Tractor-Trailer Roll Stability Control via Vehicle-Specific Tilting Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Roll Stability Control (RSC) systems for vehicle combinations fail to account for different mass distributions between towing and trailer vehicles, leading to unnecessary control interventions and compromised driving stability due to uniform load assumptions.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines individual tilting tendency variables for each vehicle in a combination, using vehicle-specific center of gravity and mass information to set unique tilting limits, thereby optimizing RSC control interventions based on current loading conditions and mass distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a uniform tipping limit is applied to the entire vehicle combination, then rollover safety is ensured for all vehicles, but unnecessary control interventions occur for vehicles with favorable load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle combination into individual vehicles, each with its own tipping limit calculation. Instead of applying a single uniform tipping limit to the entire combination, the system calculates separate tipping limits for the towing vehicle and each trailer based on their respective mass distributions, center of gravity positions, and load conditions. This segmentation allows each vehicle to operate with optimized control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements vehicle-specific tipping limits that adapt to local conditions of each vehicle. The control system determines individual tipping limits based on local mass distribution, center of gravity height, and payload characteristics of each specific vehicle. This local quality approach ensures that control interventions are tailored to the actual stability needs of each vehicle rather than applying a blanket uniform limit.
2Reliability
If RSC control interventions are increased to prevent tipping, then rollover prevention is improved, but superfluous control interventions occur that are perceived as unpleasant by the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the tipping limit parameter based on actual vehicle loading conditions, mass distribution, and center of gravity position. By changing this critical parameter adaptively rather than using a fixed uniform value, the system ensures control interventions only occur when truly necessary for safety, eliminating superfluous interventions that would bother the driver.
3Ease of operation
If a compromise tipping limit is used for vehicle combinations, then drivability is maintained, but rollover safety is compromised for heavily loaded vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tipping limit system that automatically adapts to changing load conditions. The tipping limit is not fixed but dynamically recalculated based on real-time or near-real-time information about mass distribution, payload, and center of gravity position. This dynamic approach ensures that heavily loaded vehicles receive appropriate safety margins while lightly loaded vehicles maintain good drivability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for stabilising the driving behaviour of a tractor-trailer combination, wherein a tilting inclination variable is obtained and a tilting limit 16 is determined and predefined to a vehicle dynamics control system using the tilting inclination variable. The invention further relates to a vehicle movement dynamics control device for carrying out the method. In order to improve the stabilisation of the driving behaviour of tractor-trailer combinations in the case of different loads of the individual vehicles, there is provision according to the invention that the respective tilting inclination variable is determined at a plurality of vehicles of the tractor-trailer combination and the value 26 of the tilting inclination variable which is decisive for the determination of the tilting limit 16 is obtained for determining the tilting limit 16 from the tilting inclination variables.