Commercial Vehicle Proximal Load Monitoring through Measuring Spring Deflection

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">In commercial vehicles, particularly in developing countries where they are heavily used for transporting goods, overloading poses serious risks, including vehicle imbalance, accidents, and financial losses. Overloading is prevalent in these regions, leading to frequent structural damage and endangering road users. To address these issues, efficient load monitoring systems are essential for maintaining vehicle stability, ensuring proper load distribution, and preventing accidents related to overloading.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Traditional methods of load monitoring, which rely on manual checks or complex sensors, offer limited feedback and are often reactive rather than proactive. This paper introduces a novel system that detects the linear deflection of leaf springs to monitor cargo loads in commercial vehicles. By measuring axle deflection under different load conditions, the system establishes a threshold load value within the vehicle's controller. When this threshold is exceeded, alerts are promptly transmitted via the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, enabling drivers to take timely action to prevent overloading.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">This innovative approach not only enhances vehicle stability and road safety but also reduces maintenance costs and operational disruptions associated with overloading. By delivering prompt notifications and enabling proactive intervention, the system significantly improves the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicle operations.</div></div>