Steering-Based Trailer Sway Mitigation With Yaw Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer sway mitigation systems often rely solely on vehicle braking, which may not be sufficient to control oscillations between the tow vehicle and trailer, especially at higher speeds, increasing the effort required to maintain control.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a sensor set and electronic processor to detect trailer sway, determine target deceleration and yaw values, and adjust the vehicle's steering system to counteract trailer sway, thereby mitigating oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If trailer sway mitigation is performed solely via vehicle braking systems, then the system complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness of controlling oscillations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vehicle braking system and steering system into an integrated trailer sway mitigation system. The electronic processor coordinates both braking and steering actions to counteract trailer sway, merging two previously separate control functions into a unified system that leverages the complementary strengths of both subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can mitigate trailer sway through braking, through steering, or through a combination of both. This multi-functional approach allows the system to adaptively select the most effective mitigation strategy based on current operating conditions, enhancing overall reliability.
2Device complexity
If vehicle speed is reduced alone to control oscillations, then the trailer sway mitigation is simplified, but the control effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mitigation strategy by continuously monitoring trailer sway conditions and adapting the combination of braking and steering interventions. Rather than using a fixed approach, the electronic processor modulates the intensity and type of intervention based on real-time oscillation characteristics, maintaining optimal control effectiveness across varying conditions.
3Reliability
If the vehicle steering system is used to counter trailer sway, then the control effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic processor acts as an intermediary that coordinates the interaction between the steering system and braking system. It processes sensor data, determines the appropriate mitigation strategy, and sends coordinated commands to both subsystems, managing the complexity through centralized intelligence rather than requiring complex mechanical linkages.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mitigating a sway of a trailer. The system includes a sensor set configured to sense a plurality of operating characteristics of a vehicle and an electronic processor connected to the sensor set. The electronic processor is configured to receive the plurality of operating characteristics from the sensor set, determine whether the trailer is swaying based on the plurality of operating characteristics, determine, in response to the trailer swaying, a target deceleration, determine, in response to the trailer swaying, a target yaw value, and modify a current yaw value to counter the trailer sway until reaching the target yaw value.