Battery-Powered Trailer Drive With Cooperative Towing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The trailer industry lacks an interchangeable trailer system with a battery-powered drive mechanism and self-driving features that can assist both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles, providing adaptive cargo transport solutions and enhancing safety and convenience during towing.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable trailer system equipped with a battery-powered drive mechanism, electronic control module, sensors, cameras, and software that enables cooperative communication and dynamic interaction with the tow vehicle for optimized traction control, braking, and self-driving capabilities, allowing the trailer to adapt to different configurations and assist the vehicle in steering, lane changes, and road adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trailer is equipped with a battery-powered drive mechanism and self-driving features, then the trailer can assist the tow vehicle in steering control, lane changes, and adjusting to road conditions, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer system is divided into modular components including a battery-powered drive mechanism, electronic control module, sensors, and interchangeable cargo modules. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be distributed across independent modules that can be managed separately, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining advanced capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer is designed with universal features that enable it to perform multiple functions: it can assist with steering control, lane changes, braking, and adapt to different road conditions. The interchangeable cargo modules allow the same trailer platform to serve different cargo types, reducing the need for multiple specialized trailers and simplifying the overall ecosystem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer includes interchangeable parts for broad use across cargo types, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity and configuration management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer employs dynamic configuration capabilities where cargo modules can be quickly interchanged based on transport needs. The system includes movable walls, adjustable shelving, and reconfigurable floor plans that can be changed during or between trips, allowing the trailer to adapt to different cargo types without requiring complete redesign or multiple specialized units.
3Productivity
If the electronic control module integrates software for optimizing performance and assisting self-driving, then the towing efficiency improves, but the device complexity and software integration challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control module continuously monitors trailer performance parameters including wheel speed, battery charge state, motor torque, and sensor data from cameras and detectors. This feedback is processed by integrated software that automatically adjusts drive motor output, regenerative braking engagement, and power distribution to optimize towing efficiency and assist the vehicle's self-driving systems in real-time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances towing efficiency and safety by enabling the trailer to assist the vehicle in steering control, lane changes, and adjusting to road conditions, reducing the workload on the driver and improving the overall towing experience while promoting fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The battery-powered drive comprises an electronic control module configured to regulate a battery bank coupled to a charger
Implementation Method 2
one or more motors, wherein the one or more motors receive coolant from a cooling system
Implementation Method 3
one or more motors, wherein the one or more motors receive coolant from a cooling system
Implementation Method 4
one or more motors, wherein the one or more motors receive coolant from a cooling system
Implementation Method 5
one or more external cameras, and a plurality of sensors configured to assist full self-driving mode
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable trailer system features a vehicle having a hitch receiver couplable to a hitch of a trailer, the trailer having a battery-powered drive system, wheels, and a frame. The battery-powered drive system includes an electronic control module configured to regulate a battery bank coupled to a charger, a power inverter, one or more controllers, and one or more motors, wherein the one or more motors receive coolant from a cooling system. The electronic control module has software configured to assist the vehicle and the trailer to both work in unison to optimize performance of the traction control, brakes, throttle, battery systems, and other components, as well as assist in lane changing, backing up, and adjusting to road and traffic conditions.