Vehicle hitch detection system and method

• US 10,000,207 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lavoie, Erick Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Azarian, Seyed
• Application Number:
  US15/186,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20170361836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 382100, 382103-107, 382155, 382162, 382168, 382173, 382181, 382209, 382219, 382232, 382254, 382274, 382276, 382286-291, 382305, 382312, 701 291, 701 25, 280477, 3404255, 348148
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/60 Covers, caps or guards , e.g. comprising anti-theft devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/307 virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/808 for facilitating docking to a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0062 Adapting control system settings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/00 Input parameters relating to data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle hitch detection system is provided. The vehicle hitch detection system includes a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch and a controller processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on the processed images when an electrical hitch connection is detected. The controller may further control a driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament to enable or disable the system.

Claims

1. A vehicle hitch detection system comprising:

a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch;

an image processor processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on an illuminated hitch ornament light detected in the processed images when an electrical hitch connection is detected; and

control circuitry comprising a microprocessor and memory configured to enable or disable a driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament, wherein the driver assistance system comprises at least one of an active park assist system and a reverse park aid system which is enabled when a powered hitch ornament is detected, and wherein the driver assistance system further comprises a trailer backup assist system that is disabled when the hitch ornament is detected.

2. The detection system claim 1, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament when the vehicle brakes are applied.

3. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the processor detects an object connected to the hitch and determines the object is a powered hitch ornament when the object is not moving with a dynamic hitch angle.

4. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament based on at least one of a detected illuminated hitch ornament light and movement.

5. A driver assistance system comprising:

a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch;

an image processor processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on an illuminated hitch ornament light detected or movement of an object in the processed images; and

control circuitry comprising a microprocessor and memory configured to enable or disable the driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament when an electrical hitch connection is detected, wherein the driver assistance system comprises at least one of an active park assist system and a reverse park aid system which is enabled when a powered hitch ornament is detected and wherein the driver assistance system further comprises a trailer backup assist system that is disabled when the hitch ornament is detected.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament when the vehicle brakes are applied.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor detects an object connected to the hitch and determines the object is a powered hitch ornament when the object is not moving with a dynamic hitch angle.

8. A method of detecting a hitch ornament connected to a vehicle hitch assembly comprising:

detecting an electrical hitch connector connected with the vehicle;

capturing images of the hitch with a camera;

processing the images with a processor to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on an illuminated hitch ornament detected when the electrical hitch connector is detected connected to the vehicle; and

controlling with control circuitry comprising a microprocessor and memory a driver assistance system to enable or disable the driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament, wherein the driver assistance system comprises at least one of an active park assist system and a reverse park aid system which is enabled when a powered hitch ornament is detected, and wherein the driver assistance system further comprises a trailer backup assist system that is disabled when the hitch ornament is detected.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament when the vehicle brakes are applied.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the processor detects an object connected to the hitch and determines the object is a powered hitch ornament when the object is not moving with a dynamic hitch angle.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament based on at least one of a detected illuminated hitch ornament light and movement.