Technical Papers and Presentations

Most technical systems become smart over time, therefore those systems will have improved safety and comfort functions. An example is a new development by Westfalia-Automotive. A new generation of smart tow bars, equipped with a sensor system, including distance sensors, is able to inform the driver of a car with a connected trailer about vertical and trailing loads. This helps to ensure a safety load distribution and to avoid overloading. The presented investigation focuses on the deformation of the tow bar, caused by thermal influences and the thereby occurring distance change at the measure points of the sensors.