Tractor Steering Control for Tractor-Trailer Rollover Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rollover prevention systems for tractor-trailer combinations require additional modules with built-in sensors, which are costly and impractical for varying trailer sizes and models, leading to prohibitive expenses and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method and control system that utilizes sensors on the tractor to measure lateral acceleration, controlling the steering angle to maintain the vehicle's lateral acceleration below a threshold, avoiding rollover without additional modules, using a data-driven model and inertial measurement units, GPS, and ADAS for obstacle avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional Roll Stability Control modules with built-in sensors are installed on every trailer, then rollover prevention capability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensing function from the trailer and relocates it to the tractor. The tractor's existing sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, steering angle sensors) are used to monitor the entire tractor-trailer combination, eliminating the need for separate sensing modules on each trailer.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor's control system is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls the tractor itself and simultaneously monitors and controls the attached trailer. The same sensors and processors on the tractor perform dual roles, making the system universal and adaptable to different trailer configurations without additional hardware.
2Reliability
If Roll Stability Control modules are purchased for every trailer, then rollover protection is improved, but expense becomes prohibitive for customers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the trailer control functionality with the tractor's existing control systems. By combining the monitoring and control functions into a single integrated system on the tractor, the patent eliminates the need for separate expensive modules on each trailer, significantly reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor's existing sensors and processors serve the dual purpose of controlling the tractor and monitoring the trailer. The system uses already-installed components on the tractor (accelerometers, gyroscopes, steering sensors) to provide trailer rollover protection, making the existing infrastructure work for multiple functions.
3Reliability
If fixed Roll Stability Control modules are installed on trailers, then rollover prevention is improved, but adaptability to different trailer sizes and models is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system on the tractor is designed to be dynamic and adaptive. It continuously monitors real-time parameters (lateral acceleration, steering angle, vehicle dynamics) and adjusts control actions accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different trailer sizes, weights, and configurations without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous feedback from sensors on the tractor to monitor the behavior of the tractor-trailer combination. Based on this feedback, the control algorithm dynamically adjusts steering and braking actions to prevent rollover, adapting to different trailer characteristics in real-time without requiring pre-programmed settings for each trailer type.
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
Effectively prevents rollover of tractor-trailer combinations by dynamically adjusting steering based on real-time data, ensuring safe operation across different trailer sizes and models without the need for additional hardware, enhancing adaptability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more sensors comprise at least Inertial measurement unit (IMU), inductive sensors for measuring road wheel speed, and Global Positioning System (GPS)
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to method for a vehicle comprising, retrieving data from one or more sensors positioned on a tractor of the vehicle, wherein the tractor is mechanically coupled using a mechanical coupling to a trailer forming a tractor-trailer system, determining based on the data retrieved from the one or more sensors a lateral acceleration parameter of the tractor, and controlling based on the lateral acceleration parameter of the tractor a steering angle of steered wheels of the tractor such that lateral acceleration of the vehicle is held below a threshold lateral acceleration; and wherein the threshold lateral acceleration is selected such that rollover of one or more of the tractor and the trailer is avoided.