Trailer Assist System Using Vision-Based Angle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems lack effective assistance for maneuvering vehicles with trailers, particularly in reversing scenarios, as they fail to accurately determine trailer angles and directions, leading to potential jackknifing and collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system utilizing one or more CMOS cameras to capture image data, process it to determine trailer angles and directions, and control the vehicle's steering to align the trailer with a virtual destination location, minimizing offset errors and preventing jackknifing or collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vehicle vision system uses traditional imaging sensors without trailer angle detection, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot accurately determine trailer angles and directions, leading to jackknifing and collision risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical trailer angle detection devices with a vision-based system using CMOS cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of the trailer and vehicle, processes these images to calculate trailer angle and direction, thereby substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis, achieving accurate trailer maneuvering control without complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processor as an intermediary between the camera system and the steering control system. This intermediary component processes images to extract trailer angle information, generates steering commands, and communicates with the vehicle's steering system, enabling accurate trailer angle determination and steering control without direct mechanical coupling between the trailer and vehicle sensing systems
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle vision system manually monitors trailer position, then the system complexity remains low, but the precision of trailer angle and direction determination is insufficient, causing offset errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual monitoring with an automated image processing system using CMOS cameras and digital image analysis. The system captures high-resolution images, processes them through algorithms to calculate precise trailer angles and directions, and generates steering commands, thereby substituting human visual estimation with automated optical measurement and computational geometry, achieving high measurement precision without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical trailer and vehicle configuration through image capture and processing. By generating a virtual representation of the trailer angle and position from captured images, the system can accurately measure and analyze the trailer configuration without physically touching or mechanically measuring the trailer, achieving precise measurement through digital modeling
3Manufacturing precision
If the system does not implement virtual destination location control, then the control system remains simple, but the system cannot maintain consistent distance to destination, reducing maneuvering accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates and sets a virtual destination location in advance based on the current trailer position and desired final position. This pre-calculated destination point serves as a reference for the steering control system to maintain consistent distance and achieve precise trailer alignment, enabling the system to plan the maneuver path beforehand and execute it with high precision through continuous steering adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the image processor continuously monitors the trailer position relative to the virtual destination location, calculates the distance and angle deviations, and adjusts the steering commands accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the trailer maintains the correct distance and orientation throughout the maneuver, achieving high alignment precision through continuous correction based on real-time image analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular trailer assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing a portion of a trailer hitched at a hitch of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and hitched trailer, the vehicular trailer assist system, responsive to processing at an electronic control unit (ECU) of image data captured by the camera, determines a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Based at least in part on the determined trailer angle, the vehicular trailer assist system determines a trailer direction of movement of the trailer while the vehicle is reversing with the trailer hitched at the hitch of the vehicle. The vehicular trailer assist system determines a virtual destination location rearward of the trailer and in the determined trailer direction and controls steering of the vehicle to reverse the trailer towards the virtual destination location.