Indirect Vision Adjustment for Variable Towed Attachments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Indirect vision systems for vehicles with towing vehicles and attachments, such as agricultural or construction machines, require complex and time-consuming adjustments due to the large and variable geometric dimensions of the attachments, posing a safety risk during operation.
Innovation Solution
An indirect vision system with an automatic adjustment unit that adjusts based on the geometric dimensions, state, and global position of the attachment, using satellite positioning, to ensure optimal visibility without driver distraction, featuring a support structure and vision element adjustment elements, and a communication interface for vehicle signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment of the vision system is used to adapt to different attachment dimensions, then visibility can be optimized, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming, posing safety risks during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores multiple predefined positions of the adjustment unit corresponding to different attachment types. When a specific attachment is detected, the corresponding predefined position is automatically selected and applied, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing adjustment time to near-zero.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors attachment detection signals and automatically adjusts the vision system to the appropriate predefined position based on the detected attachment type. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal visibility is maintained without requiring driver intervention.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment of the vision system is performed to match attachment dimensions, then optimal visibility is achieved, but driver distraction increases and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system automatically detects the attachment type through vehicle signals and autonomously adjusts to the corresponding predefined position without requiring driver input or attention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational context and making necessary adjustments independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system that uses sensors to detect attachment presence and actuators to automatically reposition the vision element, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment unit is designed to handle all possible attachment configurations, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing a continuously adjustable system that can handle all configurations, the patent pre-configures a discrete set of predefined positions that cover the most common attachment types. This approach provides sufficient versatility for practical applications while keeping the adjustment mechanism simpler.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves versatility not through mechanical complexity but by changing the parameter set - storing multiple predefined positional configurations that can be rapidly switched between. This allows the same hardware to adapt to different attachment types by simply changing which predefined position is active.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a~6c
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an indirect vision system (1) for a vehicle (2) comprising a towing vehicle (3) and an attachment (4), with a vision element (5), a support structure (6) wherein the support structure (6) forms a vehicle connection (7) of the vision system (1) and the vision element (5) is connected to the vehicle connection (7) via the support structure (6), and an adjustment unit (8) wherein the adjustment unit (8) comprises a vision element adjustment element (9) for adjusting the vision element (5) and/or a support structure adjustment element (10) for adjusting the support structure (6), wherein the vision system (1) is configured to automatically adjust the adjustment unit (8) depending on geometric dimensions (15) and/or a state (16) and/or a global position (17) of the attachment (4). The disclosure also relates to a vehicle (2) with the vision system (1).