Fixed Offset Hitch Detection for Trailer 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 clear sightlines, requiring repeated driving and steering maneuvers to align the hitch ball with the trailer hitch, often resulting in potential contact between the vehicle and trailer.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle hitch assistance system that includes a steering system, braking system, and imaging system, with a controller that detects the edge of the drawbar assembly and adjusts the vehicle's steering and speed to align the hitch point with the trailer coupler, using image data and offset calculations to guide the vehicle along a precise path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual hitching alignment is performed through repeated driving and steering maneuvers, then the hitch ball can be positioned to align with the trailer hitch, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires frequent stops for visual confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidhitching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated vision-based system. The imaging system captures images of the trailer hitch, and the controller automatically processes these images to determine the optimal steering angle and vehicle position, eliminating the need for repeated manual driving maneuvers and visual confirmation by the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the vehicle to perform self-alignment by automatically processing images of the trailer hitch and computing the necessary steering adjustments. The driver simply initiates the process, and the system autonomously guides the vehicle into proper alignment, reducing the need for frequent stops and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the driver manually aligns the hitch ball with the trailer hitch through experience and inference, then alignment can be achieved, but the process requires multiple stops and stepping out of the vehicle to confirm positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehitching operation easeVSAvoidalignment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual alignment operations with an automated vision-based system. The imaging system captures images of the trailer hitch, and the controller automatically processes these images to determine the optimal steering angle and vehicle position, eliminating the need for repeated manual driving maneuvers and visual confirmation by the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously captures images of the trailer hitch during the alignment process and uses this visual feedback to adjust the vehicle's position and steering angle in real-time, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring the driver to stop and visually confirm positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the vehicle maneuvers closely to the trailer for precise hitch ball alignment, then alignment accuracy improves, but the risk of contact between the vehicle and trailer increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehitch alignment precisionVSAvoidcontact risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary imaging and calculation to determine the precise alignment path before the vehicle actually reaches the trailer. By pre-calculating the optimal trajectory and steering angles based on initial images, the system can guide the vehicle into alignment while maintaining a safe distance, reducing the risk of contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11584177B2Fixed offset method for hitch detection in hitch assist operation

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a steering system that adjusts a vehicle steering angle, a braking system that adjusts a vehicle speed, an imaging system that receives image data of a drawbar assembly being receivable in a hitch receiver, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect an edge of the drawbar assembly from the image data, target an endpoint at a fixed offset from the edge and a stationary point on the vehicle, and maneuver, via the steering and braking systems, the vehicle along a path to align the endpoint with the trailer.