Trailer Coupling Control Interface With Sensor Feedback Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment couplings for motor vehicles lack user-friendly feedback mechanisms, making it difficult for operators to confirm the success of their operating actions, such as unlocking the clutch arm, without visual feedback.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a graphic display surface that allows operators to directly interact with the attachment coupling via a touch screen, providing immediate visual feedback on the state of the coupling, including sensor data and load distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless transmitter is used to control the trailer coupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of feedback is worsened because no feedback is provided to confirm successful operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives sensor signals from the trailer coupling (such as position, locking state, and load sensors) and displays this information on the display unit. This allows the operator to confirm whether their wireless control commands were successfully executed, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of feedback.
2Loss of information
If sensor data is displayed using traditional display methods, then the information is provided, but the ease of operation is worsened because the operator cannot instantly grasp the coupling state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color-coded visual indicators on the display unit to represent different states of the trailer coupling. For example, different colors indicate locked vs. unlocked states, or normal vs. overload conditions. This immediate visual feedback allows operators to instantly grasp the coupling state without interpreting complex data, improving ease of operation while maintaining complete information feedback.
3Ease of operation
If a graphical user interface is implemented for direct operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional display and processing components
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives wireless control signals, processes sensor data from the trailer coupling, generates appropriate control commands, and displays system status information. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent improves ease of operation through a unified graphical interface while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control unit (50; 150) for a trailer coupling (10; 110) arranged or arrangable on a motor vehicle (90), which has a coupling element (23) arranged on a coupling arm (14; 114) for coupling a trailer, wherein the control unit (50; 150) has control means (61) for controlling at least one function of the trailer coupling (10; 110) and/or evaluation means (60) for evaluating at least one sensor signal (33) of a sensor (30) associated with the trailer coupling (10; 110), and wherein the control unit (50; 150) has an operating device interface (64) for communication with a mobile operating device (70) separate from the motor vehicle (90) and the control unit (50; 150).The control unit (50; 150) is designed to communicate with a program module (71) that generates a graphic display and/or operating interface (77) on a display of the operating device (70), which is designed in particular as a mobile telephone, and the control unit (50; 150) is designed to send at least one message signal (80) representing a status of the trailer coupling (10; 110), in particular generated on the basis of the at least one sensor signal (33) or containing the at least one sensor signal (33), and/or to receive at least one control signal (81; 81) for controlling the at least one function of the control unit (50; 150) via the operating device interface (64).