Trailer Angle Prediction System for Reversing Maneuvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges when backing up a trailer due to the dynamic interaction between the vehicle and trailer positions, as existing rear backup cameras are often obstructed and lack visual assistance for trailer alignment during reversing maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A trailer angle prediction system using cameras and image processing to detect the trailer's angle relative to the vehicle, predict the steering wheel angle, and display a graphical path for reversing, enhancing the driver's ability to maneuver the trailer correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional rear backup camera is used, then the driver can see behind the vehicle, but the camera view is obstructed by the trailer and no visual assistance for trailer alignment is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary computational model that predicts the relationship between steering wheel angle and trailer angle. This virtual mediator processes camera images and vehicle state data to generate alignment guidance, bridging the gap between the driver's limited visual information and the complex trailer-vehicle dynamics that are difficult to observe directly.
2Loss of information
If the driver manually monitors trailer position during reversing, then some alignment information can be obtained, but the complexity of tracking dynamic interactions increases the difficulty of the maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the trailer to effectively monitor and report its own angle relative to the vehicle through the computational model. The trailer's position and orientation are automatically calculated based on steering input and camera feedback, eliminating the need for the driver to manually track and compute these dynamic relationships.
3Measurement precision
If visual feedback for trailer alignment is provided, then the driver can better align the trailer, but the system complexity increases with additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The existing rear backup camera serves multiple functions: it provides the primary backup view for the driver and simultaneously feeds into the computational model for trailer angle prediction. This multi-functional use of the single camera eliminates the need for additional dedicated angle sensors while maintaining precise trailer angle detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular trailering assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a video display screen disposed in the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle with the trailer hitched thereto, the vehicular trailering assist system determines a projected path of travel of the vehicle with the trailer hitched thereto based at least in part on (i) image data captured by the rear backup camera, (ii) vehicle parameters provided to the vehicular trailering assist system and (iii) trailer parameters provided to the vehicular trailering assist system. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle with the trailer hitched thereto, the video display screen displays the projected path for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle during the reversing maneuver.