Trailer Coupler Detection and Trajectory Planning Without Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer coupler detection systems are limited in accuracy and range, require markers, and increase computational burden, leading to difficulty in coupling trailers to vehicles and reducing operator confidence.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing vehicle and trailer cameras, combined with a V2I communication network and mobile device app, to detect key landmarks and compute a joint reference trajectory for real-time navigation assistance, eliminating the need for markers and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If markers or electronic tags are placed on the trailer coupler to improve detection accuracy, then the trailer coupler detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for external markers or electronic tags on the trailer coupler. Instead, the system uses the trailer coupler's inherent geometric features and the vehicle's own sensors to detect and locate the coupler, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing cameras and sensors to detect the trailer coupler without requiring additional components on the trailer. The vehicle's own resources are leveraged to perform the detection function, eliminating the need for external marking systems
2Length of stationary object
If the detection range is extended beyond close range to improve operator confidence, then the detection range is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D image analysis to 3D spatial reconstruction by computing depth maps and generating three-dimensional point clouds from multiple camera views. This dimensional transformation enables accurate distance measurement and coupler location detection across extended ranges while preserving precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines data from multiple sources including vehicle cameras, depth sensors, and trajectory information to create a comprehensive detection system. By merging multiple data streams and processing them together, the system achieves both extended detection range and maintained precision
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If advanced computer vision algorithms are used to improve trailer detection capability, then the trailer detection capability is improved, but the computational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of sensor data to extract key features and reduce data dimensionality before applying complex detection algorithms. By pre-processing the input data, the system reduces the computational burden of subsequent analysis while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical marker systems with optical and computational methods using cameras and image processing algorithms. This substitution reduces physical complexity while enabling more sophisticated detection capabilities through software-based solutions
4Productivity
If real-time navigation assistance is provided to improve coupling efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the operator through visual displays showing the detected trailer coupler position, calculated trajectory, and navigation guidance. This feedback loop enables the operator to make immediate adjustments, improving coupling efficiency without requiring fully automated complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation assistance system integrates multiple functions including trailer detection, trajectory calculation, and guidance display within a single integrated platform. By combining these functions, the system improves productivity while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through multi-functional design
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for locating a trailer coupler on a trailer to assist with the coupling of the trailer coupler to a vehicle hitch on a vehicle. The system includes a human-machine interface, a vehicle camera and a trailer camera, a mobile device application (App) with access to camera and mobile network a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication network, controllers, a memory, sensors, and a trailer detection and trajectory planning application. The application includes: initializing a data stream from the vehicle and trailer camera, capturing the data stream from the vehicle camera and from the trailer camera, determining key landmarks in the data stream, combining the key landmarks, determining a coupler location, computing a joint reference trajectory using the coupler location, and providing navigation assistance in real time based on the joint reference trajectory.