Vehicle Turning Camera and Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle systems with permanently switched-on turning cameras and displays for supporting drivers during turns lead to energy inefficiency and driver distraction, as well as the risk of ignoring potential hazards during critical maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A control device that automatically switches the turning camera and display on and off based on the vehicle's driving speed and turn signal activity, ensuring they are only active during potential turning maneuvers, thereby reducing energy consumption and minimizing unnecessary distraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the turning camera and display are permanently switched on, then the driver can see potential hazards during turning maneuvers, but energy consumption increases and the driver may be distracted during non-turning situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during turning maneuverVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the camera and display based on real-time detection of turning maneuvers. The control unit activates the camera and display only when a turning maneuver is detected through speed and turn signal evaluation, rather than maintaining a static permanently-on state. This dynamic activation resolves the contradiction by ensuring safety functionality is available when needed while minimizing energy consumption during normal driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic activation of the camera and display based on detected turning events rather than continuous operation. The control unit periodically activates these components during identified turning maneuvers and deactivates them during straight-line driving, creating a rhythmic on-off pattern that balances safety requirements with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the turning camera and display are permanently switched on, then the driver can monitor surroundings during turns, but the driver may disregard the display during critical moments due to distraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during turning maneuverVSAvoiddriver attention and focus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls the display visibility based on turning maneuver detection. By activating the display only during actual or intended turning maneuvers, the system ensures that the driver's attention is drawn to the display at critical moments when hazard monitoring is most needed, rather than creating constant visual competition during all driving situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the display functionality from continuous operation and isolates it to specific turning maneuver contexts. By removing the display from permanent visibility and presenting it only when turning is detected, the system eliminates unnecessary visual distractions during straight-line driving while ensuring the display is prominently available during critical turning situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the turning camera and display are activated based on speed and turn signal evaluation, then energy consumption is reduced and driver distraction is minimized, but the system may fail to activate during unexpected turns without turn signal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of turning intent by monitoring turn signal activation and speed patterns before activating the camera and display. This preliminary detection mechanism allows the system to anticipate turning maneuvers and activate the safety functionality in advance, while the continuous monitoring of multiple parameters (speed, turn signal state) ensures comprehensive detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3240287B1Assembly for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle with a camera and a display
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3240287B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for a motor vehicle (10), preferably for assisting a driver during a turning maneuver, in particular to prevent accidents with a pedestrian or cyclist, comprising a camera (1), a display (2) for showing information captured by the camera (1), and a control unit (3). The arrangement is characterized in particular by the fact that the control unit (3) evaluates the vehicle's (10) speed and/or the turn signal activity to indicate a change in the vehicle's (10) direction of travel, preferably automatically, for switching the camera (1) and/or the display (2) on and off. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (10) with such an arrangement and a method for such an arrangement.