Adaptive Gap Cover Control for Truck-Trailer Cornering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to adequately cover the gap between towing and towed vehicles, particularly during cornering, leading to turbulence and increased fuel consumption due to incomplete coverage or oversized covers.
Innovation Solution
A system that adjusts the position, orientation, shape, or size of a cover between a towing and towed vehicle based on real-time measurements of their relative position and orientation, using actuators controlled by a control unit that considers various parameters including vehicle contours, speed, temperature, air pressure, and steering state to optimize gap coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size cover is used to cover the gap between towing and towed vehicles, then the cover can provide basic gap coverage, but it cannot adequately cover the gap during cornering when relative angle develops, leading to turbulence and increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cover size adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit modifies the cover size based on real-time detection of the relative angle between towing and towed vehicles, allowing the cover to adapt dynamically to cornering conditions and maintain effective gap coverage throughout the maneuver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the cover size parameter in response to changing driving conditions. When cornering is detected through relative angle measurement, the control unit changes the cover size parameter to match the reduced gap coverage needed during the maneuver, thereby preventing turbulence while avoiding excessive cover material.
2Reliability
If the cover size is increased to ensure complete gap coverage during cornering, then gap coverage is improved, but the cover may no longer completely cover the gap on one side or require oversized dimensions, leading to turbulence and wasted material
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cover size based on detected cornering conditions rather than using a fixed oversized cover. The control unit receives real-time data on relative angle, processes this information, and automatically adjusts the cover dimensions to match the actual gap requirements, ensuring complete coverage when needed without unnecessary complexity from permanent oversized design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cover size parameter dynamically based on driving conditions. When the relative angle sensor detects cornering, the control unit modifies the cover size parameter to provide appropriate coverage for that specific condition, ensuring reliability of gap coverage while avoiding the complexity of permanently oversized covers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a static cover position is used, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to changing relative positions and orientations of vehicles, resulting in incomplete gap coverage during cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor device to continuously detect the relative angle between towing and towed vehicles, feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the cover position and size accordingly, enabling adaptation to changing vehicle positioning without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting cornering conditions through relative angle measurement and autonomously adjusting the cover without driver intervention. The control unit monitors sensor data, determines when cover adjustment is needed, and executes the adjustment automatically, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a cover (40), which at least partially covers a gap space (S) which is formed between a towing vehicle (102) and a towed vehicle (104) of a truck-trailer combination (100), by means of at least one actuator which is configured to adjust the cover (40). In the method, a relative position and/or a relative orientation between the towing vehicle (102) and the towed vehicle (104) are/is determined, and the actuator is actuated in a manner which is dependent on the relative position and/or the relative orientation.