Vehicle Hitch Alignment via Zone-Based Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle computer systems face difficulties in accurately performing the hitching procedure, including locating and maneuvering the hitch ball and trailer hitch to successfully couple a vehicle with a trailer, due to challenges in aligning the hitch ball and trailer coupling, which can result in misalignment or overshooting.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that uses image data from sensors to define zones (overshoot, misaligned, and aligned zones) and actuates vehicle actuators to adjust the hitching process, including updating displays and stopping or restarting the maneuver based on the location of the trailer coupling relative to these zones, utilizing a trailer coupling classifier and trigonometric calculations to determine optimal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the vehicle uses sensor data and zone-based control to assist hitching, then the alignment accuracy between hitch ball and trailer coupling is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple sensors, zone definitions, and control algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The hitching area is segmented into multiple zones (aligned zone, overshoot zone, misaligned zone) based on spatial relationships between the hitch ball and trailer coupling. This segmentation allows the system to provide differentiated guidance for different alignment states, improving precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through zone-based decision logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer system as an intermediary that processes sensor data, determines zone locations, and provides control signals. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by centralizing the decision-making process and coordinating between multiple sensors and actuators, thereby improving alignment accuracy without requiring direct complex interactions between individual components.
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle defines multiple zones (overshoot, misaligned, aligned) based on image data, then the measurement precision of trailer coupling location is improved, but the computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining the aligned zone, overshoot zone, and misaligned zone based on the hitch ball location before the hitching maneuver begins. This pre-computation of zone boundaries reduces real-time processing requirements during the actual hitching operation, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive time loss during critical alignment phases.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses automated zone-based control to manage the hitching maneuver, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation by automatically determining the trailer coupling's zone location and generating appropriate control signals without requiring manual intervention. The computer system monitors sensor data, identifies the current zone, and autonomously adjusts vehicle position or provides guidance, thereby improving ease of operation while managing control complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Upon initiation of trailer-hitching, an image is obtained of an area behind and in a horizontal plane with respect to a vehicle, the area including a rearwardly extending trailer hitch, with a hitch ball mounted thereto, mounted to the vehicle. The hitch ball is located in the image. An overshoot zone, having a length extending from a vehicle rear bumper to a nearest point on the vehicle hitch ball and having a width that is a sum of a diameter of the hitch and two times a lateral offset, is defined within the area, as is a misaligned zone having a border extending from the vehicle rear bumper to a line tangent to a rearmost point of the hitch ball. A vehicle action is caused upon determining that the trailer coupling is detected in the overshoot zone or the misaligned zone.