Trailer Mode Determination Using Gradient Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining whether a trailer is attached to a vehicle either incur additional production costs through the use of a dedicated cable or inaccurately assess trailer attachment based on weight changes, affecting vehicle performance and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A trailer mode determination device and method using gradients, which calculates a longitudinal acceleration-based gradient and a clutch torque-based gradient to accurately determine trailer attachment, eliminating the need for a dedicated cable and improving determination accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated cable with electric signal is used to determine trailer attachment, then immediate determination of trailer mounting status is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trailer attachment detection function from the dedicated cable system and implements it through existing vehicle sensors (accelerometer, wheel speed sensors, engine torque sensors). By removing the need for specialized hardware cables and utilizing already-present sensing capabilities, the system achieves accurate trailer detection while eliminating additional production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing vehicle sensors serve multiple functions: the accelerometer serves both for normal vehicle motion detection and trailer attachment detection; wheel speed sensors serve both for speed measurement and gradient calculation; engine torque sensors serve both for power management and trailer detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated trailer detection cables.
2Measurement precision
If total vehicle weight is used to determine trailer attachment, then trailer mounting status can be identified, but false determination occurs when many passengers are on board without a trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameters from static weight measurement to dynamic gradient measurement. By calculating the gradient (rate of change of vehicle speed) and comparing it against expected gradient ranges for trailer-towed vehicles, the system can distinguish between weight increases from passengers versus weight increases from trailers. The system uses multiple parameters including longitudinal acceleration, wheel speed change rate, and engine torque to accurately determine trailer attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer mode determination device and method using a gradient is provided that a trailer mode determination method includes: calculating longitudinal acceleration-based gradient of a vehicle and determining whether a calculated value is valid; calculating clutch torque-based gradient and determining whether the calculated value is valid; determining whether the longitudinal acceleration-based gradient is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference gradient; determining whether vehicle speed and vehicle speed change amount are greater than or equal to predetermined values; calculating a difference between the longitudinal acceleration-based gradient (d1) and the clutch torque-based gradient (d2) when the vehicle speed and vehicle speed change amount are greater than or equal to a predetermined value; determining whether gradient difference (d1−d2) exceeds a predetermined normal range; and determining a trailer is mounted and a trailer mode is switch on when the gradient difference (d1−d2) exceeds the normal range.