Magnetic Backup Camera for Trailer Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cameras are not designed to address the larger blind spots on the rear passenger side of tractor-trailers and long-tow RVs, particularly when using 5th wheel or gooseneck hitches, and require permanent installations which are inconvenient for drivers who use multiple trailers.
Innovation Solution
A portable backup camera system with a camera housing, wide-angle lens, rechargeable battery, and wireless video transmission to a personal device, along with a magnetically attachable mounting bracket that secures to the trailer, providing a wide viewing angle and real-time distance measurement to prevent accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent or semi-permanent installation is used in a central location of the rear of the vehicle, then the camera provides stable monitoring coverage, but it requires hardwiring and is not suitable for drivers who use multiple trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into separate functional components: a portable camera unit with its own power supply and a separate mounting bracket. This segmentation allows the camera to be easily moved between different trailers while maintaining reliable monitoring when in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit is designed to be universally applicable to multiple trailers through the magnetic mounting bracket system. The same camera unit can be attached to any trailer with a ferrous plate, making it versatile for drivers who use different trailers with the same tow vehicle.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed viewing monitor within the dashboard or rearview mirror is used, then the driver has convenient access to the camera feed, but the installation becomes permanent and cannot be easily transferred between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing monitor function is extracted from the vehicle's fixed infrastructure and relocated to a portable personal electronic device. This allows the driver to access the camera feed without permanent installation in the dashboard or rearview mirror, simplifying the overall installation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless transmitter serves as an intermediary between the camera and the driver's personal electronic device. This mediator enables the camera feed to be displayed on a portable device that the driver already owns and uses, avoiding the need for fixed monitor installation while maintaining convenient access.
3Reliability
If wide-angle lights are added to improve visibility in the blind spot area, then the monitoring effectiveness increases, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wide-angle lights are merged with the camera unit, combining illumination and imaging functions in a single portable device. This integration allows the lights to be used only when needed for monitoring, reducing overall energy consumption compared to permanent lighting installations, while improving monitoring effectiveness in the blind spot area.
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
Enables convenient, portable, and effective monitoring of the blind spot area during reverse maneuvers, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing easy transfer between trailers without the need for permanent installations.
Implementation Method 1
A ferrous plate is coupled within the camera housing adjacent a housing back side of the camera housing. A mounting bracket has a magnet coupled there within. The magnet is selectively engageable with the ferrous plate and is configured to selectively engage a trailer rear of a tractor-trailer or long-towed RV.
Data Source
AI summary
A large vehicle backup camera apparatus for assisting tractor trailer and RV drivers while backing up includes a camera and at least one wide-angle light coupled to the camera housing. A transmitter coupled within the camera housing transmits video from the camera to a personal electronic device. A ferrous plate is coupled within the camera housing adjacent a housing back side of the camera housing. A mounting bracket has a magnet coupled there within. The magnet is selectively engageable with the ferrous plate to selectively engage a trailer rear of a tractor-trailer or long-towed RV that use and operate a 5th wheel mechanism, a gooseneck hitch, or any other hitch prone to sharp turning or jackknifing during reverse when towing.