Automatic Vehicle Docking System Using Optical Target Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coupling a towing vehicle with a towed vehicle is challenging due to the operator's lack of direct line of sight to the hitching system, leading to potential misalignment and inaccuracy, even with electronic assistance.

Innovation Solution

An automatic docking system comprising a sensing device, controller, automatic steering system, and braking system that detects targets on the towed vehicle's hitch, calculates the towing vehicle's position, and steers it into alignment, with the option to engage the braking system for precise docking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the operator manually aligns the towing vehicle with the towed vehicle using direct line of sight, then the operator can see the hitching system, but the alignment accuracy is insufficient and positioning is inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidoperator dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical alignment process with an automated optical sensing system. The sensing device detects targets on the towed vehicle and the controller automatically calculates and steers the towing vehicle into alignment, substituting human visual estimation with precise optical measurement and automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces targets as intermediary objects attached to the towed vehicle and a sensing device as an intermediary measurement tool. These intermediaries enable indirect detection of the hitching system position, allowing the system to measure alignment accuracy without requiring direct line of sight to the coupling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If electronic sensing systems are used to signal distance between ball and hitch, then the operator receives distance information, but alignment inaccuracy and positioning errors still occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance information availabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the sensing device continuously detects target positions, the controller calculates alignment status, and the steering system automatically adjusts the towing vehicle position. This continuous feedback loop maintains high positioning accuracy throughout the docking process, unlike open-loop electronic distance signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electronic distance signaling with direct optical detection of position. Instead of providing indirect distance information that requires operator interpretation, the sensing device directly measures the relative position between vehicles and the controller translates this into precise steering commands for automatic alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the operator performs manual coupling without automated assistance, then the system complexity is low, but the docking process is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddocking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the towing vehicle to perform self-alignment and self-docking through automated steering control. The system monitors its own position relative to the towed vehicle and automatically corrects alignment errors, reducing the need for operator intervention and significantly improving docking efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary positioning and alignment actions automatically before the final coupling operation. The sensing device and controller prepare the towing vehicle by ste it into correct alignment and control approach speed, so that the actual docking requires minimal manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and minimally operator-dependent coupling of towing and towed vehicles by continuously monitoring and correcting the alignment in real-time, ensuring precise positioning and preventing collisions.

Implementation Method 1

The sensing device detects the plurality of targets located on a hitch of the towed vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS8191915B2Vehicle docking assistance system

Publication Date: 2012.06.05 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An automatic docking system for docking a towing vehicle with a towed vehicle includes a sensing device, a controller, an automatic steering system, an automatic braking system, and a plurality of targets. The sensing device detects the plurality of targets located on a hitch of the towed vehicle. The controller determines the location of the towing vehicle relative to the towed vehicle based on the detection of the plurality of targets. The controller automatically steers the towing vehicle towards the towed vehicle to assist in the docking of the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. The controller engages the automatic braking system to slow or stop the towing vehicle as required.