Trailer Coupling Monitoring Using Contact and Locking Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer safety systems are prone to false negative and false positive readings due to grease and metal filings on kingpin sensors, and tilt sensors on uneven ground, leading to unsafe couplings and potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A trailer safety system using contact and locking sensors on the turntable or ringfeder bolt coupling, with a controller to determine safe coupling based on sensor outputs, and optionally a remotely accessible server for alert generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If kingpin sensors are used to detect kingpin presence, then coupling monitoring is enabled, but false readings occur due to grease and metal filings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic kingpin sensor from the monitoring system and replaces it with alternative sensors (skid plate sensor, turntable sensor, locking mechanism sensor) that detect coupling status through different physical principles not susceptible to grease and metal filing interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate detection elements (skid plate, turntable position, locking mechanism) that serve as mediators between the kingpin and the sensors, allowing indirect detection of coupling status through components that are not directly contaminated by grease and metal filings
2Reliability
If tilt sensors are used to detect coupling plate angle, then coupling position monitoring is enabled, but false readings occur on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tilt sensor from the system and replaces it with sensors that detect coupling status through absolute position references (skid plate contact, turntable position, locking mechanism engagement) that are not affected by ground unevenness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of measuring the angle of the coupling plate relative to the ground (which fails on uneven ground), the patent inverts the approach by measuring whether the coupling components have reached their correct engagement positions through contact and mechanical feedback
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to monitor coupling, then monitoring coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a simplified sensor arrangement where the skid plate sensor, turntable sensor, and locking mechanism sensor work together as an integrated system with a single controller that processes all signals to determine coupling status
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns systems, a kit and methods for monitoring coupling of a vehicle and a trailer or a trailer and another trailer. The system includes two sensors associated with a turntable of a towing vehicle, said sensors consisting of: a contact sensor configured to detect when a skid plate of a vehicle to be towed is in contact with the turntable; and a locking sensor configured to detect when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration. The system further including a controller operatively connected to the two sensors and configured to receive output signals from the contact sensor and the locking sensor and to determine whether safe coupling has been achieved based on the output signals.