Hitchless Towing Obstacle Prediction and Countermeasure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hitchless towing systems struggle to accurately evaluate and prevent intervening obstacles, such as other vehicles, from interfering with the towing configuration between two vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors and algorithms to identify potential intervening obstacles and perform countermeasures, such as adjusting speed or redirecting the vehicles, to prevent interference in a hitchless towing configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hitchless towing is implemented without physical connection, then towing capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to prevent intervening obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication systems and sensor networks as intermediaries between the lead and follow vehicles. These intermediaries enable the vehicles to detect and communicate about potential obstacles without requiring physical connection, thus maintaining towing capability while improving reliability through obstacle prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of potential obstacles using sensors and communication systems before the obstacles can interfere with the towing configuration. By identifying and alerting about potential hazards in advance, the system allows operators to take preventive actions, thereby maintaining reliable hitchless towing operation
2Reliability
If sensors and detection systems are added to identify obstacles, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional sensor systems and communication devices that serve both obstacle detection and general vehicle operation functions. By making components universal rather than dedicated solely to obstacle detection, the system achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system utilizes existing vehicle sensors, communication infrastructure, and processing capabilities to perform obstacle identification. Rather than adding completely separate dedicated detection equipment, the system leverages the vehicle's own existing resources, thereby improving reliability while minimizing additional complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for identifying and addressing an intervening obstacle between a set of vehicles in a hitchless towing configuration using data received from at least one sensor of the set of vehicles. The data received from the at least one sensor may be evaluated to determine an obstacle is potential to intervene between the set of vehicles. The system and method may further determine the obstacle is performing an action to intervene between the set of vehicles. The systems and method may cause at least one of the set of vehicles to perform a countermeasure to prevent the obstacle from intervening between the set of vehicles. The systems and method may determine the obstacle is intervening between the set of vehicles and may further cause at least one of the set of vehicles to perform a second countermeasure to reestablish the hitchless towing configuration.