Fifth Wheel Coupler Throat Localization Using Top-View Contour Fitting

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in accurately and reliably localizing fifth wheel hitch couplers, particularly the coupler throat, for motor vehicles with open cargo beds, which is crucial for precise trailer coupling and stability.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using camera images to generate a top-view image and fit a predefined geometric figure to the contour of the coupler throat, determining its two-dimensional in-plane position, which can also include determining the height position, to achieve accurate localization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fifth wheel hitch coupler is mounted subsequently on the cargo bed, then the available cargo space can be increased when the hitch coupler is not used, but the localization accuracy and reliability of the coupler throat decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo space availabilityVSAvoidcoupler throat localization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the coupler throat at multiple known positions before the actual coupling operation. These pre-captured images are stored and later used for accurate localization during the coupling process, eliminating the need for real-time manual localization and ensuring high precision even when the coupler position varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates optical copies (images) of the coupler throat at different known positions and stores them as reference data. During operation, the system compares real-time camera images against these stored copies to accurately determine the coupler throat position, thereby maintaining high localization accuracy despite the coupler being movable or repositionable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Area of stationary object

If the hitch coupler is removed to increase cargo space, then the cargo bed availability is improved, but the coupling assistance system cannot reliably locate the coupler throat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo bed availabilityVSAvoidcoupler throat detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing images of the coupler throat at multiple known positions before the actual coupling operation. These pre-captured images are stored and later used for accurate localization during the coupling process, eliminating the need for real-time manual localization and ensuring high precision even when the coupler position varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by comparing real-time camera images with pre-stored reference images of the coupler throat. The comparison process provides feedback about the coupler's current position and orientation, enabling the system to reliably locate the coupler throat even when it has been moved or repositioned on the cargo bed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If automatic or semi-automatic vehicle guidance is used to guide the motor vehicle towards the trailer, then the coupling process is assisted, but accurate localization of the coupler throat is required which is difficult with subsequently mounted hitch couplers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling assistance automationVSAvoidcoupler throat position determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing images of the coupler throat at multiple known positions before the actual coupling operation. These pre-captured images are stored and later used for accurate localization during the coupling process, eliminating the need for real-time manual localization and ensuring high precision even when the coupler position varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates optical copies (images) of the coupler throat at different known positions and stores them as reference data. During operation, the system compares real-time camera images against these stored copies to accurately determine the coupler throat position, thereby maintaining high localization accuracy despite the coupler being movable or repositionable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20240046509A1Localizing a fifth wheel hitch coupler of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS

AI summary

According to a computer-implemented method for localizing a fifth wheel hitch coupler (3) of a motor vehicle (1), a camera image (8) depicting the hitch coupler (3) is received from a camera (2) of the motor vehicle (1) and a top view image is generated by projecting the camera image (8) to a plane, which is perpendicular to a predefined height axis of the motor vehicle (1). A contour map (13) representing a contour (14) of a coupler throat (4) of the hitch coupler (3) is determined based on the top view image and a two-dimensional in-plane position of the coupler throat (4) is determined by fitting a predefined geometric figure (17) to the contour (14) of the coupler throat (4).