Trailer Backup Assist Sensor Failure Countermeasures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailer backup assist systems face challenges in accurately estimating the hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer, particularly when sensor failures occur, which can lead to unreliable operation and increased risk of trailer sway or jackknife conditions during reversing.

Innovation Solution

A trailer backup assist system that includes a sensor to measure the hitch angle, a controller to generate steering commands based on the hitch angle, and a countermeasure system to mitigate sensor failures by engaging alerts and control measures until driver intervention is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor is used to measure the hitch angle, then the hitch angle estimation accuracy is improved, but the system reliability deteriorates when the sensor fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehitch angle estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem reliability under sensor failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors sensor health and detects failures before they lead to unsafe conditions. By implementing preliminary detection mechanisms, the system can engage countermeasures proactively, maintaining reliability even when the sensor eventually fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares countermeasures in advance that are ready to be engaged immediately upon sensor failure detection. This cushioning approach ensures that the system can transition smoothly from normal operation to failure mitigation without compromising safety or reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If countermeasures are engaged during sensor failure, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during sensor failureVSAvoidsystem complexity with countermeasure mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The countermeasure system uses existing vehicle control mechanisms (steering, braking) for multiple purposes - both normal operation and failure mitigation. This multi-functionality approach maintains safety during sensor failure without requiring entirely separate dedicated safety systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller autonomously detects sensor failures and engages appropriate countermeasures without requiring additional external safety systems or complex intervention mechanisms. The system serves its own safety needs through integrated monitoring and control capabilities already present in the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the controller continuously monitors sensor health, then the reliability is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor failure detection capabilityVSAvoidcontroller energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements efficient monitoring that checks sensor health at appropriate intervals rather than continuously at maximum frequency. This approach maintains reliable failure detection capability while reducing unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation when sensor failures are unlikely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS9522677B2Mitigation of input device failure and mode management

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A trailer backup assist system includes a sensor that senses a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The trailer backup assist system also includes a steering input device that provides a backing path of the trailer. Further, the trailer backup assist system includes a controller that generates a steering command for the vehicle based on the hitch angle and the backing path. The controller generates a countermeasure for operating the vehicle when the steering input device fails to provide the desired backing path fails or the controller otherwise fails to sense the input signal from the steering input device.