Automatic Trailer Coupling Using Acceleration-Based Reverse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual coupling process of trailer vehicles to towing vehicles is often not optimal, leading to increased wear and tear and potential damage due to drivers reversing at higher speeds than necessary to engage the kingpin with the fifth wheel plate, which can cause twisting or displacement of the trailer supports.
Innovation Solution
An assisted or automatic coupling method using a towing vehicle equipped with a coupling element, electronically controlled service brake, and drive unit, which detects longitudinal and lateral accelerations to control the reverse driving speed and torque, ensuring the kingpin engages correctly without excessive impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driver reverses at higher speed to avoid failed coupling attempts and save time, then the coupling process becomes faster and more efficient, but the towing vehicle strikes the kingpin with excessive impulse causing damage to the trailer supports and increased wear on the coupling element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical coupling process with an automated system that uses sensors (cameras, proximity sensors) and electronic control to manage the coupling. The automated coupling device controls the reverse movement speed and stopping point electronically, eliminating the need for driver judgment and preventing excessive impact forces that cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the coupling process using sensors that detect the position of the kingpin relative to the fifth wheel plate, the speed of the towing vehicle, and the force applied during coupling. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust the reverse speed and stopping point in real-time to achieve successful coupling without excessive impact, preventing damage to supports and wear on the coupling element.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the driver carefully controls the reverse speed to prevent damage, then the wear and damage are reduced, but the coupling process takes more time and may require multiple attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The automated coupling system replaces manual driver control with electronic control that precisely manages the reverse speed and stopping point. This eliminates the time loss associated with careful manual adjustments and multiple failed attempts, as the automated system achieves successful coupling on the first attempt through precise electronic control of the coupling parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time feedback from sensors allows the system to optimize the coupling process by continuously adjusting speed and position based on detected parameters. This ensures the fastest possible coupling speed that still prevents damage, eliminating the time penalty that would otherwise be required for careful manual control and potential retry attempts.
3Device complexity
If the driver manually controls the coupling process, then the system complexity remains low, but the coupling precision and consistency are poor leading to excessive wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated coupling control system that uses electronic sensors and control units to replace manual driver operation. This increases device complexity but provides consistent, precise coupling alignment that eliminates the variability and imprecision of manual control, thereby preventing excessive wear and damage to the coupling elements and trailer supports.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system uses continuous feedback from multiple sensors to monitor and adjust the coupling process parameters, ensuring high precision and consistency in every coupling operation. This feedback mechanism compensates for the increased system complexity by providing real-time corrections that maintain optimal coupling precision and prevent damage.
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
Prevents damage and reduces wear by precisely controlling the coupling process, avoiding excessive impacts and ensuring stable connection between the trailer and towing vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
detecting longitudinal and lateral accelerations of the towing vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Assisted or automatic coupling of a trailer vehicle to a towing vehicle equipped with a coupling element which has a lateral guide for a corresponding coupling counterpart of the trailer vehicle to be inserted into the coupling element, an electronically controlled service brake and a drive unit, includes starting, after alignment and approach of the towing vehicle relative to the trailer vehicle, an automatic coupling process. The automatic coupling process includes starting driving in reverse at a speed and a drive torque, detecting longitudinal and lateral accelerations of the towing vehicle, and stopping driving in reverse by switching off the drive torque and/or applying the service brake if a lateral acceleration occurs in a first range of values with the occurrence of a longitudinal acceleration in a second range of values and subsequent occurrence of a longitudinal acceleration in a third range of values.