Trailer Coupling Assistance with Non-Linear Distance Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in accurately maneuvering a transportation vehicle to couple with a trailer, especially with heavy trailers, due to the varying appearance of the towbar's distance in camera images, which makes it difficult to estimate the coupling position and requires precise positioning within centimeters.
Innovation Solution
A control device assists the driver by determining target coordinates for the coupling position and providing a graphical distance display element with a non-linear scaling function, offering adaptive sensitivity and position resolution to help the driver maneuver the vehicle precisely, allowing the towbar to be lowered for coupling without shifting the trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a reversing camera is used to display the towbar position, then the driver can see the trailer coupling area, but the distance estimation becomes unreliable because the towbar's appearance varies with height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual distance estimation based on visual camera images with an automated electronic distance measurement system. The system uses the rearview camera to capture images, processes them to identify the towbar and trailer coupling positions, and automatically calculates the distance between them, substituting the driver's mechanical estimation skill with an electronic measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system between the camera and the driver. This system includes image processing algorithms that identify key positions (towbar and trailer coupling) and calculate distances, acting as a mediator that transforms raw camera images into meaningful distance information displayed to the driver.
2Measurement precision
If the driver manually estimates the coupling position using camera images, then no additional positioning system is needed, but the positioning precision cannot reach centimeter-level accuracy required for heavy trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining the coupling position target coordinates and pre-calculating the distance measurement methodology before the actual coupling maneuver. The system prepares the measurement framework in advance, allowing real-time distance display during the approach without requiring complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical coupling scenario by capturing the scene through a camera and processing the image to extract positional information. This digital representation allows for precise measurement and display of distances without physically measuring the gap between vehicles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the towbar height is adjusted to match different trailers, then the system becomes adaptable to various coupling scenarios, but the visual distance reference in camera images changes making estimation harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement system that adapts to changing towbar heights. Rather than relying on fixed visual references, the system dynamically identifies the actual towbar position in each camera frame and recalculates distances accordingly, allowing accurate measurement regardless of height adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from fixed visual estimation to dynamic coordinate-based calculation. By identifying key points (towbar and trailer coupling) in the image coordinate system and calculating distances based on these identified positions, the system maintains accuracy despite changes in towbar height or camera angle.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a control device for a transportation vehicle to assist a driver maneuvering the transportation vehicle up to a trailer to couple the transportation vehicle to the trailer, wherein target coordinates of a coupling position provided for the transportation vehicle for coupling are determined by the control device and the process repeated, while a graphical distance display element is displayed to the driver by a display apparatus, a current distance value of a distance of the transportation vehicle from the coupling position is determined, and a size parameter of the graphical distance display element is adjusted based on the current distance value. A non-linear scaling function brings about a higher position resolution in a near region around the coupling position than outside the near region is used for a conversion from the respectively current distance value into a value of the size parameter.