case, alert is not given. If the capable elevation for the vehicle is lesser than calculated elevation, the alert is given and suggestions are provided. The suggestions are provided in the form of a message displayed on the display (140) such as ‘Take alternate route without shedding your load’ or ‘Take the same route and shed x amount of load’. However, it is understood here that the alert may be given in forms such as audio signal, visual sign/instruction signal, vibrations, audio-visual signals and the like in alternative embodiments of the present invention. The driver has to take decision which route to be selected.
Referring to FIGS. 1- 3, in operation, initially, initial and a final location coordinates value are captured by the navigation electronic controller (120) from the maps by discovering all possible routes available between initial and final location as shown in FIG. 3. The slant distance and angle of elevation for each coordinates is calculated. The capable elevation of the vehicle is calculated by the engine electronic controller (110). In next step, all this value of elevation is compared with vehicle’s capable elevation by the comparator (130). The larger mass may deviate the vehicle out of the path or may tend the vehicle to pull backwards. In order to climb the greater elevation the mass carried by the vehicle should always be less. That amount that has to be reduced is foreseen and displayed on the display (140). It is to be noted here that the angle of elevation is the parameter that cannot be controlled, the only parameter which can be controlled is the mass carried by the vehicle. The angle of elevation is inversely proportional to total mass of the vehicle. It is understood here that amount of mass to be shedded by the vehicle depends on angle of elevation that varies for every route.
Thus seamless mobility on higher elevation can be achieved by controlling mass carried by the vehicle. In normal conditions, no alert is given to the user. The alter is provided to the user if the condition is not matching with calculated value. In this way, the vehicle is made to move towards the final destination without any interruption. It is to be noted here that the system (100) provides alert to the user regarding selection of route at start of the journey as well at any intermediate point where the user deviates pre-selected route. The system (100) of the present invention facilitates determination of possibility of immovability of overloaded vehicle due to high inclination before start of the journey. The system facilitates to provide alerts to the user before start of the journey.

EXAMPLE:
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is believed the invention will be better understood from the following detailed examples:
In this scenario, initial slope was not steeper but after certain distance the slope being greater than the initial slope. In this case, vehicle was not supposed to get stop in between or gave false alert. In order to avoid such situation, the entire slant height was discretized as points. At every discretized point, the coordinates value were taken, elevation was determined with the help of coordinates.
Out of Ø1, Ø2, Ø3 be the angle of elevation at various points and it was compared with the vehicle’s capable elevation. With all that data, an intelligent processor inside an infotainment panel displayed the alerts (400) as shown in FIG. 4. The system (100) suggests the best route at starting point of the journey. After some time if the user deviates from the suggested best route, the system (100) again suggests the new possible routes depends on the load and elevation.
The embodiments of the invention shown and discussed herein are merely illustrative of modes of application of the present invention. Reference to details in this discussion is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to these details, or to the figures used to illustrate the invention.
It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

List of Referral Numerals
system (100)
engine electronic controller (110)
navigation electronic controller (120)
comparator (130)
display (140)
Message (400)