Hitch Angle Detection via Trailer Contour Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversing a vehicle while towing a trailer can be challenging due to the need for accurate hitch angle measurements, which existing systems often rely on for determining the trailer's position relative to the vehicle, and current methods may struggle with accuracy and reliability, especially for infrequent users or varied trailer types.
Innovation Solution
A system employing an imaging device to capture images of the trailer and a controller to process these images, deriving a template image with a trailer contour and matching it to a search image to determine the hitch angle, either by positional relationship or rotation about a common hitch point, thereby enhancing the accuracy of hitch angle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing hitch angle measurement systems are used, then the trailer backup assist system can determine trailer position, but the accuracy and reliability of hitch angle measurements deteriorate, especially for infrequent users or varied trailer types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hitch angle sensors with an optical imaging system. The imaging device captures images of the trailer, and image processing algorithms automatically determine the hitch angle by analyzing the trailer's position and orientation in the captured images, eliminating the need for mechanical measurement components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital template of the trailer's expected position and orientation. By comparing the actual captured images against this template, the system can accurately determine hitch angle deviations without requiring physical sensors on the trailer itself.
2Ease of operation
If manual hitch angle measurement methods are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates for infrequent users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration and automatic template generation. During initial operation, the system automatically captures images and creates a template of the trailer's position without requiring manual input from the user. Subsequent hitch angle measurements are automatically computed by comparing new images against this template.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary image capture and template creation during an initialization phase before actual trailer backup operations begin. This preliminary setup stores the trailer's reference position and orientation, enabling automatic hitch angle calculation during subsequent operations without requiring user intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hitch angle sensors are used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the reliability of hitch angle detection deteriorates in varied trailer types
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging-based system serves multiple functions: it captures trailer position, determines hitch angle, and adapts to different trailer types through automatic template generation. A single imaging device can handle various trailer configurations by creating type-specific templates during initial operation, eliminating the need for trailer-type-specific sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer is provided herein. An imaging device is configured to capture images of the trailer and a controller is configured to process images captured by the imaging device. The controller derives a template image having a trailer contour and matches the template image to a search image. The hitch angle is determined based on a positional relationship between the template image and the search image.