Autonomous Trailer Fire Detection, Maneuvering, and Cab Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack effective systems and methods to detect and suppress trailer fires, posing safety risks due to inadequate integration of fire-related condition detection with motion control and suppression measures.
Innovation Solution
A fire detection system within the trailer, a suppression unit in the cab, and a connection assembly to deliver extinguishing substances, controlled by a processing system that identifies fire-indicative conditions and maneuvers the vehicle to a safe position for suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles implement fire detection systems in trailers, then fire detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is divided into separate functional modules: detection subsystem (sensors in trailer), control subsystem (processing system in cab), and suppression subsystem (suppression unit with connection assembly). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability for fire detection.
2Reliability
If autonomous vehicles integrate fire suppression systems with motion control, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is integrated with the autonomous vehicle's existing motion control system through the processing system. The processing system receives fire detection data and automatically controls the drive system to maneuver the vehicle to a suppression position, merging fire safety functionality with motion control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where sensors continuously monitor fire-related conditions in the trailer, transmit data to the processing system, which then adjusts vehicle positioning and suppression activation based on detected conditions. This closed-loop feedback ensures safety while automating the response process.
3Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles use sensors to detect fire conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to detect multiple fire-related parameters (temperature, smoke density, flame presence) using a integrated sensing array. This multi-functional approach improves measurement precision for fire detection while avoiding the complexity of separate specialized sensors for each parameter.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting and suppressing fires in a trailer of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving, from one or more sensors, at least one sensor signal representing one or more fire-related conditions within the trailer of the autonomous vehicle. The method also includes identifying one or more fire-indicative conditions within the trailer of the autonomous vehicle based on the one or more fire-related conditions and controlling a drive system of the autonomous vehicle to move the autonomous vehicle into a fire-suppression position. The method further includes releasing one or more fire-extinguishing substances from a suppression unit positioned in a cab of the autonomous vehicle through a connection assembly and discharging the one or more fire-extinguishing substances from the connection assembly into the trailer of the autonomous vehicle.