Towing Vehicle Coupling Load Monitoring and Immobilizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for connecting towing vehicles to trailers lack effective monitoring of vertical load, leading to potential overloading and increased safety risks in road traffic.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device that determines changes in vehicle position relative to its footprint due to vertical load, coupled with an immobilizer that prevents the vehicle from starting or moving if the load exceeds a predetermined threshold, providing real-time feedback to the driver and integrating with existing vehicle systems for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a measuring device is integrated into the coupling unit to detect force, then the ability to monitor load is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is integrated into the coupling unit itself, merging the measurement function with the existing structural component. This reduces the need for separate monitoring systems and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining reliable load detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling unit serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical connection between towing vehicle and trailer, and simultaneously houses the measuring device for force detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated monitoring hardware, reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If an immobilizer is coupled to the measuring device to prevent vehicle operation when load exceeds threshold, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The immobilizer function is merged with the existing measuring device and coupling unit system. The control unit that processes measurement data also manages the immobilizer function, eliminating the need for a completely separate safety system and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the force measurement and automatically activating the immobilizer when the load exceeds the predetermined threshold. This closed-loop feedback mechanism provides safety through an integrated control strategy rather than requiring separate safety hardware.
3Reliability
If the measuring device continuously monitors force during driving, then the reliability of load detection is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device performs force measurements at periodic intervals during driving operation rather than continuously. The control unit is configured to measure the force at defined time points, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient monitoring reliability for safety purposes.
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
This solution effectively prevents trailer overloading by alerting drivers to excessive loads before starting, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safe operation by actively preventing vehicle movement during overload conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device (18) that detects and evaluates the force that acts on the coupling unit (14) on the towing vehicle in at least one direction (16)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for connecting a traction vehicle (10) to a trailer, comprising a coupling unit (14) on the traction vehicle side and a coupling unit on the trailer side, wherein the coupling unit (14) on the traction vehicle side is associated with a measuring device (18), which in at least one direction (16) detects and evaluates the force acting on the coupling unit (14) on the traction vehicle side. According to the invention, the measuring device (18) is coupled to an immobilizer (22), which prevents the traction vehicle (10) from being started up and/or set in motion when the force detected by the measuring device (18) and/or a physical variable determined therefrom exceeds a predetermined threshold value.