U.S. patent application number 11/589522 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for vehicle safety system having methods and apparatus configurable for various vehicle geometries.
Invention is credited to Barry Davignon, Hongwei Liu.
Application Number | 20070067077 11/589522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34652705 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070067077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Hongwei ; et
al. |
March 22, 2007 |
Vehicle safety system having methods and apparatus configurable for
various vehicle geometries
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for automatically adjusting the angle of a
rotatable side view mirror of an articulated tractor and trailer
includes transducers attached to the tractor for transmitting
signals toward the trailer and for receiving signals reflected by
the trailer. The transducers have a substantially symmetrical
arrangement about a centerline of a linear transducer bar attached
to the tractor and each has an angular orientation substantially
dissimilar to adjacent transducers on a same side of the
centerline. A control circuit sequentially activates ones of the
transducers such that only a single transducer transmits signals at
any given time. Thereafter, the control circuit only processes
reflected signals received by the emitting transducer. The control
circuit calculates an angle between the tractor and trailer and
causes the mirrors to rotate. Transducer calibration and mirror
adjustment relative to a zero position set by a driver are also
contemplated.
Inventors: |
Liu; Hongwei; (Terre Haute,
IN) ; Davignon; Barry; (Terre Haute, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
34652705 |
Appl. No.: |
11/589522 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10729788 |
Dec 5, 2003 |
7130727 |
|
|
11589522 |
Oct 30, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/31.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/029 |
International
Class: |
G01M 17/00 20060101
G01M017/00 |
Claims
1. A system for calculating an angle between an articulated tractor
and trailer, comprising: a plurality of transducers arranged on
said tractor substantially symmetrically about a centerline of a
substantially straight line and oriented towards said trailer, each
transducer operable to transmit and receive signals and having an
angular orientation substantially dissimilar to adjacent
transducers of said plurality of transducers on a same side of said
centerline; and a control circuit operative to control said
plurality of transducers to determine said angle, wherein said
control circuit sequentially activates ones of said plurality of
transducers such that only a single transducer of said plurality of
transducers transmits signals at any given time and said control
circuit only processes a return signal received by an emitting
transducer.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said tractor has a rotatable side
view mirror and further including a drive unit for rotating said
rotatable side view mirror based on the determined angle.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers are
arranged on a transducer bar, said transducer bar attached to said
tractor.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers
equals six in number.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operable
when said tractor and said trailer are separated in a range from
about 40 to about 53 inches when said angle is a zero degree
angle.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said each transducer transmits
signals in a beamwidth of about twenty-five degrees.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers
equal six in number and are arranged on a transducer bar, said
transducer bar attached to said tractor.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein two transducers of said plurality
of transducers each occupy a terminal end of said transducer
bar.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said two transducers each have an
angular orientation with said transducer bar of about fifty-six
degrees.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein two transducers of said
plurality of transducers each exist substantially near said
centerline.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said two transducers each have
an angular orientation with said transducer bar of about
eighty-three degrees.
12. A method of calculating an angle between an articulated tractor
and trailer, comprising: arranging a plurality of transducers on
said tractor substantially symmetrically about a centerline of a
substantially straight line, each transducer having an angular
orientation substantially dissimilar to adjacent transducers of
said plurality of transducers on a same side of said centerline;
orienting said plurality of transducers towards said trailer such
that each transducer is operable to transmit signals to said
trailer and receive signals reflected from said trailer;
controlling said plurality of transducers to sequentially activate
such that only a single transducer of said plurality of transducers
is transmitting at any given time, said single transducer being an
emitting transducer; processing signals received only by said
emitting transducer; and calculating said angle.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said tractor has a rotatable
side view mirror, further including rotating said side view mirror
in accordance with said calculated angle.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said controlling said plurality
of transducers further includes activating said emitting transducer
for about 10 msec.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein said arranging said plurality
of transducers on said tractor further includes arranging said
plurality of transducers on a transducer bar.
16. The method of claim 15, further including attaching said
transducer bar to said tractor.
17. The method of claim 15, further including arranging two
transducers each at a terminal end of said transducer bar and
arranging two transducers substantially near said centerline.
18. The method of claim 17, further including arranging said two
transducers at said terminal ends with an angular orientation
relative to said transducer bar of about fifty-six degrees.
19. The method of claim 17, further including arranging said two
transducers near said centerline with an angular orientation
relative to said transducer bar of about eighty-three degrees.
20. The method of claim 12, further including calibrating said
plurality of transducers.
21. The method of claim 12, further including calculating a mirror
position of a rotatable side view mirror of said tractor.
22. The method of claim 21, further including rotating said
rotatable side view mirror from a zero position by an amount
equivalent to said mirror position.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority as a divisional application
of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/729,788 filed on Dec. 5, 2003,
entitled "Vehicle Safety System having Methods and Apparatus
Configurable for Various Vehicle Geometries."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle safety
system and, particularly, to a system which provides a driver with
views and/or information regarding the area around a vehicle. More
particularly, it relates to automatic adjusting of side view
mirrors of articulated vehicles such as tractor trailers. In one
aspect, the invention contemplates calculating an angle between a
tractor and trailer and adjusting the mirrors accordingly. In
another aspect, the invention contemplates a transducer bar and
control therefor.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The maneuvering ability of articulated vehicles such as
tractor-trailer combinations is often hampered by the difficulty in
quickly and conveniently determining the location of the rear end
of the trailer and in viewing the area behind the rear end of the
trailer. This is particularly so when the trailer is long and the
tractor is turning away from the driver, e.g., toward the right.
Typically, externally mounted side mirrors are placed on both sides
of the tractor. These mirrors are rigidly positioned for straight
ahead driving. Therefore, during turns, one mirror provides a view
of the side of the trailer while the other mirror provides a view
of the area to the side of the trailer. Neither of these views is
useful. The much needed view of the rear of the trailer is not
provided.
[0006] Although the driver can view the left rear end of the
trailer and behind it by looking out the left window when the
trailer is turning toward the left, the driver must turn his head
and divert his attention away from the front of the vehicle. The
driver's peripheral vision may not provide immediate perception of
events occurring at the front of the vehicle. Moreover, the driver
is unable to peer out the right window and view the right rear end
of the trailer during a right turn. Stationary mirrors are also
deficient when a tractor-trailer is backing into a loading or
unloading area such as a dock during an attempt to park. In these
situations, the tractor is almost always at an acute angle relative
to the trailer to facilitate docking maneuvers. Stationary mirrors
do not permit the rear of the trailer to be viewed during parking
as the angle between the tractor and the trailer does not permit
such a view. It is often necessary for the driver to leave the
vehicle or to obtain the assistance of an additional person to
perform the backing and parking maneuvers.
[0007] In view of these problems, numerous attempts have been made
to provide a mirror which pivots or rotates to provide a view of
the rear of a trailer during turns. Some of these prior art systems
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,988,957; 3,469,901; 3,527,528;
3,536,382; 3,749,480; 4,609,265; and 4,632,525. Many of these
devices require complex mechanical devices with or without
complicated electric circuits to rotate the side mirrors. Some
devices are activated only by the turn signal of the vehicle.
[0008] In other prior art, tractors become equipped with a
transducer bar that has multiple transducers emitting signals
towards an attendant trailer. Based upon signals reflected from the
trailer, and received by transducers of the transducer bar, an
angle between the tractor and trailer is calculated and side-view
mirrors or spotlights become adjusted accordingly. With these,
however, the adjustment systems utilize mathematically fixed
look-up tables (LUT's) optimized for a specific orientation (i.e.,
fixed length) between the tractor and trailer. LUT's also typically
require collecting data from empirical testing which is labor
intensive, especially if multiple LUT's are required for multiple
tractor-trailer orientations. Some of these systems also require
complex algorithms that cross-reference signals received by one
transducer with signals received by another transducer.
[0009] In addition, transducer bars of the prior art often do not
have a symmetrical orientation, which can complicate manufacturing,
or they have exact angular orientation between adjacent
transducers, which suppresses robustness during tractor-trailer
angular computations.
[0010] Accordingly, the art of providing vehicular safety systems,
especially the adjustment of mirrors or other equipment in
accordance with an angle between a tractor and trailer, has need
for robustness to accommodate differing tractor-trailer
orientations and ease of manufacturing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to one embodiment of the instant invention, an
apparatus for automatically adjusting the angle of a rotatable side
view mirror of an articulated tractor and trailer includes
transducers attached to the tractor for transmitting signals toward
the trailer and for receiving signals reflected by the trailer. The
transducers have a substantially symmetrical arrangement about a
centerline of a linear transducer bar attached to the tractor and
each has an angular orientation substantially dissimilar to
adjacent transducers on a same side of the centerline. A control
circuit sequentially activates ones of the transducers such that
only a single transducer transmits signals at any given time.
Thereafter, the control circuit only processes reflected signals
received by the emitting transducer. The control circuit calculates
an angle between the tractor and trailer and causes the mirrors to
rotate accordingly.
[0012] In other embodiments, methods include activating ones of the
transducers in sequence from left-to-right or right-to-left in a
total period of about 60 msec. Methods also include calibrating the
transducers at a time when the tractor and trailer have a zero
angle there between. Once a driver sets a desired zero position of
the mirrors, the mirror becomes rotated from the zero position by
an amount calculated after the tractor-trailer angle is known.
[0013] Transducer bars for attachment to the tractor include six
transducers symmetrically arranged about a centerline wherein two
transducers each occupy a terminal end and two transducers exist
substantially near the centerline. Two more transducers reside on
the bar between the centerline transducers and the terminal end
transducers. The centerline or innermost transducers have an
angular orientation relative to the transducer bar opposite the
remaining transducers. In one embodiment, the two innermost
transducers have angular orientations of about eighty-three degrees
away from the centerline. The two terminal end or outermost
transducers have angular orientations of about fifty-six degrees
toward the centerline while the intermediate transducers have
angular orientations of about sixty-nine degrees toward the
centerline. The intermediate transducers exist much closer in
distance to the outermost transducers as compared to the innermost
transducers.
[0014] Various additional advantages and features which
characterize the invention are further pointed out in the claims
that follow. However, for a better understanding of the invention
and its advantages, reference should be made to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter which illustrate and describe the
instant invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and ID provide various views of an
articulated vehicle including a tractor 15 and a trailer 20 and
which is equipped with the vehicle safety system of the instant
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is front view of the trailer 20 of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the vehicle safety system of
the instant invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram of control panel 70 of control unit 62
shown in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating rotating mirror 32 and
associated drive unit 78 for rotating mirror 32;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred range of rotation of rotating
mirror 32;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of transducers of a
transducer bar for determining an angle between tractor 15 and
trailer 20;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of the
transducer bar shown in FIG. 7;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flow chart setting forth a process for adjusting
mirrors of the tractor;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a partial top planar diagram setting forth the
geometries between a tractor and trailer during calibration of the
transducers of the transducer bar;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a representative example of the
invention setting forth the geometries between the tractor and
trailer of FIG. 10 when the tractor is angled about sixty degrees
to the left of the trailer;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a partial top planar diagram of a representative
example of the invention setting forth the geometries between a
tractor angled about eighty degrees to the right of a trailer to
allow calculation of a mirror position relative to a zero mirror
position set by a driver;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a representative configuration of the control
circuit of FIG. 3, for example, embodied with a MOTOROLA
microcontroller having model number 68HC912D60A; and
[0028] FIG. 14 is a representative configuration of a sole
transducer able to transmit and receive signals in accordance with
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and ID illustrate an articulated vehicle
10 having a trailer 20 coupled to a tractor 15 and which is
equipped with the vehicle safety system of the instant invention.
FIG. 1A is a left side view of articulated vehicle 10; FIG. 1B is a
right side view of articulated vehicle 10; FIG. 1C is a rear view
of articulated vehicle 10; and FIG. 1D is an upper plan view of a
portion of articulated vehicle 10. FIG. 2 is a front view of
trailer 20 having a trailer width, tw. Typical trailer widths in
use today include eight feet and eight feet six inches. Although
the vehicle safety system of the instant invention will be
described below in terms of its application to an articulated
vehicle and, in particular, to a tractor-trailer combination, it
will be readily apparent that the various features of the invention
are not limited in this respect. Other applications include
articulated cars of a train, towed and towing vehicle, car and
camper, truck and boat, and tug-boat and tugged-boat to name a
few.
[0030] FIGS. 1A, 1B, IC, and ID illustrate a tractor-trailer
combination which includes a tractor 15 having a fifth wheel 22 and
which is coupled to trailer 20 in a conventional manner. First and
second rotatable side view mirrors 32 and 34 are secured to the cab
of tractor 15. Mirrors 32 and 34 provide a driver with driver's
side and passenger's side views, respectively, and the driver sets
each to a desired position known hereinafter as a zero position. Of
course, tractors configured for use in European countries, for
example, are outfitted with a driver's position opposite that
shown.
[0031] At a position aft of the cab 27 of the tractor, the
tractor-trailer combination is equipped with a plurality of
transducers, preferably on a transducer bar. The transducers
transmit and receive signals such as ultrasonic signals which are
used in the determination of the angle between the tractor and the
trailer as will be described in detail below. With reference to
FIG. 1D, transducers 1-6 attach to a transducer bar 38 for use in
determining an angle between tractor 15 and trailer 20, whereby
rotatable mirrors 32 and 34 may be appropriately rotated. As
illustrated, the angle between the tractor and trailer is zero
degrees. That is, the left and right side panels 44, 45 of the
trailer are generally parallel with the left and right sides 7, 9
of the tractor. The transducer bar 38 is attached to the back of
tractor 15 and is preferably mounted relatively close to the plane
of fifth wheel 22 of tractor 15, generally parallel to the ground,
to ensure that a given tractor can be utilized with many different
types and sizes of trailers. It will of course be appreciated that
the location of transducer bar 38 may be modified as appropriate
for a particular type of tractor 15 and/or trailer 20. Transducer
bar 38 may be surface mounted or recessed into the back of tractor
15 as indicated by arrows 11. In a current embodiment, transducer
bar 38 is spaced a distance D (alternatively, labeled distance "Ho"
in FIG. 10) in a range of forty to fifty-three inches from the
front panel 46 of trailer 20, although it will be evident that the
invention is not limited in this respect. Trailer 20 is illustrated
as having a trailer width, tw, of either eight (8'0'') feet or
eight feet, six inches (8'6''), although it will again be evident
that the invention is not limited in this respect. While the use of
a transducer bar is convenient, it will be appreciated that the
invention is not limited in this respect and the transducers may,
for example, be directly mounted on tractor 15.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the vehicle safety
system in accordance with the instant invention. The first 1,
second 2, third 3, fourth 4, fifth 5 and sixth 6 transducers of the
transducer bar 38 couple to a control unit 62 over respective
communication paths 64a-64g. Communication paths 64a-64g may be
wired or wireless communication paths and the invention is not
limited in this respect. In some embodiments, a junction box 65 may
intercede between the transducer bar and the control unit 62 to
offer additional user convenience. A power source 66 supplies power
over power line 68 to control unit 62. Power source 66 may, for
example, be the electrical system of the vehicle or an external
battery. If it is desired to operate the apparatus on a voltage
lower than that supplied by the vehicle, a voltage lowering device
such as a transformer, a resistor or a zener diode may be placed
between the power source and control unit 62. Alternatively, a
replaceable internal battery 68 may be included in control unit 62.
A control panel 70 provides an interface with control unit 62 for
the driver. A display 72 is used to visually communicate
information to the driver. If desired, a speaker (not shown) may
also be provided to aurally communicate information to the driver.
Control unit 62 includes a control circuit 74 such as a
microprocessor which controls transducers 1-6 and display 72 and
which processes driver inputs which are input via control panel 70.
Control circuit 74 may, for example, be a microcontroller such as a
model 68HC912D60A available from MOTOROLA. Other microcontrollers
which may be utilized with the control circuit 74 include a Z-80
available from Zilog or an A51 or HD647180 from Hitachi or any
other known or hereinafter developed microcontroller.
[0033] When the MOTOROLA product is used (e.g., FIG. 13), the
micro-controller 130 preferably features 60K of FLASH program
memory and is available in a 112-pin TQFP package 132. The
micro-controller becomes programmed initially with a RS-232
boot-loader available on the MOTOROLA website. This boot-loader
allows reprogramming via a standard RS-232 serial cable. In use,
the boot-loader initially loads on a blank HC12 using a
Technological Arts microBDM12DX pod. As skilled artisans
understand, the boot-loader is only necessary for development
programming. In order for the HC12 to operate correctly, a variety
of support circuitry components are generally required. The first
of these components is a supervisor circuit that ensures that the
micro-controller resets upon power-up. One IC applicable for this
task includes a Microchip MCP120-450DI that features a reset trip
voltage of 4.5 V. In order to guarantee a stable power supply, each
pair of power pins on the HC12 can be decoupled using a 0.1 uF
tantalum capacitor. A useful oscillator circuit for the HC12
includes an 8 MHz crystal and phase-locked-loop (PLL) filter. The
PLL filter makes the oscillator circuit much more stable and it is
recommended by the manufacturer.
[0034] Again, with reference to FIG. 3, a memory 76 (internal or
external to the microcontroller) stores operating programs and
other information which are used by control circuit 74. The
operating programs are preferably factory-loaded and include a
routine for generating mirror control signals for appropriately
rotating mirrors 32, 34 in accordance with information which is
supplied from the transducers 1-6 as will be described below. Drive
units 78 and 80, preferably in the form of servo- or
stepper-motors, DC motors and attendant gearing, receive the mirror
control signals and appropriately rotate mirrors 32 and 34,
respectively. The mirror control signals are preferably supplied to
the drive units over wired communication paths, but wireless
communication paths may also be used. As will be discussed below,
the programs stored in memory 76 also include routines for using
the information supplied from the transducers to provide
information to the driver regarding the orientation of the vehicle
as well as for controlling the transducers.
[0035] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the front panel 86 of control
unit 62. Control unit 62 is mounted in the cab or passenger
compartment of tractor
[0036] such as on the dashboard, for example, and has an outer
housing made of, for example, aluminum or a heavy grade durable
plastic. Manual master ON/OFF power switch 88 controls the
application of power from power source 66 to control unit 62. When
in the ON position, power is coupled from power source 66 to
control unit 62. Alternatively, the Manual master ON/OFF switch may
be eliminated and the power coupling occurs when a user rotates the
ignition key to start the vehicle. Master switch ON signal such as
a light emitting diode (LED) (not shown) is illuminated when power
switch 88 is in the ON position. If the automatic mirror rotating
function is not desired, Manual Right and Manual Left power
switches 85, 87 may be utilized by the driver to control operation
of the mirrors 32, 34. If the automatic mirror rotating function is
desired, Auto switch 83 is depressed. In this mode, the driver
indicates initial conditions by depressing the Trailer Length
button 81 in the up 81 a or down 81b direction until the display 72
shows the length of the trailer. Trailer Width switch 79 is
provided to initially set the width tw as either eight or eight and
one-half feet. An Unknown Trailer switch 77 can also be provided
for those situations in which the driver is unaware of the
appropriate settings or in those situations where the trailer has
an irregular shape, for example, and the dimensions become captured
and recorded by the control unit. The Set switch 75 allows the
driver to confirm a correct input while the Cancel switch 73 allows
the drive to cancel an incorrect input. A Set-Up button 71 is
depressed to inform the control unit 62 that initial conditions are
being indicated. A Mirror-Heat switch 69 enables, or not, a mirror
heating circuit useful in defrosting foggy or icy mirrors, for
example. Finally, a Gearshift switch 67 allows the driver to
control the mirror in increments or in a sweeping fashion. In one
embodiment, pressing the Gearshift switch for less than two seconds
allows the mirror to execute a five-degree step from its previous
position. Conversely, holding the switch longer than two seconds
sweeps the mirror to a desired or initial position. The switches or
buttons may embody momentary center-off rocker switches,
depress-and-hold, toggle or other. Of course, other control panel
arrangements including keypads, pushbuttons, joysticks, and the
like may be utilized and the invention is not limited in this
respect. Other mirror positioning functions such as up/down tilt
may also be provided, if desired.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a mirror 32 and its
respective drive unit 78. Mirror 32 is mounted in mirror housing 98
at its lower end by bottom mirror drive axle 100, retaining nut
102, washer 104, and greased seal bearing 106. At its upper end,
mirror 32 is mounted in mirror housing 98 by top mirror drive axle
108, retaining nut 110, washer 112, and greased seal bearing 114.
Alternatively, a common drive axle could replace the two top and
bottom drive axles 100, 108. Drive unit 78 is mounted on top mirror
drive axle 108 by mounting brackets 116 and controls the rotation
of mirror 32. Mirror 32 rotates on bottom mirror drive axle 100 and
top mirror drive axle 108. FIG. 6 illustrates one preferred range
of motion of mirror 32 within mirror housing 98. Of course, the
details of the mirror and drive unit described above are for
illustrative purposes, and many different mirrors and drive units
with and without mirror housings may be utilized. Mirror 34 and
drive unit 80 may be similarly arranged. In alternate embodiments,
the mirror may become modified such that it includes both a
stationary mirror part and a rotatable mirror part. In accordance
with this aspect of the invention, a driver is provided with both a
view obtained when the rotatable mirror part is rotated in
accordance with an angle between the tractor and the trailer as
well as a view from un-rotated or stationary mirror parts. Such
bifurcated mirror designs are known.
[0038] In order to effect appropriate rotation of mirrors 32 and
34, control circuit 74 monitors the angle between tractor 15 and
trailer 20. If this angle exceeds a predetermined angle such as
three degrees, for example, during execution of a turning maneuver,
control circuit 74 generates mirror control signals for controlling
the rotation of mirror(s) 32, 34. The above-mentioned predetermined
angle defines a so called null zone in which no mirror rotation is
effected and is provided to prevent minor steering corrections or
simple lane changes from causing rotation of the mirrors. The null
zone setting is configurable and may be set in memory 76 at the
factory or by the driver using the rocker switches of the control
panel. The null zone may of course be set to zero whereby mirror
rotation is effected at all angles of the tractor and trailer.
Based on the angle between tractor
[0039] and trailer 20 and other information, such as the length of
trailer 20, an appropriate angle for rotating mirror(s) 32, 34 may
be determined. Control circuit 74 then generates mirror control
signals for effecting the mirror rotation and supplies the mirror
control signals to the stepper- or servo-motors, or DC motors of
drive units 78, 80 which drive the rotation of mirrors 32, 34,
respectively. After the turn is complete and the angle between
tractor 15 and trailer 20 returns to a value in the "null zone,"
the mirrors 32, 34 are rotated to their initial straight-viewing or
zero position.
[0040] During use, with respect to transducers 1-6, the control
circuit 74 activates appropriate transducers of the transducer bar
using transducer control signals. The transducer control signals
from control circuit 74 are emitted for example, at a rate of about
one hundred times per second, and are changed ("transduced") by the
transducers into ultrasonic sound waves having a speed of
approximately 746 miles per hour. Based on the time it takes for
ultrasonic sound waves to be reflected or echoed back and detected
by the transducers, control circuit 74 calculates the distances and
angles between the respective transducers and the object which
reflected the waves.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the operation of the transducers
is controlled and timed by control circuit 74. With reference to
FIG. 7, a single transducer, number 1 for example, is activated for
a first short period of time by a pulse from control circuit 74.
This pulse is converted into sound waves as discussed above and
transmitted by the transducer for the first short period of time.
The sound waves appear first as waves 19 outgoing from the
transducer. After the outgoing waves impact the front panel 46 of
the trailer 20, for example, the waves are converted into reflected
or return waves 21. The reflected waves are received by each of the
transducers 1-6 of the transducer bar 38, but quite unlike the
prior art, the control circuit 74 will only process the wave
returned to the transducer which emitted it, e.g., transducer 1 in
this example. Thereafter, the control circuit 74 causes transducer
1 to stop emitting and adjacent transducer 2 to emit. Processing
then only occurs on waves returned exclusively to transducer 2. In
sequence, the control circuit individually causes transducers 3, 4,
5 and 6 to emit outgoing waves of which processing only occurs on
waves returned to the active or emitting transducer. Thereafter,
the emitting of waves and processing of reflected waves occurs all
over again in the same pattern. As a result, each transducer
receives only the sound waves which it has transmitted, and
distortion of the signal due to the operation of other transducers
is eliminated. Further, because the transmission and receiving
periods for each transducer are very short, interference from
external sources is minimized. Distortion due to the operation of
other transducers may also be reduced by using transducers which
generate ultrasonic signals having different frequencies.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the time between activation of
one transducer before activation of the adjacent transducer is 10
msec and the activation occurs for a period of time not to exceed
10 msec. With six total transducers it takes about 60 msec to
sequentially activate each of transducers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Of
course, different time sequencing is considered within the scope of
this invention as is different patterns of creating outgoing waves.
For example, instead of activating transducers in order from
transducer 1 to transducer 6, it could occur in order from
transducer 6 to transducer 1. It could also occur in any order. To
eliminate or reduce false signals that potentially occur when
reflected waves 21 impact the surface 37 of the transducer bar, the
surface 37 may become roughened or angled to scatter the waves. As
will be described in detail below, bear in mind that the front
panel 46 of the trailer 20 will turn relative to the orientation of
the tractor 15/transducer bar 38 during use and the above
processing will enable angular calculations to be obtained between
the trailer and tractor.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 8, the transducer bar 38 of the
preferred embodiment has a substantially linear longitudinal extent
of about 52 inches in the length dimension and the transducers are
arranged substantially linearly thereon. The transducers are also
arranged in a substantially symmetrical orientation (e.g.,
mirror-image) with respect to its centerline CL. In this manner,
the transducer bar is relatively easily manufactured.
[0044] In one preferred embodiment, the centerline of transducers 1
and 6 reside about 25.87 inches from the centerline CL and
substantially occupy the distal ends 81, 83 of the transducer bar.
The centerlines of transducers 2 and 5 reside about 21.45 inches
from the centerline CL. The centerlines of transducers 3 and 4
reside about 0.841 inches from the centerline CL. In other
embodiments, transducers 3 and 4 exist about 1.125 inches from the
CL.
[0045] Skilled artisans will further appreciate that although the
transducers are symmetrically arranged, transducers on the same
side of the centerline have substantially dissimilar orientations,
especially angular orientation, in comparison to adjacent
transducers. In this manner, more robust readings/information about
the angular orientation between the tractor and trailer can be
obtained with as relatively few transducers as possible. Even
further, those skilled in the art will observe that the innermost
transducers 3 and 4 angle opposite, relative to the centerline, in
comparison to the outermost transducers 1 and 6 as well as the
intermediate transducers 2 and 5.
[0046] In another embodiment, the transducers 1 and 6 are
positioned at about a 56 degree angle relative to the surface 37 of
the transducer bar 38 and angle toward the centerline CL.
Transducers 2 and 5, much closer in distance to the outermost
transducers than the innermost transducers, are positioned at about
69 degrees and also angle toward the centerline CL. Transducers 3
and 4 are positioned at about 83 degrees and angle away from the
centerline CL. They also perform best if positioned as close to the
centerline CL as reasonably possible.
[0047] In other embodiments, the transducer bar may only have four
total transducers thereon. Preferably, such is accomplished by
eliminating transducers 2 and 5. Conversely, the invention also
contemplates more than six total transducers and such additional
transducers would likely occupy a position between transducers 2
and 3 and between transducers 4 and 5. In such situations, the
transducers would preferably angle toward the centerline and do so
more or less steeply than the innermost transducer. In general,
however, more computational accuracy is obtained with more
transducers, yet such occurs at a cost of additional processing
time and memory. In all embodiments, preferred transducers each
have a beamwidth BW of approximately 25 degrees (as
representatively shown in planar view with regard to transducer 6)
and are preferably suited for both wet and dry use so as to be
operable in varying weather conditions. Commercially available
transducers such as those used for determining depth may be
utilized.
[0048] Representative transducers are manufactured, for example, by
POLAROID as a series 9000 piezo transducer having item number
PID618416. As an example, a transducer 140 useful with the
invention can be seen in FIG. 14. Apertures 142 exist about the
transducer periphery for inserting mechanical fasteners to secure
or attach the transducer to the transducer bar 38. An area 144
corresponds generally to that surface of the transducer that emits
or transmits an outgoing wave of energy and, upon reflection from
the trailer, receives the return wave. In this manner, a single
transducer can both transmit and receive signals without needing to
operate in conjunction as a pair with another transducer whereby
one transducer of the pair transmits signals while the other
transducer receives signals. During use, area 144 is oriented
toward the front panel of the trailer while bottom 146 is typically
grounded to or touching an interior of a housing 151 (FIG. 8, for
example). The housing 151, in turn, is secured by fasteners 153 to
the transducer bar and angularly holds the transducers in place
relative to the generally planar surface 37 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) of the
transducer bar.
[0049] With reference to FIG. 9, the general method for rotating
any of the mirrors 32, 34 in accordance with an angular deviation
between a tractor
[0050] and a trailer 20 occurs first by calibrating the transducers
S10. After calibration, the angle between the tractor and trailer
is calculated S12. A mirror position relative to a desired zero
position set by the driver is then calculated at step S14. Finally,
the mirror(s) are adjusted S16. Hereinafter, each of these steps
will be described in more detail.
[0051] First, to calibrate the transducers S10, and with reference
to FIG. 10, a driver of the vehicle 10 brings the front panel 46 of
the trailer 20 into a generally parallel relationship with the
transducer bar 38. In other words, the driver creates a zero degree
angle between the tractor 15 and trailer 20.
[0052] Next, the angle .alpha. and straight-line distance R of each
of the transducers (not shown) of the transducer bar 38 relative to
the fifth wheel 22 (king-pin) are calculated. Since the transducer
bar is symmetrical, calculations need only be accomplished for
three of the six transducers with their results being replicated
for the remaining three transducers. In this example, calculations
for transducers 1, 2 and 4 will be undertaken with their results
being applicable to transducers 6, 5 and 3, respectively.
[0053] The angle between the transducer 4 and the fifth wheel pivot
22 (king-pin) is shown as .alpha.4. Likewise, the angles between
the transducers 1 and transducers 2 relative to the king-pin are
shown as .alpha.1 and .alpha.2, respectively. The straight-line
distances for the transducers 1, 2 and 4 are shown as R1, R2, and
R4, respectively. The value DIST (below) corresponds to the Ho
distance plus the F distance. In this example, the HO represents
that distance from the transducer bar to the front panel 46 of the
trailer while the F distance represents that distance,
perpendicularly, from the front panel 46 to the king-pin. Usually,
the F distance is about 36 inches.
[0054] Mathematically, and based on standard geometric principles,
the relationships are further defined as follows: DIST=Ho+F;
.alpha.4=a tan(0.841/DIST); .alpha.2=a tan(21.45/DIST); .alpha.1=a
tan(25.87/DIST); R4=0.841/sin(.alpha.4); R2=21.45/sin(.alpha.2);
R1=25.87/sin(.alpha.1); and
[0055] wherein the numbers 0.841, 21.45 and 25.87 represent the
distance in inches between the centerline CL of the transducer bar
38 and the centerline of the transducers 4, 2 and 1, respectively,
as previously shown in FIG. 8. Of course, if the transducers had
different distances to the centerline CL, the equations above would
change accordingly.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 11, and appreciating that the tractor
15 has pivoted some angle during use with respect to the trailer
20, the angle of the tractor relative to the trailer will be
determined as shown at step S12, FIG. 9. As illustrated, the
tractor 15 has pivoted leftward about sixty degrees although the
amount is unknown at this time to the control unit 62. The angle
.theta. will now represent how much each transducer has pivoted and
such can be calculated. Specifically, the angle .theta. of each of
the transducers relative to their initial calibration is as follows
(appreciate, however, only angles .theta. will be shown for
transducers 1, 4, 6 and 3): .theta.4=a cos(t4+F)/R4; .theta.1=a
cos(t1+F)/R1; .theta.6=a sin(t6+0.5*tw)/R1; .theta.3=a
sin(t3+0.5*tw)/R4;
[0057] wherein the variables t1, t3, t4 and t6 correspond to the
respective time it takes an outgoing wave of energy to return to
the transducer from which emitted it as previously described in
relation to FIG. 7.
[0058] Once the angles .theta. have been calculated, the angle of
the tractor relative to the trailer, as determined by each of the
transducers becomes calculated by adding or subtracting the angle
.theta. with the angle .alpha. in accordance with the formulas:
[0059] When the tractor is at a positive direction (e.g., right
turn): Trailer angle calculated by transducer 4:
Trailer_angle4=(.theta.4-4); Trailer angle calculated by transducer
2: Trailer_angle2=(.theta.2+.alpha.2); Trailer angle calculated by
transducer 1: Trailer_angle1=(.theta.1+.alpha.1); Trailer angle
calculated by transducer 6: Trailer_angle6=(.theta.6-.theta.1);
Trailer angle calculated by transducer 5:
Trailer_angle6=(.theta.5-.alpha.2); and Trailer angle calculated by
transducer 3: Trailer_angle3=(.theta.3+.alpha.4).
[0060] When the tractor is at a negative direction (e.g., left
turn): Trailer angle calculated by transducer 4:
Trailer_angle4=(.theta.4+.alpha.4); Trailer angle calculated by
transducer 5: Trailer_angle5=(.theta.5+.alpha.2); Trailer angle
calculated by transducer 2: Trailer_angle2=(.theta.2-.alpha.2);
Trailer angle calculated by transducer 1:
Trailer_angle1=(.theta.1-.alpha.1); Trailer angle calculated by
transducer 6: Trailer_angle6=(.theta.6+.alpha.1); and Trailer angle
calculated by transducer 3: Trailer_angle3=(.theta.3-.alpha.4).
[0061] Therefore, at any given tractor-trailer position, there will
be six calculated results (corresponding one-to-one with each of
the transducers 1-6 of the transducer bar 38) representing the
tractor-trailer angles. Some of the calculations may give a
negative value and some may be larger than 90 degrees which are
apparently not valid results and are discarded.
[0062] After calculating the above six angles, software in the
control unit will use a series sequence routine of judgment to
finally decide which calculated angle will be used as the "real" or
"actual" trailer angle at any given position. As an example,
consider the following preferred sequence:
[0063] 1) If (0<Trailer_angle4<16) then assign Trailer_angle4
as the actual trailer angle;
[0064] 2) If (17<Trailer_angle1<50) then re-assign
Trailer_angle1 as the actual trailer angle even if the previous
value has been assigned by Trailer_angle4 because this statement
comes later and has higher priority;
[0065] 3) However, if (Trailer_angle1<17) or
(Trailer_angle1>50), the actual trailer angle maintains its
previously assigned value, which is Trailer_angle4 in this case;
and
[0066] 4) If (16<Trailer_angle2<22) then re-assign
Trailer_angle2 as the actual trailer angle, otherwise trailer angle
remains unchanged.
[0067] The sequencing continues through all six calculated results.
Eventually, there should be at least one valid value that is
finally assigned as the actual trailer angle.
[0068] In general, throughout a 90 degree turn either side of
center ("center" referring to the tractor and trailer having a zero
angle), more than one of transducers 1-6 is opposite a surface
portion of front panel 46 of trailer 20, whereby an echo or
reflected wave will be returned. However, not every surface portion
from which an echo can be "bounced" will have sufficient linear
movement towards or away from the transducer to resolve increments
of the turning motion. For example, reflections from surface
portions located near the pivot point (king pin) are less useful
for determining the angle between tractor 15 and trailer 20 since
the linear movement of these portions changes very little per
degree of turning. Accordingly, the transducers used in the angle
determination should be arranged such that at all angles of
interest there is at least one transducer which is opposite a
surface portion of front panel 46 of trailer 20 having sufficient
linear motion to resolve increments of turning motion.
[0069] With reference to FIG. 12, and appreciating the next step in
the flow diagram of FIG. 9 relates to step S14, calculating mirror
position, the geometry between left and right mirrors 32, 34 of a
tractor and a trailer 20 is as follows:
[0070] Angle .alpha.o corresponds to the angle between the mirror
line, between the left and right mirrors 32, 34, and the
driver-sight line, between the driver's position X and the right
mirror 34 (or left mirror 32 if the driver is turning left).
Skilled artisans will appreciate that the distances of the mirror
line and the driver sight line are fixed and measurable as is the
distance of the line 101 from the driver's position X,
perpendicularly, to the mirror line;
[0071] Thereafter, variable K corresponds to
K=(0.5*tw)*(tan(90-angle); wherein the variable angle is that angle
previously calculated between the tractor and the trailer.
[0072] Once K is known, variable d is determined as distance F
(FIG. 10), typically 36 inches, minus K or d=F-K or 36-K;
[0073] Then, variable e and h are calculated as e=d*cos (angle)
while h=d*sin (angle), wherein variable h is that line from the
corner 99 of the trailer perpendicularly drawn to the
"Perpendicular Line" described below; variable e is that line
segment of the Perpendicular Line from the right panel 45 of the
trailer to the variable h intersection point;
[0074] Perpendicular Line, which always extends from the king-pin
22 perpendicularly to the mirror line (alternatively, the
Perpendicular Line is defined as variable "fifth" below in the
equations because it extends from the "fifth-wheel" or king pin to
the mirror line), has a portion, m, thereof that extends from the
king-pin 22 to the right panel 45 of the trailer and is defined as
m=(0.5*tw)/sin(angle);
[0075] The variables "vert" line, parallel to the perpendicular
line and extending from the corner point 99 of the trailer to the
mirror line, and "horiz" line, on the mirror line from the vert
intersection 100 to the mirror 34, are found in order to calculate
the angle .phi.. Specifically, vert=fifth-e-m while
horiz=12+0.5*tw+h, wherein "12" is a distance in inches
corresponding to a distance from position 111 minus 1/2 tw; the
angle .phi. then becomes .phi.=a tan(vert/horiz).
[0076] The "corner" line, from trailer corner 99 to the right
mirror 34, then becomes corner=vert/sin .phi.;
[0077] Angle .theta., although not the previously defined angle of
the transducers, becomes .theta.=90-angle+.phi.;
[0078] The "back" line, from right mirror 34 to the position back
trailer corner 113, equates to back=sqr
(corner.sub.2+tL.sup.2-2*corner*tL*cos(.theta.));
[0079] In turn, .gamma.=a
cos((corner.sub.2-tL.sup.2+back.sup.2)/2*corner*back));
[0080] Finally, the angle of "mirror" (the right mirror 34 in this
example) is to be adjusted relative to the driver's set zero
position (step S 16, FIG. 9) by an amount according to the equation
mirror=(.gamma.+.phi.-.alpha.o)/2+90.
[0081] Accordingly, skilled artisans will now appreciated that the
transducer system as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 enables control
circuit 74 to simply, while efficaciously, calculate the angle of
trailer 20 relative to tractor 15 based on the distances between
the back of tractor 15 and front panel 46 of trailer 20 as
determined by transducers 1-6 without the assistance of any look-up
tables. It will also function regardless of the distance Ho between
the transducer bar 38 and the front panel 46 of the trailer 20.
[0082] Once the variable "mirror" is found, mirror control signals
for controlling mirrors 32, 34 are generated by control circuit 74.
These control signals are supplied to drive units 78 and 80 for
appropriately controlling rotation of mirrors 32, 34. The signals
are supplied to the appropriate driver units in a very short period
of time, for example, at a rate of approximately eleven times per
second, thereby permitting precise movement of the mirrors. The
system of the instant invention may also be set up so that when the
tractor-trailer is turned in one direction, both mirrors turn. In
which case, for example, in turning left, the left mirror rotates
to enable viewing the rear of the vehicle while the right mirror
rotates to some desired location to allow the driver to view that
area of the trailer to the side of the right panel of the trailer.
Alternatively, the system may be set up so that during a left turn,
only the left mirror rotates, and during a right turn, only the
right mirror rotates. The control circuit 74 may further include a
warning routine which generates a warning signal, for example an
audible warning signal via a speaker, when the angle between
tractor 15 and trailer 20 is ninety degrees or approaching it and
the tractor and trailer are in jeopardy of a "jackknife"
orientation. The audible warning may be a voice warning such as
"Warning! The trailer is in a jackknife position." The voice chip
136 (FIG. 13) may be used in this regard. In addition or
alternatively, a visual warning of the jackknife position may be
provided on display 72.
[0083] Control circuit 74 follows trailer 20 through its full range
of 180 degrees relative to tractor 15. In the event the transducers
determine that no trailer is hooked up to tractor 15, control
circuit 74 preferably automatically resets mirrors 32 and 34 to the
normal or zero position. The transducers may also be disabled by
moving power switch 88 to the OFF position when no trailer is
attached to the vehicle. Furthermore, any malfunction of the
transducers or other components results in control circuit 74
returning and maintaining the mirrors in the neutral position until
the faulty part is repaired. The transducers thus generate
appropriate control signals for rotating a mirror to permit viewing
down the length of a trailer towards a dock or a loading area.
[0084] It will be recognized that although a tractor-trailer
containing the transducers has been described above, the instant
invention is in no way limited in this respect. Thus, a
tractor-trailer may utilize any one or more of the transducers to
rotate a safety spotlight (not shown) to a desired area or
effectuate any other safety or other measure.
[0085] Although the above embodiments are described in terms of
using ultrasonic waves, the invention is not limited in this
respect and other waves of different frequencies may be used.
[0086] The United States patents referenced above are hereby
incorporated by reference into this application in their entirety.
Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been
described in detail in the foregoing description with reference to
the accompanying drawings. However the disclosure is illustrative
only and the invention is not limited to the precise illustrated
embodiments. Various changes and modifications may be affected
therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *