Trailer Path Warning Display for Sideswipe Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Towing a trailer around curves can be challenging for drivers due to the trailer not following the exact path of the vehicle, increasing the risk of sideswipe collisions.
Innovation Solution
A trailer sideswipe avoidance system that includes a sensor system to detect objects in the vehicle's operating environment, a controller to process information and determine if an object is in the trailer's travel path, and a visual display showing a bird's eye view of the vehicle and trailer with a collision warning band that changes color and size based on the controller's determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver manually monitors the trailer path during turns, then collision avoidance is possible, but driver workload and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects objects in the trailer's path and calculates collision risk without driver intervention. The sensor system, controller, and visual display work together to provide self-monitoring of the trailer path, eliminating the need for manual driver surveillance while maintaining high reliability in collision avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring by the driver with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors detect objects, the controller processes path intersection data, and the visual display presents collision risk information, substituting human cognitive workload with automated electronic systems
2Loss of information
If the system provides detailed visual information about trailer path and objects, then driver awareness improves, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual display applies local quality by selectively highlighting only the portions of the trailer path where collision risk exists. The collision risk indicator is displayed only in specific segments of the trailer path where objects are detected, rather than providing uniform detailed information about the entire path, reducing overall information processing complexity while maintaining critical awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating the trailer's turn path and identifying potential collision zones before the driver needs to react. The controller determines the trailer path in advance and pre-positions collision risk indicators on the display, allowing the driver to see potential hazards before they become immediate threats
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer sideswipe avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a sensor system configured to detect an object in an operating environment of the vehicle. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system also includes a controller that processes information received from the sensor system to determine whether an object detected in the operating environment of the vehicle is in a forward travel path of the towed trailer as the vehicle turns. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system further includes a visual display that displays bird's eye view representations of the vehicle and the trailer and a collision warning band that extends around at least a portion of the bird's eye view representation of the trailer. A portion of the collision warning band changes color based on the controller determining that the object is in the travel path of the towed trailer.