Wireless Camera Sensor Association for Heavy Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy vehicles face challenges in maneuvering, particularly in reverse directions, due to the impracticality of wired camera systems caused by the excessive cable length required and the need to associate multiple trailer cameras with the correct tractor unit, especially in configurations like road trains.
Innovation Solution
A camera system that includes an electronic control unit, base sensors on the tractor, and remote sensors on trailers, which communicate via RF signals to associate and synchronize camera views, allowing for wireless communication and accurate sensor alignment based on acceleration measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired camera systems are used on heavy vehicles, then camera views can be displayed to assist maneuvering, but the cable length required becomes excessively long and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Sensors on the vehicle and handheld device communicate camera data and sensor information wirelessly, eliminating the need for long cables while maintaining system reliability for displaying camera views to assist with vehicle maneuvering.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple trailer cameras are used in road train configurations, then more comprehensive vehicle coverage is achieved, but the complexity of associating sensors with the correct tractor unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where sensors detect information from multiple trailer cameras and the handheld device, and the electronic control unit processes this feedback to automatically associate the correct sensor data with the appropriate tractor unit. This reduces the complexity of manual association while maintaining comprehensive vehicle coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor association process is made self-service through automatic identification and matching algorithms in the electronic control unit. The system autonomously correlates sensor data from multiple trailers with the correct tractor unit based on detected signals, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration by the operator.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used between sensors and control unit, then cable length issues are resolved, but the precision of sensor association may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having sensors continuously detect and transmit information before association is needed. The electronic control unit pre-processes sensor data and maintains ready-to-associate information, ensuring that when association is required, precise matching can be achieved quickly and accurately without compromising precision despite wireless communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system on a vehicle includes an electronic control unit, a base sensor, on a first portion of the vehicle, and a remote sensor on a second portion of the vehicle. The base sensor and the remote sensor communicate with the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit associates the remote sensor with the base sensor based on respective signals received from the base sensor and the remote sensor representing respective measurements of a first physical quantity by the base sensor and the remote sensor.