Trailer Electric Drive Control with Driver Override for Special Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling electric drives in trailer vehicles often operate inefficiently or unsuitably in certain situations, particularly due to inadequate recognition of driving conditions, leading to suboptimal energy utilization and potential instability in vehicle/trailer combinations.
Innovation Solution
A device with a manual operating unit in the driver's cab of the towing vehicle generates request signals for the electric drive, which are processed by a control unit, such as a brake control unit, to produce control signals for the electric drive, allowing for driver-influenced control while ensuring safety and stability, including access protection and various operating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If fully automated control of the electric drive is implemented, then the electric drive can be controlled independently without driver intervention, but the system cannot recognize certain special situations (e.g., refrigerated trailer minimum residual energy requirements) leading to inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manual operating unit as an intermediary between the driver and the automated control system. This mediator allows the driver to provide situation-specific information or override commands when the automated system cannot recognize special cases (e.g., refrigerated trailer cooling requirements), thereby combining automated efficiency with human adaptability to special situations
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from being purely static and automated to being dynamic and adaptable. The system can switch between fully automated mode and manual intervention mode, allowing it to adapt its level of automation based on the driving situation. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to handle both routine situations efficiently and special situations flexibly
2Reliability
If a fixed residual energy setting is maintained in the energy store for operating cooling units, then cooling can be maintained during break times, but the residual energy cannot be used for the electric drive even when dry run is being performed
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management system dynamically adjusts the residual energy setting in the energy store based on the current operating mode. During dry run or when cooling demand is low, the system reduces or removes the fixed residual energy requirement, allowing maximum energy availability for the electric drive. During actual break times with cooling demand, the system restores the appropriate residual energy level to ensure cooling operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy management parameters (residual energy threshold) based on operating conditions. The control unit monitors the operating mode and adjusts the minimum residual energy setting accordingly - maintaining higher thresholds when cooling is needed and lowering or removing thresholds when the trailer is in motion or cooling demand is minimal, thereby optimizing energy utilization for the electric drive
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operating unit is added for driver input, then driver can influence electric drive control in special situations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual operating unit is designed with multi-functionality to minimize complexity. It can serve multiple purposes: providing manual override commands, inputting special situation indicators, selecting different operating modes, and communicating with the automated control system. By consolidating these functions into a single versatile interface rather than multiple separate controls, the system adds driver influence capability while limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for controlling an electric drive of a trailer vehicle and includes a manual operating unit, which can be arranged in a driver's cab of a towing vehicle, for generating and outputting a request signal for the electric drive in response to a manual selection using the operating unit or a manual input into the operating unit, and a control unit, in particular a brake control unit, of a towing vehicle for receiving the request signal, generating a control signal on the basis of the request signal and outputting the control signal to an electric drive of the trailer vehicle or to a trailer brake control unit of the trailer vehicle. A method is for controlling an electric drive of a trailer vehicle via the device.