Trailer Auxiliary Drive Gradient Feedback System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing auxiliary drive systems for trailers lack the ability to provide users with real-time gradient information, making it difficult to maneuver trailers safely and avoid dangerous slopes during uncoupled operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses a terminal device connected to the auxiliary drive via a communication link to provide users with gradient information through a human-machine interface, including optical, acoustic, and haptic feedback, allowing the system to warn users of impermissible inclines and adjust the drive's operation to avoid them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If auxiliary drive systems are used to maneuver uncoupled trailers, then the ability to move trailers independently is improved, but the safety of maneuvering on various terrains deteriorates due to lack of gradient information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent trailer maneuveringVSAvoidmaneuvering safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time gradient information feedback to the user through display devices and auditory signals, enabling informed decision-making when maneuvering the uncoupled trailer on various terrains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines gradient information in advance before the trailer encounters dangerous slopes, allowing the user to plan the maneuvering path and avoid impermissible gradients proactively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If gradient information is provided through multiple channels (optical, acoustic, haptic), then the reliability of information delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery reliabilityVSAvoidhuman-machine interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the control interface for the auxiliary drive and the information display device, integrating gradient information presentation with drive control in a single universal device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3960594A1Method for operating an auxiliary drive for a trailer, system for driving at least one wheel of such a trailer, and computer program product and data carrier for carrying out the steps of the method
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 REICH KG REGEL UND SICHERHEITSTECHN
  • EP3960594A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3960594A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3960594A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating an auxiliary drive for a trailer, in which at least one terminal device (10) connected to the auxiliary drive via a communication link provides a user with gradient information via at least one human-machine interface, which characterizes a gradient of terrain currently traversed by the trailer and/or terrain to be traversed by the trailer.The invention further relates to a system for driving at least one wheel of a trailer, comprising at least one auxiliary drive for driving the wheel, wherein the auxiliary drive is connectable and/or connected via a communication link to an end device (10) having at least one human-machine interface for a user, wherein the end device (10) is configured to provide gradient information via the human-machine interface, which characterizes a gradient of terrain currently traversed by the trailer and/or terrain to be traversed by the trailer.