Trailer Coupling Control with Status Signal Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control units for trailer couplings in motor vehicles are unreliable in determining the operational status of the vehicle, leading to potential accidents when the coupling arm is moved during motion, as status signals can be invalid or disconnected, compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a validation device that verifies the validity of status signals, such as speed and ignition signals, before allowing the coupling arm to be moved, using logical and electrical checks, plausibility tests, and redundant validation methods to ensure the vehicle is stationary and trailer socket is unoccupied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control unit checks the status signals continuously, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to check the status signals at periodic intervals rather than continuously. The controller receives status signals from the trailer coupling at defined time intervals, which reduces energy consumption while still maintaining safety through regular monitoring of the coupling status.
2Loss of time
If the control unit monitors the status signals frequently, then the response time to hazards is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements a feedback mechanism where status signals from the trailer coupling are continuously monitored and fed back to the controller. When a status change is detected (such as unauthorized detachment), the system immediately responds by activating warning signals or cutting power, providing rapid response without requiring complex continuous monitoring architecture.
3Measurement precision
If the control unit implements comprehensive status signal checking, then the detection precision of unauthorized detachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and monitors only the critical status signals related to unauthorized detachment from the trailer coupling. Rather than implementing comprehensive monitoring of all possible signals, the control unit focuses specifically on detecting status changes that indicate unauthorized detachment, such as changes in coupling position or connection state, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining detection precision for the specific hazard.
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), the trailer coupling having a holder (12) which can be mounted on the motor vehicle (80) and on which a coupling arm (14) can be moved between an in-use position (G) and an out-of-use position (N), the coupling arm (14) having a coupling body (15A) for hitching the trailer (180) or coupling the load carrier, the control unit (30) having a control input (57) for a control signal (SA) and control means (59) which actuate a drive (17, 18) depending on the control signal (SA) to move the coupling arm (14) out of the in-use position (G), the drive (17, 18) comprising a coupling arm drive for moving the coupling arm (14) between the in-use position (G) and the out-of-use position (N) and/or a fixing drive (17) of a fixing device (16) of the trailer coupling for fixing the coupling arm (14) in the in-use position (G), and the control unit (30) having a status signal input (52-54) for at least one status signal (96, 97) of the motor vehicle (80), the status signal (96, 97) representing at least one status of the motor vehicle (80) relevant for the actuation of the drive (17, 18) of the trailer coupling, and the control means enabling or blocking the actuation of the drive depending on a respective value of the at least one status signal (96, 97). The control unit has a validation device (61) for validating the at least one status signal (96, 97) using at least one validation condition. The control means (59) block the actuation of the drive (17, 18) independently of the respective value of the at least one status signal (96, 97) if the validation device classifies the at least one status signal (96, 97) as an invalid status signal (96, 97).