Boat Trailer Guide-Pole Cameras for Blind-Corner Backing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional camera systems mounted on vehicles or trailers fail to provide a clear view of the sides and rear corners of a boat and trailer, making it difficult to navigate and avoid obstacles during backing operations, especially when the boat's hull obstructs the view.
Innovation Solution
A trailer back-up system with two image capture devices mounted on vertical guide poles on either side of the trailer, transmitting live video images to a display device, allowing the driver to see the rear and side areas of the boat and trailer, including the environment behind and adjacent to the boat's corners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional camera systems are mounted at the rear-most portion of the vehicle or trailer, then the system structure is simple, but the driver cannot see the sides and rear corners of the boat and trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the viewing area into multiple segments by using separate cameras for different zones: one camera captures the rear view while another camera captures the side views of the boat and trailer. This segmentation allows each camera to be positioned optimally for its specific viewing requirement, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive visibility and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single rear-mounted camera (one-dimensional rear view) to multiple cameras positioned at different spatial locations including side-mounted cameras on guide poles. This adds dimensional coverage by capturing views from multiple angles and positions simultaneously, enabling the driver to see sides and rear corners that were previously invisible
2Productivity
If the boat hull is positioned on the trailer, then the boat can be transported, but the hull obscures a large portion of the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
By mounting cameras on vertical guide poles that extend above the boat hull, the system captures images from an elevated dimension that looks down and across the hull. This vertical dimension placement allows the cameras to see over and around the hull rather than being blocked by it, maintaining both transport capability and field of view
Solution Approach 2:
The guide poles serve as intermediary structures that position the cameras at optimal locations above and beside the boat hull. These intermediary elements allow the imaging system to overcome the obstruction created by the hull itself, enabling views of areas that would otherwise be hidden from direct line of sight
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stern of the boat is cantilevered off the back of the trailer, then the boat can be launched, but the boat obscures portions of the environment behind it
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the environmental monitoring function by placing cameras at multiple locations including side-mounted positions on guide poles. This segmentation allows specific cameras to capture views of the environment behind the boat from lateral positions that are not blocked by the cantilevered stern, maintaining both launch capability and environmental visibility
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning cameras on side-mounted guide poles rather than only at the rear, the system captures environmental information from a lateral dimension that bypasses the obstruction created by the cantilevered stern. This dimensional shift in camera placement allows simultaneous achievement of launch adaptability and environmental monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A boat trailer and a method of backing up a boat on a trailer. The boat trailer includes a trailer back-up system having a first image capture device, a second image capture device, and a transmitter. The first image capture device is mounted on a left guide pole of the trailer in a rear-facing direction, and the second image capture device is mounted on a right guide pole of the trailer in a rear-facing direction. The transmitter is in communication with each of the first image capture device and the second image capture device and configured to transmit live video images from the first image capture device and from the second image capture device to a display device. The method includes moving the trailer with a boat loaded on the trailer in a rearward direction and capturing, in real-time, a first view and a second view.