Tractor Rear Light Control for Trailer Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with trailers, the rear lights of the tractor are often hidden by the trailer, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption as they are activated along with the trailer's lights, even when not visible to external observers.
Innovation Solution
A method to control the tractor's rear light set independently, deactivating lights when not visible and activating them only when the tractor's lights become visible during turns, using sensors to detect the steering angle and trailer connection, thereby optimizing light activation based on visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the rear lights of the tractor are activated together with the trailer lights, then the safety and visibility are ensured, but the fuel consumption increases due to unnecessary light activation when the tractor lights are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light activation state changeable based on real-time conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts whether the tractor rear lights are activated or deactivated depending on the trailer connection status and steering angle, transitioning between different operational modes to optimize energy consumption while maintaining safety when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor the steering angle and trailer connection status. This feedback information is processed by the control unit to determine the appropriate light activation state, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing vehicle configurations and operational conditions
2Loss of energy
If the rear lights of the tractor are deactivated when a trailer is connected, then the fuel consumption is reduced, but the visibility and safety may be compromised when the tractor lights become visible during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the light activation state based on real-time steering angle and trailer position. When the steering angle exceeds the threshold and the tractor lights become visible, the system transitions from deactivated to activated state, ensuring visibility is maintained when needed while saving energy when lights would be hidden
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide continuous feedback on the steering angle and trailer connection status. The control unit processes this feedback to determine when the tractor rear lights become visible and should be activated, creating an adaptive system that responds to changing geometric relationships between the tractor and trailer
3Loss of energy
If the rear lights of the tractor are independently controlled based on visibility conditions, then the fuel consumption is optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light control system into independent controllable units. The tractor rear lights can be controlled separately from the trailer lights, with specific segmentation based on light type (brake lights, position lights, direction indicators) and position (inside/outside of turn), allowing granular control to optimize energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the light actuators. It processes sensor information about trailer connection and steering angle, then independently controls the tractor rear lights based on this processed information, mediating between the simple sensor inputs and the complex lighting requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for controlling the operation of a rear light set of a tractor of a vehicle, the rear light set including a plurality of rear lights, the vehicle further including a trailer which can be pivotably connected to the tractor about a substantially vertical axis and which includes the same set of rear lights. The method including: detecting whether a trailer is connected to the tractor; detecting a steering angle of the vehicle; if a trailer is detected to be connected to the tractor and if there is at least one activated rear light in the trailer rear light set: in case the steering angle of the vehicle is below a predetermined threshold, deactivating at least the rear light(s) of the tractor rear light set which is (are) of the same type as the activated rear light of the trailer rear light set; in case the steering angle of the vehicle is above the predetermined threshold, in a so-called manoeuvring operation, activating at least the rear light of the tractor rear light set which is of the same type as the activated rear light of the trailer rear light set and which is located outside of the turn.