Wireless Mobile Display for Car-Trailer Parking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in maneuvering vehicle combinations, especially with larger trailers, due to limited visibility, which increases the risk of accidents during critical maneuvers like parking, as existing technologies do not provide a comprehensive overview of the vehicle and trailer combination.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a mobile display unit connected wirelessly to the vehicle, allowing the driver to control the vehicle combination from outside, with sensors providing images and orientation aids, enabling better visibility and control through graphical representations and automatic parking capabilities, including emergency braking in hazardous situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver remains in the vehicle cab to control the vehicle combination, then the driver can directly operate the vehicle, but the driver's overview of the entire trailer and critical points is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile display unit (smartphone, tablet, or portable computer) serves as an intermediary between the driver and the vehicle combination. The display unit receives data from sensors and cameras on the vehicle and presents processed visual information to the driver outside the vehicle, enabling comprehensive overview without direct cab occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical control system where the driver must be physically present in the cab with an electronic information system. Sensors, cameras, and wireless communication substitute for direct visual observation, allowing the driver to monitor and control the vehicle combination from any location.
2Loss of information
If the driver exits the vehicle to gain better overview, then the driver can see critical points and the entire combination, but the driver cannot directly control the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile display unit acts as a mediator that maintains the control connection between the driver and vehicle. Through wireless communication, the display unit transmits control commands from the driver to the vehicle's control systems, enabling operation without physical presence in the cab.
Solution Approach 2:
Direct mechanical control from the driver's seat is replaced with electronic control signals transmitted wirelessly. The patent substitutes physical proximity-based control with remote electronic actuation, allowing the driver to control vehicle functions from any location with line-of-sight or wireless connectivity.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is used for parking the vehicle combination, then the driver has full control, but the parking maneuver is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically calculating the parking trajectory and positioning the vehicle combination before the driver needs to execute the final maneuver. The mobile display unit pre-processes sensor data to determine optimal parking paths, reducing the complexity and time of the actual parking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle combination performs self-service by automatically executing parking maneuvers based on sensor data and pre-calculated trajectories. The system uses onboard sensors, processors, and actuators to autonomously guide the vehicle into the parking space, minimizing driver intervention and reducing parking time.
4Loss of time
If automatic control systems are implemented for the vehicle combination, then the parking maneuver is faster and easier, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile display unit serves multiple functions: it displays sensor data, provides orientation aids, transmits control commands, and can perform automatic trajectory calculation. This multi-functional approach consolidates several control functions into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automatic control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile display unit acts as an intermediary layer that simplifies the interface between the driver and the complex automatic control systems. It processes and presents information in user-friendly formats and translates simple driver inputs into complex control sequences, shielding the driver from system complexity while enabling automatic operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for steering a car/trailer combination comprising a vehicle and at least one trailer, in which a mobile display unit is used for representing at least a part of the car/trailer combination and wherein the mobile display unit is in contact with the vehicle via a wireless connection and is used for monitoring the driving functions of the vehicle, and wherein at least one orientation aid is depicted on the mobile display unit. The present invention further relates to a corresponding device.