Trailer Backup Assist Control with Dynamic Mode Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversing a vehicle while towing a trailer can be challenging, especially for infrequent drivers, as existing systems become unreliable in preventing trailer jackknife angles and maintaining vehicle speed control.
Innovation Solution
A trailer backup assist system that includes a brake module, throttle module, and controllers to detect adverse conditions, adjust brake and throttle settings, and implement a non-linear proportional-integral control scheme to maintain vehicle speed below a threshold, ensuring the trailer follows a user-selected path and preventing jackknife conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing backup assist systems are used to control vehicle speed during trailer reversing, then basic speed limitation is achieved, but the systems become unreliable in preventing trailer jackknife angles and maintaining vehicle speed control under adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the backup mode operation based on real-time detection of adverse conditions. The controller monitors vehicle speed, steering angle, and trailer hitch angle, and dynamically terminates backup mode when adverse conditions are detected, then reactivates it after a time interval when conditions improve. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system reliable across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of vehicle parameters (speed, steering angle, hitch angle) and automatically terminates backup mode when adverse conditions are detected. The feedback loop detects when conditions improve and allows mode reactivation, creating a reliable adaptive system that responds to changing conditions rather than operating with fixed parameters.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the backup mode is continuously active to maintain trailer path control, then trailer alignment is maintained, but the system cannot respond to adverse conditions that require mode termination and speed control
Solution Approach 1:
The backup mode dynamically transitions between active and terminated states based on detected adverse conditions. The system maintains trailer alignment stability during normal operation by keeping backup mode active, but automatically terminates the mode when adverse conditions arise, then reactivates it when conditions improve, resolving the contradiction between continuous stability and adaptive response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting adverse conditions before they lead to dangerous situations. By monitoring vehicle speed, steering angle, and hitch angle in advance, the system terminates backup mode proactively when adverse conditions are detected, preventing jackknife scenarios before they occur, rather than reacting after problems arise.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system terminates backup mode upon detecting adverse conditions to prevent jackknife, then safety is improved, but trailer path control is lost during the termination period
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by implementing a time interval delay before reactivating backup mode after termination. This cushioning period allows the vehicle to safely decelerate and stabilize under driver control, preventing immediate re-entry into adverse conditions while maintaining safety. The time interval acts as a buffer that protects against jackknife conditions during the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback monitoring to detect when adverse conditions have improved and automatically reactivates backup mode after the time interval. This feedback mechanism ensures that trailer path control is restored as soon as it is safe to do so, minimizing the duration of control loss while maintaining jackknife prevention through conditional termination and reactivation.
Data Source
AI summary
A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a brake module and a throttle module. The system further includes a controller having a vehicle speed detector and coupled with the brake module and the throttle module for implementing a backup mode including detecting an adverse operating condition and then adjusting at least one of the brake module and the throttle module and terminating the backup mode upon detecting the adverse operating condition for a time interval.