Trailer Backing Guidance with Rotary Knob Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle and trailer guidance systems during reversing maneuvers lack effective methods for accurately aligning the trailer angle relative to the vehicle, particularly in varying ambient conditions and environments, leading to potential jackknife situations and collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular trailer guidance system utilizing a rear backup camera, electronic control unit, and human machine interface (HMI) to detect the current trailer angle and adjust the vehicle's steering to align the trailer with a desired angle set by the driver, using a rotary knob or slider for input, ensuring the trailer follows the set angle without automatic return to a zero position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If imaging sensors are used to help a driver when backing up a trailer, then the driver can see the trailer position, but the system lacks automatic steering control to align the trailer angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an automated electronic steering control system. The control unit processes image data from cameras to automatically determine trailer angle and calculate steering commands, substituting the driver's manual steering operations with an automated electromechanical system that actively aligns the trailer during reversing maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously capturing image data from rearward-facing cameras, processing this data to determine current trailer angle, comparing it with the desired angle, and automatically adjusting steering accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables real-time correction of trailer position without requiring manual driver intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If the system automatically controls steering to align trailer angle, then alignment precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control unit that acts as a mediator between the simple camera input and the complex steering output. This control unit processes image data to determine trailer angle, calculates the difference from desired angle, and generates appropriate steering commands, thereby managing system complexity through modular functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual judgment and control processes with automated electronic image processing and steering control. By substituting human cognitive processing with electronic algorithms that analyze camera images and compute steering commands, the system achieves high alignment precision while managing complexity through software-based solutions.
3Ease of operation
If the HMI knob automatically returns to zero position when released, then the system resets to center, but the driver cannot maintain a non-zero trailer angle setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic behavior in the HMI knob where the return-to-zero function is conditional rather than automatic. The control unit monitors whether the vehicle is moving backward before enabling the automatic return function. When the vehicle is stationary or moving forward, the knob maintains its last position, providing flexibility. When reversing, the knob can automatically return to zero for convenience, thus adapting the system behavior based on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the HMI knob based on vehicle motion state. When the vehicle is in reverse gear, the knob is configured to automatically return to the zero position upon release. When the vehicle is in any other state, the knob maintains its last adjusted position. This parameter change enables the system to provide both automatic reset convenience and angle setting flexibility as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular trailer guidance system includes a human machine interface provided in the vehicle and operable by a driver of the vehicle during a backing up maneuver of the vehicle with a trailer hitched thereto. The human machine interface comprises a freely rotatable rotary knob and operates (i) in a backing up trailer left-backup mode when rotated counter-clockwise, (ii) in a backing up trailer straight-backup mode when the rotary knob is pushed or pulled and (iii) in a backing up trailer right-backup mode when rotated clockwise. Responsive to selection by the driver of the left-backup mode or right-backup mode, the system sets a desired trailer angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to an angle that is commensurate with a driver-selected setting of the rotary knob. The driver can select the straight-backup mode by pushing or pulling the rotary knob.