Trailer Backup Assist Activation via Sensor-Based Need Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating a vehicle with a trailer in tow is challenging, especially for unskilled drivers, as the direction of the steering wheel input is counterintuitive to the resulting trailer direction, and there is no clear way to determine if a trailer backup assist feature is needed at the time of vehicle purchase.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that determines if a trailer backup assist system is needed by using an assistance model based on sensor data during a manual trailer backup session, enabling the system if the assistance level is above a threshold, and allowing users to initiate a process to enable the system by completing a transaction and downloading software to operate the hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trailer backup assist system is provided in all vehicles, then unskilled drivers can easily back up trailers, but the device complexity and cost increase for vehicles that may not need this feature
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection during the manufacturing process to identify vehicles that will benefit from trailer backup assist functionality. By pre-configuring only those vehicles with the necessary hardware and software, the system avoids adding complexity to vehicles that don't need the feature, while ensuring ready-to-use capability for vehicles that do.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor data from the vehicle's existing infrastructure to automatically determine whether trailer backup assist is needed, eliminating the need for manual configuration or customer input. The vehicle essentially services itself by making the determination based on its own operational characteristics.
2Reliability
If trailer backup assist hardware and software are pre-installed in all vehicles, then immediate assistance is available, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection during the manufacturing process to identify vehicles that will benefit from trailer backup assist functionality. By pre-configuring only those vehicles with the necessary hardware and software, the system avoids adding complexity to vehicles that don't need the feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of assist availability from a fixed state (either always available or never available) to a dynamically determined state based on detected operational patterns. This allows the system to optimize both cost and reliability by matching availability to actual need.
3Device complexity
If the system uses existing sensor data to determine assistance need, then no additional hardware is needed, but the measurement precision may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes existing sensors serve multiple functions: their primary function for normal vehicle operation and an additional function for detecting trailer backup assist needs. This universal approach allows accurate determination without adding dedicated detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing sensor infrastructure services the dual purpose of normal operation and trailer assist detection, eliminating the need for separate detection systems and reducing overall hardware requirements while maintaining adequate precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer backup assist system is needed to assist a driver with a procedure to backup a trailer that is connected to a vehicle. The estimation of need for assistance may be determined by an assistance model. If assistance is needed, the systems and methods provide an input to initiate a process to enable the trailer backup assist system.