Air Deflector Panel Positioning by Camera-Detected Trailer Marks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting air deflectors on vehicles, such as trucks and truck-trailer combinations, often result in incorrect settings due to driver neglect, leading to increased fuel consumption and safety concerns during manual adjustments while driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a movable air deflector panel, a camera monitoring system, and a lighting device that projects a mark on the trailer, allowing the controller to compare the detected mark with a reference mark to automatically adjust the panel's position for optimal airflow, thereby reducing air resistance and improving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of air deflectors is performed by the driver, then the driver can adjust the settings according to vehicle configuration, but the driver becomes distracted from primary driving tasks which interferes with safety aspects
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector adjustment system performs self-service by automatically detecting vehicle configuration parameters (truck height, trailer height, distance between tractor and trailer) and adjusting the air deflector settings without driver intervention. The system uses sensors to gather geometric data and automatically positions the air deflectors according to stored optimal settings, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining proper aerodynamic configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, microprocessors, and actuators. Instead of the driver manually positioning the air deflectors, the system employs electronic detection of vehicle geometry and automated mechanical adjustment through motorized actuators, substituting human operation with an automated electromechanical system.
2Loss of energy
If the driver adjusts air deflectors according to tabular data, then the air resistance can be reduced, but the driver often neglects to adjust the air deflectors so that they are not or wrongly adjusted, which significantly increases driving cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle configuration parameters through sensors and comparing detected values with stored optimal settings. The system receives feedback from geometric sensors about the current vehicle setup and automatically adjusts air deflector positions to match the optimal configuration, ensuring consistent energy efficiency without relying on driver memory or manual table lookup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing optimal air deflector settings for various vehicle configurations in memory before operation. When a specific truck-trailer combination is detected, the system retrieves the pre-calculated optimal settings and applies them automatically, eliminating the need for real-time calculation or manual reference to adjustment tables during vehicle operation.
3Reliability
If automated systems are used to adjust air deflectors, then driving safety is improved by eliminating driver distraction, but the device complexity increases with additional sensors, controllers and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The automated adjustment system achieves universality by using a multi-functional controller that integrates sensor data acquisition, geometric parameter calculation, and actuator control functions. The same control unit that manages other vehicle functions is utilized for air deflector adjustment, and the sensor system serves multiple purposes including vehicle configuration detection and adjustment verification, reducing the need for dedicated separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising a camera monitoring system, which includes a camera arranged on supporting arm mounted on a cab, to provide captured image of area located rearward of cab; at least one lighting device which is mounted on an air deflector panel and which is configured to form a mark on a load or the trailer, the mark being positioned to be at least partially detectable by the camera and the mark depending on the current position of the air deflector panel; and a controller configured to determine the current position of the air deflector panel relative to an optimal position thereof by comparing the mark at least partially detected by the camera with a reference mark corresponding to the optimal position of the air deflector panel and configured to control an actuator to adjust the position of the air deflector panel from its current position to its optimal position.