Method for visualizing the environment of a utility vehicle and utility vehicle having an environmental visualization system

Abstract

A method for visualizing an environment of a utility vehicle equipped with a front loader via a visualization system, includes generating first image data using a first camera mounted on a front region of the utility vehicle in front of the cab of the vehicle, generating second image data using a second camera mounted on the cab, processing the first and second image data using a data processing unit, and optically displaying the processed first and second image data using a display unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for visualizing an environment of a utility vehicle equipped with a front loader via a visualization system, comprising:
 generating first image data using a first camera mounted on a front region of the utility vehicle in front of the cab of the vehicle;   generating second image data using a second camera mounted on the cab;   processing the first and second image data using a data processing unit; and   optically displaying the processed first and second image data using a display unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the processed first image data of only the first camera, the processed second image data of only the second camera, and the processed first and second image data of both cameras simultaneously is selectively displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein via the data processing unit an actual value of a physical quantity of the front loader is ascertained and optically displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the actual value of the physical quantity is determined as a function of at least one of the following features:
 an optical marker of the front loader detected by at least one camera, and   known kinematics data of the front loader.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a predetermined setpoint value of the physical quantity is displayed and can be entered on the display unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization system is connected via a data bus of the utility vehicle to a controller for the movement control of the front loader. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein via the visualization system an object surrounding the utility vehicle is detected and, depending on the object detected, auxiliary information is derived, which is displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein via the data processing unit, an expected future direction of movement of the loading tool toward the object is determined and the auxiliary information is derived from this direction of movement. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary information contains at least one trajectory line, which represents an expected future trajectory of the loading tool and is displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary information contains a collision line, which represents an expected collision region between the loading tool and the object and is displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         11 . A utility vehicle having a front loader and a visualization system, comprising:
 a first camera mounted on a front region of the utility vehicle in front of the cab of the vehicle and configured to generate first image data;   a second camera mounted on the cab and configured to generate second image data;   a data processing unit configured to process the first and second image data; and   a display unit configured to display the processed first and second image data.   
     
     
         12 . The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein one of the processed first image data of only the first camera, the processed second image data of only the second camera, and the processed first and second image data of both cameras simultaneously is selectively displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         13 . The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein via the data processing unit an actual value of a physical quantity of the front loader is ascertained and optically displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         14 . The utility vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the actual value of the physical quantity is determined as a function of at least one of the following features:
 an optical marker of the front loader detected by at least one camera, and   known kinematics data of the front loader.   
     
     
         15 . The utility vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein a predetermined setpoint value of the physical quantity is displayed and can be entered on the display unit. 
     
     
         16 . The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the visualization system is connected via a data bus of the utility vehicle to a controller for the movement control of the front loader. 
     
     
         17 . The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein via the visualization system an object surrounding the utility vehicle is detected and, depending on the object detected, auxiliary information is derived, which is displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         18 . The utility vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein via the data processing unit, an expected future direction of movement of the loading tool toward the object is determined and the auxiliary information is derived from this direction of movement. 
     
     
         19 . The utility vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary information contains at least one trajectory line, which represents an expected future trajectory of the loading tool and is displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         20 . The utility vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary information contains a collision line, which represents an expected collision region between the loading tool and the object and is displayed on the display unit. 
     
     
         21 . The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the first camera is mounted on an engine hood of the utility vehicle, and the second camera is mounted on the roof of the cab of the utility vehicle. 
     
     
         22 . The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the first camera has an opening angle of approximately 120°, and the second camera has an opening angle of approximately 90°.