Trailer Hitch Alignment via Sensor-Guided Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is often difficult and time-consuming due to the challenges of aligning the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer coupler, requiring repeated maneuvers and potentially resulting in harsh deceleration or acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a controller communicating with a maneuvering system and sensor system to monitor the coupler distance and control deceleration, allowing for precise alignment of the hitch ball with the coupler by adjusting velocity and engine speed based on predetermined profiles and real-time sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If repeated forward and reverse driving maneuvers are performed to align the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer coupler, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the time required for hitching increases and the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating the optimal path and deceleration profile before the vehicle reaches the coupler. The controller determines the exact stopping point and adjusts velocity in advance based on predicted distance to coupler, eliminating the need for repeated trial-and-error maneuvers and reducing hitching time while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual distance to the coupler using sensor data and compares it with the predicted distance. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the deceleration profile in real-time to ensure the vehicle stops at the precise alignment point, improving accuracy without requiring multiple manual adjustment cycles.
2Productivity
If the vehicle decelerates quickly to stop at the coupler, then the hitching time is reduced, but harsh deceleration occurs causing discomfort and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the deceleration rate based on the real-time distance to the coupler. As the vehicle approaches the coupler, the deceleration profile is continuously modified to increase the deceleration rate smoothly, ensuring both quick stopping and passenger comfort. This dynamic adjustment eliminates harsh deceleration while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for the stopping action in advance by initiating deceleration at an optimal point before reaching the coupler. The deceleration profile is pre-calculated to provide a cushioning effect, gradually reducing velocity over an extended period rather than applying sudden braking, thus preventing harsh deceleration while achieving quick hitching.
3Loss of time
If the vehicle accelerates quickly after premature stop to reach the coupler, then the hitching time is reduced, but the risk of overshooting the coupler increases
Solution Approach 1:
When a premature stop is detected, the system uses feedback from the sensor-measured distance to the coupler to calculate the optimal acceleration rate. The controller continuously monitors the vehicle's velocity and distance, adjusting the acceleration in real-time to ensure the vehicle reaches the coupler without overshooting, thus recovering quickly while maintaining alignment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the velocity parameter dynamically by applying a predetermined acceleration rate after premature stop detection. This controlled parameter change ensures the vehicle accelerates smoothly and reaches the coupler at the precise moment, minimizing recovery time while preventing overshooting through calculated velocity adjustments.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual steering maneuvers are performed repeatedly to achieve alignment, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the alignment operation autonomously without requiring repeated manual steering maneuvers. The controller automatically calculates the optimal path, controls the vehicle's velocity and deceleration, and steers the vehicle to align with the coupler in a single continuous operation. This self-service capability dramatically improves ease of operation while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the optimal alignment path and control parameters before the vehicle begins its approach. By pre-determining the steering commands and velocity profile, the system eliminates the need for repeated manual adjustments, making the operation simple and easy for the user while achieving precise alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system is configured to control a braking operation of a hitch ball to a coupler on a trailer. The system comprises a controller in communication with a maneuvering system and a sensor system. The controller is configured to control the maneuvering system to maneuver the vehicle along a vehicle path and monitor a coupler distance from the hitch ball to the coupler via the sensor system. The controller is further configured to control a deceleration procedure configured to decrease a velocity of the vehicle along a deceleration profile and stop the vehicle with the hitch ball aligned with the coupler. During the procedure, the controller may detect a premature stop condition of the vehicle, where the coupler distance is greater than zero.