Process for coupling a trailer to a motor vehicle

• US 7,204,504 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Spiegelberg, Gernot, Heilmann, Harro, Schwarzhaupt, Andreas, Sulzmann, Armin, Gehring, Ottmar, Holzmann, Frederic
• Primary Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US11/156,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 280/434, 280/504
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/12 engaging automatically

Abstract

In the case of a method for hitching a trailer (2) to a motor vehicle (1), in particular a semitrailer to a semitrailer towing machine, an image sensor (5) is provided which is arranged in a hitching region (6) in such a manner that image data of the hitching region (6) are recorded. During the approach of the motor vehicle (1) to the trailer (2), stored model data of the hitching region (6) of the trailer (2) are segmented in the image data recorded by the image sensor (5) and are in each case placed in the correct position in the image data. A target zone (9) for the hitching is determined therefrom. The arrangement of the target zone (9) in the image data is used as a measurement for a steering operation of the motor vehicle (1) during hitching.

Claims

1. A method for hitching a trailer to a motor vehicle, comprising:

arranging an image sensor in a hitching region in such a manner that image data of the hitching region are recorded,

segmenting, during the approach of the motor vehicle (1) to the trailer (2), stored model data of the hitching region (6) of the trailer (2) in the image data recorded by the image sensor (5) and in each case placing data in the correct position in the image data, and

determining a target zone (9) for the hitching therefrom, the arrangement of the target zone (9) in the image data being used as a measurement for a steering operation of the motor vehicle (1) during hitching.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle (1) approaches the trailer (2) until the target zone (9) in the image has reached a predetermined size, with, when the predetermined size of the target zone (9) is reached, a braking operation of the motor vehicle (1) being initiated manually or via an automatic control unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during hitching of the motor vehicle (1) to the trailer (2), at least one sensor outputs a signal so that a braking operation of the motor vehicle (1) is initiated.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor (5) is activated automatically.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image of the target zone (9) is derived and filtered with a threshold value.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hitching operation is depicted for a driver of the motor vehicle (1) on a display.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an axle with wheels, wheels or supports of the trailer (2) are used as model data.

8. The method as in claim 1, wherein said trailer is a semi-trailer and said motor vehicle is a semi-tractor.