Hitch Assist System Visibility-Based Sensor Selection

The patent combines multiple sensors (camera, radar, LIDAR) into a unified sensing system that merges their respective strengths. The camera provides detailed visual information in good conditions, while radar and LIDAR maintain detection accuracy in low visibility, creating a complementary multi-sensor architecture that resolves the contradiction between system simplicity and measurement precision.

The system dynamically changes operational parameters by selecting different sensors or sensor combinations based on environmental conditions. Visibility detection triggers parameter changes in sensor selection, allowing the system to optimize measurement precision for current conditions while maintaining manageable system complexity through conditional activation.

The patent implements a multi-functional sensor system where each sensor type serves multiple purposes. The camera provides visual detection and recognition, while also contributing to environmental assessment. Radar and LIDAR provide primary detection in low visibility while also measuring distance and velocity. This universal approach maintains precision across conditions without requiring completely separate sensor systems for each scenario.

The system employs dynamic sensor selection and weighting based on real-time visibility assessment. The controller continuously evaluates environmental conditions and dynamically adjusts which sensors are active and how their data is weighted in the fusion process. This dynamic adaptation maintains measurement precision while managing device complexity through conditional sensor activation rather than permanently deploying all sensors at full capacity.

The hitching system performs self-service by automatically detecting the trailer, calculating the alignment path, and guiding the vehicle without requiring user expertise. The system independently completes tasks that would otherwise require experienced operators, including obstacle detection, path planning, and precise positioning, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable implementation complexity through automated functions.

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data about trailer position and vehicle orientation is constantly monitored and fed back to the controller. This feedback enables real-time path adjustment and provides visual guidance to the operator, making the hitching process intuitive and easy to operate even for inexperienced users while keeping the system implementation straightforward through standardized control algorithms.

The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electronic and software-based solutions. Instead of mechanical linkages and physical guidance mechanisms, the system uses sensor arrays, computer vision algorithms, and electronic control units to achieve automated path control. This substitution improves ease of operation while managing device complexity by using programmable electronics rather than complex mechanical assemblies.

The system introduces an intelligent controller as an intermediary between the sensors and the vehicle's actuation systems. This mediator processes sensor data, computes alignment paths, and generates control commands, simplifying the overall architecture by centralizing control logic in a dedicated unit rather than distributing complexity across multiple mechanical subsystems. The intermediary enables automated operation while keeping the system structure manageable through modular design.