Trailer Hitch Alignment Using Alternating-Light Object 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 clear sightlines, requiring repeated driving and steering maneuvers to align the hitch ball with the trailer hitch, often necessitating manual confirmation and correction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system equipped with a camera and spatially separated light sources that activate in an alternating pattern, capturing light reflections to identify depth information and detect the trailer coupler, allowing for automated alignment of the hitch ball with the coupler using image and radar data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual hitching alignment is used, then the driver can directly observe and adjust the hitch ball position, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires repeated stopping and maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical observation and adjustment with an automated optical detection system. A camera captures images of the trailer coupler, and a processor automatically determines alignment status and controls vehicle steering, eliminating the need for repeated manual stopping and adjustment while reducing hitching time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service alignment by automatically detecting the coupler position and controlling the vehicle's steering mechanism without continuous manual intervention. The processor analyzes camera images and autonomously adjusts the hitch ball alignment, allowing the system to service itself during the alignment process.
2Speed
If the driver relies on inference of hitch ball positioning, then continuous movement can be maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to lack of direct visual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human inference with objective automated image processing. The camera system continuously captures visual data of the coupler, and the processor algorithmically determines precise position and alignment, maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing continuous vehicle movement without stopping for visual confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system serves as an intermediary between the driver and the hitch ball position. Instead of directly observing the hitch ball, the driver receives processed visual information from the camera that accurately represents the alignment status, enabling continuous movement with maintained precision through this intermediate detection system.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used for depth detection, then object detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies existing multi-functional vehicle lights (tail lights, reverse lights, turn indicators, headlights, fog lights, and auxiliary lights) for the additional function of depth detection. By utilizing already-present light sources with different spatial positions, the system achieves photometric stereo imaging capabilities without adding dedicated depth detection hardware, thus improving detection accuracy while minimizing increased complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables precise and efficient alignment of the hitch ball with the trailer coupler, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving the accuracy and speed of the hitching process by using photometric stereo detection and radar data for navigation.
Implementation Method 1
capture light reflected from at least one object with the camera at a time and corresponding to the alternating pattern of the plurality of lights. In response to variations in the light impinging upon the at least one object from the alternating pattern, the controller is configured to identify depth information
Implementation Method 2
at least one radar sensor configured to capture radar data
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a camera configured to capture image data depicting a field of view proximate the vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle control system further includes a plurality of light sources in connection with the vehicle and a controller. The controller is configured to activate a plurality of lights in an alternating pattern and capture light reflected from at least one object with the camera at a time and corresponding to the alternating pattern of the plurality of lights. In response to variations in the light impinging upon the at least one object from the alternating pattern, the controller is configured to identify a distance of the object.