Trailer Camera Image Positioning Based on Hitch Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing driver assistance systems for vehicles with trailers, cornering or maneuvering operations cause misalignment of trailer positions in combined camera images, leading to restricted views due to covered sections and obstructed visibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the hitch angle of the vehicle-trailer combination using state data and time-dependent image data to dynamically adjust the position of the trailer camera image within the combined image, ensuring optimal visibility by minimizing blind spots during rotational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trailer camera image is statically positioned in the combined image, then the system structure is simple, but the view restriction increases during cornering or maneuvering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the trailer camera image position adaptive rather than static. The computing unit dynamically adjusts the position of the trailer camera image within the combined image based on detected hitch angle variations, allowing the display to adapt to different maneuvering conditions while maintaining system structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the position parameter of the trailer camera image based on the hitch angle. By detecting variations in the hitch angle and相应地 adjusting the position of the trailer camera image in the combined image, the system optimizes the driver's view during cornering or maneuvering operations without requiring complex mechanical adjustments
2Loss of information
If the trailer camera image position is fixed in the combined image, then the processing complexity is low, but covered sections result during non-straight travel
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the trailer camera image position based on hitch angle variations detected during cornering or maneuvering operations. This dynamic adaptation prevents covered sections and ensures continuous visibility information is provided to the driver without requiring complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The computing unit continuously detects the hitch angle and uses this feedback information to adjust the position of the trailer camera image in the combined image. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the display adapts to changing vehicle-trailer configurations, eliminating covered sections while maintaining processing efficiency
3Ease of operation
If the trailer camera image covers free sections, then the view restriction is reduced, but parts of the trailer obstruct the view during maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the position parameter of the trailer camera image based on the detected hitch angle. By accurately detecting hitch angle variations and相应地 adjusting the image position, the system ensures that the trailer camera image covers the correct sections without obstruction, maintaining both driver visibility and position accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical position adjustment mechanisms with an electronic/image processing solution. Instead of physically adjusting the camera or display hardware, the system uses computing units to dynamically reposition the trailer camera image within the combined image, achieving accurate positioning without mechanical complexity
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
For driver assistance for a combination (8) with a motor vehicle (9) and a trailer (10), a first camera image (19) and a second camera image (20) are generated. A combined image (21) is generated by means of a computing unit (13) by superimposing the camera images (19, 20) such that the second camera image (20) covers a subsection of the first camera image (19), wherein a hitch angle (14) of the combination (8) is determined by means of the computing unit (13). State data of the combination (8) are determined by means of a sensor system (17) and it is determined whether the combination (8) moves forward or backward. The hitch angle (14) is determined based on the state data, if the combination (8) moves forward and based on a change of time-dependent image data, if the combination moves backward. A position of the subsection is determined depending on the hitch angle (14).