Trailer Electric Drive Control Using Towing Wheel Slip Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling electric drives in trailer vehicles require additional sensors to measure the trailer's response, leading to slower control chains and inefficient use of the electric drive, especially in stability-critical situations, and incur additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the current slip of the towing vehicle's driven wheel and estimates the expected slip based on known mass and tire conditions, allowing for precise control of the trailer's electric drive without additional sensors, using existing brake control units to generate an acceleration request and adjust torque accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed on the towing vehicle to monitor the trailer's actual response, then measurement precision of trailer behavior is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing brake control unit's sensors are made to serve dual purposes: their original function for brake control and the new function of monitoring trailer response. The brake control unit processes slip data that already exists in the system, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control unit is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues to handle brake control operations while simultaneously monitoring trailer drive response, determining slip data, and regulating the electric drive. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring sensors.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to monitor trailer response, then reliability of drive control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control unit's existing sensors and processing capabilities are utilized to monitor trailer behavior, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional measurement devices. This approach maintains reliability while avoiding the costs and manufacturing complexity of adding new sensor systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If iterative control with additional sensors is used to prevent trailer pushing, then stability of driving behavior is improved, but speed of control response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control unit continuously receives slip data from sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically regulate the electric drive's torque output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures stable driving behavior by preventing trailer pushing while maintaining fast response speed through direct, real-time control adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system proactively regulates the electric drive torque based on detected slip conditions before unstable driving behavior can develop. By taking preliminary action to adjust torque when slip is detected, the system prevents trailer pushing and maintains stability without needing to wait for iterative corrections.
4Measurement precision
If additional sensors and iterative control are implemented, then accuracy of trailer response monitoring is improved, but time required for control adjustments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control unit's existing sensors and processing capabilities are utilized to monitor trailer behavior, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional measurement devices. This approach maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time delays associated with installing and integrating new sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake control unit continuously receives slip data from sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically regulate the electric drive's torque output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate monitoring and fast control adjustments simultaneously, as the existing sensor data is processed in real-time without iterative delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for actuating an electrical drive (52) of a trailer vehicle (16) with a towing vehicle (12), comprising the steps of: determining (90) a current slip (92) of at least one driven wheel (20a) of a towing vehicle (12) towing the trailer vehicle (16); determining (94) an expected slip (96) for the driven wheel (20a) of the towing vehicle (12); determining (112) an acceleration requirement (46) according to the determined current slip (92) and the determined expected slip (96); and actuating (118) the electrical drive (52) according to the acceleration requirement (46). The invention also relates to a control device (32, 48) for carrying out the method, a towing vehicle (12), a trailer vehicle (16) and a vehicle combination (10).