Towing Assist Device for Coupling Posture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in determining how a towed vehicle behaves when the towing vehicle moves backward at the current steering angle, leading to increased driving load and difficulty in maintaining the coupling posture.
Innovation Solution
A towing assistance device that acquires the coupling angle between the towing and towed vehicles, determines if the towed vehicle can move backward in the current coupling posture, and notifies the driver of the appropriate steering angles through visual and auditory cues, facilitating accurate backward driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver relies on personal determination to control the towed vehicle during backward movement, then the driver can operate the vehicle without additional assistance, but the driving load increases and accuracy of controlling the coupling posture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the driver by displaying the coupling angle and notifying whether the current steering angle allows the towed vehicle to move backward in the coupling posture. This feedback mechanism reduces the driver's cognitive load while improving the accuracy of coupling posture control through continuous information about the actual vehicle state.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's complex mechanical behavior and the driver. It translates the relationship between steering angle and towed vehicle movement into simple, actionable information, reducing the driver's burden without sacrificing control accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the system provides detailed notification information about steering angles, then the driver can easily control the towed vehicle, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device leverages existing vehicle components (steering angle sensor, display device) to provide multiple functions: displaying coupling angle, notifying about movable/non-movable steering angles, and providing guidance information. This multi-functionality approach increases ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own existing sensors and display infrastructure to provide the assistance functions. By reusing existing components for multiple purposes, the system achieves enhanced functionality while minimizing additional hardware complexity.
3Productivity
If the driver does not have information about appropriate steering angles, then the system remains simple, but the productivity of backward driving operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively provides the driver with information about appropriate steering angles before the driver needs to make steering decisions. By notifying the driver in advance about movable and non-movable steering angles, the system improves backward driving efficiency without creating information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A towing assistance device includes an acquirer, a determiner, and a notifier. The acquirer acquires a coupling angle between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. The determiner determines whether the towed vehicle is movable backward in a coupling posture with the coupling angle maintained, when the towing vehicle is moved backward at a current steering angle. The notifier issues information on a steering angle at which the towed vehicle is movable backward in the coupling posture, among selectable steering angles of the towing vehicle.