Trailer backup assist system with hitch assist

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9895945-B2
Application number	US-201514962772-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2015
Priority date	Dec 8, 2015
Publication date	Feb 20, 2018
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018

Abstract

A hitch assist system is provided herein. An imaging device captures images of a scene rearward of a vehicle. A controller processes captured images and is configured to control a vehicle suspension system to adjust a height of the vehicle and control the deployment of a power tongue jack of a trailer.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A hitch assist system comprising:
an imaging device for capturing images of a scene rearward of a vehicle;
a controller for processing captured images, the controller further configured to:
control a vehicle suspension system to adjust a height of the vehicle; and
control the deployment of a power tongue jack of a trailer.

2. The hitch assist system of claim 1 , further comprising ultrasonic sensors for distance measurement of objects located behind the vehicle.

3. The hitch assist system of claim 1 , wherein the controller processes captured images to determine the location of a coupler ball socket of the trailer.

4. The hitch assist system of claim 1 , wherein the controller issues commands for autonomously backing the vehicle toward the trailer.

5. The hitch assist system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines the location of a coupler ball socket of the trailer based on information received from a portable electronic device located on a tongue of the trailer.

6. The hitch assist system of claim 1 , further comprising a positioning device and an inertial system for measuring vehicle-related information including at least one of a vehicle position and a vehicle orientation, wherein when the vehicle-related information is stored to a memory of the controller.

7. The hitch assist system of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle-related information is used to guide the vehicle in a backing maneuver toward the trailer such that a hitch ball of the vehicle is aligned with a coupler ball socket of the trailer.

8. A method of hitching a vehicle to a trailer, comprising the steps of:
providing a controller configured to:
autonomously back the vehicle toward the trailer;
control a vehicle suspension system to adjust a height of the vehicle such that a hitch connection can be made between a hitch ball and a coupler ball socket; and
control a power tongue jack of the trailer to move between a deployed position and a retracted position.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to process images captured by an imaging device to determine the location of the coupler ball socket.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of using ultrasonic sensors to determine a distance of the coupler ball socket relative to the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the vehicle is backed toward the trailer until the hitch ball is positioned below the coupler ball socket.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the controller issues a command to the suspension system to raise the vehicle such that the hitch ball is seated in the coupler ball socket.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the controller issues a command to the power tongue jack to retract from the deployed position.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein controller issues a command to the suspension system to lower the vehicle to a ride height.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Lavoie Erick Michael

Classifications

• B60W10/22

  including control of suspension systems · CPC title

• B60W30/18009

  related to particular drive situations · CPC title

• B60D1/66

  Props · CPC title

• B60D1/36

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

• B60D1/62

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