System and methods for detection and response to interference between trailer coupler and hitch ball

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11385651-B2
Application number	US-201816018954-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2018
Priority date	Jun 26, 2018
Publication date	Jul 12, 2022
Grant date	Jul 12, 2022

Abstract

A vehicle system comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and at least one sensor in connection with the hitch. A controller is configured to identify a force applied to the hitch via the at least one sensor. In response to the force, the controller is further configured to approximate a direction of the force. Based on the direction, the controller generates instructions identifying a height adjustment of a coupler of a trailer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle system, comprising:
a hitch mounted on a vehicle;
at least one sensor in connection with the hitch; and
a controller comprising a processor that:
identifies a force applied to the hitch via the at least one sensor, wherein the force results from a collision between a portion of the hitch and a coupler of a trailer;
in response to the force, approximates a direction of the force; and
generates connection instructions identifying a height adjustment of the coupler of the trailer for connection to the hitch of the vehicle based on the direction, wherein the connection instructions comprise at least one of an audible and a visual instruction identifying the height adjustment.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further:
identifies the force as a longitudinal force applied along a length of the hitch and a load force applied along a height of the ball.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor configured to measure the load force and a second sensor configured to measure the longitudinal force and wherein the direction of the force is approximated based on a combination of the load force and the longitudinal force.

4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the controller further:
identifies a height direction of the height adjustment in response to the direction of the force.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller outputs an instruction indicating the height adjustment of the coupler height in response to the force exceeding a threshold.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further:
controls motion of the vehicle in an automated hitch alignment routine; and
stops the motion of the vehicle in response to the force exceeding a threshold.

7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller further:
continues the automated hitch alignment routine in response to the force being less than the threshold.

8. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a sensor apparatus in communication with the controller, wherein the sensor apparatus scans a region proximate the vehicle and detects the coupler position of the coupler of the trailer.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the sensor apparatus comprises an imaging system including one or more cameras mounted on the vehicle, wherein:
the controller identifies the coupler position based on image data received from the imaging system comprising position data of the coupler.

10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the controller identifies the collision in response to the detection of the force in combination with the hitch being within a predetermined distance of the coupler position.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the predetermined distance identifies that the hitch is within a collision proximity relative to the coupler.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the coupler position is a location of the coupler of the trailer, wherein the coupler is configured to mate to the hitch in a towing configuration.

13. A method for controlling a vehicle system comprising:
receiving detection signals from a vehicle hitch sensor identifying an impact force applied to a vehicle hitch, wherein the impact force is from a contact of a vehicle maneuvering into a trailer;
detecting a longitudinal force applied along a length of the hitch and a load force applied along a height of the hitch based on the detection signals;
approximating a force direction as a combination of component parts of the longitudinal force and the load force based on the detection signals;
identifying a height adjustment of a coupler of the trailer based on the force direction; and
in response to the force direction, generating instructions for adjusting a height of the coupler.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:
identifying a direction of a height adjustment of the coupler based on the magnitude of the longitudinal force and the load force.

15. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:
controlling motion of the vehicle in an automated hitch alignment routine; and
stopping the motion of the vehicle in response to the impact force exceeding a threshold.

16. A system for a vehicle, comprising:
a hitch mounted on a vehicle;
an imaging system including one or more cameras mounted on a vehicle;
a force sensor in connection with the hitch; and
a controller comprising a processor that:
identifies a coupler position of a coupler based on image data received from the imaging system;
controls motion of the vehicle aligning the hitch with the coupler position;
detects a force applied to the hitch via the force sensor, wherein the force results from the motion of the vehicle causing an impact with the coupler;
in response to the force, approximates a force direction of an interference between the coupler of a trailer and the hitch; and
generates instructions comprising a direction for a height adjustment of the coupler for connection to the hitch based on the force direction.

17. The system according to claim 16 , wherein the controller further:
stops the motion of the vehicle in response to the force exceeding a threshold.

18. The system according to claim 16 , wherein the instructions comprise at least one of an audible and a visual instruction identifying the height adjustment.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Niewiadomski Luke
• Lavoie Erick Michael
• Ansbacher Rudi Todd
• Rogness Ii Anton L
• Pearson Elliott G
• Niedert Andrew D
• Rajasingh Joshua
• Lippok Lucian K M

Classifications

• B60D1/46

  vertically · CPC title

• B60D1/36 Primary

  for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers · CPC title

• B60D1/58

  Auxiliary devices · CPC title

• B60Y2400/305

  Force sensors · CPC title

• B60D1/62

  involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like · CPC title