Hitch Angle Estimation via Wheel Speed Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for estimating the hitch angle of a vehicle towing a trailer are prone to inaccuracies due to weather conditions and require significant computer processing, leading to driver confusion, increased costs, and potential safety issues like jackknifing and trailer sway.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a control module with sensors to estimate the hitch angle based on rotational speeds of the trailer wheels and steering angle of the vehicle, filtering data to remove noise, and comparing wheel speeds to threshold values to ensure accurate inputs, thereby providing a continuous and reliable hitch angle estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-board sensors such as cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors are used to determine the position of the trailer, then the hitch angle can be estimated, but the accuracy is impacted by weather conditions and significant computer processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical and electromagnetic sensing systems (cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors) with a mechanical sensing approach using wheel speed sensors and steering angle sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for complex image processing and signal interpretation algorithms, while providing weather-resistant measurement capability through purely mechanical/rotational sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wheel speed sensors to indirectly measure trailer position by monitoring the rotational speeds of trailer wheels. Instead of directly observing the trailer's physical position with cameras or radars, the system creates a computational model that copies the trailer's position information from wheel speed data, reducing the need for complex direct sensing and processing.
2Measurement precision
If on-board sensors such as cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors are used to determine the position of the trailer, then the hitch angle can be estimated, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, sophisticated sensing equipment (cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors) with inexpensive wheel speed sensors and steering angle sensors that are already present in most modern vehicles. This substitution dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for hitch angle estimation.
3Loss of information
If traditional sensor systems are used for hitch angle estimation, then the trailer position can be determined, but driver confusion and safety issues like jackknifing and trailer sway increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the estimated hitch angle is continuously provided to the driver through the vehicle's display system and to vehicle control systems for active management. This continuous feedback loop allows the driver to understand the trailer's position and orientation, reducing confusion and enabling proactive prevention of unsafe conditions like jackknifing and trailer sway.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for estimating a hitch angle includes a control module with memory for storing programmatic control logic, a processor for executing the control logic, and one or more input/output (I/O) ports. Wheel speed sensors on a trailer communicate with the processor via the I/O ports. A trailering application defines a portion of the control logic and has at least first, and second control logics. The first control logic estimates the hitch angle from a first term, a second term and physical parameters of the vehicle and trailer. The second control logic provides the estimated hitch angle to one or more of a driver and to on-board control systems of the vehicle and trailer.