Tailgate Collision Prevention with Hitch Accessory Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively prevent collisions between a vehicle's tailgate and hitch accessories during opening, leading to potential damage and requiring manual operator intervention, which can be inaccurate or forgotten.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize sensors and cameras to detect the presence of hitch accessories in the path of the tailgate opening motion, calculating coordinates to determine potential collisions and inhibiting the gate opening motion by locking or reversing the actuator if a hitch accessory is detected, thereby preventing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operator intervention is used to check for hitch accessories, then the system is simple, but the accuracy and reliability of collision prevention is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated sensor systems including cameras and depth sensors to detect hitch accessories. The system uses coordinate calculation and intersection detection algorithms to automatically determine if the tailgate opening path intersects with hitch accessory boundaries, providing reliable collision prevention without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate processing layers including coordinate system transformations, boundary calculation modules, and intersection detection algorithms that mediate between raw sensor data and the final collision prevention decision. These intermediaries enable accurate detection by translating sensor measurements into meaningful spatial relationships.
2Reliability
If the gate opening motion is inhibited by locking or reversing actuator, then collision prevention is effective, but the device complexity and control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service control system where the gate actuator monitors its own operation and automatically adjusts based on detected obstacles. When a hitch accessory is detected in the opening path, the actuator autonomously reverses direction or locks without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to protect itself through built-in feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the tailgate opening motion through sensors and comparing the actual position with the desired trajectory. When intersection with hitch accessory boundaries is detected, the system provides feedback to the actuator control to inhibit the opening motion, creating a closed-loop safety system.
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
Prevents damage to the tailgate by automatically inhibiting the gate opening motion when a hitch accessory is in the path, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of operator error.
Implementation Method 1
detecting movement of the gate via a camera capturing an image of the gate
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus that prevent a collision with a hitch accessory are provided. The method includes: detecting an input to open a gate or detecting a gate opening motion, determining whether hitch accessory is present in a path of the gate opening motion, and in response to determining that the hitch accessory is absent from the path, opening the gate.