Tailgate Vision Control for Hitch Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular systems fail to prevent damage to tailgates by preventing them from opening into attached hitches or obstructions during opening, which can lead to structural damage and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular vision system using rear-facing cameras and image processing to detect the presence of hitches or obstructions in the tailgate's path, controlling the tailgate's opening mechanism to prevent collision and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tailgate is made fully openable for normal use, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of damage from opening into hitches or obstructions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of hitches and obstructions in the tailgate's path before the opening action is completed. The camera captures images of the area behind the vehicle, and the image processor identifies potential obstacles before the tailgate fully opens, allowing the system to prevent damage by stopping or limiting the opening motion when obstacles are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system acts as an intermediary between the tailgate opening mechanism and potential obstacles. By detecting hitches and obstructions through image processing, the system mediates the opening action by providing control signals to limit or prevent tailgate opening when obstacles are present, thereby protecting against damage while allowing normal operation when the path is clear.
2Reliability
If vision detection system is added to detect hitches and obstructions, then reliability of damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting hitches, detecting obstructions, and providing control signals for tailgate operation. By using a single camera and image processing system for multiple detection purposes, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate specialized sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing camera infrastructure and image processing capabilities to perform hitch and obstruction detection. By leveraging already-present components for the new safety function, the patent minimizes the addition of complex new hardware while achieving reliable damage prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and operable to capture image data and an image processor for processing image data captured by the camera. The vehicle has a tailgate that is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis and movable along a downward swing path from a closed position toward an opened position. Image data captured by the camera is processed by the image processor to detect presence of an object in a field of view of the camera. The system, responsive to detection of the object, determines location of the object relative to the downward swing path of the tailgate. The system, responsive to determination that the object is located within the downward swing path of the tailgate between the closed position and the opened position, limits movement of the tailgate of the vehicle toward the opened position.