Vehicle Coupling Alignment Using a Camera-Visible Guide Marker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle maneuvering aids for coupling are difficult to install and require additional handling by the driver, making them inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An alignment system with an object detection means, such as a camera or sensor, aligned with a guide marker on the vehicle's coupling element, providing a visual or data-based aid for precise vehicle positioning during coupling, allowing for autonomous or semi-autonomous coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a video camera is mounted to capture the coupling area and a guide marker is superimposed on the video image, then the coupling process can be carried out safely and conveniently, but it becomes time-consuming to specifically program the displayed guide marker depending on the geometric conditions of the towing vehicle and coupling element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the real-world guide marker (physical copy) directly visible in the camera field of view rather than creating a digital representation (copy) of it. The marker is physically applied to the coupling element and appears naturally in the video feed, eliminating the need to program virtual markers that would require geometric calculations and customization for different vehicle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide marker serves itself by being a physical object that automatically appears in the camera's field of view without requiring any programming, calibration, or configuration. The marker is self-contained and provides guidance functionality inherently, eliminating the need for external programming systems to interpret geometric conditions and generate appropriate visual aids.
2Manufacturing precision
If prior art maneuvering aids are used to provide visual guidance during coupling, then positioning accuracy is improved, but installation becomes difficult and additional handling by the driver is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide marker directly with the existing coupling element by applying it to the coupling element's surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate, standalone maneuvering aids that would require complex installation procedures. The marker becomes part of the coupling system itself, simplifying both installation and driver interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide marker is designed to be self-applied or easily applied to the coupling element without requiring complex installation procedures. The marker serves its own installation needs through simple application methods, eliminating the requirement for difficult installation processes and additional driver handling that characterize prior art systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment system for approaching a vehicle to a target object spatially spaced therefrom, including an object detection device attached to the vehicle and a coupling element, which in an end position detachably holds the target object, the object detection device being aligned in the direction of the target object and the data from the object detection device being used to generate an image in which the target object together with a guide marker can be seen during the approach of the vehicle. The guide marker is applied to at least one component of the vehicle arranged in an entry area of the coupling element.