Vehicle Connection Guidance for Wide Multi-Point Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting a vehicle to an attachment with multiple connection points across a wide width can be challenging for operators, as achieving a parallel relationship between the vehicle and attachment connection interfaces is difficult, unlike with single-point connections like hitch pins or ball hitches.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle connection guidance system comprising a sensor and controller that outputs steering angle signals to generate a visual presentation of a projected path of the connection interface's width, assisting the operator in aligning multiple connection points with the corresponding attachment points, using a display to overlay the projected path on a real-world view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection points are used across a wide width, then control over the angle of the attachment relative to the vehicle is enhanced, but the difficulty of achieving proper alignment during connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect the relative position and orientation between the vehicle and attachment, providing real-time feedback to the operator through visual displays. This feedback mechanism enables the operator to make precise steering adjustments to achieve proper alignment of multiple connection points, resolving the contradiction by making the alignment process controllable and observable rather than difficult and trial-and-error based.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guidance system as an intermediary between the operator and the connection process. This intermediary system processes sensor data and presents visual guidance information that simplifies the complex alignment task, allowing the operator to connect attachments with multiple wide-spaced connection points without directly struggling with the alignment difficulty.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection points extend across a wide width, then enhanced control of the attachment angle is achieved, but the complexity of the connection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time sensor feedback and visual display of relative position and orientation information simplifies the complex connection process by providing actionable guidance to the operator. The system transforms the complex task of aligning multiple wide-spaced connection points into a straightforward following-of-guidance-lines task, reducing perceived and actual complexity while maintaining enhanced angle control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system automatically performs the complex calculations and visualizations needed to simplify alignment, serving itself rather than requiring the operator to manually compute alignment parameters. This self-service approach handles the complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface to the operator.
3Ease of operation
If a single connection point is used, then the connection process is simpler, but control over the attachment angle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance system serves multiple functions: it provides alignment guidance for simple single-point connections, alignment guidance for complex multi-point connections, and real-time orientation monitoring. This universal system handles both simple and complex connection scenarios, allowing the use of multiple connection points for enhanced angle control without sacrificing the simplicity benefit for basic connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time feedback mechanism enhances angle control by providing visual information about the relative orientation between vehicle and attachment, allowing the operator to intentionally set and maintain specific attachment angles that would not be possible with a simple single-point connection, while still maintaining an relatively simple operational process.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle connection guidance system may include a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to be supported by a vehicle having a first width and a connection interface, the connection interface having a second width different than the first width and along which multiple connection points lie, wherein the sensor is to output steering angle signals. The Controller is configured to output presentation signals based upon the steering angle signals The presentation signals are to generate a visual presentation of a projected path of the width of the connection interface to an operator of the vehicle.