Patent Application
20230177976
The present subject matter relates to a commercial vehicle backup trainer and method of use by drivers to practice backing up with real time feedback.
Backup exercises are an integral part commercial driver training, but there are no assistive devices that are currently used to provide real-time driver feedback during training. There is no commercially-available product designed to give real time feedback during commercial vehicle backing exercises.
In one construction, the disclosure provides a commercial vehicle backup trainer comprising a distance sensor for measuring the distance between the rear of a commercial vehicle and a fixed training target while a driver is practicing backing up the commercial vehicle and a visual indicator viewable by the driver of the commercial vehicle that changes color as the distance between the commercial vehicle and the training target changes as the driver is practicing backing up towards the training target.
In another construction, the disclosure provides a commercial vehicle backup trainer comprising a distance sensor, color changeable lights, a display screen a processor in communication with the distance sensor, the color changeable lights and the display screen and a support structure for supporting the distance sensor, the color changeable lights, the display screen and the processor, wherein the distance sensor continually measures the distance between the rear of a commercial vehicle that is being backed up toward the support structure and continually communicates that distance to the processor, wherein the processor continually communicates the distance to the display screen for viewing by the commercial vehicle's driver, and wherein the processor changes the color changeable lights for viewing by the commercial vehicle's driver as the distance of the commercial vehicle to the support structure decreases as the commercial vehicle is being backed up toward the support structure.
In another construction, the disclosure provides a method for a driver to practice backing up a commercial vehicle toward a fixed training target while being provided real time feedback in a first mode, the method comprising the steps of providing a fixed training target for a driver of a commercial vehicle to practice backing up toward, continuously measuring the distance between the rear of the commercial vehicle and the fixed training target while the driver is practicing backing up the commercial vehicle and providing real-time visual feedback to the driver as the distance between the rear of the commercial vehicle and the fixed training target changes using color changeable lights.
In another constructions, the disclosure provides a method for a driver to practice backing up a commercial vehicle toward a fixed training target while being provided real time feedback comprising the steps of providing a fixed training target for a driver of a commercial vehicle to practice backing up toward, continuously measuring the distance between the rear of the commercial vehicle and the fixed training target while the driver is practicing backing up the commercial vehicle, and providing real-time feedback to the driver of the distance between the rear of the commercial vehicle and the fixed training target and of the skew angle of the commercial vehicle relative to the fixed training target.
Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any constructions of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
The backup trainer 10 includes a distance sensor 16 that measures the distance between the rear of the commercial vehicle 12 and the fixed training target. For example, the distance sensor 16 can includes a LIDAR type of sensor available from Benewake as model TFmini-i. It should be noted, however, that other types of distance sensors can also be utilized.
The visual indicator 14 for the driver in this embodiment is used as a real-time status indicator during a driver's backup attempt while practicing. The visual indicator 14 preferably includes color changeable, individually addressable lights such as strips 18 of LEDs. Color changeable or changes in color with respect to lights includes different colors, different intensities of the same color or variable lighting such as blinking, strobing or solid. For example, visual indictor 14 can include individually addressable type LEDs available from Bright LED Electronics Corp as model BB-HJXGABG32K-TRB in a strip configuration 18. It should be noted that other types of LEDS, LED configurations and visual indicators can be utilized such as other types of lights, neon lights, LCD displays and the like.
As shown in
A controller 28 is mounted to the crossbeam 22, such as in the center of the crossbeam 22 between the uprights 24. As shown in
In operation in a training or first mode and with reference to
As the commercial vehicle 12 progresses toward the fixed training target decreasing the distance to the fixed training target, the visual indicator 14 changes colors. For example, the starting point can be a flashing green light, then as the distance decreases as the commercial vehicle 12 is closer to the fixed training target, the visual indicator changes to solid green and then progressively changes to solid yellow and then solid red. When the driver reaches a predetermined set distance from the fixed training target, the visual indicator 14 changes from solid red to flashing red to caution the driver to stop backing up. It should be noted that other colors, combinations of colors, intensity or blinking can be utilized to provide visual feedback to the driver as they near the fixed training target while practicing back up the commercial vehicle 12.
While using the backup trainer 10, the driver is provided with real-time feedback while in the process of practicing backing up. The real-time feedback can include the numerical distance from the commercial vehicle 12 to the fixed training target and/or the color changeable lights.
Further, the real-time feedback may include a skew angle of the commercial vehicle 12 relative to the fixed training target during or after the backup attempt. To determine a skew angle, the backup trainer 10 measures the angle at which the commercial truck 12 is backing up in relation to the fixed training target. In an optimal backup attempt, the rear of the commercial vehicle 12 should be parallel with the fixed training target when the commercial vehicle 12 comes to a stop. An example of two methods of determining the skew angle are as follows, however, it should be noted that other methods known to those of skill in the art can also be utilized. In a first example, a second distance sensor (not shown) is placed at a known angle to the distance sensor 16. The sensor pair determines how far the commercial vehicle angle deviates from the ideal parallel position using the distance measured by the distance sensor 16, which measures the distance to the back of the commercial vehicle 12 and the distance measured by the second sensor, which measures the distance to the back of the commercial vehicle 12 at the known angle from the distance sensor 16. Using the two distances and the known angle, the processor 32 can then determine the skew angle. In a second method for determining the skew angle, the two distance sensors both measure distance perpendicular to the fixed training target but are spaced a known distance apart from each other. Using this known distance, the distance measured by the distance sensor 16 and the distance measured by the second sensor, the processor 32 can determine the skew angle. The skew angle measured either during or after the backup attempt is communicated to the driver using the visual indicator 14 or using the display screen 30.
With reference to
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In any of the embodiments of the backup trainer described above, sound can also be utilized as feedback for the driver during backup practice. For example, speakers can be located outside of or inside the commercial vehicle cab to provide a beeping tone that changes in tone, frequency and/or volume as the commercial vehicle gets closer to training target. It should be noted that other audio feedback for the driver can also be utilized.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
