Trailer Reverse Steering Control with Drawbar Line Superposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users inexperienced in driving vehicles connected with trailers face difficulties during reverse maneuvers due to the combined movement of the vehicle and trailer.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus with a processor, camera, side mirror controller, and steering controller assists reverse driving by displaying visual objects indicating the drawbar and steering alignment, allowing users to superimpose these objects through input to the side mirror controller, thereby controlling the vehicle's steering for alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vehicle backs up connected with a trailer, then the vehicle and trailer move together as a combined unit, but inexperienced drivers face difficulties in controlling the alignment and steering during reverse maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical vehicle-trailer system by generating a second line object that replicates the drawbar's orientation and position on the display. This virtual representation allows drivers to visualize and control the trailer's movement without directly observing the physical trailer, simplifying the control task through a digital surrogate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a display interface as an intermediary between the driver and the vehicle-trailer system. The display shows line objects representing the drawbar and provides visual feedback during reverse maneuvers, mediating the complex interaction between steering input and trailer response, and making the system easier to control.
2Loss of information
If visual objects are displayed to assist steering alignment, then driver guidance is improved, but the system requires additional processing and display components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple graphical line objects as visual copies of the physical drawbar and steering components. These line objects are generated computationally from the vehicle's geometric parameters and displayed on the screen, providing alignment information without requiring complex sensors or additional hardware beyond standard display capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the second line object is rotated based on side mirror controller input, then steering alignment control is enhanced, but the control logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the side mirror controller serve multiple functions: its original function for adjusting side mirrors and an additional function for controlling the rotation of the second line object during reverse maneuvers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate controls and simplifies the user interface without adding hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions for side mirrors and for visual alignment assistance into a single controller. The side mirror controller's input signals are processed to simultaneously control mirror positioning and to rotate the second line object on the display, combining multiple control tasks into one unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a processor, a display, a camera configured to obtain an image of the vehicle, a side mirror controller configured to control a side mirror of the vehicle, and a steering controller configured to control steering of the vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to: display, an image of the vehicle, a first line object indicating a drawbar, wherein the drawbar connects to the vehicle via a coupler, and a second line object associated with steering of the vehicle, based on an input to the side mirror controller, rotate the second line object around one of two endpoints of the second line object, wherein the one of two endpoints and the coupler are superimposed on each other, and control, based on the rotated second line object, the steering such that the first line object and the second line object are superimposed on each other.