Trailer Coupling Arm Control for Automatic Obstacle Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer coupling control devices are not convenient in all cases as they do not effectively handle obstacles in the path of the coupling arm, potentially leading to injuries or damage, and require operator intervention for obstacle avoidance.
Innovation Solution
The control device automatically activates the coupling arm drive to adjust the arm in the direction of an obstacle after initial contact, allowing for obstacle detection and potential movement past the obstacle without prior operator control, using sensor signals to determine the presence and nature of the obstacle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling arm automatically returns to the starting position after striking an obstacle, then safety is improved by preventing injuries and damage, but convenience deteriorates because the system cannot handle soft obstacles like branches effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its response based on obstacle characteristics. After detecting an obstacle strike, the control unit can either return the coupling arm to the starting position (for hard obstacles) or attempt to overcome the obstacle by continuing movement (for soft obstacles like branches). This dynamic decision-making resolves the contradiction by making the safety response flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes operational parameters based on sensor feedback. When an obstacle is detected, the system can modify the coupling arm's movement parameters - either reversing direction to return to start or maintaining forward momentum to overcome soft obstacles. This parameter adaptation allows the system to balance safety with operational convenience.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling arm moves past obstacles automatically, then convenience is improved by reducing operator intervention, but reliability deteriorates due to potential injuries from undetected obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensor feedback to detect obstacle strikes and provides this information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides whether to continue movement (overcoming soft obstacles) or return to the starting position (avoiding hard obstacles). This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic operation maintains safety while improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-correction through the sensor arrangement and control unit. When an obstacle is detected, the system automatically adjusts its operation without requiring operator intervention. This self-service capability improves convenience while maintaining safety through continuous monitoring and automatic response.
3Reliability
If the control unit requires operator confirmation before overcoming obstacles, then safety is improved by preventing automatic movement past dangerous obstacles, but productivity deteriorates due to additional operator intervention steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial automation - it automatically detects obstacles and can automatically overcome certain types of obstacles (soft obstacles like branches) without operator confirmation. For more dangerous situations, operator confirmation is still required. This partial automation approach maintains safety for critical cases while improving productivity for routine obstacle encounters.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3h
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control unit (30) for a trailer coupling (10) for a motor vehicle (80), which trailer coupling comprises, on the motor vehicle (80), a bracket (12) that can be mounted securely to the vehicle, to which bracket a coupling arm (14) is mounted for movement between a use position (G) and a not-in-use position (N), the coupling arm (14) having a coupling body (15A) for the attachment of a trailer (180). The trailer coupling has a coupling arm drive (18) for adjusting the coupling arm (14) between the use position (G) and the not-in-use position (N), and the trailer coupling and/or the control unit has a sensor arrangement (24) for generating at least one sensor signal as a function of the coupling arm (14) striking an obstacle (H1-H4) over the movement path (BB) between the use position (G) and the not-in-use position (N). The control unit comprises a control input (57) for a control signal (SA) and control means, which, depending on the control signal (SA), actuate the coupling arm drive to adjust the coupling arm (14) towards the use position (G) or the not-in-use position (N), and the control unit (30) also comprises obstacle detection means (58) which are designed to determine, on the basis of the sensor signal, whether the coupling arm (14) will strike an obstacle (H1-H4) over the movement path (BB) between the use position (G) or the not-in-use position (N). The control means (59) are designed, following a strike by the coupling arm (14) against the obstacle, for at least one repeat activation of the coupling arm drive, to move the coupling arm (14) towards the obstacle with the aim of overcoming the obstacle, without prior actuation by the control signal (SA).