Trailer Assistance Device Control for Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistance devices for driving control of towing vehicles with trailers face high system complexity and susceptibility to errors, particularly in maneuvering situations, due to the need for precise spatial abstraction and limited flexibility of optical route guidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect the position and orientation of the trailer, determine a straight trajectory, and control the towing vehicle to align its orientation with the trailer parallel to the trajectory, allowing for simple user control and reliable operation by minimizing trailer articulation angle and maintaining alignment during target position reach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If optical route guidance systems are used for driving control, then automated control capability is improved, but system complexity and susceptibility to errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential control function from complex optical guidance systems by using a simplified sensor-based approach that only detects relevant positional and orientational parameters of the trailer, eliminating unnecessary system complexity while maintaining automated control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex optical route guidance systems with a simpler sensor-based detection system that directly measures trailer position and orientation, substituting sophisticated optical processing with straightforward mechanical/electrical sensing and control
2Manufacturing precision
If driver specifies target trailer steering angle, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to high spatial abstraction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-service by automatically determining target positions and calculating required steering angles based on sensor data, eliminating the need for drivers to perform complex spatial calculations while maintaining precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from position sensors to automatically adjust and determine target trailer steering angles, continuously monitoring actual position and calculating required corrections without driver intervention, thus maintaining precision while simplifying operation
3Measurement precision
If optical target recognition device is used, then target position specification is improved under certain conditions, but flexibility deteriorates in individual parking or maneuvering situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by using sensors that can detect and respond to various trailer positions and orientations in real-time, allowing the system to automatically adjust control parameters for different maneuvering situations rather than relying on fixed optical targets
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-based control system provides universal applicability across diverse maneuvering scenarios including parking, alley docking, and general trailer control, replacing specialized optical target recognition with a flexible system that adapts to any situation through real-time sensor feedback
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves detecting a position and an orientation of a trailer, and determining a straight trajectory based on the position and orientation of the trailer. The drive of a towing vehicle is controlled to achieve a target position. The orientations of the trailer and the towing vehicle are defined parallel to the trajectory in the target position. A trailer articulation angle between the towing vehicle and the trailer is smaller than a threshold trailer articulation angle. The position of the trailer along the direction of the trajectory is equal to a predetermined value. An independent claim is included for an assistance device with a positioning element.