Trailer Recognition Test Signal for Data Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recognizing trailers or semitrailers connected to motor vehicles can only determine their presence or absence, leading to discarded data during shutdown, as they cannot assure the same trailer is still connected, hindering data retention for driving dynamics and assistance systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that collect data during the operating phase and use a test signal during the shutdown phase to ascertain trailer separation, allowing data retention if the trailer remains connected, utilizing electrical resistance, drawbar angle monitoring, or imaging devices to identify trailer changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trailer presence is detected using brake light current measurement, then trailer presence/absence can be determined, but data must be discarded after each operating phase due to inability to assure same trailer is connected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing trailer-related data during the operating phase, and then uses a test signal during the shutdown phase to verify trailer continuity before the next operating phase begins. This preliminary verification ensures data validity without losing valuable information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using a test signal during the shutdown phase to check whether the same trailer is still connected. The result of this test feedbacks into the decision of whether to retain or discard the collected trailer data, ensuring reliable identification while preventing information loss.
2Productivity
If data is retained across operating phases, then driving dynamics control benefits from continuous trailer data, but data integrity cannot be ensured if trailer changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the test signal measurement during shutdown phase to determine whether to retain data. If the test signal indicates the same trailer is connected, data is retained for continuous driving dynamics control; if not, data is discarded to maintain integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically checking trailer continuity using the test signal during shutdown phase, eliminating the need for manual verification and ensuring data integrity autonomously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shutdown phase is used for trailer change, then trailer flexibility is improved, but existing methods cannot detect trailer changes without discarding data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection during the operating phase before the shutdown phase occurs. During shutdown, when trailer changes may happen, the test signal is used to verify whether the same trailer remains connected, allowing the system to adapt to trailer changes while preserving valid data.
Solution Approach 2:
The test signal measurement during shutdown phase provides feedback on whether a trailer change occurred. This feedback enables the system to maintain data during legitimate trailer changes while detecting actual trailer replacements, improving adaptability without information loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the retention of trailer-related data for subsequent operating phases if the trailer is still connected, improving driving dynamics and assistance systems by accurately detecting trailer changes and ensuring data integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the test signal represents an electrical resistance of at least one light bulb of the trailer
Implementation Method 2
utilizing electrical resistance, drawbar angle monitoring, or imaging devices to identify trailer changes
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for the recognition of a trailer (2) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the trailer (2) is connected to the motor vehicle (1) via a coupling device (3), wherein a control device (4) collects and stores data relating to the currently connected trailer (2) during an operating phase of the motor vehicle, and a device for identification (5) of the trailer (2) is able to ascertain, by means of a test signal, a separation of the connected trailer (2) from the motor vehicle (1) during the shutdown phase of the motor vehicle (1).