Trailer Reverse Assist System with Automatic Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Trailer Reverse Assist (TRA) systems require recalibration every time a trailer is hitched to a tow vehicle, making it inconvenient for drivers to maneuver trailers into tight spaces without clear guidance on steering wheel turns for desired trailer direction changes.

Innovation Solution

A TRA system that learns and stores parameters and image features of a trailer during forward driving, allowing for automatic recognition and activation when reversing, eliminating the need for recalibration by using cameras and vehicle dynamic sensors to identify and store trailer information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional TRA systems are used, then trailer reversing assistance is provided, but recalibration is required every time a trailer is hitched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer reversing operationVSAvoidrecalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary learning of trailer parameters during forward driving before reversing is needed. The TRA system continuously monitors vehicle dynamics and camera images during forward motion to learn trailer length, width, and other geometric parameters in advance, so that when reversing is required, the calibration is already complete and no additional recalibration time is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The TRA system automatically learns and calibrates trailer parameters without requiring driver intervention or manual calibration procedures. The system self-services by continuously monitoring vehicle-trailer dynamics during normal forward driving and autonomously extracting trailer geometric parameters, eliminating the need for drivers to perform manual recalibration when hitching different trailers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual calibration is required for each trailer, then accurate trailer parameters are obtained, but the process becomes complex and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer parameter accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with automated electronic sensing and computational learning. Instead of requiring drivers to manually measure and input trailer dimensions, the TRA system uses vehicle dynamic sensors and camera images to automatically detect and compute trailer geometric parameters through signal processing and pattern recognition algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If trailer parameters are learned during forward driving, then recalibration is eliminated, but the system must continuously process data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer recognition capabilityVSAvoidsystem processing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The TRA system performs trailer parameter learning during periodic forward driving intervals rather than continuously. The system activates learning mode when forward driving conditions are detected, processes camera and sensor data during these periods, and stores learned parameters for later reversing operations, thereby reducing continuous processing energy requirements while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The TRA system performs preliminary learning of trailer parameters during forward driving before reversing is needed. The system continuously monitors vehicle dynamics and camera images during forward motion to learn trailer length, width, and other geometric parameters in advance, so that when reversing is required, the calibration is already complete and no additional processing is needed at that moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11267511B2Trailer reverse assist system with trailer recognition

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY US LLC

AI summary

A trailer reverse assist (TRA) system for a tow vehicle aids in reversing an attached trailer. The TRA system includes a processor circuit; at least one camera to obtain images of the trailer; and vehicle dynamic sensors to obtain vehicle dynamics data from the vehicle. The processor circuit, while the TRA system is in a standby, non-active state and while the vehicle is in Drive and traveling forward at a speed above a threshold speed: learns parameters and/or image features of an attached trailer based on data from the at least one camera and the vehicle dynamic sensors; causes the learned parameters and/or image features of the attached trailer to be stored in a database; and informs the driver via the infotainment system that the TRA system can be activated.