Camera Mirror Awareness Lines for Hidden Trailer Wheel Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera mirror systems for commercial vehicles fail to track the position of trailer wheels when they are hidden due to low trailer angles, which is crucial for maintaining driver awareness and supporting semi-automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that estimates trailer wheel positions using a best fit curve generated from clustered wheel detection data, allowing continuous tracking even when wheels are hidden, and adjusts awareness lines based on trailer angle changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wheel tracking is performed using camera mirror system, then driver awareness of wheel position is improved, but tracking becomes impossible when wheels are hidden due to low trailer angles
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary mathematical model (best fit curve) to estimate wheel positions when direct visual detection is impossible. This curve acts as a mediator between visible wheel positions and hidden wheel positions, allowing continuous tracking by interpolating from detected positions to predicted positions during periods when wheels are not visible in the camera view
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously detecting and storing wheel positions when visible, building up a dataset and establishing a best fit curve in advance. This preliminary detection and model creation enables the system to later estimate positions when wheels are hidden, ensuring continuous tracking availability without real-time visual contact
2Loss of information
If awareness lines are adjusted for low trailer angles, then driver awareness of trailer end position is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The awareness line system is self-adjusting based on trailer angle sensor data. The system automatically calculates and repositions awareness lines without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The controller performs the adjustment computation and display modification autonomously, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved position awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The awareness lines are made dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting their position and orientation based on real-time trailer angle measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain accuracy across varying operating conditions without requiring multiple fixed configurations or complex manual adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing a trailer end line for a tractor-trailer includes determining a fixed point on a tractor, determining a trailer angle of a trailer, determining a trailer line that is arranged at the trailer angle from the fixed point, determining an intersection point between the trailer line and a trajectory of a reference point on the trailer, determining a trailer end point along the trailer line and offset from the intersection point, and displaying a trailer end awareness line based upon the determined trailer end point.