Trailer Hitch Alignment Using Coupler and Hitch Ball Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the lack of sight lines, requiring repeated maneuvers and inference for alignment, and can result in contact between the vehicle and trailer.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle hitch assistance system that includes a steering system, braking system, and imaging system, with a controller that detects the trailer's coupler and hitch ball position using image data to autonomously maneuver the vehicle for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the driver manually aligns the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer coupler using repeated forward and reverse driving maneuvers, then the hitching process can be completed, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehitching process efficiencyVSAvoidtime required for alignment maneuvers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated vision-based system. The imaging system captures images of the trailer coupler, and the controller automatically calculates vehicle positioning and steering commands, substituting the driver's manual judgment and repeated mechanical maneuvers with automated optical detection and computational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the vehicle to automatically perform the alignment task without continuous human intervention. The controller autonomously processes images, determines coupler position, calculates required steering adjustments, and executes maneuvers through the steering system, allowing the vehicle to self-correct its positioning relative to the trailer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the driver performs multiple steering maneuvers to align the hitch ball, then alignment can be achieved, but the complexity of the operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifficulty of hitching operationVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment maneuvers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual steering operations with automated control. The imaging system and controller work together to automatically determine coupler position relative to the vehicle hitch ball and generate appropriate steering commands, eliminating the need for the driver to perform multiple complex steering maneuvers and reducing operational difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the imaging system and the steering system. It processes image data to determine coupler position, calculates the required steering adjustments, and translates these into steering system commands, simplifying the overall operation by providing a single automated control layer that manages the alignment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the driver relies on inference to determine hitch ball position without direct sight lines, then alignment can be attempted, but the risk of contact between vehicle and trailer increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of hitch ball positioningVSAvoidrisk of vehicle-trailer contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the driver's inferential judgment about hitch ball position with direct optical measurement. The imaging system captures actual images of the trailer coupler, and the controller calculates precise positioning based on visual data rather than inference, significantly improving positioning accuracy and reducing the risk of contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous visual feedback by capturing images of the trailer coupler during the alignment process. The controller uses this real-time visual information to monitor the relative position of the hitch ball and coupler, allowing for precise adjustments and preventing contact by providing accurate feedback on the approach distance and alignment status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11787436B2Differentiating between near trailer and connected trailer

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a steering system that adjusts a steering angle of the vehicle, a braking system that adjusts a speed of the vehicle, an imaging system that receives image data of a trailer disposed in an area proximate the vehicle, and a controller. The controller detects, within a threshold distance defined from a stationary point on the vehicle and the trailer, a position of a coupler from the image data, and, responsive to the position being less than the threshold distance, a status of the trailer based on the image data being indicative of a position of a hitch ball relative to the coupler within a second threshold. The controller maneuvers, via the steering and braking systems, the vehicle based on the status.