Trailer Coupling Lock Verification Through Corrective Vehicle Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for verifying the locked state of a trailer coupling between a towing vehicle and a trailer often fail due to bracing or incorrect positioning of the coupling elements, particularly in fully automated vehicles where manual verification is absent.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves establishing a coupling state using status information and causing a corrective movement to adjust the trailer coupling to a locked state, even if initial status information is unclear or indicates an unlocked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a trailer coupling is verified using only status information from sensors or cameras, then the verification process is simple and quick, but the coupling state may be incorrectly determined due to bracing or incorrect positioning of coupling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static verification approach (checking status information at a single moment) to a dynamic approach by inducing relative movement between the towing vehicle and trailer. This movement changes the geometric relationship between coupling elements, allowing the system to distinguish between truly locked couplings and those that appear locked due to bracing or misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary movement phase before final verification. By first inducing relative movement to eliminate bracing effects, then subsequently verifying the coupling state, the system ensures that the verification occurs under optimal conditions where the coupling elements are properly aligned,从而提高 determination accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the towing vehicle and trailer remain stationary during coupling verification, then the coupling elements maintain their initial positioning, but bracing or incorrect positioning prevents correct locking of the trailer coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The system intentionally introduces dynamic movement between the towing vehicle and trailer during the coupling process. This relative movement serves to release bracing effects and allow coupling elements to achieve their correct geometric relationship, enabling proper locking that would be impossible in a purely static configuration.
3Reliability
If corrective movement is induced between the towing vehicle and trailer, then the trailer coupling can be correctly locked by eliminating bracing effects, but additional movement and time are required beyond the initial approach
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling process is structured as a periodic sequence: approach phase, movement induction phase, verification phase, and repetition if necessary. This structured periodic approach ensures that the coupling is verified under optimal conditions while allowing for efficient repetition if the initial attempt fails, optimizing the overall time investment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring a pivotable connection between a towing vehicle and a trailer by way of a trailer coupling, wherein configured in a locked state of the trailer coupling is a pivotable connection between a towing vehicle-proximal coupling element on the towing vehicle and a trailer-proximal coupling element on the trailer. The method includes establishing a coupling state of the trailer coupling by at least one item of status information once the towing vehicle has approached the trailer and causing a corrective movement such that the trailer and the towing vehicle move relative to one another. The corrective movement is caused when it cannot, or cannot plausibly, be established by the at least one item of status information whether the locked state of the trailer coupling is present.