Vehicle Deceleration Control for Trailer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
When towing a trailer, vehicles face stability issues during braking, especially under non-ideal road conditions, due to the lack of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) or electronic stability programs (ESP) in trailers, leading to limited deceleration and potential instability.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically assesses real-time vehicle dynamics and external conditions to generate appropriate deceleration values, using sensors, a correlator, acceleration limiter, jerk limiter, and selector to control braking and maintain stability, by determining vehicle parameters and correlations to calculate achievable braking and jerk values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a vehicle tows a trailer and applies brakes, then deceleration is achieved, but stability deteriorates due to trailer swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system dynamically adjusts the deceleration rate based on real-time vehicle and trailer conditions. The controller continuously monitors vehicle parameters and modifies the braking force applied to the towing vehicle to prevent trailer swinging while achieving necessary deceleration, making the braking process adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from vehicle sensors to monitor the operational state and trailer behavior. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the braking force in real-time to maintain stability. The feedback loop allows the system to respond to changing conditions and prevent instability before it occurs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ABS and ESP are installed in trailers, then braking stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The towing vehicle's braking system acts as an intermediary to control trailer braking stability. Instead of equipping the trailer with its own ABS and ESP systems, the controller on the towing vehicle adjusts the braking force applied to the trailer brakes through the existing mechanical linkage, using the vehicle's electronic control capabilities to stabilize the trailer without adding complex electronics to the trailer itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The towing vehicle's braking system is made multi-functional by enabling it to control both the vehicle's own brakes and the trailer's brakes through a unified electronic control system. This allows the existing vehicle braking system to perform the additional function of trailer stability control, eliminating the need for separate trailer ABS and ESP systems.
3Loss of time
If braking force is increased to reduce stopping distance, then stopping time decreases, but stability worsens due to excessive braking
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system dynamically adjusts the deceleration rate based on real-time vehicle and trailer conditions. The controller continuously monitors vehicle parameters and modifies the braking force applied to the towing vehicle to prevent trailer swinging while achieving necessary deceleration, making the braking process adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the braking parameter (deceleration rate) dynamically based on road conditions, vehicle load, and trailer configuration. Rather than applying a fixed high braking force, the controller adjusts the deceleration parameter in real-time to optimize the balance between stopping distance and stability, preventing trailer swinging while achieving reasonable stopping times.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a vehicle using the method, and a system using the method, of controlling the vehicle configured to tow a trailer. The method includes determining first and second vehicle parameters indicative of first and second conditions of the vehicle, and determining a trailer presence from at least one of the first and second vehicle parameters. The method also includes updating the first vehicle parameter when the trailer is present, generating a third vehicle parameter, and determining first and second braking control parameters from the first, second, and third vehicle parameters. The first braking control parameter corresponds to at least one of the second and third vehicle parameters, and the second braking control parameter correspond to at least one of the first and second vehicle parameters. The method can further include generating a braking signal based on one of the first and second braking control parameters.