Trailer Hitch Alignment Using Ground Reference Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is challenging due to inaccurate detection of the hitch ball and trailer coupler, especially at night or when they are at different heights, leading to multiple attempts and prolonged alignment time.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch assist system uses a reference object placed on the ground to detect its position relative to the hitch ball and trailer coupler, calculating a spatial relationship to autonomously align them for hitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a backup camera is used to detect the hitch ball and trailer coupler, then alignment can be assisted, but detection accuracy deteriorates at night or when objects are at different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference object as an intermediary element placed on the ground between the camera and the hitch ball/trailer coupler. This reference object serves as a mediator that the camera can reliably detect, and through which spatial relationships are calculated to infer the positions of the actual hitch components, bypassing the detection problems caused by lighting and height variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the reference object's position in the image data, then uses this copied positional information to calculate the spatial relationship and determine the alignment between hitch ball and trailer coupler. This copying approach allows indirect measurement that is not affected by the original objects' visibility issues
2Ease of operation
If manual alignment attempts are made multiple times, then the hitching can eventually be completed, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical trial-and-error alignment process with an automated computer vision system. The processor automatically analyzes image data, detects the reference object, calculates spatial relationships, and provides alignment guidance, substituting the mechanical back-and-forth maneuvering with intelligent automated detection and calculation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the driver about the alignment status by analyzing the reference object's position in the camera feed and calculating the spatial relationship between hitch components. This feedback loop allows the driver to make precise adjustments based on quantitative information rather than repeated trial attempts
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hitch ball and trailer coupler are at different heights, then the hitching geometry becomes complex, but detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the detection problem from three-dimensional space (where height differences create detection difficulties) to two-dimensional image plane analysis. By detecting the reference object's position in the 2D image and using camera parameters to calculate 3D spatial relationships, the system handles height differences through mathematical transformation rather than direct visual detection of the height disparity itself
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a trailer hitch assist system analyzes image data from a vehicle camera to detect a reference object on the ground in a first location and stores a first position, within the camera's field of view, of the reference object. The first location is directly beneath the hitch ball of the vehicle. The system analyzes additional image data to detect the reference object on the ground in a second location and stores a second position, within the camera's field of view, of the reference object. The second location is directly beneath the trailer coupler of a trailer. The system calculates a spatial relationship between the first and second locations based on the stored first and second positions and camera parameters. Based on the calculated spatial relationship, the vehicle backs autonomously to align the hitch ball and trailer coupler to permit the trailer to be hitched to the vehicle.