Vehicle Hitch Assist System Using Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of hitching a vehicle to a trailer can be difficult, especially for those without experience, necessitating a system that simplifies the process in a intuitive and assistive manner.
Innovation Solution
A hitch assist system that includes an imager for capturing images of the hitch assembly and trailer coupler, a controller for identifying and estimating the ball mount length and hitch ball height, and a display for providing contextual views and guidance, allowing for intuitive alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual hitching process is used, then the system is simple, but the difficulty of operation increases and measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation and physical measurement with an automated imaging system. The controller captures images of the hitch assembly and uses image processing to automatically determine ball mount length and hitch ball height, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and expert knowledge while providing precise quantitative data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement by automatically capturing images of the hitch assembly and calculating critical dimensions without requiring external measurement tools or human intervention. The controller processes the images to determine ball mount length and hitch ball height independently, making the system self-sufficient for measurement tasks.
2Measurement precision
If automated image processing is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it controls the imager, processes images to measure ball mount length and hitch ball height, generates visual guidance overlays, and provides instructional feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single control unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a display interface as an intermediary that presents processed measurement data and visual guidance to the user in an intuitive format. The display shows overlaid lines indicating proper alignment, zoom windows highlighting the coupler, and contextual views that translate complex image processing results into simple visual instructions, bridging the gap between automated measurement and user understanding.
3Ease of operation
If visual guidance overlay is provided, then ease of operation improves, but loss of information increases due to image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial processing by selectively overlaying guidance elements only in critical areas such as the hitch assembly region and coupler location. Rather than processing or obscuring the entire image, the system adds minimal necessary information (alignment lines, measurement indicators, zoom windows) to specific regions, preserving most of the original image detail while providing targeted guidance where it is most needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch assist system is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes an imager for capturing one or more images of a hitch assembly and a trailer coupler. The imager is operably coupled with a movable panel. The hitch assembly includes a ball mount and a hitch ball. A controller is configured to generate an image that includes the hitch assembly, identify the hitch assembly within the image, estimate a ball mount length based on a predefined reference length and/or estimate a hitch ball height.