Trailer Speed Notification Using Wheel Sensor Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trailer speed events, such as traveling at low speeds on highways, can pose safety risks due to unawareness by other vehicles, as trailers often need to tow at lower speeds than other vehicles, potentially leading to accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a wheel speed sensor to monitor the trailer's speed and activate a notification device, like lights or alarms, if the speed drops below a certain threshold, ensuring other drivers are alerted to the trailer's slower speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the powered vehicle travels at lower speeds to accommodate the trailer, then the trailer can be safely transported, but other vehicles may not be aware of the trailer's low speed, increasing accident risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual notification devices such as lights that change color or illuminate to alert other drivers of the trailer's presence and low speed. The notification system uses optical signals (colors) to communicate speed information to surrounding vehicles, resolving the contradiction by making the trailer visible and its speed status apparent to other road users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification system between the trailer and other vehicles. This intermediary device (visual/auditory notification system) mediates the communication of speed information, allowing the trailer to convey its low-speed status to other drivers without requiring direct awareness or understanding of the physical condition.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the powered vehicle maintains higher speeds to match traffic flow, then other vehicles are less likely to have speed-related accidents, but the trailer may be subjected to excessive speed and associated risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the notification system continuously monitors the trailer's speed and provides real-time visual/auditory feedback to other drivers. When the trailer travels at lower speeds, the notification device activates to inform other vehicles, creating a feedback loop that allows other drivers to adjust their behavior accordingly, thus preventing accidents while allowing the trailer to maintain its safe operating speed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If notification devices are activated continuously to alert other drivers, then awareness of the trailer is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or conditional activation of notification devices rather than continuous operation. The system activates notifications based on specific conditions such as low speed thresholds, presence of other vehicles, or hazardous conditions, and deactivates them when conditions normalize. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while maintaining driver awareness when it is most needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoing by providing systems and methods for driving notification. In one implementation, a method may include the operations of receiving an indication of a speed of a trailer, determining whether a parameter associated with the speed of the trailer meets a threshold, and activating a notification device based on the determination.