Trailer Sway Detection Using Yaw-Lateral Signal Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trailer sway, which occurs due to various factors such as improper loading, strong winds, and uneven tire pressure, can lead to loss of control of the trailer and towing vehicle, necessitating early detection and preventive measures.

Innovation Solution

A trailer sway detection system utilizing processors and memory to receive lateral motion signals, analyze cross-correlation of yaw and lateral acceleration, and disable lane keeping assistance when specific criteria are met, accompanied by alerts and control actions to mitigate sway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If lane keeping assistance is continuously enabled to maintain vehicle stability, then vehicle control stability is improved, but false activation during trailer sway events can worsen the sway and cause loss of control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle control stabilityVSAvoidtrailer sway amplification

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors lateral motion signals and analyzes peak patterns to detect trailer sway conditions. When sway is detected through criterion evaluation, the system provides feedback by disabling lane keeping assistance to prevent harmful amplification of the sway motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of trailer sway conditions by analyzing lateral motion signal patterns before the sway becomes severe. By identifying early signs of sway through peak analysis, the system can proactively disable lane keeping assistance to prevent the condition from worsening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If trailer sway detection sensitivity is increased to enable early detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but false positives from normal driving maneuvers increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer sway detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse positive rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system segments the analysis into multiple independent criteria: peak counting in lateral motion signals, cross-correlation analysis between yaw and lateral acceleration, and criterion-based decision logic. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate different aspects of trailer sway separately, improving detection accuracy while reducing false positives through comprehensive verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies multiple detection criteria simultaneously (peak counting, cross-correlation analysis) rather than relying on a single threshold. This partial action approach ensures that normal driving maneuvers don't trigger false positives while still detecting genuine trailer sway events through the combination of multiple indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12491902B2Trailer sway detection and control

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

System, methods, and other embodiments are described with respect to implementing trailer sway detection strategies. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a lateral motion signal, determining if a number of peaks in the lateral motion signal satisfies a first criterion, determining if a cross-correlation of yaw acceleration and lateral acceleration satisfies a second criterion, disabling lane keeping assistance if the first criterion is satisfied, and determining if a trailer sway event is in progress if the first criterion and second criterion are satisfied.