Trailer Backward Motion Control via Signal Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling the backward motion of a passive trailer system is complex and difficult, especially for unskilled drivers, due to its non-linear nature and dependency on driver handling, making it challenging to manage multiple trailers.
Innovation Solution
A car-trailer system equipped with a backward-motion control terminal, control signal converter, and backward-motion controller, which converts user-input signals into corresponding velocity and direction signals for both the car and trailer, allowing intuitive control of backward motion similar to forward motion, using equations to adjust for joint angles and trailer lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a passive trailer system is used to improve transport capacity, then the transport capacity is improved, but the control complexity increases due to non-linear problems and difficulty in managing multiple trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control signal converter as an intermediary device that translates the driver's simple forward-motion intent into complex coordinated control signals for the car and multiple trailers. This mediator handles the non-linear control calculations and angle compensations, shielding the driver from the underlying complexity while enabling the passive trailer system to achieve its transport capacity benefit
2Adaptability or versatility
If backward-motion control is implemented for the passive trailer system, then the maneuverability is improved, but the control difficulty increases due to influence from joint angles between car and trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameters from complex angle-based backward-motion control to simple forward-motion control parameters. The control signal converter automatically calculates the required car steering angle and velocity based on the desired trailer backward motion, transforming the control problem from managing multiple angle parameters to managing simple forward motion parameters that are intuitive for drivers
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly controlling the car to achieve backward trailer motion (which requires complex angle management), the patent inverts the approach by controlling the car to move forward in a way that naturally produces the desired backward trailer motion. This inversion simplifies the control logic while achieving the same maneuverability benefit
3Quantity of substance
If multiple trailers are connected to increase transport capacity, then the transport capacity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because control becomes more difficult as the number of trailers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal converter is designed with universal functionality that can handle any number of trailers in the sequence. It implements a generalized control algorithm that automatically adapts to the specific number of trailers connected, allowing the same simple forward-motion control interface to manage systems with one or multiple trailers without requiring different control strategies
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a backward motion control technology for a car. The car comprises a backward-motion control terminal, a control signal converter, and a backward-motion controller. The backward-motion control terminal outputs a first backward-motion control signal corresponding to a backward velocity and a backward direction of the last trailer according to a user's operation. The control signal converter converts the first backward-motion control signal to a second backward-motion control signal which corresponds to a backward velocity and a backward direction of the car. The backward-motion controller controls the car based on the second backward-motion control signal so that the last trailer moves backward by the backward velocity and the backward direction corresponding to the first backward-motion controlling signal.