Trailer Sideswipe Avoidance System Using Predictive Path Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Towing a trailer around curves can be challenging due to the trailer not following the exact path of the vehicle, increasing the risk of sideswipe collisions.
Innovation Solution
A trailer sideswipe avoidance system that includes a sensor system to detect objects in the vehicle's environment and a controller to determine if an object is in the trailer's path, prompting vehicle systems to execute avoidance measures such as reducing steering torque, warning signals, or adjusting speed to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle turns around curves while towing a trailer, then the vehicle can navigate the curve, but the trailer may not follow the exact path of the vehicle, increasing the risk of sideswipe collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in the trailer's potential path before the trailer actually sideswipes the object. The controller calculates the trailer's travel path during turns and identifies objects in advance, allowing the system to trigger avoidance measures (steering adjustment, braking, warning signals) before collision occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between turning capability and collision risk
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle's turning state, trailer position, and detected objects, providing real-time feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts steering torque, braking force, or warning signals to prevent sideswipe collisions while maintaining the vehicle's ability to navigate curves, thus resolving the contradiction between turning capability and collision risk
2Reliability
If the controller prompts vehicle systems to execute avoidance measures, then sideswipe collisions are prevented, but the vehicle's normal operation may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies avoidance measures partially or progressively rather than fully interrupting normal operation. For example, it may first apply light braking or reduce steering torque assist before applying full braking, or first issue warning signals before executing automatic avoidance maneuvers. This progressive approach prevents collisions while minimizing disruption to the driver's normal vehicle operation
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the driver's steering input and the vehicle's actual steering response. Instead of completely overriding the driver's control, the system modifies steering torque assist to guide the vehicle away from potential collision paths while still allowing the driver to maintain control and continue normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between collision prevention and operation continuity
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer sideswipe avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer is provided herein. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to detect objects in an operating environment of the vehicle. A controller receiving inputs from the sensor system is configured to determine a travel path of the towed trailer as the vehicle turns, determine whether an object detected in the operating environment of the vehicle is in the travel path of the towed trailer, determine a time until sideswiping of the object with the towed trailer, compare the time until sideswiping with a threshold time value, and prompt one or more vehicle systems to execute a sideswipe avoidance measure when the time until sideswiping is less than the threshold time value.