Blind spot monitoring apparatus for a trailer connected to a tow vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a blind spot monitoring apparatus for a trailer (2) connected to a tow vehicle (1) with a passenger compartment (10), which has cameras (3) in operational connection with an image visualising and display unit (11) located in the passenger compartment (10). The essence of the invention is that there is at least one camera (3) on each of the four sides of the trailer (2).

Description

[0001] Blind spot monitoring apparatus for a trailer connected to a tow vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a blind spot monitoring apparatus intended for use with a trailer connected to a tow vehicle , which has cameras that are operatively connected to an image visualising and display unit located in the passenger compartment .

[0003] It is well known that vehicles participating in road traf fic, including trucks , are in many cases already equipped with safety blind spot monitoring systems , the use of which is already mandatory in several EU countries , but from next year their use will become mandatory in even more places .

[0004] These blind spot monitoring systems , which operate with cameras or sensors that emit an audible warning, or in some cases a combination of both, basically monitor the area in front of and to the side of the driver' s compartment , and in some cases the area behind the truck, and their accident prevention and safety functions are generally reliable .

[0005] However, road traf fic involves a large number of trailers pulled by tow vehicles , for which there is no solution for monitoring the blind spot of the trailer, which is the greatest source of accident risk, however, due to their length and speci fic design, trailers deviate from the lateral plane of the tow vehicle , and as a result of their turning characteristics , which involve a larger arc than that of the tow vehicle , they pose a serious danger to both their surroundings and other road users .

[0006] We note that in this description, the term „trailer" is to be understood in its most general sense as trailers that are unable to move under their own power and can only be moved by a tow vehicle, i.e. from trailers to extremely large and / or specially shaped trailers, or any structures suitable for transport that fall within the above definition.

[0007] At present, it is impossible to achieve complete, 360-degree surveillance of the area around a trailer, as the sensors located in or near the driver' s compartment of the tow vehicles equipped with blind spot monitoring apparatus are only capable of detecting the area next to the compartment but not the area in front of, behind, or beside the trailer, which can be up to 15-25 metres long and 4-6 metres wide, and in this case we are referring only to an average trailer.

[0008] Although this area is visible to the driver through the external rear-view mirrors and rear-view cameras in the driver's compartment when driving straightforward, but when turning left, for example, or when driving forwards or backwards in a curve, the trailer, for example the inward trailer-part from the right-hand front corner of the trailer, obscures the field of vision, meaning that the right side and rear of the trailer are no longer visible from the driver' s compartment .

[0009] This area is therefore a „blind" spot, as the driver cannot see the curve travelled by the trailer from the driver's compartment, i.e. any obstacles or hazards that may be in the way, such as cars, pedestrians or even parked vehicles. In such cases, the safe execution of the manoeuvre depends solely on the driver's experience and judgement.

[0010] It should be noted that the currently used devices, rear-view mirrors and rear-view cameras, are not sufficient on their own in the case of oversized (wider) loads or tarpaulins with uneven sides that bulge with cargo , but even in normal circumstances , such as when turning at a crossroads , they are not always suf ficient , because although external side mirrors , cameras have this function, but in poor visibility conditions , for example , the driver may not notice another vehicle in the traf fic, such as one that is unlit , suddenly arrive , or has poor visibility, as there is nothing to warn the driver of the danger, which could lead to a serious accident .

[0011] Patent speci fication No . CN 118284542 A relates to a solution aimed at eliminating the problems detailed above , which includes a system that assists the driver of a tow vehicle towing a trailer, which uses sensors to record and transmit images from the area behind the driver ' s compartment to the driver . The disadvantage of the system is that it does not cover the entire area behind the driver ' s compartment , so the driver does not receive suf ficient information about it .

[0012] According to descriptions WO 2024188567 Al , DE 102010032411 Al and WO 2024123589 Al , cameras mounted on a towed trailer help to eliminate blind spots behind and beside the trailer, However, even this solution cannot ensure all-round visibility of the trailer ' s surroundings .

[0013] The task to be solved by the invention is to provide a blind spot monitoring system that can be moved by a tow vehicle and ensures visibility of the entire surroundings of the trailer, which assists in the continuous monitoring of blind spots with real-time image display .

[0014] The invention is based on the recognition that at least one camera on each of the four sides of the trailer, i . e . a total of at least four cameras , can ensure visibility of the entire circular environment of the trailer . We also recognised that although a minimum of four cameras provide the driver with an excellent view of simpler, relatively small trailers , satis factory coverage can be achieved for trailers of virtually any shape and si ze by installing at least one additional camera, i . e . a total of at least five cameras on the trailer .

[0015] However, we do not exclude the possibility of using more than five cameras for real-time , realistic and distortion- free image display, for which a night vision camera system can also be used .

[0016] We also recognised that we could provide a blind spot monitoring apparatus with an even higher level of safety by supplementing the camera system with proximity sensors , which detect the entire environment of the trailer by activating direction indicators or hazard warning lights ( obstacle indicators ) when a turn is intended, thus alerting the driver with an audible signal to the presence and distance of obj ects , obstacles , and other road users approaching the sides or the front and / or rear of the trailer .

[0017] We also recognised that, as only a small proportion of tow vehicles involved in transport are equipped with factory- fitted or retrofitted blind spot monitoring systems designed for motor vehicles , it is of paramount importance that the blind spot monitoring and loading assistance system described above should be a fully equipped trailer, which, even when connected to older types of tow vehicles that do not yet have their own blind spot monitoring systems , can provide the driver with a complete view of almost the entire tow vehicle and the entire trailer environment . Based on the above recognition, we solved the task at hand with a blind spot monitoring apparatus designed for trailers pulled by tow vehicles , which has cameras connected to an image visualising and display unit located in the passenger compartment , and which is characterised by having at least one camera on each of the four sides of the trailer .

[0018] Therefore , in all cases , the number of cameras necessary to ensure full visibility shall be installed at the front , rear and both sides of the trailer to ensure full visibility . The driver can monitor the camera images on the split screen of a complex reception and display system, which is part of the system, located in the driver ' s compartment and connected to the system components via a detachable electronic connection, thus helping to ensure safe manoeuvring not only in traf fic, but also when parking or reversing .

[0019] This solution makes it easier to ensure 360-degree visibility of the surroundings for relatively small trailers . It is advisable for the trailer to have cameras with a viewing angle of at least 90° .

[0020] For larger trailers , it may be advisable to equip the trailer with at least one additional camera . Depending on the si ze , shape and design of the trailer, it is possible to install a camera system consisting of a larger number of cameras with di f ferent viewing angles and positions , which helps to continuously monitor blind spots with real-time image display .

[0021] In accordance with a further invention criterion, cameras are placed in the corners of the trailer, and it is also advisable for the trailer to be equipped with a night vision camera or cameras . With these solutions , real-time , realistic, distortion- free , full-circle image display can be ensured for a wide variety of trailers .

[0022] According to another embodiment , the trailer has cameras with angles of 90- 160 / 160- 180° and / or 180-360°, so that cameras with the optimum viewing angle can be selected for each speci fic application .

[0023] Another version of the apparatus is characterised by the fact that the trailer has proximity sensors on all four sides that are connected to an image visualising and display unit , with the proximity sensors conveniently placed on the lower part of the trailer, preferably on the lowest plane of the trailer, in the area of the outer points on the side facing the tow vehicle and the outer points on the rear side .

[0024] The proximity sensors measure distances from 3 to 0 meters , and as the distance decreases , they emit a single audible signal at 1 . 5-2 meters , then increasingly frequent signals , and finally a continuous signal within the last 30 cm or so . Thus , it is not only a supplementary element of the blind spot monitoring system, but also performs an important warning function, as it alerts the driver to current events i f they are preoccupied with something else .

[0025] It should be noted that the camera system created by the cameras continuously displays all incoming images from the cameras on the split-screen internal display during the tow vehicle ' s operating time , from start-up to shutdown, while the distance sensors only activate when the turn signals or hazard warning lights are switched on, until they are switched of f . This may also be necessary because most carriers do not work with a permanent trailer / tow vehicle combination, but perform their transport tasks with replacement trailers ( they drop of f the empty trailer at the loading site and then continue on their way with a loaded trailer attached) , so in the early days , this basically rules out the possibility of trailers and tow vehicles equipped with such systems always being connected to each other .

[0026] An example to illustrate the advantages of the proximity sensors is involving the observation of side blind spots of a an 18-meter-long trailer and a tow vehicle with 4 meter cabin length travelling in front of it . I f two cameras with a 130° viewing angle are placed at the front and rear upper corners of the sides of the trailer, which are tilted towards each other at angles of 20 and 35° relative to the vertical position to ensure better utili zation and to ensure adequate camera image overlap, we tilted them towards each other at angles of 20 and 35° relative to the vertical position, then on the sides of the 22 m long vehicle combination, we will have a continuous view of an area 5-7 m wide and 35 m long, regardless of the maneuver we are performing, be it reversing, turning, or simply changing lanes , because the rear cameras , which are synchroni zed with the side cameras with the same viewing angle , make the traf fic behind us visible from a distance of up to 20-25 m even at a viewing angle of 80°- This allows us to quickly spot vehicles approaching at high speed in our lane behind us , which are likely to overtake us at the last moment , thus preventing a potential accident .

[0027] According to a further embodiment , the trailer has ultrasonic and / or radar and / or laser and / or optical and / or infrared and / or lidar sensors .

[0028] Another embodiment of the model features multiple cameras on the front wall of the trailer . It should be noted that the camera or cameras located on the front wall of the trailer, i . e . on the front side , are of particular importance , as they allow us to monitor the blind spots of the tow vehicle turning sideways from under the front of the trailer when cornering, but even in normal circumstances , the presence of the front camera / cameras is essential , as in the case of tighter turns , when the tow vehicle turns at an angle of at least 45 degrees or more from under the front of the trailer the front wall of the trailer and the turning radius it covers are no longer visible from the rearview mirrors or even cameras mounted on the tow vehicle . In this case of course , the tow vehicle needs a complex on-board reception and display unit that is not permanently installed but designed for temporary use and can be quickly and easily attached in the driver ' s compartment , which can be purchased either as part of the system or separately on an individual order basis . This may also be necessary because most carriers do not work with a permanent trailer / tow vehicle combination, but perform their transport tasks with replacement trailers ( they drop of f the empty trailer at the loading site and then continue on their way with a loaded trailer ) , so in the early stages , this basically rules out the possibility of trailers and tow vehicles equipped with such systems always being connected to each other .

[0029] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings , which show preferred embodiments of the apparatus .

[0030] In the figures :

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view to demonstrate the area that a truck driver can see using the currently available space monitoring devices in his vehicle ; Figure 2 shows a schematic top view demonstrating the relative positions of a motor vehicle connected to a trailer when the motor vehicle turns left , illustrating the turning of the trailer on a di f ferent arc and the significantly limited space monitoring capabilities of current space monitoring devices ;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a trailer equipped with cameras and the tow vehicle connected to it , which has an indoor unit ;

[0033] Figure 4 shows the top view of a trailer connected to a tow vehicle , which contains four cameras ;

[0034] Figure 5 shows the observed range of the blind spots of a trailer in side view using a six- camera aparatus ;

[0035] Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of the field of view of a six-camera blind spot monitoring system;

[0036] Figure 7 shows the top view of the field of view of an eight-camera blind spot monitoring system;

[0037] Figure 8 shows a schematic side view of a trailer equipped with proximity sensors and its detection range ;

[0038] Figure 9 shows the top view of the sensors ' detection range ;

[0039] Figure 10 shows the display of reduced field of vision obscured by an oversi zed or non- flat side surface of a trailer in the case of a conventional rearview mirror or a side-by- side camera blind spot monitoring . In Figure 1 , in line with what was presented in the introduction, we show that , according to current practice , a blind spot monitoring sensor mounted outside a T truck, such as a camera, can only monitor the area highlighted with hatching next to the driver ' s compartment of truck T , and cannot detect cyclist K riding close behind on the side of truck T . To monitor the area behind the T truck, a separate camera would need to be installed in the vicinity of its rear .

[0040] Figure 2 shows a top view of a towing motor vehicle 1 , such as a well known tow vehicle , connected to a trailer 2 by a mechanical coupling device la , in a situation where the tow vehicle 1 is turning to the left . Figure 2 clearly shows that , as permitted by the coupling device la, the trailer 2 turns with a delay relative to the vehicle 1 , so the front panel Si of the trailer 2 , which extends inward from the right corner S , completely obscures the driver ' s view of the dim area ti next to the right-hand side long wall S2 of the vehicle , who is monitoring the images provided by the cameras 3 on the image visualising and display unit 11 installed in the driver ' s compartment 10 of the vehicle 1 .

[0041] Figures 3 and 4 show the embodiment of the apparatus , where , in the top view, a rectangular, well known tow vehicle 1 is connected to trailer 2 with a coupling device la, with cameras 3 on each side of the trailer 2 , i . e . a total of four cameras 3 with a minimum angle of 90°, located in the upper plane of the trailer 2 . In Figure 4 , the vehicle 1 turns away from the front of the trailer 2 at an angle greater than 45°, but the areas outlined with blurred thin lines and highlighted in grey i . e . the L field of view sections still ensure the visibility of the entire circular environment of the trailer 2 even in this case .

[0042] In Figures 3-7 , and in the other figures , the areas outlined by thin lines and highlighted in grey are the areas transmitted by the cameras 3 or proximity sensors to the image visualising and display unit 11 , i . e . , to the driver, which overlap at the intersection of the detection areas around the trailer 2 . This overlapping area is marked in a darker color and highlighted in the figures . This overlapping area completely eliminates the possibility of blind spots for the driver in the monitored areas along the trailer . We note that the Li field of view areas highlighted in darker grey are monitored simultaneously by two cameras 3 .

[0043] Figures 5 and 6 show the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in which the trailer 2 is equipped with two cameras on each side and one camera at the front and rear in the vicinity of the four upper corners . The cameras 3 are individually connected to the vehicle ' s 1 driver ' s compartment 10 , the interior image visualising and display unit 11 located in front of the driver, which is either a split-screen, touch- sensitive monitor that provides an enlarged camera image , or a monitor located on the right and left sides of the windshield of the trailer, which display the images from the cameras 3 on both sides of the trailer separately and serve as internal rearview mirrors .

[0044] Figures 5 and 6 also show that the L and Li fields of view ensure visibility of the entire circular environment of the trailer .

[0045] The solution shown in Figure 7 di f fers from those shown in Figures 6 and 7 only in that eight cameras 3 are used here . In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 , the trailer 2 is also equipped with proximity sensors 4 as blind spot monitoring sensors to support the operation of the cameras 3 . Figures 8 and 9 show the general location of these blind spot monitoring proximity sensors and their range of action, indicated by the viewing areas L and Li . The proximity sensors 4 are normally located on the trailer 2 in the lower plane of the trailer in the corner area and in the middle area of the sides . The sensors are logically connected to the image visualising and display unit 11 .

[0046] In Figure 10 , we have shown a trailer 2 carrying oversi zed loads 12 , where the field of view obscured by the loads 12 and highlighted in grey is marked with reference number 13 , and the field of view of the vehicle ' s 1 conventional rearview mirrors 14 or cameras on each side with reference number 15 . It is quite obvious that the field of view observable by the vehicle has been signi ficantly reduced here , and the blind spot has increased signi ficantly .

[0047] The advantage of the invention is that it can ensure blind spot monitoring of trailers of various si zes , shapes , and purposes with maximum ef ficiency .

[0048] Of course , the invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above , but can be implemented in a variety of ways within the scope of protection defined by the claims .

Claims

Claims1. / Blind spot monitoring apparatus for a trailer (2) connected to a tow vehicle (1) with a passenger compartment (10) , which has cameras (3) in operational connection with an image visualising and display unit (11) located in the passenger compartment (10) , characterised in that there is at least one camera (3) on each of the four sides of the trailer (2) .

2. / The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the trailer has at least one additional camera (3) .

3. / The apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the trailer (2) has cameras (3) with a viewing angle of at least 60°.

4. / The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that cameras (3) are located in the area of the corners of the trailer (2) .

5. / The apparatus according to any of items 1 to 4, characterised in that the trailer (2) is equipped with a night vision camera or cameras.

6. / The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the trailer has cameras at 60-160° and / or 160-180° and / or 180-360°.

7. / The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the trailer (2) has proximity sensors (4) on all four sides that are operatively connected to the image visualising and display unit (11) .

8. / The apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the proximity sensors (4) are located on the lower part of the trailer (2) , preferably on the lowest plane of the trailer (2) , in the range of the outer points on the sidefacing the tow vehicle (1) and the outer points on the rear side .

9. / The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the trailer (2) has ultrasonic and / or radar and / or laser and / or optical and / or infrared and / or lidar sensors (4) .

10. / The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that there are multiple cameras (3) on the front wall of the trailer (2) .

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