Steerable Trailer Coupling with Sensor-Based Articulation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towing vehicles with steerable trailers face issues with directional stability and safety due to complex mechanical and hydraulic setups, and high structural outlay for determining articulation angles, which can lead to excessive tire wear and transmission stress.
Innovation Solution
A towing vehicle with a steerable axle and a sensor system that detects the articulation angle between the towing vehicle and trailer using a backlash-free coupling and traction/thrust means, where the articulation points are located outside the common longitudinal axis, allowing for precise transmission of steering information without unnecessary trailer steering during pure towing movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanical and hydraulic setup is used for steerable trailers, then steering functionality is achieved, but directional stability deteriorates and safety becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical and hydraulic steering components from the trailer system, replacing them with a sensor-based detection system that measures articulation angle and communicates steering information electronically, thereby maintaining steering functionality while eliminating the sources of directional instability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical-hydraulic steering transmission system with an electronic sensing and communication system. Sensors detect articulation angles and transmit steering information through electrical signals, substituting complex mechanical linkages with electronic fields to improve reliability
2Measurement precision
If complex devices with many components are used to determine articulation angle, then measurement capability is achieved, but structural outlay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement devices with electronic sensors that detect articulation angle through electrical fields or optical means. This substitution reduces structural outlay while maintaining or improving measurement precision through electronic signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from mechanical displacement or force to electrical or optical parameter detection. By measuring articulation angle through electrical signals or light refraction rather than mechanical linkages, the system achieves precise measurement with reduced structural complexity
3Speed
If pure steering movements of the towing vehicle are transmitted to the trailer axle, then steering responsiveness is improved, but tire wear and transmission stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary steering information to the trailer axle rather than all steering movements. The sensor system detects and communicates only relevant articulation angle data, filtering out unnecessary steering inputs that would cause tire wear and transmission stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect actual articulation angle and transmit this information back to control the trailer steering. This closed-loop system ensures the trailer responds appropriately to towing vehicle steering while preventing excessive or unnecessary steering movements that would harm tires and transmission
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The towing vehicle (1) has a vehicle trailer (2), which comprises a body of axle, at which a steerable part of steerable axles (10) is supported. The towing vehicle-side coupling point of a course and thrust unit is formed by a drive device, which is arranged at the towing vehicle-side component (3) of clutch-free coupling (6). An independent claim is also included for a clutch-free coupling.