Trailer Articulation Angle Sensing With Passive Ultrasonic Reflector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the articulation angle in vehicle combinations, such as articulated buses or towing vehicles with trailers, are not flexible enough to accommodate varying wheelbases and require complex calibration and communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a simple passive reflector positioned within a predetermined area on the trailer or semi-trailer, which is detected by ultrasonic transceivers on the towing vehicle, allowing for precise determination of the articulation angle without wired or wireless communication, and takes into account the actual wheelbase configuration for improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex calibration and communication systems are used to determine articulation angle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation angle determination precisionVSAvoidcalibration and communication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication requirement entirely by using a passive reflector instead of an active transceiver on the trailer. The reflector only needs to reflect ultrasonic signals back to the towing vehicle, eliminating the need for complex wired or wireless communication systems between vehicles while maintaining articulation angle measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive reflector serves itself by automatically reflecting ultrasonic signals back to the distance sensor device without requiring power, calibration, or communication protocols. The system calibrates itself during straight-ahead driving to automatically compensate for reflector positioning variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If wired or wireless communication systems are implemented between towing vehicle and trailer, then information exchange is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to coupling/uncoupling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation exchange between vehiclesVSAvoidcoupling and uncoupling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/wired communication systems with acoustic ultrasonic signal transmission. The passive reflector communicates position information through reflected sound waves, eliminating the need for physical connections that would require coupling and uncoupling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive reflector acts as an intermediary that enables information exchange between the towing vehicle and trailer without requiring direct communication or power connection. It reflects ultrasonic signals to convey position data back to the towing vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If reflector positioning is strictly standardized, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when changing trailers with varying wheelbases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation angle measurement accuracyVSAvoidcompatibility with different trailers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the system dynamic by automatically adapting to different trailer configurations through calibration during straight-ahead driving. The system adjusts to varying wheelbases and reflector positions within the predetermined area, maintaining measurement precision across different trailer types without manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables flexible positioning of the reflector and precise determination of articulation angles for different trailers and semi-trailers with varying wheelbases, enhancing driving stability and safety by automatically adjusting for changes in wheelbase configurations and articulation angles.

Implementation Method 1

The ultrasonic transceiver device (44, 46) sends a signal pulse in the direction of the reflector (50), which is at least partially reflected back to the ultrasonic transceiver device (44, 46) by the reflector (50)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3608205B1Method for determination of bending angle in a vehicle train

Publication Date: 2023.11.08 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the articulation angle of a vehicle combination (10, 12, 18). The method comprises determining the position of a reflector (50), preferably located on the trailer or semi-trailer side, relative to a distance sensor device (46, 48), preferably located on the towing vehicle side, during straight-ahead travel of the vehicle combination (10, 12, 18). The method comprises determining the actual articulation angle of the vehicle combination (10, 12, 18) using the distance sensor device (46, 48) and the reflector (50) during operation of the vehicle combination (10, 12, 18) after straight-ahead travel, based on the determined position of the reflector (50).