Trailer Hitch Angle Control Using Estimated Hitch Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse driving a combination of a motor vehicle with a trailer is challenging due to varying trailer geometries, leading to potential collisions and jackknife situations, and existing methods require cumbersome recalibration for different trailers.
Innovation Solution
Estimate the hitch length of the trailer using environmental sensors and determine a collision value based on this length, triggering safety measures to prevent collisions and jackknife situations, applicable to trailers with different geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a target-based calibration method is used to determine collision angle, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but the system requires recalibration for each trailer and involves cumbersome target attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential geometric parameter (hitch length) from the complex trailer geometry and uses it as the sole input for collision angle calculation. This eliminates the need for trailer-specific calibration and target attachment, making the system universally applicable while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal collision detection system that works with any trailer by using a standardized calculation method based on hitch length. The same algorithm and sensor system can be used across different trailers without recalibration, achieving multi-functionality.
2Speed
If ultrasonic sensors are used to detect trailer collision, then real-time detection capability is improved, but reliability is reduced due to trailer geometry variations diverting ultrasonic waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasonic wave-based detection system with a computational geometry-based system. Instead of relying on physical wave propagation that is affected by trailer geometry, the system uses mathematical calculations based on hitch length and angle sensor data, eliminating the reliability issue while maintaining real-time capability.
3Measurement precision
If trailer-specific calibration is performed to achieve accurate collision detection, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the essential measurement (hitch length determination) in advance and stores it for use in all subsequent collision detection operations. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated calibration processes, saving time while maintaining accuracy.
4Device complexity
If a fixed collision detection formula is used, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different trailer geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic collision detection system where the collision angle threshold is calculated based on the specific hitch length of each trailer configuration. Instead of a fixed formula, the system adapts the detection parameters dynamically while maintaining a simple underlying calculation structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a method for assisting reverse driving of a combination (1), an actual value for a hitch angle of the combination (1) is determined by a computing unit (6) depending on sensor data generated by a hitch angle sensor. A hitch length of a trailer (3), given by a distance between a trailer body (11) and a hitch (7) of a vehicle (2), is determined depending on environmental sensor data of the combination (1). A collision value for the hitch angle is determined by the computing unit (6) depending on the hitch length, and the safety measure is triggered by the computing unit (6) depending on the actual value and the collision value for the hitch angle.