Trailer Turning Radius Determination via Independent Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the turning radius of a trailer attached to a towing vehicle are inefficient and may not reliably steer the trailer to follow the towing vehicle's track, especially in agricultural applications, due to the need for electronic, mechanical, or hydraulic connections and uncertainty in sensor data exchange across varying tractor models.
Innovation Solution
A method using sensors to measure rotation angles and distances of opposite wheels on the trailer, calculating the turning radius by offsetting these values against the track width, and using this calculation to control actuators for precise steering without requiring connections to the towing vehicle, employing formulas to determine the center of rotation and kink angle for adaptive steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic, mechanical, or hydraulic connections to the towing vehicle are used for sensor data exchange, then the steering control can be implemented, but the system complexity increases and compatibility across varying tractor models becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steering control system from the towing vehicle by implementing all necessary sensors (angular velocity sensors, acceleration sensors, gyroscope) and control units within the trailer itself. This eliminates the need for complex electronic, mechanical, or hydraulic connections to the towing vehicle while maintaining reliable steering control through independent measurement and calculation of turning radius and kink angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer becomes self-sufficient by equipping it with its own complete sensor system and control unit. The trailer independently measures its own movements, calculates turning radius and kink angle, and controls its steering without requiring external support from the towing vehicle, thereby simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable operation across different tractor models.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and control units are installed in the trailer to independently determine turning radius, then compatibility with various tractor models is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensor system in the trailer that can work with any towing vehicle regardless of make or model. The angular velocity sensors, acceleration sensors, and gyroscope collectively provide the data needed to calculate turning radius and kink angle, enabling the trailer to adapt to various tractor models without requiring model-specific equipment or complex interface systems.
3Measurement precision
If continuous measurement of wheel rotation angles and distances is performed, then accurate turning radius determination is achieved, but the measurement and calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electronic sensors and computational algorithms. Angular velocity sensors, acceleration sensors, and gyroscopes electronically measure wheel rotation and trailer movements, which are then processed by a control unit to calculate turning radius and kink angle. This substitution of mechanical measurement with electronic sensing and computation achieves high measurement precision while reducing physical measurement complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining a turning radius of a trailer attached to a towing vehicle and moved by the latter, comprising a computing unit, which is connected to a measuring sensor system, which transmits sensor data about current movements of the trailer to the computing unit, and which sensor data is considered by the computing unit for the determination of the turning radius. The invention also relates to a trailer, which is equipped with a device, which uses a method of this type.