Articulated Vehicle Coupling Force Estimation for Stability Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle combinations face challenges in accurately controlling forces at articulated couplings due to unreliable and expensive force sensors, leading to safety risks such as jack-knifing and swing-out situations.
Innovation Solution
A method of controlling a vehicle combination by determining coupling force parameters based on motion-related parameters from multiple units, selecting an operational envelope, and controlling the vehicle within this envelope to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors are used in the articulated coupling joint to obtain forces generated during operation, then measurement precision of coupling forces is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and reliability decreases due to high risk of sensor damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses motion-related parameters (acceleration, steering angle, speed) as intermediary measurements to indirectly determine coupling forces. Instead of directly measuring forces with sensors in the coupling joint, the system measures motion parameters from multiple vehicle units and calculates forces through mathematical relationships, thereby avoiding direct sensor exposure to damaging conditions while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical force sensing system with a computational approach. Rather than using physical force sensors in the articulated coupling, the system substitutes mechanical measurement with mathematical calculation based on motion parameters, eliminating the need for fragile force sensors in high-risk positions
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are installed in the articulated coupling joint to measure coupling forces, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses motion-related parameters as intermediary measurements to indirectly determine coupling forces. By measuring acceleration, steering angle, and speed from multiple vehicle units and calculating forces through mathematical relationships, the system avoids direct force measurement while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the force measurement function from the articulated coupling joint and relocates it to the control system. By taking out the force sensing requirement from the mechanical coupling and implementing it computationally in the control system, the patent eliminates the need for complex sensor installation in the coupling joint
3Reliability
If operational envelope is selected based on accurate coupling force parameters to improve safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and control system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the motion sensors serve multiple functions. The same sensors that measure motion parameters for vehicle control also provide data for calculating coupling forces and determining operational envelopes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated force sensing systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring motion parameters, calculating coupling forces, and using this information to determine and adjust the operational envelope. This feedback loop enables real-time safety control without requiring complex dedicated force measurement systems, as the feedback is derived from existing motion sensors through computational processing
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a vehicle combination, the vehicle combination comprising a first vehicle unit, a second vehicle unit and an articulated coupling connecting the first and second vehicle units to each other, the method comprising determining a coupling force parameter of the articulated coupling based on a combination of motion related parameters obtained from the first and second vehicle units; selecting an operational envelope for the vehicle combination based on the coupling force parameter; and controlling the vehicle combination to operate within the operational envelope.