Trailer Reverse Guidance With Predictive Path Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer tow assist systems often fail to provide sufficient guidance for accurately positioning a trailer during rearward maneuvering, making it difficult for operators to ensure the trailer ends up in the desired location.
Innovation Solution
A trailer tow assist system equipped with a camera, human machine interface, and electronic processor that captures rearward images, identifies a target-space, determines vehicle and trailer orientations, calculates a trajectory, and controls steering and braking systems to guide the trailer into position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual features are provided by the tow assist system, then the operator can see the trailer position, but the visual features are not helpful enough for accurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system projects a 2D trajectory path overlay on the camera image that represents the desired 3D spatial path for the trailer. This dimensional transformation provides the operator with predictive positioning information, showing not just the current trailer position but the entire anticipated path to the target location, thereby improving positioning accuracy beyond simple visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and displays the complete trailer trajectory in advance before the maneuver is executed. By showing the operator the predicted path the trailer will follow based on current vehicle state and geometry, the operator can make proactive steering adjustments to ensure accurate positioning, rather than reacting to positional errors after they occur.
2Device complexity
If only current trailer position is displayed, then the system is simple, but the operator cannot determine if the trailer will reach the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a predictive trajectory dimension to the basic current-position display. By overlaying the calculated path on the camera image, the system provides forward-looking information about where the trailer will end up, enabling the operator to assess whether the current maneuver will achieve the desired positioning without adding significant system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides predictive feedback by showing the operator the anticipated trailer path based on current vehicle state. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the consequence of current steering inputs and make corrections to achieve accurate positioning, transforming the system from simple position display to an active guidance tool.
3Measurement precision
If automated control is added to follow the trajectory, then positioning accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by using the vehicle's existing automated steering control capabilities to execute the trailer backing maneuver. The electronic processor communicates with the vehicle's native steering system to automatically follow the calculated trajectory, leveraging already-available vehicle systems rather than requiring entirely new control hardware, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer tow assist system including a camera that captures a rearward image of the trailer and its surroundings, a human machine interface that displays the rearward image, an input device that receives user input, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor receives the rearward image, identifies a target-space within the surroundings, determines a vehicle orientation relative to the target-space, determines a trailer angle relative to the vehicle, determines a trailer trajectory within the surroundings, and displays the trailer trajectory and rearward image on the human machine interface. The electronic processor also controls, in response to the user input, the vehicle to follow the trailer trajectory along a centerline of the trailer trajectory.