Trailer Coupler Height Compensation in Automatic Hitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the challenge of aligning the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer hitch, often requiring repeated maneuvers and lack of sight lines, which can lead to collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hitch assistance system that acquires position data of the trailer coupler using cameras and a controller to derive a vehicle path that aligns the hitch ball with the coupler, compensating for horizontal movement by relating vertical and driving direction changes, allowing for autonomous steering and braking to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment of hitch ball with coupler is performed, then alignment precision can be achieved through driver skill, but time consumption increases significantly and collision risk remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated vision-based system. Cameras capture images of the coupler, and a controller automatically calculates the vehicle path to align the hitch ball with the coupler, substituting driver skill and manual steering with automated image processing and path derivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vehicle to perform self-alignment by automatically deriving and executing the alignment path without continuous driver intervention. The controller processes coupler position data and autonomously controls steering and braking to achieve precise alignment.
2Measurement precision
If repeated forward and reverse driving maneuvers are performed to achieve alignment, then alignment can be achieved, but the number of operations increases and collision probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing an image of the coupler before the alignment maneuver begins and deriving the complete alignment path in advance. This allows the vehicle to execute a single coordinated maneuver rather than repeated trial-and-error operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from camera images to continuously monitor coupler position and adjust the alignment path. The controller processes real-time image data to derive accurate vehicle paths that account for the actual coupler location and orientation.
3Loss of information
If the driver attempts to see the hitch ball and coupler for alignment, then visual confirmation is possible, but the close proximity of the hitch ball to the rear bumper creates blind spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual detection by the driver with automated camera-based detection. Cameras mounted on the vehicle capture images of the coupler, and image processing algorithms automatically determine coupler position and orientation, eliminating the need for driver sight lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces cameras and image processing as intermediaries between the driver and the coupler. Instead of the driver directly observing the coupler through limited sight lines, the camera system captures the view and the controller processes the information, providing indirect but accurate detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a controller acquiring position data of a coupler of a trailer and deriving a vehicle path to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler including compensating for a determined change in the position of the coupler in a driving direction related to a difference between a vertical position of the coupler in the position data and a height of the hitch ball.