Vehicle Light Control System for Boat Trailer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Landing a boat on a trailer submerged in water is challenging due to waves and wind, and existing light control systems do not provide effective visual cues to help drivers align the boat properly, often resulting in multiple unsuccessful attempts.
Innovation Solution
A light control system in a vehicle that uses a rear-facing camera and LIDAR sensors to determine the boat's trajectory and distance, selectively illuminating brake and reverse lights to guide the boat driver by flashing lights at varying rates based on the boat's alignment with the trailer's longitudinal axis and distance from the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing light control systems are used, then the vehicle can provide basic lighting functions, but they do not provide effective visual cues to help drivers align the boat properly
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the boat's position relative to the trailer using a rear-facing camera and LIDAR sensors, then provides real-time feedback through selective illumination of brake lights. The brake lights flash at different rates depending on the boat's alignment status, creating a closed-loop feedback system that guides the driver to properly align the boat with the trailer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variations in light illumination patterns (flashing rates of brake lights) to convey different alignment states. By changing the temporal pattern of the brake lights based on the boat's position, the system provides intuitive visual information to the driver about alignment status without requiring additional colored lights.
2Reliability
If multiple unsuccessful attempts are made to land the boat, then the driver may eventually succeed, but time and effort are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment guidance before the boat actually contacts the trailer. By providing continuous visual feedback during the approach and alignment phases, the system enables the driver to make corrections in advance, preventing unsuccessful landing attempts rather than correcting problems after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from the camera and LIDAR system allows the driver to see alignment status continuously during the approach, enabling timely corrections and reducing the number of unsuccessful attempts needed to achieve proper boat landing.
3Measurement precision
If the boat driver relies on spotting instructions, then alignment may be achieved, but errors associated with improper steering or spotting instructions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the driver to self-guide the boat alignment using visual feedback from the vehicle's brake lights. This eliminates the need for external spotters and reduces coordination complexity, while maintaining or improving alignment accuracy through objective sensor-based feedback rather than subjective human judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/communication-based spotting method with an automated optical feedback system. Instead of relying on verbal instructions and human coordination, the system uses camera and LIDAR sensors combined with visual light signals to provide precise alignment guidance directly to the driver.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system helps the boat driver align the boat correctly by providing clear visual cues, reducing the number of unsuccessful attempts and eliminating errors associated with improper steering or spotting instructions.
Implementation Method 1
a distance module is configured to determine the distance between the boat and the vehicle based on light imaging and ranging (LIDAR) signals from rearward facing LIDAR sensors of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A trajectory module is configured to determine a trajectory of a boat located in water behind a trailer that is hitched to a vehicle based on an image behind the vehicle captured using a rear facing camera of the vehicle. An illuminating module is configured to turn a right brake light of the vehicle ON and OFF when the trajectory of the boat is left of a longitudinal axis of the trailer and to turn a left brake light of the vehicle ON and OFF when the trajectory of the boat is right of the longitudinal axis of the trailer.