Trailer Hitch Assist Using GPS Recall and Automated Backing Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the challenges of aligning the vehicle hitch ball with the trailer hitch, which often requires repeated driving maneuvers and lack of sight lines, leading to potential contact between the vehicle and trailer.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hitch assistance system that includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system providing rear scene data, and a controller that controls the steering system to execute an initial alignment maneuver, identify the trailer, derive a backing path to align the hitch ball with the trailer coupler, and maneuver the vehicle along this path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment maneuvers are used to position the vehicle relative to the trailer, then the driver can control the vehicle positioning, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires repeated forward and reverse driving
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically positioning the vehicle relative to the trailer using stored alignment data and GPS coordinates before the driver needs to make manual adjustments. The controller calculates and executes the initial alignment maneuver autonomously, preparing the vehicle in the correct position and orientation so that subsequent manual hitching operations can proceed efficiently without time-consuming repeated maneuvers
2Manufacturing precision
If the driver repeatedly maneuvers the vehicle to achieve alignment, then better positioning can be achieved, but the risk of vehicle-trailer contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle's position and orientation relative to the trailer using GPS data, wheel angle sensors, and speed sensors during the alignment maneuver. The controller processes this feedback information in real-time and makes automatic adjustments to steering and propulsion to maintain precise positioning, thereby achieving high alignment precision while eliminating the risk of vehicle-trailer contact that would occur with repeated manual maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical trial-and-error maneuvering approach with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, GPS positioning, and computer-controlled steering and propulsion. This substitution of mechanical exploration with electronic control enables precise alignment to be achieved in a single maneuver without the need for repeated forward and reverse driving that creates collision risk
3Area of stationary object
If the trailer is positioned far from the vehicle initially, then more maneuvering space is available, but the alignment process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations using GPS coordinates and vehicle-trailer geometry to determine the optimal alignment maneuver path before execution. The controller pre-computes the required steering angles, speed profiles, and timing based on the initial distance and relative positioning, transforming a potentially complex multi-step maneuver into a single coordinated automated sequence that simplifies the alignment process regardless of initial trailer distance
Data Source
AI summary
A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller that controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle according to an initial alignment maneuver that positions the vehicle relative to the trailer, such that the trailer is within the area to the rear of the vehicle. The controller further receives the scene data and identifies the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.