Jackknife Warning Controller for Long Wheelbase Dual Axle Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backup maneuvers involving vehicles and trailers, especially with long wheelbase dual-axle trailers, are prone to jackknifing or binding, making them difficult and dangerous, especially for inexperienced drivers, as existing technologies fail to effectively prevent these conditions during reverse drive maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that determines directional and absolute jackknife warning conditions by analyzing the vehicle-trailer hitch angle and steering angles, providing notifications to the driver to prevent jackknifing through adjustments in vehicle steering or reversing actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vehicle is attached to a long wheelbase dual axle trailer during reverse driving, then the trailer can be steered to follow the desired path, but the vehicle-trailer system is prone to jackknifing or binding which prevents further steering
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates the jackknife warning condition threshold angle before the actual jackknifing occurs, based on the current vehicle steering angle and trailer configuration. This preliminary determination allows the system to issue warnings and prevent the harmful jackknifing condition from developing during reverse driving maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer during reverse driving and compares it against the calculated jackknife warning condition threshold. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of approaching jackknife conditions and provides timely warnings to the driver to correct the steering angle and prevent binding.
2Ease of operation
If the driver steers the vehicle during reverse driving to follow the desired path, then the vehicle can be maneuvered, but the hitch angle may increase to the point of jackknifing or binding
Solution Approach 1:
The controller preemptively calculates and identifies the critical hitch angle threshold that would lead to jackknifing or binding before it occurs. By determining this threshold angle in advance based on the vehicle's current steering angle and trailer configuration, the system enables the driver to take corrective action before the harmful hitch angle increase actually occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the driver by comparing the actual hitch angle against the calculated jackknife warning condition threshold. When the actual angle approaches the dangerous threshold, the driver receives a warning signal prompting corrective steering input to reduce the hitch angle and prevent binding.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle uses a long wheelbase dual axle trailer configuration, then the trailer provides stability and capacity, but the backup maneuver becomes more difficult and prone to binding compared to single axle trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculations of the jackknife warning condition threshold angle based on the specific long wheelbase dual axle trailer configuration parameters. This advance determination accounts for the increased complexity and susceptibility to binding inherent in long wheelbase trailers, allowing for proactive prevention of jackknifing conditions during backup maneuvers.
Data Source
AI summary
A jackknife warning condition controller and control method notifies a driver of a potential jackknife situation while backing up a vehicle with an attached trailer. The vehicle has a front axle with steerable front wheels controlled by the driver and a rear axle with non-steerable rear wheels. The trailer has a front axle with non-steerable front wheels and a rear axle with steerable rear wheels controlled by a trailer steering controller. The jackknife controller receives an operator-controlled vehicle steering angle and a measured hitch angle. The jackknife warning condition controller determines a directional jackknife warning condition and compares the measured hitch angle with the determined directional jackknife warning condition. If the measured hitch angle satisfies the directional jackknife warning condition then a notification is sent to the driver.