Towed RV Camera Monitoring for Visibility During Non-Powered Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide effective environmental monitoring for towed recreational vehicles, particularly when the prime mover is powered off or in neutral settings, limiting the operator's visibility and control during towing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising cameras on the towed recreational vehicle that transmit data to a remote display in the tow vehicle, allowing visualization of the environment even when the recreational vehicle's propulsion system is non-powered, using a control system to select and stitch camera data based on vehicle direction and steering inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the recreational vehicle is towed with the propulsion system in non-powered configuration, then the vehicle can be transported on a trailer, but the operator loses visibility of the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cameras as intermediary devices that capture environmental information and transmit it to a remote display. The cameras act as mediators between the physical environment and the operator, allowing the operator to see surroundings without being physically present in the environment. Multiple cameras positioned at different locations on the recreational vehicle provide comprehensive coverage of the surrounding area.
2Loss of information
If multiple cameras are installed to monitor the environment, then environmental visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera feeds into a single remote display unit. The control system integrates images from multiple cameras positioned at different locations on the recreational vehicle, combining them into a unified visual representation that the operator can view on one display. This reduces the complexity of having to monitor multiple separate displays or camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote display unit serves multiple functions: it displays images from multiple cameras, provides environmental visibility, and can be positioned flexibly within the tow vehicle. The system is designed to work with various recreational vehicle types and towing configurations, making it a universal solution for different applications.
3Loss of information
If the remote display is integrated into the tow vehicle operator interface, then operator visibility is enhanced, but the system requires integration with multiple vehicle systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera system and display system into separate, independent modules. The cameras are mounted on the recreational vehicle while the display is integrated into the tow vehicle's operator interface. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance, as the systems can be installed separately without requiring complex integration of the entire camera-display-chain.
Data Source
AI summary
An environment of a tow vehicle may be monitored by displaying at least one image on a display remote from the tow vehicle based on data provided by a camera supported by the tow vehicle. The tow vehicle may be positioned on a trailer. The display may be supported by a tow vehicle towing the tow vehicle. In some instances, a recreational vehicle comprises a plurality of cameras, such that a subset of cameras may be automatically determined for presentation to an operator of the recreational vehicle, thereby presenting relevant information to the operator for use when maneuvering the vehicle.