Rear-View Stereo Camera Layout for Trailer Occlusion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereo camera systems for utility vehicles, such as trucks with trailers, face challenges in providing effective rear-view images of side areas and back spaces due to trailer compatibility and occlusion issues, limiting their usefulness for both human drivers and autonomous systems.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with two pairs of cameras arranged vertically on the cabin, one pair on each side, providing rear-view stereo images with a vertical field of view to capture side and back areas, using spacers for lateral distance and greyscale or infrared cameras for improved sensitivity, and a control unit for disparity mapping and object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cameras are mounted on the rear end of the trailer for monitoring the rear space, then the rear-view coverage is improved, but the system becomes incompatible with different towing vehicles due to trailer changes
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into two independent parts: cameras mounted on the towing vehicle cabin and cameras mounted on the trailer. Each pair of cameras on the towing vehicle independently monitors its respective side area, allowing the system to function regardless of trailer configuration or presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera pairs are arranged vertically on the towing vehicle cabin rather than horizontally on the trailer. This vertical arrangement on the towing vehicle provides lateral distance from the cabin structure, enabling the cameras to capture side and rear areas without being constrained by trailer compatibility issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are arranged at the back side of the cabin of the towing vehicle, then the system is compatible with different towing vehicles, but the trailer limits the view of the cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The camera pairs are positioned asymmetrically on the towing vehicle cabin, with each pair located on opposite sides at different vertical heights. This asymmetric arrangement allows the cameras to capture areas that would otherwise be occluded by the trailer, providing overlapping fields of view that cover the rear space.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging camera pairs vertically on the towing vehicle cabin rather than horizontally at the rear, the system gains lateral distance from the cabin structure. This vertical placement enables the cameras to view around and above the trailer, expanding the visible area behind the utility vehicle.
3Area of stationary object
If cameras are arranged horizontally next to each other for stereo vision, then the horizontal baseline is optimized for wide coverage, but the vertical distance between cameras is insufficient for effective stereo imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal camera arrangement to vertical arrangement. Each pair of cameras is positioned one above the other with a vertical distance of at least 0.5m, providing sufficient baseline for stereo imaging while maintaining wide horizontal coverage through the lateral offset from the cabin.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a camera system for a utility vehicle (V), the camera system (1) comprising two pairs of cameras (2, 3), wherein a first pair of cameras (2) is arranged at the left side portion of the cabin (4) of the utility vehicle (V) and a second pair of cameras (3) is arranged at the right side portion of the cabin (4) of the utility vehicle (V), wherein the cameras (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2) of the first and second pair of cameras (2, 3) are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction, wherein the first pair of cameras (2) builds a rear-viewing stereo camera system for providing image information and distance information of an area on the left side of the utility vehicle (V) and the second pair of cameras (3) builds a rear-viewing stereo camera system for providing image information and distance information of an area on the right side of the utility vehicle (V), wherein the cameras (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2) of the first and second pair of cameras (2, 3) are arranged by means of one or more spacers (5) at the cabin (4) of the utility vehicle (V), the spacers (5) providing a lateral distance of the cameras (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2) to the cabin (4) and wherein the cameras (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2) of each pair of cameras (2, 3) have a vertical distance of at least 0.5m