Rear-Camera Trailer Coupler Detection for Hitch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems struggle to accurately align a vehicle's hitch with a trailer coupler, especially at distances where the coupler is not clearly visible due to insufficient camera resolution and varying orientations, relying heavily on driver experience and skill.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system utilizing a rear-facing camera with an image processor that determines the location of the trailer coupler by identifying landmarks and using a two-step classifier system, combining linear and nonlinear Support Vector Machines, and ensemble regression trees to enhance detection accuracy, even at distances of several meters and various angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard resolution camera is used to detect the trailer coupler from a distance, then the system complexity is low, but the detection accuracy deteriorates because the coupler is not clearly visible
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is divided into two distinct stages: a first stage using a linear support vector machine for initial classification of image regions, and a second stage using a nonlinear support vector machine for precise coupler detection. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific task, improving overall detection accuracy while managing computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The linear support vector machine performs preliminary classification to identify potential regions containing the coupler before the more computationally intensive nonlinear support vector machine processes these regions. This preliminary action filters out irrelevant areas, reducing the computational burden on the second stage and improving overall system efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle approaches the trailer from various orientations, then the system versatility is improved, but the detection reliability deteriorates due to image noise and angle variations
Solution Approach 1:
The support vector machines are trained to recognize the coupler across a range of orientations and distances by varying the training parameters to include images taken at different angles (up to 60 degrees). This allows the system to maintain reliable detection across diverse hitching scenarios while accounting for variations in image quality and noise characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The two-stage classification system provides feedback mechanisms where the first stage identifies candidate regions and the second stage refines the detection. This feedback loop allows the system to correct for orientation variations and image noise by iteratively improving detection accuracy based on the results from each stage
3Productivity
If manual hitching alignment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to reliance on driver skill and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system performs automatic coupler detection and alignment assistance without requiring manual intervention or specialized driver skills. The system independently processes images, identifies the coupler position, and provides alignment guidance, enabling drivers of all skill levels to efficiently complete the hitching process
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual alignment process is replaced with an automated computer vision system using support vector machines for detection. This substitution eliminates the need for drivers to manually estimate coupler position and alignment, significantly improving hitching efficiency and consistency
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle toward a trailer that is spaced from the vehicle at a distance from the vehicle, the camera views at least a portion of a front profile of the trailer. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The vehicular trailer hitching assist system, via image processing at the ECU of image data captured by the camera during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle toward the trailer, determines a plurality of landmarks corresponding to the front profile of the trailer. Based at least in part on the determined plurality of landmarks, the vehicular trailer hitching assist system determines location of a trailer coupler of the trailer.