Trailer Merge Warning Under Rear Radar Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer merge warning (TMW) systems are unable to provide accurate and timely warnings when a wide or closely connected trailer obstructs the field of view of rear-mounted radar sensors, particularly for vehicles with fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determines if the trailer obstructs the field of view of rearward-facing radar sensors by analyzing sensor data patterns, and if so, sends a warning to the driver or increases reliance on non-obstructed sensors to enhance warning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar sensors are mounted on the rear bumper of the tow vehicle, then the TMW system can detect vehicles in adjacent lanes, but the field of view is obstructed by wide or closely connected trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on rear-mounted radar sensors to incorporating side-mounted sensors and cameras, effectively adding lateral detection dimensions. This multi-dimensional sensor arrangement allows the system to detect adjacent lane vehicles even when the rear view is blocked by a trailer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple sensor types (radar, cameras) mounted at different locations (rear, sides) to perform the same detection function universally. This multi-functional approach ensures that at least one sensor can detect adjacent lane vehicles regardless of trailer obstruction.
2Reliability
If the trailer is wide or closely connected to the tow vehicle, then the trailer can be properly connected and secured, but the TMW system cannot provide accurate or timely warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using side-mounted sensors and cameras to identify adjacent lane vehicles before the obstruction becomes critical. This early detection allows the system to prepare warnings in advance, maintaining accuracy even when the trailer blocks rear sensor views.
Solution Approach 2:
The side-mounted sensors and cameras act as intermediaries that detect vehicles in adjacent lanes from lateral positions that are not blocked by the trailer. These intermediary sensors relay detection information to the warning system, enabling accurate warnings despite rear sensor obstruction.
3Device complexity
If rear-mounted radar sensors are used for TMW, then the system structure is simple, but the system fails to detect vehicles when the trailer obstructs the sensor field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensor units positioned at different locations (rear radar sensors, side radar sensors, side cameras). Each segment operates independently to detect vehicles from its specific viewpoint, ensuring that failure or obstruction of one segment does not compromise overall detection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer merge function of a tow vehicle includes receiving sensor data from one or more tow vehicle first sensors of an environment that is rearward of a connected tow vehicle. The method includes determining whether pattern associated with the sensor data matches a predetermined pattern corresponding to sensor data in which a field of view of the one or more first sensors is at least partly blocked by a trailer connected to the tow vehicle. Responsive to determining that the trailer at least partly obstructs the field of view of the one or more first sensors, sending a signal for warning a driver of the tow vehicle of lesser functionality of a trailer merge function, or increasing a reliance of one or more other sensors mounted to the tow vehicle, different from the one or more first sensors, in performing the trailer merge function.