Trailer hitch mount for vehicle backup sensor

• US 20030098786A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sense Technologies, Inc. (Ziyang Ceramics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sense Technologies, Inc. (Ziyang Ceramics Corp.)
• Inventors: Bishop, Hugh
• Granted Patent: US 6,788,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9317 Driving backwards
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/027 Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness

Abstract

An object detection system is mounted at the rear of a vehicle the trailer receiver for the vehicle. The object detection system warns the driver of the vehicle of persons or objects behind the vehicle, when the vehicle is moving backwards. The system emits microwaves rearwardly of the vehicle and senses microwave reflected from objects behind the vehicle. The microwave transceiver is mounted in the trailer receiver in place of the trailer ball that is normally mounted in the receiver.

Claims

1. A sensor for use with a vehicle having a trailer hitch receiver, said sensor comprising a sensor transceiver mountable in said hitch receiver.

2. A sensor as in claim 1 wherein said sensor transceiver mounts in said receiver in place of a trailer ball.

3. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said receiver includes an aperture facing rearwardly of the vehicle and said sensor transceiver is mounted in said aperture.

4. The sensor of claim 3 wherein said sensor transceiver includes a sensor mount having a post which inserts into the aperture of the receiver, and the transceiver further includes a signal transceiver attached to the mount to face rearwardly of the vehicle.

5. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor transceiver emits ultrasonic wireless signals rearwardly of the vehicle and the transceiver bordered by radar adsorbing material (RAM).

7. The sensor of claim 5 wherein said receiver includes an aperture facing rearwardly of the vehicle and said sensor head is mounted in said aperture.

8. The sensor of claim 5 wherein said sensor transceiver includes a mounting post which inserts into the aperture of the receiver, a plate mounted on an end of the mounting post and a hood slidably engaged with the post, wherein the transceiver further includes an electronics board mounted on said plate and said hood provides a portion of an outer housing for the transceiver.

6. A warning sensor system for a vehicle comprising:

a sensor head mountable in an aperture of a trailer receiver attached to a rear of the vehicle, wherein said sensor head includes a transceiver emitting wireless signals rearwardly of the vehicle and detecting echoes from the signals reflected from an object behind the vehicle;

an electrical coupling connected to the sensor head and connectabled to a matching coupling on said receiver;

an alarm device mounted in a passenger compartment of said vehicle and electrically connected to said sensor head.