System and method for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination

Abstract

A system for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination. The system comprises at least one torque generating component for inducing movements of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer; a control unit configured to, during driving of the vehicle combination, activate the torque generating component and apply a pre-determined control action to the torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer; and at least one detection unit configured to detect the resulting oscillations of the trailer, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on the detected resulting oscillations, determine one or more properties of the trailer. The invention also relates to a probing method.

Claims

1. A system for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination, the system comprising: at least one torque generating component for inducing movements of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer, a control unit configured to, during driving of the heavy-duty vehicle combination, activate the at least one torque generating component and apply a predetermined control action to the at least one torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer from a non-oscillating state to an oscillating state, and at least one detection unit configured to detect the resulting oscillations of the trailer, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on the detected resulting oscillations, determine one or more properties of the trailer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined control action is associated with a predetermined oscillation model of the trailer which excludes natural oscillations of the trailer, wherein the predetermined oscillation model of the trailer is selected from a plurality of predetermined oscillation models, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine the one or more properties of the trailer by comparing the detected resulting oscillations with the selected predetermined oscillation model.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the predetermined control action applied by the control unit is selected such that an amplitude of the selected predetermined oscillation model is less than 1 relative to the yaw axis of the trailer.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the one or more properties of the trailer by comparing a frequency of the resulting oscillations of the trailer with a corresponding frequency of the selected predetermined oscillation model.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more properties of the trailer are one or more of a yaw natural frequency of the trailer, a roll natural frequency of the trailer, and a location of the centre of gravity of the trailer.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a hitch assembly configured to be mounted on the towing vehicle, wherein the at least one torque generating component comprises the hitch assembly, wherein the hitch assembly comprises a movable hitch to which the trailer is configured to be connected, wherein the predetermined control action by the control unit comprises moving the hitch back and forth in parallel with a pitch axis of the towing vehicle so as to achieve an oscillating movement of the movable hitch, and wherein the oscillating movement of the movable hitch is transmitted to the trailer, thereby exciting oscillations of the trailer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one torque generating component is a wheel torque generating component, and wherein the predetermined control action by the control unit comprises alternatingly and repeatedly activating and deactivating the wheel torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the wheel torque generating component is a brake or an electric machine, operatively connected to one or more wheels of the trailer, and configured to provide torque to the one or more wheels.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a dolly configured to be connected to the towing vehicle, wherein the trailer is configured to be towed by the towing vehicle via the dolly, wherein the at least one torque generating component is a wheel torque generating component, and wherein the predetermined control action by the control unit comprises alternatingly and repeatedly activating and deactivating the wheel torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the wheel torque generating component is a brake or an electric machine, operatively connected to one or more wheels of the trailer, and configured to provide torque to the one or more wheels.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a steerable dolly configured to be connected to the towing vehicle, wherein the trailer is configured to be towed by the towing vehicle via the steerable dolly, wherein the at least one torque generating component is an actuator configured to turn steerable wheels of the steerable dolly, and wherein the predetermined control action by the control unit comprises controlling the actuator to alternatingly and repeatedly turn the steerable wheels to the left and to the right so as to excite oscillations to the trailer.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one detection unit comprises one or more of: (i) an image capturing unit configured to be mounted on the towing vehicle, (ii) a wave emitter and a wave receiver for receiving a reflected wave configured to be mounted on the towing vehicle, and (iii) an inertial sensor configured to be mounted on the trailer.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one detection unit comprises the image capturing unit, and the image capturing unit comprises a camera.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one detection unit comprises the wave emitter and wave receiver for receiving the reflected wave, wherein the wave emitter and wave receiver form part of a LIDAR, radar, or ultrasonic detector.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one detection unit comprises the inertial sensor, the inertial sensor being an inertial measurement unit (IMU) or a gyroscope.

16. A heavy-duty vehicle combination comprising the system of claim 1.

17. A method for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination, the method comprising: inducing movement of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer by means of at least one torque generating component, during driving of the heavy-duty vehicle combination, activating the at least one torque generating component and applying a predetermined control action to the at least one torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer from a non-oscillating state to an oscillating state, detecting the resulting oscillations of the trailer by means of at least one detection unit, and determining, based on the detected resulting oscillations, one or more properties of the trailer.

18. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 17 when the computer program is run on a computer.

19. A control unit for probing properties of the trailer towed by the towing vehicle in the heavy-duty vehicle combination, the control unit being configured to perform the method of claim 17.

20. A system for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination, the system comprising: an electronic control unit configured to: apply, during driving of the heavy-duty vehicle combination, a predetermined control action to excite oscillations of the trailer about a yaw axis from a non-oscillating state, the predetermined control action comprising at least one of (i) alternatingly moving a hitch towards opposite sides of the towing vehicle, or (ii) alternatingly controlling wheel torque on opposite sides of the towing vehicle, and receive, from a detector of the towing vehicle, resulting oscillations of the trailer, determine, based on the applied predetermined control action and the detected resulting oscillations, one or more properties of the trailer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 illustrates a heavy-duty vehicle combination in which a system for probing properties of a trailer may be implemented, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates another heavy-duty vehicle combination in which a system for probing properties of a trailer may be implemented, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

(5) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a heavy-duty vehicle combination in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

(6) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates components of a system for probing properties of a trailer in the heavy-duty vehicle combination of FIG. 3, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

(7) FIG. 5 schematically illustrates components of a system in accordance with at least another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

(8) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a method in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

(9) FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a control unit according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a computer program product according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a trailer with reference to an example of how to determine the height of the centre of gravity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(12) The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain aspects of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and aspects set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

(13) FIG. 1 illustrates a heavy-duty vehicle combination 10 in which a system for probing properties of a trailer may be implemented, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The heavy-duty vehicle combination 10 comprises a towing vehicle 12 and a trailer 14 which is towed by the towing vehicle 12. The towing vehicle 12 is here illustrated in the form of a truck, and the trailer 14 is illustrated in the form of a full trailer.

(14) FIG. 2 illustrates another heavy-duty vehicle combination 20 in which a system for probing properties of a trailer may be implemented, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The heavy-duty vehicle combination 20 comprises a towing vehicle 22, again illustrated in the form of a truck. The heavy-duty vehicle combination 20 also comprises a trailer 24 in the form of a semi-trailer and a dolly, such as a steerable dolly 26. The trailer 24 is connected to the steerable dolly 26, which in turn is connected to the towing vehicle 22.

(15) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a heavy-duty vehicle combination 30 in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, and will be the starting point for a more detailed and exemplifying discussion of the inventive system of this disclosure. Similarly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heavy-duty vehicle combination 30 comprises a trailer 34 towed by a towing vehicle 32. The trailer 34 may comprise or have a drawbar 36 attached to it, and the drawbar 36 may in turn be connected to a hitch 38 at the rear of the towing vehicle 32.

(16) In FIG. 3 there is also illustrated the different geometrical axes of a vehicle (for example of the trailer 34). The roll axis x runs in the longitudinal direction of the trailer 34, from rear to front. The pitch axis y runs in the transverse direction of the trailer 34, from the right side to the left side of the trailer 34. The yaw axis z runs in the height direction of the trailer 34, from the ground and up through the roof of the trailer 34 (in the illustration the yaw axis z extends perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing). The three axes x, y, z extend perpendicularly to each other.

(17) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates components of a system 50 for probing properties of a trailer, such as the trailer 34 in the heavy-duty vehicle combination 30 of FIG. 3, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an enlarged view of the hitch 38 of the towing vehicle 36. An electric actuator 52 (e.g. including a lead screw) is provided for changing the position of the hitch 38 in a direction parallel to the pitch axes y. The hitch 38 and the electric actuator 52 may be comprised in a hitch assembly which in turn may be comprised in or may represent a torque generating component 38, 52. A purpose of this torque generating component 38, 52 is to induce movements of the trailer 34 relative to the yaw axis z of the trailer 34. In addition to the torque generating component 38, 52, the system also comprises a control unit 54. The control unit 54 is configured to, during driving of the heavy-duty vehicle combination 30, activate the torque generating component 38, 52 so as to excite oscillations of the trailer 34. In the illustrated example, the control unit 54 may thus control the electric actuator 52 to move the hitch 38 alternatingly towards the left and right sides of the towing vehicle 32, in order to create a small amplitude control action of the hitch 38, which via the drawbar 36 will be propagated to the trailer 34 which will therefore also oscillate. The oscillations may be of a small amplitude, for example less than 1 relative to the yaw axis z.

(18) It should be understood that the general principal of using a torque generating component and applying a predetermined control action to that torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer may be achieved in various ways, and that a linear electronic actuator such as the one schematically shown in FIG. 4 is just an illustrative non-limiting example. Another conceivable way to move the hitch 38 would, for instance, be in small rotary movements, alternatingly clockwise/anti-clockwise, using an electronic rotary actuator. Further examples of torque generating components will be discussed in connection with FIG. 5.

(19) Continuing with FIG. 4, the system 50 further comprises at least one detection unit 56 configured to detect the resulting oscillations of the trailer 34. The control unit 54 is configured to, based on the detected resulting oscillations, determine one or more properties of the trailer 34. The detection unit 56 may in some exemplary embodiments comprise an image capturing unit configured to be mounted on the towing vehicle 32. Such an image capturing unit may be a camera. In some exemplary embodiments, the detection unit 56 may be comprise a wave emitter and a wave receiver for receiving a reflected wave. The emitter/receiver may be configured to be mounted on the towing vehicle 32, and may for instance form part of a Lidar, radar or ultrasonic detector. In some exemplary embodiments, the detection unit 56 may comprise an inertial sensor configured to be mounted on the trailer 34. The inertial sensor may for instance comprise an IMU or a gyroscope.

(20) FIG. 5 schematically illustrates components of a system 60 in accordance with at least another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. FIG. 5 illustrates a wheel axle 100 of a trailer. It may, for instance, be a front wheel axle of the trailer. The wheel axle 100 carries a left wheel 102 and a right wheel 104. In FIG. 5 there are also schematically illustrated four torque generating components 62, 64, 66, 68, in particular four wheel torque generating components 62, 64, 66, 68, which may form part of the system 60. The four wheel torque generating components 62, 64, 66, 68 include two wheel brakes 62, 64 (for example disk brakes or drum brakes) for providing braking torque to the wheels 102, 104. Each wheel brake 62, 64 is operatively engageable with a respective one of the left wheel 102 and right wheel 104. Furthermore, the two remaining wheel torque generating components are electric machines 66, 68 for providing propulsion torque to the wheels 102, 104. Each electric machine 66, 68 is operatively engageable with a respective one of the left wheel 102 and right wheel 104.

(21) It should be understood that although four wheel torque generating components 62, 64, 66, 68 are illustrated in FIG. 5, in other exemplary embodiments, there may be fewer. For instance, the two electric machines 66, 68 may be omitted in some exemplary embodiments. In other exemplary embodiments the brakes 62, 64 may be omitted for the illustrated axle 100, or not used for oscillation-exciting control action.

(22) In the case of the torque generating component being a wheel torque generating component as the ones illustrated in FIG. 5, the control action by the control unit (such as a control unit 54 as in FIG. 4) may comprise alternatingly and repeatedly activating and deactivating the wheel torque generating component so as to excite oscillation of the trailer. In particular, in exemplary embodiments in which a left wheel and a right wheel of a common wheel axle, each have an associated wheel torque generating components, the activating and deactivating may suitable be alternated between the wheels. For instance, with reference to FIG. 5, in exemplary embodiments in which a left brake 62 and a right brake 64 are implemented as said wheel torque generating component, the control unit may activate the left brake 62 while the right brake 64 is deactivated and then activate the right brake 64 while deactivating the left brake 62. Such alternating braking is repeated to excite the oscillations of the trailer. The actual braking torque of the control action is suitably small enough to avoid causing any concern to the driver. Similarly, in case of using electric machines 66, 68 in the control action, then the electric machines 66, 68 will alternatingly be activated to provide a driving torque to the left wheel 102 and right wheel 104 alternatingly. Although not illustrated in FIG. 5, it should be understood that a control unit, which may suitably be located at the towing vehicle, may similarly to the schematic illustration in FIG. 4, be arranged in operative communication with any wheel torque generating component located at the trailer (such as the wheel torque generating components 62, 64, 66, 68 in FIG. 5). Furthermore, any suitable detection unit for detecting the trailer response to the control action may be used, such as those previously discussed in this disclosure.

(23) In addition to the examples discussed in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, it should be understood that in heavy-duty vehicle combinations which include a steerable dolly, such as the steerable dolly 26 in FIG. 2, the torque generating component may be an actuator configured to turn steerable wheels of the steerable dolly (such as via a wheel axle of the steerable dolly). In such case the predetermined control action by the control unit may comprise controlling the actuator to alternatingly and repeatedly turning the steerable wheels left and right so as to excite oscillations to the connected trailer. In other exemplary embodiments, there may be provided wheel torque generating components at a wheel axle of the steerable dolly and the predetermined control action may correspond to that discussed in connection with FIG. 5. Such wheel torque generating components and associated predetermined control action may also be implemented for a non-steerable dolly. Thus, in at least some exemplary embodiments, FIG. 5 may be considered to illustrate a wheel axle of a dolly, such as a steerable dolly or a non-steerable dolly.

(24) The predetermined control action applied by the control unit (such as control unit 54 in FIG. 4) may suitably be associated with a predetermined oscillation model of the trailer. Such a predetermined oscillation model may exclude natural oscillations of the trailer, wherein the control unit may be configured to determine said one or more properties of the trailer by comparing the detected resulting oscillations with the predetermined oscillation model. The control unit may be configured to determine said one or more properties of the trailer by comparing a frequency, amplitude, phase or other signal attribute of the resulting oscillation of the trailer with a corresponding frequency, amplitude phase or other signal attribute of said predetermined oscillation model, such as comparing the oscillations about the yaw axis and/or comparing the oscillations about the roll axis. As explained previously in this disclosure, the property or properties of the trailer may be the yaw natural frequency of the trailer, the roll natural frequency of the trailer and the location of the centre of gravity of the trailer (in particular the height of the centre of gravity of the trailer).

(25) As previously explained, by being able to probe such properties of the trailer, the values thereof may be of use for subsequent safety measures. For instance, a vehicle controller may use this to calculate a maximum speed through a certain curve to avoid rollover of the trailer.

(26) As also previously explained, the centre of gravity may suitably be determined via determination of the roll natural frequency. With reference to FIG. 9, an example of such a determination will now be discussed.

(27) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a trailer with reference to an example of how to determine the height of the centre of gravity. The roll axis x extends in the longitudinal direction of the trailer, as already explained. The detailed relationship between the height of the centre of gravity and the roll natural frequency depends on a range of parameters, including frame compliance and suspension geometry, which is why simulation or testing should suitably be carried out in order to establish the mapping (lookup tables). On the other hand, the underlying physics can be represented in a simple model. In FIG. 9, the mass centre G of the trailer plus load is indicated, as is the height h.sub.1 above the roll axis x, which is in turn at a height h.sub.R above ground (at the longitudinal position of G).

(28) If I.sub.R is the roll moment of inertia of the loaded trailer about the roll axis x and is the roll angle of the trailer, then the roll dynamics are governed by the differential equation
I.sub.R{umlaut over ()}+C{dot over ()}+K=L
where C and K represent the roll damping and roll stiffness of the suspension respectively, and L is any applied roll moment. The (undamped) natural frequency f.sub.n is given by

(29) $f_n=\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{K}{I_R}}$
which is in turn influenced by the value of h.sub.1 according to
I.sub.R=I.sub.G+Mh.sub.1.sup.2

(30) Here I.sub.G is the roll moment of inertia about the mass centre. The overall height of the mass centre above ground is
h.sub.G=h.sub.R+h.sub.1

(31) The strong coupling between h.sub.G, via I.sub.R to the natural frequency f.sub.n is clearly shown.

(32) The above analysis includes certain simplifications, such as the effect of damping on the measured frequency, also the influence of trailer load distribution about its centre of gravity. Such detailed influences are to be included in the simulation-based mapping of natural frequency to applied disturbance.

(33) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a method 600 in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination, the method 600 comprising: in a step S1, inducing movement of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer by means of at least one torque generating component, in a step S2, during driving of the vehicle combination, activating the torque generating component and applying a pre-determined control action to the torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer, in a step S3, detecting the resulting oscillations of the trailer by means of at least one detection unit, and in a step S4, determining, based on the detected resulting oscillations, one or more properties of the trailer.

(34) It should be understood that the listing of steps does not mean that they need to be performed in the consecutive order of the list. For instance, steps S1 and S2 may suitably be performed simultaneously. In fact, step S2 may be initiated before step S1.

(35) Suitably, the method 600 may be implemented by using a system for probing properties of a trailer in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

(36) FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a control unit 54 according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a control unit 54 according to exemplary embodiments of the discussions herein. The control unit 54 may be comprised in any heavy-duty vehicle combination disclosed herein, such as anyone those illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Processing circuitry 710 may be provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit CPU, multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor DSP, etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product, e.g. in the form of a storage medium 730. The processing circuitry 710 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit ASIC, or field programmable gate array FPGA.

(37) Particularly, the processing circuitry 710 is configured to cause the control unit 54 to perform a set of operations, or steps, such as the method discussed in connection to FIG. 6 and exemplary embodiments thereof discussed throughout this disclosure. For example, the storage medium 730 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 710 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 730 to cause the control unit 54 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus, the processing circuitry 710 is thereby arranged to execute exemplary methods as herein disclosed.

(38) The storage medium 730 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example may be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

(39) The control unit 54 may further comprise an interface 720 for communications with at least one external device such as the detection units and torque generating components discussed herein. As such, the interface 720 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components and a suitable number of ports for wireline or wireless communication.

(40) The processing circuitry 710 controls the general operation of the control unit 54, e.g. by sending data and control signals to the interface 720 and the storage medium 730, by receiving data and reports from the interface 720, and by retrieving data and instructions form the storage medium 730. The storage medium 730 may have a plurality of stored predetermined oscillation models, as discussed elsewhere in this disclosure. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the control unit 54 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

(41) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a computer program product 800 according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a computer readable medium 810 carrying a computer program comprising program code means 820 for performing the methods exemplified in FIG. 6, when said program product is run on a computer. The computer readable medium 810 and the program code means 820 may together form the computer program product 800.