The present invention relates to a system (1) for aligning a tow hitch (5) mounted to a vehicle (3) with a trailer coupling (7) mounted to a trailer (9). An imaging system (11, 13, 15) is provided to generate image data for analysis by a processor (37) to identify first and second feature sets (35, 39) associated with the trailer (9). The processor generates a guidance signal for steering the vehicle (3) at least substantially to align the tow hitch (5) with the trailer coupling (7). When the distance between the vehicle (3) and the trailer (9) is greater than a predefined threshold, the position of the trailer coupling (7) relative to the tow hitch (5) is determined in dependence on said first feature set (35). When the distance between the vehicle (3) and the trailer (9) is less than said predefined threshold, the position of the trailer coupling (7) relative to the tow hitch (5) is determined in dependence on said second feature set (39). Aspects of the invention also relate to a processor (37); a vehicle (3); and a method of aligning a tow hitch (5) with a trailer coupling (7).
Vehicle Hitch Assistance System
2016-02-25
Patent
Electronic Resource
English