Automated Trailer Hitch Alignment via Imaging and Steering Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the challenge of aligning the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer hitch, often requiring repeated maneuvers and lack of visibility, which can lead to collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hitch assistance system comprising an imaging system, a steering system, and a controller that determines the hitch location through imaging and dead reckoning, guiding the vehicle to align the hitch ball with the trailer hitch using a human-machine interface for user input and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual alignment maneuvers are used to position the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer hitch, then the hitching process can be completed, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming requiring repeated forward and reverse driving with multiple steering maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment maneuvers with an automated imaging and control system. The imaging system captures images of the trailer hitch, and a controller automatically processes these images to determine the hitch location and guide the vehicle into proper alignment, eliminating the need for repeated manual steering and driving maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an imaging system to create a visual copy (image) of the trailer hitch and its location. This visual copy is then processed by the controller to determine the precise hitch location and guide the vehicle alignment, allowing the system to 'see' and respond to the hitch position without requiring the driver to manually probe or repeatedly maneuver the vehicle.
2Ease of operation
If repeated forward and reverse driving maneuvers are performed for alignment, then the hitch ball can be positioned, but the trailer hitch cannot be seen and the hitch ball cannot be seen by the driver during these maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an imaging system as an intermediary between the trailer hitch and the driver. The imaging system captures images of the trailer hitch and transmits this visual information to the controller, which processes the images to determine the hitch location. This intermediary system provides visual information that would otherwise be unavailable to the driver during alignment maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the driver's direct visual observation and manual alignment process with an automated imaging and control system. The imaging system captures the hitch location, and the controller uses this information to automatically guide the vehicle into proper alignment, eliminating the need for the driver to visually track and manually adjust the hitch ball position.
3Extent of automation
If the driver manually aligns the hitch ball with the trailer hitch, then alignment can be achieved, but multiple instances of stopping and stepping out of the vehicle are required to confirm alignment or note corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual driver operations with an automated control system. The imaging system captures the trailer hitch location, the controller processes the images to determine the hitch position, and the controller then controls the vehicle's steering and movement to automatically align the hitch ball with the trailer hitch, eliminating the need for the driver to manually maneuver or exit the vehicle to check alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the alignment function itself without requiring external intervention. The imaging system automatically detects the hitch location, the controller calculates the required alignment maneuvers, and the vehicle's control systems execute the alignment automatically, making the system self-sufficient for the alignment task.
4Reliability
If the vehicle is positioned close to the trailer during alignment, then the hitch ball can reach the trailer hitch, but any overshoot can cause a collision of the vehicle with the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the imaging system to continuously monitor the position of the trailer hitch relative to the vehicle. The controller processes these images in real-time to determine the hitch location and adjusts the vehicle's alignment maneuvers accordingly, providing feedback control that prevents overshooting and potential collisions while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle hitch assistance system includes comprising an imaging system, a steering system, a dead reckoning device and a controller. The controller determines a hitch location within a vehicle exterior image received from the imaging system and controls the steering system to guide the vehicle in a reverse direction to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the hitch location, including by tracking the location of the vehicle using information received from the dead reckoning device.