Trailer Aerodynamic Profiling for Driving Range Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive vehicles towing trailers face inefficiencies in driving range due to varying air resistances caused by trailer configurations and loads, which existing technologies fail to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a sensor arrangement and controller that senses the trailer's geometric profile, determines its air resistance, and calculates the expected driving range, while prompting users to alter aerodynamic characteristics or switch trailers to reduce air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle tows a trailer with various configurations, then the towing capability is improved, but the driving range is reduced due to varying air resistances
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of air resistance calculation by using sensor data to dynamically determine the drag coefficient and geometric profile of the trailer, rather than using fixed or estimated values. This allows accurate energy consumption prediction for different towing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the driver about the actual driving range based on measured air resistance and trailer geometry. This feedback loop enables the driver to adjust towing behavior or trailer configuration to optimize energy usage and extend driving range.
2Device complexity
If the vehicle uses traditional methods to estimate driving range, then the calculation is simple, but the accuracy is insufficient due to not considering actual trailer air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual or simplified estimation methods with automated sensor-based measurement and calculation. Radar and camera sensors automatically capture trailer geometry, and the controller computes air resistance and driving range, eliminating the need for manual input while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement serves multiple functions: detecting trailer presence, measuring geometric profile, calculating air resistance, and determining driving range. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the vehicle does not provide trailer air resistance information, then the system is simpler, but the towing efficiency cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs trailer detection, geometric profiling, air resistance calculation, and driving range determination without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach provides comprehensive towing efficiency information while keeping the user interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes sensor data and translates it into meaningful information about air resistance and driving range. This intermediary function bridges the gap between complex sensor measurements and simple actionable insights for the driver.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided that includes a sensor arrangement configured to sense one or more regions proximate to an exterior of the vehicle, and a controller configured to process signals generated by the sensor arrangement and to detect and generate a geometric profile of a trailer in the one or more regions proximate to the exterior of the vehicle, the controller further determining an air resistance of the trailer based on the geometric profile and calculating an expected driving range of the vehicle based on the detected air resistance.