Trailer Coupling via Detectable Pattern Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual coupling of trailers to tractor units requires significant practice and experience, as drivers need to visually determine the trailer's alignment, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in the coupling process.
Innovation Solution
A trailer with a detectable pattern on its coupling side, featuring permanently predefined points that can be easily detected by a detection unit, allowing for automatic identification and alignment with the tractor unit, which includes a detection unit for determining the trailer's position and dimensions, enabling an autonomous coupling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual visual alignment is used for coupling, then the driver can determine trailer location, but the process requires significant practice and experience
Solution Approach 1:
A detectable pattern (intermediary element) is introduced on the trailer to mediate the alignment process. The pattern serves as a visual reference that simplifies the coupling task by providing clear alignment cues, reducing the need for driver experience while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual alignment process is replaced by an automated detection system that uses the detectable pattern. The detection unit on the tractor unit automatically identifies the pattern and calculates alignment, substituting the driver's manual visual assessment with an automated optical/electronic detection system
2Extent of automation
If detectable pattern with predefined points is added to trailer, then automatic identification and alignment is enabled, but the trailer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detectable pattern utilizes contrasting colors or reflective properties to create easily detectable visual markers. This approach enables automatic detection through optical sensors while maintaining a simple physical structure on the trailer, as the pattern can be applied as paint or reflective material rather than complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex mechanical identification systems to the trailer, a simplified visual copy (detectable pattern) is created that contains all necessary alignment information. The pattern serves as a graphical representation of the coupling geometry, enabling automated systems to extract alignment data without physical complexity
3Measurement precision
If permanently predefined points are used for detection, then reliable distance and angle determination is achieved, but the detectable pattern becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detectable pattern is segmented into multiple permanently predefined points rather than using a single complex marker. This segmentation allows the detection system to calculate both distance and angle by measuring positions of multiple simpler points, achieving high measurement precision through geometric calculation rather than complex single-point detection
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
The solution allows for unambiguous identification and reliable alignment of trailers with tractor units, simplifying the coupling process and reducing the need for manual intervention, ensuring accurate and efficient coupling even in poor visibility conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a detectable pattern for identifying the trailer and/or for assisting the coupling process... which can be detected by a detection unit
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer having a kingpin or having a drawbar for coupling a tractor unit on a coupling side of the trailer, wherein the trailer has a detectable pattern on its coupling side, and a tractor unit for coupling to a kingpin or a drawbar of a trailer, wherein the tractor unit has, for the identification of a trailer and/or for assisting a coupling process, in particular on a coupling side of the drawbar, a detection unit for detecting a detectable pattern.