Dock-Mounted Camera System for Trailer Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle docking systems, including backup cameras, often fail to provide a comprehensive view of the loading dock area, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in maneuvering large trailers into docking positions, and require reliable communication between tractor and trailer.
Innovation Solution
A vision system comprising remotely mounted cameras with wireless transmitters providing a surround view of the loading dock area, transmitted to a receiver and display in the vehicle, which assists the driver with alignment and guidance during docking, using proximity sensors and automatic enablement features to optimize power usage and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a backup camera is mounted on the trailer to provide a view of the dock, then the driver can see the dock area, but the view may not include important information about the dock itself and requires reliable communication between tractor and trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is extracted from the vehicle and mounted on the dock structure instead. This eliminates the need for complex communication between tractor and trailer, as the camera is now a stationary dock-mounted device that directly provides the video feed to the driver's display.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless transmitter is introduced as an intermediary between the dock-mounted camera and the vehicle's display system. This allows the video signal to be transmitted without requiring direct communication infrastructure between the tractor and trailer, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If light systems are located on the dock to indicate distance, then the driver receives docking guidance, but the system does not provide a comprehensive view of the loading dock area
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of distance indication and comprehensive area viewing into a single integrated solution. The camera provides both the visual view of the dock area and, through image processing, can derive distance information, eliminating the need for separate light systems while providing more comprehensive information.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/optical light systems are replaced with an electronic camera-based system. The camera captures the entire dock area visually, and distance measurement is achieved through electronic image processing rather than separate optical indicators, providing both guidance and comprehensive visibility.
3Loss of information
If multiple cameras are mounted on the vehicle to provide surround view, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but hardware costs increase for vehicle manufacturers and fleets
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is extracted from the vehicle platform and relocated to the dock infrastructure. This single stationary camera provides comprehensive area coverage that would otherwise require multiple vehicle-mounted cameras, significantly reducing hardware costs for vehicle manufacturers and fleets while maintaining complete area visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vision system comprises at least one camera fixedly mounted to a structure and providing a view of an area surrounding a loading dock. The at least one camera communicates with at least one transmitter capable of transmitting a video signal from the at least one camera. A receiver is located in a vehicle such that the receiver receives the transmission of the video signal from the at least one camera in response to a docking event.