Articulated Joint Sensor Swivel for Lateral Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with articulated joints, such as trucks and dump trucks, face challenges in reliably detecting objects in their lateral area due to the changing detection zone caused by the relative movement of the driver's cab and trailer, especially when the vehicle is turning or moving at different speeds.
Innovation Solution
A sensor is mounted on the articulated joint that can swivel horizontally and vertically based on the angle of articulation and travel speed, allowing it to adjust its detection area to ensure consistent object detection in three dimensions when moving and two dimensions when stationary, preventing overlapping detection zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is attached to the driver's cab, then the sensor can detect objects to the side of the vehicle, but the detected area changes depending on how the driver's cab changes relative to the semi-trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is mounted on the articulated joint and configured to swivel, making it dynamic rather than fixed. This allows the sensor to adapt its detection area based on the relative position between the driver's cab and semi-trailer, ensuring consistent object detection accuracy regardless of articulation angle changes
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor's swivel position is controlled based on feedback about the relative position of the driver's cab and semi-trailer. This feedback mechanism ensures the sensor maintains optimal detection coverage by adjusting its orientation in response to changes in the vehicle configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor swivels to adapt to articulation angle changes, then the detection area remains consistent, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated joint structure serves multiple functions: it connects the driver's cab to the semi-trailer while also providing a mounting platform for the sensor. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by utilizing existing structural elements rather than adding separate dedicated mounting mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated joint acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's structural components and the sensor. By mounting the sensor on this intermediate structure, the system achieves adaptive detection coverage without requiring direct integration into either the driver's cab or semi-trailer, simplifying the overall mounting architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising an articulated joint and a sensor arranged on the articulated joint and configured to detect a lateral area of the vehicle. The sensor is configured to be swiveled in order to change a sensed area.