Trailer Torque Control for Reversing Multi-Unit Vehicle Combinations
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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 negative torque to their wheels, thereby straightening the vehicle combination and improving control during reversing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the towing vehicle unit reverses the vehicle combination traditionally, then the reversing operation can be performed, but the articulation angles of the towed vehicle units make it difficult to control and determine the turning behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The towed vehicle units are equipped with self-propulsion capability and autonomously apply negative torque to straighten the vehicle combination during reversing operations. The control system automatically detects articulation angles and triggers the negative torque application without requiring manual intervention from the driver, allowing the system to serve itself in correcting its own positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical reversing control (where the driver manually controls the towing vehicle to account for articulation angles) with an automated system that uses sensors to detect articulation angles and electronically controls the application of negative torque through the drivetrain, substituting mechanical driver skill with an automated control system.
2Ease of operation
If negative torque is applied to the towed vehicle units to straighten the combination, then the reversing control is improved, but additional complexity is introduced to the vehicle system
Solution Approach 1:
The towed vehicle units utilize their existing self-propulsion capability, which can serve multiple functions: normal forward travel, autonomous straightening during reversing operations, and potential future functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated straightening mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the driver's reversing intention and the physical straightening action. It receives input from sensors about articulation angles and automatically translates this into appropriate negative torque application, serving as a mediator that simplifies the driver's task while managing the complexity of the control mechanisms.
3Extent of automation
If the towed vehicle units have self-propulsion capability, then they can autonomously straighten the combination, but the initial device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The towed vehicle units are pre-equipped with self-propulsion capability before the reversing operation occurs. This preliminary preparation allows them to autonomously perform the straightening action when needed, rather than requiring complex temporary mechanisms to be deployed only during reversing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer system (1100) comprising processing circuitry (1102) configured to handle a motion of a vehicle combination (1) is provided. The vehicle combination comprises a towing vehicle unit (10) and a set of towed vehicle units (11). The processing circuitry (1102) is configured to detect that a reverse gear is a selected or current gear of the towing vehicle unit (10). The processing circuitry (1102) is configured to, in response to detecting that the reverse gear is the selected or current gear of the towing vehicle unit (10), trigger at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit (13) out of the set of towed vehicle units (11) to apply a negative torque to wheels of the at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit (13), thereby causing the at least one self-propelled towed vehicle unit (13) to travel in a reverse travel direction (d).