Secure trailer connection system

• US 10,430,705 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Ward, Gary B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Rodney A
• Application Number:
  US15/683,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20190065931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/06 Ball-and-socket hitches , e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/18 Tow ropes, chains or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/28 for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1442 Emulation of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/178 Warnings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/80 characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/18 Safety devices; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/04 Architecture, e.g. interconnection topology
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/08 Learning methods

Abstract

A system for detecting if a hitch connecting a trailer and a vehicle is not secure. The system comprises a sensor, an output device, and electronic control unit. The electronic control unit receives information about the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle from the sensor. The electronic control unit detects if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure. If the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure the electronic control unit generates a driver notification and controls the vehicle'"'"'s motion.

Claims

1. A system for detecting if a hitch connecting a trailer and a vehicle is not secure, the system comprising;

a video camera;

an output device; and

an electronic control unit configured to,

receive from the video camera, video of the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle;

using the video of the hitch, detect if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure when a trailer coupler is not in a latched position or a trailer chains are not crossed and connected to the trailer and the vehicle;

generate a driver notification; and

control a motion of the vehicle upon detecting the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit detects if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure using neural network classifiers.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein input received by the electronic control unit via a user interface is used to modify the neural network classifiers.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein results of detecting if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure are displayed via a user interface.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the driver notification is an audio or visual notification.

6. A method for detecting if a hitch connecting a trailer and a vehicle is not secure, the method comprising;

receiving, from a video camera, video of the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle;

detecting, with an electronic control unit using the video of the hitch, if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure when a trailer coupler is not in a latched position or a trailer chains are not crossed and connected to the trailer and the vehicle;

generating, with the electronic control unit, a driver notification;

controlling, with the electronic control unit, a motion of the vehicle upon detecting the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure; and

outputting, with an output device, the driver notification.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the electronic control unit detects if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure using neural network classifiers.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein input received via a user interface is used to improve the neural network classifiers.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein results of detecting if the hitch connecting the trailer and the vehicle is not secure are displayed via a user interface.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the driver notification is an audio or visual notification.