Trailer RF Signal Reflection via Road Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial cargo trailers made of metal components block RF signals between sensors and processing modules, preventing effective wireless communication in vehicle imaging systems, as RF signals do not bend around corners and are obstructed by trailer structures.
Innovation Solution
The system uses RF antennas at both the sensor and processing module locations to direct and reflect RF signals off the road surface, enabling communication between the trailer-mounted sensor and the vehicle-mounted processing module, utilizing directional RF antennae and industry standard wireless protocols for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal cargo trailers are used for commercial transport, then cargo security and structural strength are improved, but RF signal transmission between sensor and processing module is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary RF signal reflection path using the road surface as a mediator. Instead of direct line-of-sight transmission blocked by the metal trailer, the system uses RF antennas to transmit signals that reflect off the road surface to reach the receiver, enabling communication without penetrating the trailer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission dimension from direct horizontal line-of-sight (blocked by trailer) to an indirect path utilizing the vertical dimension by reflecting signals off the road surface below, creating a three-dimensional signal propagation path that circumvents the obstruction.
2Speed
If RF signals are transmitted directly between trailer-mounted sensor and vehicle-mounted processing module, then communication speed is improved, but signal obstruction by trailer structure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The road surface acts as an intermediary reflector that enables RF signal transmission between the trailer-mounted sensor and vehicle-mounted processing module without requiring direct line-of-sight, thus maintaining communication functionality despite the trailer structure blocking direct paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical requirement of direct line-of-sight transmission with an electromagnetic field-based solution utilizing RF wave reflection, substituting the need for unobstructed physical path with a wave propagation method that can reflect off surfaces.
3Reliability
If directional RF antennas are used to reflect signals off the road surface, then signal transmission through metal trailer is achieved, but antenna positioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The road surface serves as a natural intermediary reflector that simplifies the antenna positioning problem. By utilizing the existing road surface as the reflection medium, the system avoids the complexity of creating artificial reflectors or complex multi-element antenna arrays, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
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
This method establishes reliable two-way communication between the sensor and processing module, reducing interference from trailer structures and ensuring continuous data transfer of image and control signals, enhancing driver assistance and object detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The system enhances communication of RF signals from the sensor (which may be disposed at a rear of the vehicle or at the rear of a trailer towed by the vehicle) to a control unit of the vehicle by reflecting the RF signals off of the road beneath the vehicle and receiving the reflected RF signals at a receiver at a forward portion of the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A vision system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the trailer and viewing rearward of the trailer. A trailer antenna is disposed at the trailer and in data communication with the camera, and a vehicle antenna is disposed at the vehicle and in data communication with a control unit disposed at the vehicle. The trailer antenna is operable to transmit signals representative of image data captured by the camera toward a road surface along which the vehicle and trailer are traveling so that the transmitted signals reflect off of the road surface and toward the vehicle antenna disposed at the vehicle. The vehicle antenna receives the reflected RF signals and communicates data to the control unit that are representative of the received reflected signals.