Semi-Automatic Trailer Coupling Using External Camera Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems for coupling a two-track motor vehicle to a trailer require a reversing camera for accurate alignment, which increases costs and complexity, and may not function if the camera is faulty or absent.
Innovation Solution
A driver assistance system that uses an electronic control unit to evaluate signals from a vehicle-internal reversing camera, and also allows the use of a portable electronic mobile radio unit with an external camera to provide substitute data, enabling semi-automatic coupling without a reversing camera, allowing alignment and positioning from outside the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vehicle-internal reversing camera is used for determining the position of the trailer coupling, then the alignment precision and coupling accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a portable mobile radio unit with an external camera to capture images of the trailer coupling position. These external camera images are then processed and converted into data that replicates the function of a vehicle-internal reversing camera, thereby achieving the same measurement precision without requiring the expensive and complex vehicle-internal camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile radio unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a remote control for the driver assistance system, provides a communication interface, and houses an external camera that can capture coupling position data. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated vehicle-internal reversing camera hardware while achieving the same positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a vehicle-internal reversing camera is required for the driver assistance system to function, then the alignment accuracy is maintained, but the system availability decreases when the camera is faulty or absent
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to accept and process images from external cameras as a backup or alternative source. This preparatory design ensures that if the vehicle-internal reversing camera fails or is not installed, the system can immediately switch to using external camera images without loss of functionality, thereby maintaining system availability and alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is configured to accept different types of image inputs (vehicle-internal reversing camera or external mobile camera) and automatically adapts its processing parameters accordingly. This flexibility in parameter acceptance ensures that the system maintains its alignment accuracy regardless of the camera source, improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the driver must be inside the vehicle to monitor the reversing camera display for coupling, then the alignment precision can be monitored in real-time, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assistance system automatically processes the external camera images and controls the vehicle's steering and braking systems to achieve proper coupling alignment without requiring the driver to continuously monitor a display screen. The system performs the alignment function autonomously based on image evaluation, freeing the driver from the need to be inside the vehicle for monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical requirement of driver presence and manual monitoring with an automated electronic image processing and control system. The control unit evaluates external camera images and automatically adjusts vehicle positioning, substituting the need for driver attention and manual intervention with automated electronic control.
Data Source
AI summary
A driver assistance system for at least semi-automatically coupling a two-track motor vehicle to a trailer has an electronic control unit. The system is configured to undertake the transverse guidance and/or the longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle reversing toward the trailer, in particular by automatically adjusting an appropriate vehicle steering angle and/or by appropriate interventions in the drive and braking system of the motor vehicle, by evaluating signals of a vehicle-internal reversing camera. The control unit has a functional unit, which is configured, in particular by corresponding programming, such that the signals of a vehicle-external camera of a portable electronic mobile radio unit can be detected, and these signals can then be converted into the data form of the signals of a vehicle-internal reversing camera. A driver assistance system, which is designed for a vehicle having a reversing camera, can therefore be used even in a vehicle without a reversing camera or in the event of a faulty reversing camera.