Recreational Trailer Auto-Parking With Position Signals and Collision Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for parking recreational vehicles and trailers, such as caravans, are challenging, especially in narrow or difficult-to-access spaces, and can be hazardous due to the reliance on user skill and attention, particularly when the user is tired.
Innovation Solution
A recreational vehicle or trailer equipped with environmental detection sensors, position transmitting elements, and a control system that allows for automatic parking and collision avoidance, enabling the vehicle to park itself in designated spaces using near-field communication signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual parking methods are used, then user control and flexibility are maintained, but parking difficulty and safety risks increase in narrow or difficult-to-access spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer performs parking maneuvers autonomously using its own drive unit without requiring manual steering control from the user. The control system automatically executes parking sequences based on detected parking space parameters, enabling the trailer to park itself safely in difficult-to-access locations
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical steering control is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensor data and pre-stored parking parameters to automatically maneuver the trailer. This substitution eliminates the need for user skill in manual parking operations while improving safety through automated collision avoidance
2Ease of operation
If automated parking control is implemented, then parking ease and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it stores parking space parameters, processes sensor data during approach, executes automated steering control, and monitors for obstacles. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves automated parking capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the trailer's drive unit and the environmental sensors. This intermediary processes information from multiple sensors and translates it into coordinated steering commands, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling complex automated parking maneuvers
3Reliability
If environmental detection sensors are added, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a focused set of sensors positioned to detect only the critical parameters needed for parking safety (obstacles in the immediate path, parking space boundaries). Rather than implementing comprehensive environmental monitoring, the solution applies partial sensing action concentrated on the most critical detection zones, achieving adequate collision avoidance without excessive complexity
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
The solution provides for automated and safe parking of recreational vehicles and trailers, reducing the reliance on user skill and attention, and allowing for easier parking in challenging spaces, even when the user is tired or inexperienced.
Implementation Method 1
at least one detection device for detecting at least one position signal, which emanates from an external position transmitting element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a recreational vehicle, in particular a recreational trailer, in particular a mobile home or a trailer comprising a living space which can be produced in the parked state. The recreational vehicle comprises a chassis and a structure which is connected to the chassis. Furthermore, electrically driven wheels are arranged on the chassis, and surroundings detection sensors are additionally provided which detect the surroundings of the structure and/or the chassis during a parking operation and/or an operation for exiting the parking area. In order to detect at least one position signal coming from an external position transmission element during the parking operation and/or the operation for exiting the parking area, detection devices are provided. Additionally, a controller is provided which is designed to at least indirectly actuate the at least one wheel during the parking operation and/or the operation for exiting the parking area such that an automatic parking and/or exiting process with respect to the at least one position signal is facilitated, and a collision of the structure and/or the chassis with the surroundings is simultaneously prevented by means of the surroundings detection sensors. The invention additionally relates to an assembly for specifying parking areas, to a system comprising a recreational vehicle, and to a method for parking into and/or exiting parking areas.