Trailer Assistance Contact Detection Standstill Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Towing a trailer around curves can be challenging due to the trailer not following the vehicle's path, and existing systems require vehicle movement or speed for calibration before detecting potential contact with objects.
Innovation Solution
A trailer flank object contact avoidance system using a sensor system and controller to detect objects, store reference data during initial vehicle movement, and execute contact avoidance measures upon subsequent vehicle movement, including reducing steering torque assist or alerting the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system requires vehicle movement or speed for calibration before detecting potential contact with objects, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the system cannot provide contact avoidance detection when the vehicle is stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration during an initial vehicle movement phase before the standstill, storing the calibrated sensor data as reference data in memory. This preliminary calibration action enables the system to maintain detection capability during subsequent standstill periods without requiring continuous vehicle movement for calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the sensor environment data during calibration and stores it as reference data in memory. This copied reference data represents the calibrated sensor characteristics and is reused during standstill periods, allowing the system to maintain detection accuracy without active calibration during stationary operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system stores reference data in memory during initial vehicle movement, then contact avoidance detection is enabled during standstill, but additional memory and data processing requirements are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary reference data from sensor readings during calibration and stores it in memory. By taking out only the essential calibration information rather than storing complete sensor datasets, the system reduces memory requirements and simplifies subsequent data processing during standstill operation.
3Loss of time
If the system determines object positions relative to the trailer path using stored reference data, then contact avoidance can be detected immediately upon vehicle movement, but the system must accurately determine trailer travel path geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration during initial vehicle movement to establish reference data including trailer path geometry. This preliminary action captures the trailer's travel path characteristics before standstill, enabling immediate detection upon subsequent movement without requiring real-time path determination during the critical response period.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective contact avoidance by processing sensor data to determine object positions relative to the trailer path, even when the vehicle is stationary, and executing measures to prevent collisions during subsequent movements.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor system includes an ultrasonic sensor, a radar unit, and a camera
Implementation Method 2
The sensor system includes an ultrasonic sensor, a radar unit, and a camera
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a sensor system configured to detect objects in an operating environment of the vehicle and a controller configured to monitor a relative position of at least one object with respect to the vehicle during an initial vehicle movement and store in memory the information as a reference data set at an instance when the initial vehicle movement ends at a vehicle standstill. The controller is further configured to retrieve from memory the reference data set upon detecting an event indicating an end of the vehicle standstill, process the reference data set to determine whether the at least one object is in a travel path of the trailer corresponding with a subsequent vehicle movement, and execute a contact avoidance measure based on the at least one object being in the travel path of the trailer.