METHOD FOR RECORDING THE MOVEMENT OF A TRAILER USING A REAR-FACING CAMERA

The method uses a rear-facing trailer camera to detect and mitigate sway by comparing images, employing differential braking and steering, addressing the inadequacies of existing trailer movement detection and providing accurate length and position estimation.

DE102022123836B4Active Publication Date: 2026-05-28GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102022123836
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-11-03
Filing Date
2022-09-16
Publication Date
2026-05-28
Estimated Expiration
2042-09-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for detecting and mitigating trailer movement are inadequate, particularly using rear-facing cameras, as they fail to accurately determine and counteract trailer sway and oscillation effectively.

Method used

A method utilizing a rear-facing camera on the trailer to capture images, compare them to determine movement, and implement strategies like differential braking or active steering to mitigate sway, while also estimating trailer length and position relative to lane markings.

Benefits of technology

Accurately detects trailer sway and oscillation, enabling effective mitigation through vehicle and trailer actions, and provides precise estimation of trailer length and position.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Method for detecting the movement of a trailer (12) with a rear-facing camera (20) connected to a towing vehicle (10), the method comprising: Taking (62) a first picture with the camera (20); Taking (64) a second picture with the camera (20); Comparing (66) the second picture with the first picture; Determine (70) a first amount of the follower movement that occurs between the second image and the first image; Taking a third picture with the camera (20); Taking a fourth picture with the camera (20); Comparison of the fourth image with the third image; Determining a second amount of the follower movement that occurs between the fourth image and the third image; and Tracking the first and second amounts of the follower movement to determine the follower fluctuation. Comparison of the measured trailer oscillation with a maximum permissible oscillation; and if the measured oscillation of the trailer (12) is greater than the maximum permissible oscillation, to reduce the measured oscillation of the trailer (12) with the towing vehicle (10), wherein the reduction of the measured trailer oscillation consists of the towing vehicle (10) performing one of the following measures: differential braking, active rear axle steering or active front axle steering, the procedure further comprising: Using a front camera (52) or sensors (54) of the towing vehicle (10) to determine whether the first degree or the second degree of movement of the trailer (12) is attributable to the movement of the towing vehicle (10); and if the first degree or the second degree of movement of the trailer (12) occurs in response to the movement of the towing vehicle (10), no reduction of the swaying, even if the movement of the trailer (12) is greater than the maximum permissible swaying, the procedure further comprising: Determining the location of one or more lane markings in the first image; and Determining the position of the trailer relative to the one or more lane markings in the first image, the procedure further comprising: Determining the location of one or more lane markings in the second image; and Determining a position of the trailer (12) relative to the one or more lane markings in the second image; and Determining a second amount of trailer movement that occurs relative to one or more lane markings between the second image and the first image.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    DE102011108440A1

  • Trailer Sway Warning System AND PROCEDURES

    DE102015112053A1

  • Method for identifying a traffic lane

    DE102017218075A1

  • Method for determining an operating angle between a tractor and a trailer of the tractor

    DE102019206985A1