Automated Trailer Hitch Alignment via Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle systems require significant operator involvement and accuracy when aligning with a tow trailer, often leading to inefficiencies and potential misalignment during the hitching process.
Innovation Solution
An automated system utilizing a rearview camera and vehicle CAN bus communications to determine vehicle parameters and image processing for precise alignment, enabling semi-automatic or fully automatic control of the vehicle to align with a trailer hitch, using targets and image recognition algorithms to calculate the necessary steering adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated alignment system is implemented, then alignment accuracy and speed are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single automated alignment system: image capture via rearview camera, vehicle parameter acquisition through CAN bus communication, image processing and target recognition, calculation of steering adjustments, and execution of alignment maneuvers. This multi-functional integration improves alignment accuracy while managing overall system complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated electronic control system. Instead of relying on operator skill and manual steering adjustments, the system uses image processing algorithms to detect trailer hitch targets, calculates required steering angles, and automatically controls vehicle steering and movement to achieve precise alignment.
2Ease of operation
If automated alignment system is implemented, then operator involvement is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to perform the alignment task autonomously without continuous operator intervention. The automated system captures images, processes them to identify the trailer hitch target, calculates the necessary steering adjustments, and executes the alignment maneuvers automatically, allowing the operator to simply initiate the process and monitor completion.
3Measurement precision
If image processing and continuous calculations are used, then alignment precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image capture and processing at periodic intervals during the alignment maneuver rather than continuously. The rearview camera captures images at specific frames, and the system processes these periodic image streams to track the relative position between vehicle and trailer hitch, calculating steering adjustments at each interval to achieve precise alignment while managing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle trailer connect system and automated parking system for use with a motor vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an input for obtaining information from a vehicle communication bus; an output for sending information to a vehicle communications bus; a control circuit for controlling the position and movement of a motor vehicle; an image gathering system to obtain visual or spatial data between a motor vehicle hitch and a hitch receiver attached to the trailer. A system controller guides vehicle steering as the vehicle is backed through a field of view of the image gathering system.