Improve handling and manoeuvrability of an electrically driven semi-trailers

Most trailer units currently lack a drivetrain to assist the truck. Given that trailers carry heavy loads, significant power is required to propel them especially during acceleration. Equipping trailers with an electric powertrain can help support the truck during traction and regenerate energy during braking, reducing emissions and energy consumption. This also is in line with the CO2 emissions goal of the European Green Deal for heavy duty vehicles . By utilizing a king-pin, the e-trailer can determine the level of support needed, making it fully independent.
Currently, a measurement system for measuring forces on the king-pin is being developed. Using the information of forces, the support by the e-trailer during traction can be defined along with the recaptured energy during braking. Although, it will work in longitudinal direction but has its limitations when a lateral force is acting; like during cornering, road camber, turning etc. In reality, vehicles do not only drive in straight line, so dynamics of the vehicle have a significance role. If the support provided by e-trailer during lateral movement of the vehicle is not controlled, it may have an effect on the general ride and handling outside the longitudinal scenarios and in extreme cases lead to dangerous situations (like jack-knifing). Thus, for refine and safe drivability of the truck-e-trailer combination additional information on the manoeuvring status of the truck e-trailer combination is required. This added information will improvise controllability of the e-trailer and provide a safety net over the already defined e-trailer controls in a longitudinal direction, making basic movements involving lateral direction possible.
It is proposed to integrate the articulation angle information, such that the complex electro-mechanical system of the e-tailer driveline can recognize the dynamic movements to help refine the control and ensure safety. Validation will be performed in Hardware-in-loop environment.