Self-Propelled Trailer Steering for Stable Path Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional trailers require significant driver attention and skill for maneuvering, often deviating from the lead vehicle's path, compromising visibility, and posing collision risks, especially for novice drivers.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled trailer system with independent propulsion and control, featuring a steerable axle, electric traction motors, and a trailer control system (TCS) that communicates with the lead vehicle's sensors to perform forward and reverse maneuvers, avoiding obstacles and maintaining a stable path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional trailers are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the trailer deviates from the lead vehicle's path during turns and requires significant driver attention and skill
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer system performs self-steering and self-positioning operations through the TCS controller that automatically adjusts the steerable axle to follow the lead vehicle's path, eliminating the need for constant driver intervention and skill-based manual control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors to detect the lead vehicle's motion and actuates the steerable axle accordingly, substituting driver skill with automated sensing and actuation
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional trailers are used, then the device complexity is low, but the trailer cuts inside the turning radius of the lead vehicle when negotiating tight corners
Solution Approach 1:
The TCS controller continuously receives feedback from sensors about the lead vehicle's steering angle, speed, and position, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the steerable axle position to maintain accurate path following during turns
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer system dynamically adjusts its steering angle and position in real-time during turns rather than maintaining a fixed geometric relationship, allowing the trailer to adapt its path to match the lead vehicle's turning radius and avoid cutting inside
3Reliability
If traditional trailers are used, then the structure is simple, but reversing requires double reverse steering which causes the lead vehicle and trailer to swing wide of the center of the turn
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer system autonomously performs the complex double reverse steering maneuvers by detecting the lead vehicle's reverse motion and automatically executing the appropriate steering sequence, eliminating the need for the driver to manually perform skill-intensive reversing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The TCS controller acts as an intermediary between the lead vehicle's motion and the trailer's steering response, translating the lead vehicle's reverse commands into appropriate trailer steering actions that prevent wide swinging and maintain safe reversing paths
4Illumination intensity
If traditional trailers are used, then the attachment is simple, but the trailer compromises visibility for the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer dynamically adjusts its position and steering to maintain an optimal offset from the lead vehicle, improving driver visibility by preventing the trailer from blocking the driver's view of the road ahead during normal operation
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
Enables novice drivers to safely operate trailers by autonomously following the lead vehicle's path, improving maneuverability and reducing collision risks through advanced sensor integration and autonomous driving capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage battery system configured to power the at least one electric traction motor
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer system with independent propulsion and control is configured to be towed by a lead vehicle. The trailer system includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle, and a high voltage battery system configured to power the at least one electric traction motor. A trailer control system (TCS) includes a controller configured to steer, accelerate, and brake the first and/or second wheels. A trailer sensor suite is in signal communication with the TCS. The TCS is configured for signal communication with a lead vehicle sensor suite, and is configured to control driving and/or operation of the trailer system based on one or more signals from the trailer sensor suite and the lead vehicle sensor suite.