Gear Guard Cable Tracking for Secure Cargo Bay Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively monitor and ensure the secure attachment of gear guard cables in vehicle cargo bays, which can lead to cargo instability or theft during operation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing cameras and processing circuitry to analyze the position and motion of gear guard cables, detecting motion events and comparing them against stable and unstable ranges to alert users and perform actions such as closing cargo bay covers, and integrating reflective coatings for improved detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual monitoring systems are implemented to track gear guard cable position, then cable security and cargo stability are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cable monitoring systems with visual detection using cameras and image processing. The system uses optical fields to detect cable position and motion events, substituting mechanical sensors and switches with vision-based detection that achieves the same security function with simpler hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images) of the cable position and motion events to monitor cable status. By capturing and analyzing images of the cable's position and movement, the system can detect security issues without direct physical contact or complex mechanical sensing, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If real-time cable monitoring is implemented, then cargo theft prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic image capture at defined frame rates rather than continuous monitoring. The camera captures images at specific time intervals, and the processor analyzes these periodic frames to detect cable motion events. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring while maintaining effective theft prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing power and processing resources to run the cable monitoring function. By integrating the monitoring system with the vehicle's existing electrical and computational infrastructure, the patent minimizes additional energy requirements while achieving effective cargo security.
3Measurement precision
If motion detection algorithms are used to identify cable events, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and focuses on specific motion event features from the full image data, such as cable position changes and motion patterns. By isolating and analyzing only the relevant features rather than processing entire images in detail, the system achieves high detection accuracy while reducing overall processing time and computational load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies motion detection algorithms selectively to identify specific cable motion events rather than continuously analyzing all image parameters. By focusing computational resources on detecting specific motion patterns and events rather than comprehensive image analysis, the system achieves timely detection with reduced processing overhead.
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
Ensures the secure attachment of gear guard cables by providing real-time monitoring and alerts, preventing cargo instability and theft, and allowing for autonomous response to detected issues.
Implementation Method 1
the cable comprises a reflective coating or reflective elements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to detect a motion event corresponding to at least one of a vehicle tow assembly, a winch assembly, or a gear guard cable. With the use of one or more cameras, the system captures images of a cable (e.g., a gear guard cable, a winch cable, or a tow cable). With the use of processing circuitry, a cable is identified in the captured images. The movement of the cable is tracked in the captured images. A motion event of the cable is identified based on the movement. In response to detecting the motion event, a vehicle comprised of the system and the cable performs an action.