Methods and apparatus for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11524534-B2
Application number	US-202016848486-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 14, 2020
Priority date	Apr 14, 2020
Publication date	Dec 13, 2022
Grant date	Dec 13, 2022

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a hitch including a first support including a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end, a strain gauge located at the mid-portion of the first support, a frame attachment to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle, the support coupled to the frame attachment, and a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from the strain gauge.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a hitch including:
a first support including a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end;
a first strain gauge located at the mid-portion of the first support;
a frame attachment to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle, the first support coupled to the frame attachment;
a side member coupled to a crossbar of the hitch, the first support located between the side member and the frame attachment; and
a load manager to determine a load condition based on first sensor data from the first strain gauge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein loading of the hitch results in a deflection of the side member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the deflection of the side member results in hitch deformation, the deformed hitch a statically indeterminate structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a second support, a third support, and a fourth support, each of the second support, the third support, and the fourth support supports including a corresponding one of a plurality of strain gauges, the plurality of straining gauges including the first strain gauge.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of strain gauges includes at least six strain gauge sensors.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the load manager determines the load condition based on second sensor data from the plurality of strain gauges.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the load condition includes a load applied to a ball of the hitch, the load condition determined using a force magnitude, a force location, or a force direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a sensor interface to receive strain data from the first strain gauge, the strain data interpreted as load data based on calibration measurements.

9. A method, comprising:
receiving first load data associated with a hitch from a first strain gauge, the first strain gauge positioned at a mid-portion of a first support, the first support coupled to a frame attachment connected to a frame of a vehicle;
receiving second load data from a second strain gauge positioned at a second support, a third support, or a fourth support;
determining a load condition of the hitch, the load condition determined using the first load data and the second load data; and
generating an alert for display via a user interface when a load on the hitch exceeds a tow rating of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein two supports of the first support, the second support, the third support, or the fourth support include include two strain gauges positioned at a corresponding mid-portion of each of the two supports.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein determining the load condition includes determining a force magnitude, a force location, or a force direction using the two strain gauges.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein loading of the hitch results in deflection of a side member, the first support positioned between the side member and the frame attachment.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the deflection results in hitch deformation, the deformed hitch a statically indeterminate structure.

14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to at least:
receive first load data associated with a hitch from a first strain gauge, the first strain gauge positioned at a mid-portion of a first support, the first support coupled to a frame attachment connected to a frame of a vehicle;
determine a load condition of the hitch, the load condition determined using the first load data, the load condition determined using at least six strain gauges; and
generate an alert for display via a user interface when a load on the hitch exceeds a tow rating of the vehicle.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processor to receive second load data from a second strain gauge of the at least six strain gauges, the second strain gauge positioned at a second support.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processor to determine a force magnitude, a force location, or a force direction using the at least six strain gauges.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the load is applied at a ball of the hitch.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Giaier Kevin Stanton
• Reinert Bryce
• Niedert Andrew
• Norwood Joshua
• Rivas Jorge
• Kowalow Peter
• Giaier Rebecca

Classifications

• B60D1/06

  Ball-and-socket hitches · CPC title

• G01L1/2206 Primary

  Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports · CPC title

• B60D1/62

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

• B60D1/485

  mounted by means of transversal members attached to the frame of a vehicle · CPC title

• G01L5/136

  Force sensors associated with a vehicle traction coupling (vehicle connections B60D; control of vehicle brakes B60T) · CPC title