IP Library Granted Patent US 7,204,504
Granted Patent B2
US 7,204,504 · App. 11/156,197 · Granted Apr 17, 2007

Process for coupling a trailer to a motor vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,204,504
App. No.
11/156,197
Granted
Apr 17, 2007
Kind
B2
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 (11)

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.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 23, 2008
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
To: DAIMLER AG
Reel/Frame 021281/0094 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2006
From: GEHRING, OTTMAR; HEILMANN, HARRO; HOLZMANN, FREDERIC; SCHWARZHAUPT, ANDREAS; SPIEGELBERG, GERNOT; SULZMANN, ARMIN
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
Reel/Frame 017941/0233 →