Steering Control System for Towed Axle
Solution Overview
Problem
Snow removal apparatuses with tow-behind brooms often fail to track the path of the tractor, leading to unswept areas and potential damage to the broom due to contact with unplowed or unblown snow, especially when reversing, as traditional steered trailers can be difficult to control.
Innovation Solution
A trailer with a chassis, hitch, and an actuator-steered axle that adjusts based on the speed, transmission gear, and steering mode of the tractor vehicle, utilizing a processing circuit to control the steering and locking mechanism of the wheels to ensure proper alignment and secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional steered trailers are used to facilitate tracking, then the trailer can follow the tractor's path, but the trailer becomes difficult to control in reverse direction and produces an unfamiliar experience for the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic steering control where the trailer axle automatically adjusts its steering angle based on the tractor's operating conditions (speed, transmission gear, steering mode). The system transitions between different steering behaviors: in forward motion, the trailer steers to track the tractor's path; in reverse motion, the trailer steering is modified or locked to provide familiar control characteristics. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing optimal tracking in forward motion while maintaining ease of operation in reverse.
2Reliability
If the trailer does not track the path plowed or blown by the snow-removal apparatus, then the broom can operate independently, but unswept areas are left and the broom may contact unplowed or unblown snow causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control system where sensors detect the tractor's position, speed, and steering angle, and this information is fed to the control system which automatically adjusts the trailer axle steering to maintain proper tracking. The system continuously monitors the relationship between tractor and trailer positions and makes real-time steering adjustments to ensure the broom follows the exact path of the plow or blower, preventing both unswept areas and broom contact with unplowed snow.
3Reliability
If the trailer axle is steered to facilitate tracking, then the trailer follows the tractor's path accurately, but the system complexity increases and requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the trailer steering control system with the existing tractor control systems, using the same sensors (speed sensors, transmission gear indicators, steering angle sensors) that the tractor already employs. The control system serves multiple functions: it controls trailer steering for tracking, adapts to different operating modes (plowing, blowing, sweeping), and adjusts behavior based on tractor speed and gear selection. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by reusing existing components and control infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer includes a chassis having a hitch, an axle having a tractive element rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an actuator coupled to the chassis and positioned to steer the tractive element in response to an input, the input varying based on at least one of a speed, a transmission gear, and a steering mode of a tractor vehicle.