Trailer Camera Angle Detection Without Hitch Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require the attachment of markers on towed vehicles for relative angle detection, which is burdensome and affects the vehicle's appearance.

Innovation Solution

A relative angle detection device that uses an imaging device on the towed vehicle to capture images of the towing vehicle and calculates relative angles without requiring markers on the towed vehicle, utilizing an arithmetic processing unit to determine hitch, pitch, and roll angles based on captured information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a marker (edge portion or sticker) is installed on the towed vehicle for relative angle detection, then the relative angle can be detected, but the user burden increases and the vehicle appearance is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative angle detectionVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the imaging device on the towing vehicle to capture the towed vehicle (conventional approach), this patent inverts the arrangement by placing the imaging device on the towed vehicle to capture the towing vehicle. This inversion eliminates the need for markers on the towed vehicle, as the imaging device now captures images of the towing vehicle's rear portion which naturally contains detectable features for angle calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The towing vehicle's own rear portion structure serves as the detection target, eliminating the need for separate markers. The imaging device on the towed vehicle captures images of the towing vehicle, and the arithmetic processing unit detects the relative angle based on the towing vehicle's natural structural features, making the system self-sufficient without additional markers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a sticker is attached on the towed vehicle for marker detection, then the relative angle can be detected, but the vehicle appearance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative angle detectionVSAvoidvehicle appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the detection arrangement so that the imaging device is placed on the towed vehicle rather than the towing vehicle. This allows the system to use the towing vehicle's existing rear portion structure as the detection target, completely eliminating the need for stickers or markers on the towed vehicle and thus preserving its appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the marker requirement from the towed vehicle by using the towing vehicle's structure as the detection target instead. The imaging device captures images of the towing vehicle's rear portion, and the angle detection is performed based on this captured imagery, removing the need for any additional markers that would degrade appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If no marker is present on the towed vehicle, then the vehicle appearance is maintained, but the relative angle detection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle appearanceVSAvoidrelative angle detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the detection arrangement to place the imaging device on the towed vehicle and have it capture the towing vehicle, the system naturally obtains detectable features from the towing vehicle's rear portion structure. This inversion solves the detection difficulty while maintaining the towed vehicle's appearance, as no markers are needed on the towed vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device acts as an intermediary that captures images of the towing vehicle's rear portion, transferring the detection task to the towing vehicle's existing structural features. The arithmetic processing unit then uses these captured images to calculate the relative angle, bridging the gap between no markers on the towed vehicle and successful angle detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250296395A1Relative angle detection device for combination vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 JTEKT CORP

AI summary

A relative angle detection device for a combination vehicle, the relative angle detection device being used in the combination vehicle in which a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle are connected via a towing-side connecting member and a towed-side connecting member. The relative angle detection device includes an imaging device that is installed on the towed vehicle and that captures an image of the towing vehicle, and an arithmetic processing unit that calculates a relative angle of the towed vehicle with respect to the towing vehicle based on information obtained from the imaging device.