Trailer Hitching Assistance System with Contact Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 result in hitch ball overshoot and contact with the trailer.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hitch assistance system that includes a powertrain control system, brake system, imaging system, and controller to derive a backing path for aligning the hitch ball with the trailer coupler, outputting control signals for maneuvering the vehicle and providing a graphical overlay to indicate potential movement of the hitch ball, thus preventing overshoot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual hitching maneuvers are performed without assistance systems, then the driver has full control over the vehicle, but the alignment precision of the hitch ball with the trailer coupler deteriorates due to lack of visibility and difficulty in judging distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary hitching assistance system that includes imaging devices, processors, and display devices. This intermediary system captures images of the hitch ball and trailer coupler, processes them to calculate alignment status, and presents the information to the driver through visual displays. The intermediary acts as a bridge between the driver and the physical hitching process, providing precise measurement capabilities without requiring the driver to manually judge distances and alignments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual visual estimation and physical maneuvering with an optical-electronic system. Instead of relying on the driver's eyes and judgment to assess hitch ball alignment, the system uses imaging devices to capture visual data, processors to analyze the images and calculate alignment parameters, and display devices to present the information. This substitution of mechanical human judgment with electronic measurement and display systems significantly improves alignment precision
2Measurement precision
If repeated forward and reverse driving maneuvers are performed to align the hitch ball, then the alignment can be achieved, but the time required for the hitching process increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the imaging devices continuously capture the positions of the hitch ball and trailer coupler, the processor calculates the alignment status in real-time, and the display device presents this information to the driver. This closed-loop feedback system allows the driver to make informed adjustments with each maneuver, reducing the number of repeated forward and reverse movements needed to achieve proper alignment. The feedback provides immediate information about alignment status, enabling faster convergence to the correct position
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the hitching scenario by capturing images and calculating the required alignment maneuvers before the actual hitching process begins. The display device can show the driver the current alignment status and suggested corrective actions, allowing the driver to plan maneuvers more efficiently rather than trial-and-error approaches. This preliminary assessment reduces the number of iterative maneuvers needed
3Measurement precision
If the hitch ball is positioned close to the rear bumper for proper alignment, then the hitching accuracy improves, but the risk of contact between the vehicle and trailer increases due to overshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system continuously monitors the distance between the hitch ball and trailer coupler through image processing. As the vehicle approaches the optimal stopping position during reverse maneuvers, the system provides real-time feedback on the closing distance and predicts the trajectory of the hitch ball. This allows the driver to stop the vehicle at the precise moment when the hitch ball is correctly positioned, preventing overshoot that would cause contact between the vehicle bumper and trailer
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by predicting potential overshoot conditions before they occur. The image processing and calculation components analyze the vehicle's motion trajectory, speed, and distance to the trailer, and predict whether the current maneuver will result in overshoot. The display device warns the driver in advance, allowing corrective action to be taken before contact occurs. This preliminary warning system counteracts the tendency to overshoot by providing advance notice and opportunity for correction
4Device complexity
If the driver manually monitors the hitch ball position without assistance, then the system remains simple, but the visibility and detectability of the hitch ball and coupler alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging devices and display system serve as an intermediary that makes the invisible visible. The imaging devices capture images of the hitch ball and trailer coupler, which may be difficult to see directly due to lighting conditions, distance, or angle. The processor enhances these images and the display device presents them in a format that is easy for the driver to interpret, effectively mediating between the physical objects and the driver's perception. This intermediary system dramatically improves visibility and detectability without requiring complex mechanical modifications to the vehicle or trailer
Data Source
AI summary
A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives the scene data and identifying 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, outputting a powertrain control signal to the vehicle powertrain control system, and a brake control signal to the vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path and stopping the vehicle at an endpoint of the path, and outputs a video image to the vehicle human-machine interface including a graphical overlay on the image data. The graphical overlay indicates potential movement of the hitch ball past the coupler and being positioned in the image data between a bumper of the vehicle and the hitch ball.