Autonomous Trailer Hitching Assist System with Collision Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle vision systems lack the capability to autonomously assist drivers in reversing and aligning with a trailer without manual steering, braking, or gear shifting, especially in varying lighting conditions and environmental scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system utilizing one or more cameras to capture exterior images, process data, and control vehicle movements, including steering, braking, and gear shifting, to autonomously align with a trailer hitch, incorporating path planning, object detection, and collision avoidance features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual steering, braking, and gear shifting are required for hitching, then the driver has direct control over the vehicle, but the complexity of the hitching operation increases and requires more manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to perform hitching operations autonomously by detecting the trailer position and automatically controlling steering, braking, and gear shifting without requiring manual driver intervention for these specific maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with an automated vision-based control system that uses cameras and control algorithms to perform steering, braking, and gear shifting operations automatically
2Ease of operation
If automated control algorithms are used for reversing and aligning, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system is designed to perform multiple functions including detecting trailers, determining their positions and orientations, tracking movement, and providing this information to control algorithms that manage reversing and aligning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The control algorithms serve as an intermediary between the vision system and the vehicle's mechanical control systems, translating visual data into automated steering, braking, and gear shifting commands
3Productivity
If the vehicle autonomously controls steering and braking, then the productivity of hitching operations increases, but the reliability requirements become more stringent due to safety-critical automated decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures images, processes visual information to determine trailer position and orientation, and uses this feedback to adjust steering, braking, and gear shifting operations in real-time during the hitching maneuver
Solution Approach 2:
The control algorithms calculate and plan the reversing and aligning path in advance based on detected trailer position, preparing the vehicle's steering, braking, and transmission systems for the automated hitching sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The ECU, via image processing of image data captured by the camera, detects a trailer rearward of the vehicle and determines a first path of travel for the vehicle to follow to maneuver the vehicle toward the trailer and to align the tow ball of the vehicle with a trailer hitch of the trailer. The ECU generates an output to maneuver the vehicle along the determined first path of travel. Responsive to detection of an object entering the first path of travel, the ECU determines a second path of travel for the vehicle to follow that avoids the detected object entering the determined path of travel.