Supplementary Drive Axle Control for Low-Latency Trailer Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle systems for semi-trailers face challenges in providing efficient longitudinal control and reducing maintenance costs, as they often require significant hardware retrofits and rely heavily on diesel engines, which are costly to maintain and operate.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control method and system that includes an electric powertrain with a supplementary drive axle, sensors, and a controller to autonomously augment propulsion and braking, allowing for low-latency vehicle control and torque augmentation without direct communication with the primary propulsion system, enabling after-market electrification with minimal hardware changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electric powertrain systems are installed in semi-trailers for longitudinal control, then acceleration performance and propulsion capability are improved, but hardware complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vehicle propulsion system into separate functional modules: the primary diesel engine remains in the tractor unit while the electric powertrain is installed as a supplementary drive axle in the semi-trailer. This segmentation allows the electric motor to provide additional propulsion capability without requiring complete system replacement, thereby improving power while managing hardware complexity through modular installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric powertrain system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides supplemental propulsion during acceleration, enables regenerative braking for energy recovery, and offers independent torque control. This multi-functionality allows a single hardware installation to address multiple performance requirements, improving propulsion capability while minimizing the increase in hardware complexity.
2Ease of operation
If electric powertrain systems are installed in semi-trailers for longitudinal control, then longitudinal control precision is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor vehicle state parameters and feed this information back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to precisely modulate the electric motor torque and braking force, achieving accurate longitudinal control. The feedback mechanism enables proportional control that responds dynamically to driving conditions, improving control precision while the system manages maintenance through electronic control rather than mechanical adjustment.
3Productivity
If the electric powertrain communicates with the primary propulsion system, then coordinated control is improved, but system complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle bus as an intermediary communication channel between the electric powertrain controller and the primary propulsion system. This standardized communication interface enables coordinated control by allowing the controllers to exchange vehicle state information and control commands without requiring direct complex wiring or proprietary protocols, thereby achieving productivity improvement while minimizing latency through efficient data transmission.
4Reliability
If diesel engines are used as the primary propulsion system, then reliability is maintained, but operational costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the diesel engine propulsion with an electric powertrain in a hybrid configuration. The reliable diesel engine continues to provide base propulsion while the electric motor supplements power during high-demand situations. This combination allows the system to maintain the reliability of the proven diesel system while reducing operational costs through regenerative braking energy recovery and reduced diesel fuel consumption during city driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers kinetic energy during braking events through regenerative braking, converting the energy that would otherwise be lost as heat into electrical energy stored in the battery. This energy recovery mechanism reduces operational costs by recapturing energy that would be wasted, while the diesel engine maintains reliability as the primary propulsion source during normal operating conditions.
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 enables zero-hardware installations, reduces maintenance costs, improves acceleration performance, and provides robust longitudinal control, enhancing the driving experience by mimicking a larger engine response while reducing load on the diesel engine and minimizing dynamic effects like rolling resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor and a steering drive axle. The vehicle system can include a brake system
Implementation Method 2
The vehicle system can include a brake system
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle control method can include: determining a vehicle state based on a set of vehicle state inputs; determining a command based on the vehicle state; and controlling the vehicle according to the command. The method can optionally include updating a vehicle model based on a control outcome. However, the method S100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method can function to determine longitudinal vehicle control based on a set of vehicle state inputs (e.g., a limited set of inputs—such as without direct knowledge of a throttle input, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle control method can function to infer driving intent based on vehicle state measurements and/or translate inferred driving intent into low-latency vehicle control. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to autonomously augment longitudinal propulsion, autonomously augment vehicle braking, and/or facilitate autonomous (longitudinal) vehicle control.