Trailer Detection System Using Repeating Signal Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in navigating vehicles, especially when reversing or towing, due to blind spots and the difficulty in accurately judging the proximity of objects, including trailers, which can lead to unsafe maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A proximity sensor system for vehicles that includes remote sensors, a trailer detection module, and a response module to identify trailers and other objects, providing visual and audible alerts to the driver based on object proximity and movement, while integrating with the vehicle's steering angle and stability control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rearwardly mounted sensors are used to detect towed objects, then object location information is provided to the driver, but the system cannot distinguish between trailers and other objects leading to false alerts
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its detection and response behavior based on whether a trailer is detected. When a trailer is identified through pattern recognition, the system modifies its alerting behavior to exclude trailer-related detections, thereby reducing false alerts while maintaining accurate detection of other objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer detection module continuously monitors sensor signals and uses feedback from repeating patterns to identify trailers. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn and adapt to the presence of a trailer, improving object identification over time and reducing false positive alerts.
2Reliability
If the system responds to all detected objects, then comprehensive safety monitoring is achieved, but false alerts are generated for trailers causing driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates trailer detections from general object detections. By identifying trailers through repeating signal patterns and steering angle correlation, the system removes trailer-related alerts from the general object alert system, preventing false alerts while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of other objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The response behavior of the system is dynamically adjusted based on trailer detection status. When a trailer is detected, the system selectively modifies its response to objects, excluding trailers from alert generation. This dynamic adjustment maintains reliable safety monitoring while improving ease of operation by eliminating distracting false alerts.
3Measurement precision
If remote sensors monitor rearward areas continuously, then comprehensive object detection is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic sensing intervals and triggers detection based on repeating patterns. The trailer detection module identifies trailers through periodic signal analysis, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive detection coverage while reducing overall energy consumption by not operating at full capacity continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
A proximity sensor system for a vehicle includes a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle. A trailer detection module determines that one of the objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from the first remote sensor. A response module selectively responds to the objects other than the trailer based on the objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. An indicator responds to response module signals.