Auxiliary Lighting for Automated Trailer Hitch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the lack of direct sight lines for aligning the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer hitch, requiring repeated driving maneuvers and potential collisions, especially when the hitch ball is obscured.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hitching assistance system that uses a controller to acquire image data, identify a trailer and its coupler, and output a steering signal to align the vehicle hitch ball with the coupler, utilizing cameras and exterior lights for visibility and automated backing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver relies on direct sight lines to align the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer hitch, then the alignment process becomes simpler and more direct, but the hitch ball is often obscured and cannot be seen, making this approach infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras, processors, and display devices that mediate between the driver and the hitch ball. The camera captures images of the hitch ball, the processor analyzes the image data to determine the hitch ball's position and orientation, and the display device presents this information to the driver, enabling alignment without direct visual contact with the hitch ball
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical line-of-sight alignment method with an electronic/optical system. Instead of the driver directly seeing and manually aligning the hitch ball, the system uses cameras to capture images, processors to analyze positions, and display devices to guide the driver, substituting electronic processing for mechanical visual alignment
2Manufacturing precision
If the driver performs repeated forward and reverse driving maneuvers to align the hitch ball, then the alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the camera continuously captures images of the hitch ball, the processor analyzes the position and orientation data, and the display device provides real-time feedback to the driver about the alignment status. This closed-loop feedback enables precise alignment without repeated trial-and-error maneuvers, significantly reducing the time required
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the hitch ball position and recommended alignment path before the driver executes the maneuver. The processor calculates the optimal steering and positioning actions needed based on the current relative positions of the vehicle and trailer, allowing the driver to execute a single correct maneuver rather than multiple trial maneuvers
3Reliability
If the driver manually steers and positions the vehicle without assistance, then the system complexity remains low, but the alignment precision decreases and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between the driver's intent and the vehicle's physical action. The camera and processor act as mediators that objectively measure the hitch ball position and calculate the correct alignment path, removing the reliance on the driver's subjective judgment and experience, thereby increasing reliability and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering and positioning with an electronic guidance system. The camera-based detection and processor-based calculation substitute for manual estimation and judgment, providing more precise and reliable alignment information to the driver, which reduces collision risk despite the increased system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller illuminating one or more exterior lights directed toward a rear of the vehicle, acquiring image data from the vehicle, and searching for a trailer within an area illuminated by the one or more exterior lights. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer, and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing of the vehicle toward the trailer.