Rear Axle Steering Control for Platform Docking

Solution Overview

Problem

Current road vehicles lack effective assistance systems for low-speed docking maneuvers at platforms, particularly in urban environments with tight spaces and obstacles, as existing steering axle systems are limited in their ability to control rear axles for precise positioning.

Innovation Solution

A road vehicle equipped with an assistance device that automatically controls the rear axle's steering, using sensors and on-board intelligence to optimize docking maneuvers by allowing greater steering angles (up to 30°) and switching between road and docking modes, enabling closer and safer alignment with platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the rear axle is equipped with steering capability and controlled by automatic assistance device, then the docking precision and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses onboard sensors (distance sensors, angle sensors) to automatically detect the vehicle's position and orientation relative to the platform, and the control unit automatically adjusts the rear axle steering angle without driver intervention, making the system self-regulating during docking maneuvers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an automatic electronic control system that uses sensors to measure distances and angles, processes this information through a control unit, and actuates the rear axle steering mechanism accordingly, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electromechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rear wheels are steered at large angles (greater than 2°), then the docking maneuverability is improved, but the stability during normal road travel deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking maneuverabilityVSAvoidvehicle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the rear axle steering angle based on the operational mode: during normal road travel, the rear wheels are kept straight (0° steering angle) for stability, while during docking maneuvers, the control unit actively steers the rear wheels at large angles (greater than 2°, up to 30° or more) to achieve precise positioning, making the steering characteristic variable rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the steering angle parameter of the rear axle based on the operational context - maintaining 0° during normal driving for stability, and allowing large steering angles (greater than 2°, preferably greater than 10°, more preferably greater than 20°, even more preferably greater than 30°) during automatic docking mode to achieve the necessary maneuverability for tight spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the driver manually controls the steering axles during docking maneuvers, then the control precision is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to driver exposure in urban environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddriver safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses onboard sensors (distance sensors, angle sensors) to automatically detect the vehicle's position and orientation relative to the platform, and the control unit automatically adjusts the rear axle steering angle without driver intervention, making the system self-regulating during docking maneuvers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an automatic electronic control system that uses sensors to measure distances and angles, processes this information through a control unit, and actuates the rear axle steering mechanism accordingly, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electromechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3371035B1Device to assist with manoeuvres for parking alongside a platform

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 NEWTL SAS

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11

AI summary

The assistance device (1) operates in a road mode in which the rear wheels (9) are initially straight, and when the front wheels (11) have been turned through a certain steering angle, the rear wheels (9) are controlled to steer proportionately to the steering angle control received by the front wheels (11). This device (1) also operates in a parking mode in which the rear axle (5) steers and in which the steering angle of the rear wheels (9) is controlled via a device (10) for controlling the steering of the rear axle (5). Said device then controls the steering of the rear wheels (9), which is dependent on the distance between the vehicle and the platform and other obstacles in the environment. These distances are measured by distance sensors (15, 16, 17, 18).