Tractor Trailer Coupling Assist Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coupling systems for tractor trailers face challenges with undesirable vibrations and misalignments during coupling, which can lead to damage to refrigeration components and increased downtime, particularly when coupling with refrigeration units.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assist system comprising a back-up sensor and driver feedback system, where the back-up sensor determines the position of the tractor relative to the trailer and provides visual feedback through a light bar or other indicators to aid alignment and prevent contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual coupling is performed without assist systems, then the coupling process is simpler in terms of system complexity, but misalignment and vibrations occur leading to damage and increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors detect the relative position between tractor and trailer, and this information is displayed to the driver via visual indicators (lights) to guide alignment. This closed-loop feedback enables precise coupling without requiring complex automated mechanical systems, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with an optical/electronic sensing and visualization system. Instead of using mechanical guides or automated positioning devices, the system uses sensors to detect position and light bars to provide visual feedback, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic information processing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional coupling methods are used, then the coupling process is faster in terms of setup time, but undesirable vibrations and misalignments cause damage to refrigeration components
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment actions by providing visual feedback to the driver before final coupling contact is made. The driver uses the light bar indicators to pre-align the tractor with the trailer, ensuring proper positioning before the coupling mechanism engages, thereby preventing vibrations and misalignments that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time visual feedback from the light bar system allows the driver to make continuous small adjustments during the coupling approach, eliminating large misalignments and reducing impact vibrations. This continuous guidance prevents damage to refrigeration components while maintaining efficient coupling speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If visual feedback systems are added to guide coupling, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies visual feedback locally at the coupling point rather than requiring comprehensive system-wide monitoring. The light bar is positioned specifically on the trailer to provide alignment information directly relevant to the coupling action, and sensors are placed only where needed to detect relative position, achieving high alignment precision with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color changes in the light bar (different colored lights) to convey alignment information to the driver. This simple visual encoding method provides precise alignment guidance through intuitive color signals without requiring complex displays or interfaces, thereby achieving high alignment precision while keeping the feedback system simple.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A tractor trailer coupling assist system includes a back-up sensor mountable to one of a rear surface of the tractor and a forward surface of the trailer. The back-up sensor is configured and disposed to determine a position of the tractor relative to the trailer. A driver feedback system is mountable to one of the tractor and the trailer. The driver feedback system is configured and disposed to provide visual feedback corresponding to the position to the driver.