Vehicle Leveling Assembly Using Multi-Axis Sensing and Mobile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic vehicle leveling systems rely on two-axis tilt sensors providing analog signals, which are limited in accurately controlling the attitude of large structures like recreational vehicles, as they do not effectively account for complex angular orientations across multiple axes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-axis digital sensor system that includes a controller and a remote device for wireless communication, using 3-axis or 6-axis sensors to provide digital feedback for extending or retracting jacks to adjust the structure's attitude accurately along multiple axes, incorporating adaptive filtering and security features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-axis tilt sensors providing analog signals are used for automatic vehicle leveling, then the system can provide basic feedback for controller operation, but the measurement precision and accuracy of angular orientation is insufficient for complex multi-axis attitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-axis analog tilt sensors to three-axis digital accelerometers and gyroscopes, changing the measurement parameters from two dimensions to three dimensions and from analog to digital signals. This enables accurate measurement of pitch, roll, and yaw angles, resolving the measurement precision limitation while the digital nature simplifies signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tilt sensors with electronic inertial measurement units (IMUs) comprising digital accelerometers and gyroscopes. This substitution enables more precise angular orientation detection through electronic means, allowing accurate multi-axis attitude measurement without the mechanical limitations of traditional tilt sensors.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-axis digital sensors are implemented for precise attitude control, then the leveling accuracy improves, but the device complexity and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the multi-axis digital sensor continuously provides digital signals about the vehicle's angular orientation to the controller. The controller processes this feedback and adjusts the jack positions accordingly, enabling precise automatic leveling. The wireless communication interface allows real-time monitoring and control, maintaining accuracy while reducing physical wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: processing data from multi-axis digital sensors, calculating angular orientations, controlling multiple jacks, and providing wireless communication interfaces. This multi-functionality consolidates system complexity into a single intelligent control unit rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication interfaces are added to remote devices for user control, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability and security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle leveling system. This interface allows users to remotely monitor and control jack operations through a mobile device, significantly improving ease of operation. The system handles security and reliability through authenticated communication protocols and controlled data transmission, maintaining trust while enabling remote access.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for correcting an attitude of at least a selected portion of a structure, where the assembly includes a controller affixed to a structure operatively coupled with one or more jacks operable to change the attitude of the structure; and a remote device configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller to change the attitude of a selected portion of the structure. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting an attitude of a movable structure.