Modular Trailer Sensor Package for Continuous Side Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera monitoring systems (CMS) in commercial vehicles struggle to maintain a view of both sides of a trailer during turning maneuvers without requiring costly modifications to individual trailers, and existing solutions are either ineffective or impractical for large fleets.
Innovation Solution
A modular sensor package that includes cameras and sensors, mounted on a tractor, provides trailer views through a stowed and deployed position, utilizing a wiring harness for integration with any trailer, and secures to the trailer without modifications, using clamps or pre-existing apertures, ensuring seamless connectivity across various steering angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a camera monitoring system uses fixed cameras mounted on the tractor to provide side views, then the system structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system cannot maintain continuous view of the trailer during turning maneuvers when wheels are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The camera arm is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing it to pivot and rotate to different angles. This enables the camera to track the trailer's movement during turning maneuvers and maintain continuous visibility of the trailer sides, even when wheels are hidden, while still using a relatively simple fixed-mounting structure on the tractor.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package is designed to be universally applicable to different trailer types without requiring custom installations. It can function both as a side-view camera when retracted and as a trailer-mounted camera when extended, providing multiple functions from a single device that resolves the visibility issue during various operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the sensor package is permanently mounted on the trailer to maintain trailer views, then continuous trailer visibility is achieved, but costly modifications to individual trailers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor package is segmented into a removable sensor unit and a mounting interface. The sensor unit can be detached from the tractor and attached to the trailer when needed, while the mounting interface uses standardized features that require no permanent modification to the trailer. This allows the system to achieve reliable trailer views without costly custom installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring harness acts as an intermediary that connects the sensor package to the tractor's power and data systems. It uses pre-existing apertures and mounting features on the trailer, serving as a bridge between the sensor package and the trailer without requiring permanent modifications, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining view continuity.
3Reliability
If custom harnesses and connectors are installed on each trailer to enable camera connectivity, then trailer-specific camera views are achieved, but the cost and complexity increase significantly for large fleets
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor package uses a universal mounting interface and wiring harness that can connect to any standard trailer without custom harnesses or connectors. The same sensor package can be used across an entire fleet, providing camera-trailer connectivity without increasing device complexity or requiring trailer-specific modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating custom physical connections for each trailer, the system uses a standardized copying interface that can be replicated across all trailers. The wiring harness uses pre-existing apertures and mounting features that are copied from standard trailer designs, eliminating the need for custom harnesses and connectors while maintaining reliable connectivity.
4Ease of operation
If the sensor package is kept in a fixed stowed position on the tractor, then the system is simple to operate and store, but it cannot provide trailer views during turning maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The camera arm provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the camera to move between a retracted position for simple storage and operation, and an extended position for capturing trailer views during turning maneuvers. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation and reliable visibility as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package is designed to be self-contained with integrated mounting and dismounting capabilities. The operator can easily transition the sensor package between stowed and deployed positions using the provided mounting interface, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling trailer views during maneuvers without requiring complex external systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera monitoring system (CMS) includes at least a first camera that provides a first vehicle side view and a second camera that provides a second vehicle side view, a controller that is communicatively connected to each of the first and second cameras such that the controller receives a first video feed from the first camera and a second video feed from the second camera, first and second displays that are in communication with the controller and configured to respectively receive and display the first and second video feeds, and a sensor package that is in communication with the controller. The sensor package is configured to be mounted on the tractor in a stowed position and to be dismounted from the tractor to a deployed position on the trailer. The sensor package is configured to provide a trailer view feed in the deployed position.