Hybrid Vehicle Trailer Sway Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric vehicles towing trailers face issues with trailer sway, battery depletion, and poor fuel efficiency due to heavy loads, with existing systems addressing sway through braking that further reduces fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a stabilization system that determines vehicle speed and direction, employing regenerative and non-regenerative braking to counteract trailer sway by distributing torque among wheels, including regenerative braking, driving, and stabilizing braking, to maintain vehicle stability and charge the battery while minimizing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking is used to stabilize trailer sway, then fuel efficiency is improved by recovering energy, but vehicle speed control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between regenerative and non-regenerative braking modes based on real-time vehicle speed and sway conditions. The control system adjusts braking strategy according to operating conditions, using regenerative braking when feasible and non-regenerative braking when rapid stabilization is needed, optimizing both energy recovery and control responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system is segmented into two independent subsystems: regenerative braking system and non-regenerative braking system. Each subsystem operates independently but can be coordinated by the control system, allowing flexible combination of energy recovery and rapid stabilization functions
2Stability of the object's composition
If non-regenerative braking is used to stabilize trailer sway, then vehicle stability is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of non-regenerative braking (energy loss) into a beneficial outcome by using it selectively only when necessary for rapid sway stabilization. The control system minimizes non-regenerative braking usage to situations where quick stabilization is critical, thereby converting what would be pure energy waste into a targeted safety intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies braking actions in periodic pulses rather than continuous application. The sway mitigation control applies braking torque in controlled intervals based on sway detection, allowing the vehicle to stabilize through periodic corrections rather than sustained energy-consuming braking
3Stability of the object's composition
If braking is applied to one or more wheels to stabilize trailer sway, then trailer sway is reduced, but vehicle speed decreases resulting in lower fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies braking force locally to specific wheels based on the direction and magnitude of sway. Rather than applying brakes to all wheels uniformly, the control system selectively applies braking torque to individual wheels or axles that are contributing to the sway, minimizing the impact on overall vehicle speed while effectively counteracting the unstable motion
4Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking system brakes wheels during sway, then energy is recovered charging the battery, but stabilization effectiveness may be reduced compared to non-regenerative braking
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges regenerative and non-regenerative braking systems into a unified hybrid braking system. The control algorithm intelligently combines the energy recovery capability of regenerative braking with the rapid response and high braking force of non-regenerative braking, creating a synergistic system that achieves both energy recovery and effective stabilization
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
The system effectively stabilizes trailer sway, maintains vehicle speed, and charges the battery by converting oscillation energy into regenerative energy, improving fuel efficiency and reducing battery depletion, with automatic stabilization minimizing driver disturbance.
Implementation Method 1
a regenerative braking system for braking at least one wheel of the hybrid electric vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for stabilizing a hybrid electric vehicle ("HEV") towing a trailer. One system includes a regenerative braking system, a non-regenerative braking system, and a stabilization system. The stabilization system determines a direction of rotation and a speed of the HEV and compares the HEV's speed to a predetermined low speed threshold value and a predetermined high speed threshold value. The stabilization system instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel when the speed is less than or equal to the predetermined low speed threshold value and instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation and at least one of the regenerative braking system and the non-regenerative braking system to provide an extra stabilizing braking torque to at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation when the speed is greater than the predetermined high speed threshold value.