Aspöck: ‘less is more’ for reversing radar
Vehicle lighting and safety specialist Aspöck Systems has developed a new reversing aid using a single radar unit, which it says simplifies design and installation while also significantly upgrading performance.
The company points to the success of its Aspöck RDC (ramp distance control) system in protecting the rear of vehicles from damage during reversing to loading docks, reporting that fleets clearly see the reduction in damage and incurred costs as a result.
The RDC uses two ultrasonic sensors to detect large objects or loading docks, though, similar to passenger car reverse sensors, they cannot provide 100 per cent scanning over the rear of a trailer, says Aspöck.
“Some other manufacturers are using three, four or even six sensors at the rear of a vehicle,” the company said.
“These may well give improved coverage and detection – but the trailer builder needs to mount all these sensors in suitable positions, and the amount of wiring required clearly affects cost and long term durability.
“So Aspöck has decided that ‘less is more’ and has created a new reverse aid which uses a single radar unit in place of the multiple ultrasonics. The radar will provide 100 per cent coverage of the rear of the trailer and almost any solid object or pedestrian of any size will be detected and trigger automatic braking.
“The sensor is just 108 x 124mm and preferably should be fitted near the centre line of the trailer. It can then be programmed to apply the brakes when a required distance from the detected item. Aspöck has customers who only require braking when the object is directly behind the trailer or others who require braking from 8m away.”
The programming can account for large overhangs at the rear of a vehicle, the company says, such as containers; and if there is part of the vehicle that could be detected then the sensor can be told to ignore it.
Once an object is picked up, Aspöck requests a brake application that can also be regulated to either stop the vehicle completely, or alternatively only allow slow manoeuvring after detection, allowing vehicles to reach the loading area. Wabco, Haldex and Knorr-Bremse Trailer EBS are all supported.
“Other advantages of the radar relate to the performance of the sensor in heavy weather or contamination,” said Aspöck.
“Fog or snow will often distort the scanning of the ultrasonic sensors, whilst contamination from road dirt can also inhibit the detection. Radar is not affected by these, and thus provides a significantly more reliable detection system.”
Finally, the system can be adapted to detect along the side of a vehicle, again scanning up to 8m with a single unit.
