Trailer Reverse Straightening Using Negative Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversing a vehicle combination with multiple towed units is challenging due to the difficulty in determining how the trailers will turn based on their articulation angles and the force provided by the towing unit.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with processing circuitry is used to detect when the vehicle is in reverse gear and trigger self-propelled towed vehicle units to apply a negative torque, thereby straightening the vehicle combination and simplifying the reversing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the towing vehicle unit attempts to reverse the vehicle combination manually, then the driver has direct control over the reversing operation, but the articulation angles of the towed vehicle units make it difficult to determine how the trailers will turn
Solution Approach 1:
The self-propelled towed vehicle unit autonomously applies negative torque to straighten the vehicle combination when reverse gear is detected, without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The system serves itself by automatically compensating for the articulation angle complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The self-propelled towed vehicle unit acts as an intermediary between the towing vehicle unit and the passive towed units, applying negative torque to straighten the combination and making the articulation angles less affect subsequent reversing operations
2Ease of operation
If the self-propelled towed vehicle unit applies negative torque to straighten the vehicle combination, then the reversing condition is improved and articulation angles less affect subsequent reversing, but the torque application must be carefully controlled to not interfere with other motions
Solution Approach 1:
The negative torque application is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of vehicle state. The processing circuitry monitors whether the vehicle combination is at standstill or moving below a threshold speed, and adjusts torque application accordingly to maintain safety while improving reversing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle combination's motion state and braking status, using this feedback to control when and how much negative torque is applied. The processing circuitry detects acceleration requests and adjusts torque accordingly, ensuring safe and controlled straightening
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
The system improves the reversing condition of the vehicle combination by straightening it in a safe and controlled manner, allowing the towing vehicle unit to more easily control the reversing operation.
Implementation Method 1
trigger at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit out of the set of towed vehicle units to apply a negative torque to wheels of the at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit, thereby causing the at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit to travel in a reverse travel direction
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to handle a motion of a vehicle combination is provided. The vehicle combination comprises a towing vehicle unit and a set of towed vehicle units. The processing circuitry is configured to detect that a reverse gear is a selected or current gear of the towing vehicle unit. The processing circuitry is configured to, in response to detecting that the reverse gear is the selected or current gear of the towing vehicle unit, trigger at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit out of the set of towed vehicle units to apply a negative torque to wheels of the at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit, thereby causing the at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit to travel in a reverse travel direction.