Trailer Keypoint Imaging for Dimension Estimation and Path Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face challenges in comparing vehicle features and functionality during purchasing decisions, and existing systems lack the ability to efficiently determine trailer dimensions and plan vehicle maneuvers when coupling a trailer to a vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that includes an imaging system and a controller to identify trailer keypoints, estimate dimensions, and determine future vehicle paths based on trailer and cargo dimensions, using sensors like GPS and wheel rotation to track vehicle translation and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional manual methods are used to determine trailer dimensions and plan vehicle maneuvers, then the process requires human input and judgment, but the system lacks automation and efficiency in comparing vehicle features and functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of trailer dimension determination and maneuver planningVSAvoidcomplexity of imaging system and controller integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the vehicle to automatically determine trailer dimensions and plan maneuvers without human intervention. The imaging system captures images, the controller automatically processes these images to identify trailer keypoints, calculate dimensions, and generate maneuver paths, making the system self-sufficient in the trailer coupling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and judgment processes with an automated vision-based system. The imaging system and controller substitute for human operators, using image processing algorithms to detect trailer features and compute maneuver plans, thereby automating what was previously a manual task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the system captures multiple images at different vehicle positions to estimate trailer dimensions, then measurement accuracy improves, but the time required for dimension determination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of trailer dimension estimationVSAvoidtime to capture multiple images and process data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures images at different vehicle positions in advance, before the actual coupling maneuver. By pre-capturing images at multiple positions and pre-processing the dimensional data, the system prepares the information needed for accurate maneuver planning without delaying the actual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously captures images as the vehicle moves toward the trailer, maintaining a continuous stream of data. This continuous imaging approach allows the system to track the vehicle-trailer relative motion and continuously update dimension estimates, improving accuracy without requiring discrete stopping points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If the system identifies multiple keypoints of the trailer at different time points, then the accuracy of dimension estimation improves, but the complexity of data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of trailer dimension measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of keypoint identification and tracking algorithms

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the trailer into multiple identifiable keypoints or feature points. By segmenting the trailer structure into discrete detectable features, the system can track each keypoint independently across multiple images, enabling accurate dimension calculation through relative position changes of these segmented features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the system determines future vehicle paths based on estimated trailer dimensions, then maneuver safety and accuracy improve, but the complexity of path planning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and accuracy of vehicle maneuversVSAvoidcomplexity of path planning algorithms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the estimated trailer dimensions as feedback to adjust and optimize the vehicle maneuver paths. The path planning algorithm incorporates the measured dimensional data to generate safe and accurate trajectories, continuously refining the maneuver plan based on the actual trailer size and configuration detected by the imaging system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12428023B2System for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system for a vehicle includes an imaging system and a controller. The imaging system outputs a signal that includes scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle. The controller receives the scene data while a distance between the vehicle and the trailer is altered. The controller identifies a trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, identifies a plurality of keypoints of the trailer at a first time point—representing a first position, and identifies the plurality of keypoints of the trailer at a second time point—representing a second position. The controller estimates one or more dimensions of the trailer based on a change between the first position and the second position and determines one or more future vehicle paths based on such estimation. The one or more future vehicle paths correspond with vehicle maneuvers while the trailer is coupled to the vehicle.