Trailer Coupling Display View Switching for Continuous Hitch Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for assisting the coupling of a motor vehicle with a trailer lack reliable and continuous observation capabilities, particularly during the attachment process, which can lead to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A procedure that uses a camera system with a wide opening angle to record the environment and trailer coupling, determining the distance between the coupling and trailer, and dynamically adjusting the display view from an isometric to a top view based on the distance, ensuring continuous and accurate observation through a display device, allowing for informed intervention by the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed camera view is used to display the trailer coupling area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of continuous observation during the coupling process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a view switching mechanism that dynamically changes the camera display between isometric and top views based on the real-time distance between the motor vehicle and the trailer. When the distance is large, an isometric view is shown providing overview; when the distance is small, a top view is shown providing detailed coupling observation. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable continuous observation throughout the coupling process without requiring multiple fixed cameras, thus resolving the contradiction between observation reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple camera views are switched based on distance, then the reliability of observation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between isometric and top camera views based on real-time distance measurements between the motor vehicle and trailer. A distance evaluation unit continuously monitors the separation and triggers appropriate view changes, ensuring optimal observation reliability throughout the coupling process while using a single camera system rather than multiple fixed cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary distance evaluation unit that mediates between the physical coupling process and the visual display system. This unit calculates the distance between the motor vehicle and trailer, and based on this intermediate measurement, determines which camera view (isometric or top) should be displayed. This intermediary layer enables reliable continuous observation by appropriately selecting views based on real-time conditions without directly complicating the display hardware.
3Measurement precision
If a single fixed camera is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the measurement precision of distance and position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single camera that dynamically switches between isometric and top views based on distance measurements. The distance evaluation unit precisely measures the separation between the motor vehicle and trailer, and this precise measurement information is used to determine the appropriate view for display, thereby achieving high measurement precision without requiring multiple cameras or complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a mechanical approach of using multiple fixed cameras with different viewing angles with a computational approach. A single camera captures images, and through image processing and perspective transformation, the system generates both isometric and top views computationally based on distance measurements. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational processing achieves high measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing a display in a motor vehicle (1), in which images encompassing the environment of the motor vehicle (1) and a trailer coupling (2) of the motor vehicle (1) are recorded by means of a camera device (7) (V1), a distance between the trailer coupling (2) and a trailer (3) is determined (V2), a display depicting at least the trailer coupling (2) is created on the basis of the images (V3), wherein at a distance between a first limit value (5) and a second limit value (6) the display is shown as an intermediate perspective,wherein this intermediate perspective is assigned a virtual pan angle of a virtual tilt of the camera device (7) from a virtual camera position assigned to an isometric view (9) to a virtual camera position assigned to a top view (10) and wherein this virtual pan angle is determined as a function of the distance using a formula, and the display is output by means of a display device (8) in the motor vehicle (1) (V4).