Guided Tow Hitch Control System Using Camera and Local Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitching operations, especially in low lighting conditions, face challenges in aligning the hitch ball and trailer coupler due to the rear location of the hitch ball, and camera-based guidance systems are less optimal during close-up control phases.
Innovation Solution
A guided tow hitch control system that uses a combination of cameras and local positioning devices to collect dynamic pixel images and determine the position of the trailer coupler relative to the hitch ball, displaying graphical overlays to assist alignment, with adjustable zoom and audio/visual indicators for proper alignment confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a camera-based guidance system is used for trailer hitching, then back-up steering guidance is provided, but the system is less than optimal during close-up control phases of the hitching operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hitching operation is divided into two distinct phases: a first phase using camera-based guidance for initial approach and alignment, and a second phase using a local positioning system for precise close-up alignment. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate in its optimal performance range, with the camera providing broad-area guidance and the positioning system providing high-precision measurement for the critical final alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
A local positioning device (such as a transmitter on the trailer and receiver on the vehicle, or vice versa) serves as an intermediary system that bridges the gap between the camera-based guidance and the final precise alignment requirement. This intermediary positioning system provides the high-precision distance and alignment data needed for close-up control that the camera system alone cannot achieve.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hitch ball is located at the rear end of the tow vehicle, then the hitching structure is stable, but it is difficult for an operator to properly align the hitch ball and the trailer coupler during a hitching operation, particularly in low lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the operator through graphical overlays displayed on a screen. The overlays show the relative positions of the hitch ball and trailer coupler, the required alignment path, and the current alignment status. This feedback loop allows the operator to make precise adjustments to achieve proper alignment, overcoming the difficulty of judging alignment in low lighting conditions or from the rear of the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual alignment process is replaced with an automated optical and electronic alignment system. Instead of relying on the operator's visual judgment and manual positioning, the system uses cameras and local positioning devices to automatically calculate alignment parameters and provides guidance through graphical overlays, effectively substituting the mechanical visual alignment process with an electronic guidance system.
3Ease of operation
If graphical overlays are displayed to guide the hitching operation, then alignment assistance is provided, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it processes data from the camera system, processes data from the local positioning system, calculates alignment parameters, generates graphical overlays, and controls the display. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby providing comprehensive alignment assistance while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the accuracy and ease of trailer hitching operations by providing real-time visual and audio feedback, ensuring precise alignment of the hitch ball and trailer coupler, even in low lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The local positioning device may be, by way of non-limiting examples, a light beacon emitting light signals such as a continuous light beam, lidar, or light pulses, a sound wave transmitter emitting sound or radio waves, e.g., an ultrasonic transmitter, or an electromagnetic wave transmitter emitting electromagnetic waves such as radar.
Implementation Method 2
A controller of the tow vehicle is programmed to display a first graphical overlay to dynamic pixel images collected by a camera of the tow vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide guided control of a hitching operation between a tow vehicle and a trailer. Dynamic pixel images are collected of the first and second hitch devices using a camera. The position of the second hitch device is determined using the controller. A first graphical overlay to the dynamic pixel images is displayed, with the first graphical overlay, e.g., guidelines, depicting a path of the tow vehicle. A distance between a calibrated position of the first hitch device and the determined position of the second hitch device is calculated and a second graphical overlay is displayed on zoomed-in images when the calculated distance is less than a calibrated distance. The second graphical overlay provides indicia of the positions of the first and second hitch devices. A control action executes when the second graphical overlay indicates substantial overlap or concentric alignment of the indicia of the respective positions.