Motorized Trailer Coupling Force Control for EV Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailers, especially those towed by electric or hybrid vehicles, face significant range reduction and increased energy consumption due to high towing forces, which restricts their use and leads to excessive wear on towing vehicles, particularly because they are not designed to handle the stress of heavy loads and air resistance.
Innovation Solution
A trailer equipped with electric motors that can simulate a lower load by controlling acceleration and braking forces, allowing it to assist the towing vehicle by providing additional propulsion and regenerative braking, thereby reducing the stress on the towing vehicle and increasing the range of electric vehicles, while also managing transverse forces and articulation angles through a controller system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trailer is towed by a motor vehicle, then the trailer can be transported, but the towing force increases wear on the engine, clutch, transmission, brakes and tires
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is equipped with its own drive system including electric motors on the trailer axles, allowing it to propel itself or assist in propulsion. This self-service capability reduces the burden on the towing vehicle's powertrain and braking systems, thereby reducing wear on the engine, clutch, transmission, brakes and tires while maintaining reliable transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer drive system dynamically adjusts the distribution of propulsion and braking forces between the towing vehicle and the trailer based on operating conditions. The controller coordinates the trailer motors and towing vehicle to optimize force distribution, enabling the trailer to bear part of the braking load during deceleration and part of the propulsion load during acceleration, thereby reducing stress and wear on the towing vehicle's mechanical components
2Quantity of substance
If a motor vehicle tows a trailer, then the trailer load can be transported, but energy consumption or fuel consumption increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer's self-propulsion capability allows it to contribute to its own movement and energy requirements. The trailer motors can operate in regeneration mode during deceleration to recover energy, and in propulsion mode to assist the towing vehicle, thereby reducing the overall energy consumption of the combined system while maintaining the ability to transport the same trailer load
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors the operating state of the towing vehicle and trailer, and dynamically adjusts the force distribution based on feedback from sensors. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy usage by coordinating acceleration and braking events, ensuring that the trailer drive system operates efficiently to reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining the required load transport capability
3Quantity of substance
If a towing vehicle increases its power and vehicle weight to handle greater trailer loads, then the trailer load capacity increases, but additional costs and increased fuel consumption or energy consumption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically distributes the trailer load between the towing vehicle and the trailer drive system based on real-time operating conditions. During acceleration, the trailer motors can provide additional propulsion to effectively increase the permissible trailer load without requiring the towing vehicle to have proportionally higher power. During deceleration, the trailer provides regenerative braking and mechanical braking assistance, reducing the energy consumption of the towing vehicle while maintaining the ability to handle greater trailer loads
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 lighter towing vehicles to manage heavier trailers by reducing towing forces, enhancing traction, and improving driving dynamics, allowing for extended ranges and reduced wear on the towing vehicle, even under heavy loads, while adhering to emissions standards and maintaining vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
A trailer (100) with a trailer coupling (101) for coupling to a towing vehicle and with at least one trailer axle (102) having at least one trailer wheel (103) is proposed, wherein the at least one trailer wheel (103) is motorically driveable or brakeable by means of a trailer motor (123)
Implementation Method 2
During operation with a trailer, the consumption also increases in accordance with the moving total load, and leads to a clear reduction in range. In addition, the maximum drive power of electric vehicles is also mostly designed for predominant use in city traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer includes a battery and an axle or a tandem axle with wheels driven by way of electric motors. The battery supplies electricity to the electric motors during trailer travel, and a sensor detects forces on a coupling of the trailer in at least one of the following directions: longitudinal direction of the trailer and/or transverse direction of the trailer and/or perpendicular direction, and a controller controls the electric motors, so that a minimum and/or a maximum limit value is adhered to.