Trailer detection circuit for a vehicle park assist system

• US 20050068197A1
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Regan, Patrick M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,301,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.200
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9314 Parking operations
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space

Abstract

Vehicle park assist systems and a method of operating a vehicle including an operably attached trailer. The vehicle park assist system includes a transmitter arrangement to produce incident energy on an obstacle, and a sensor arrangement to detect reflected energy from the obstacle. A controller determines an obstacle status based on the reflected energy, and detects attachment of a trailer to the vehicle. A warning apparatus operably coupled to the controller indicates the obstacle status. The warning apparatus is regulated based on the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle. The method includes providing a vehicle park assist system, detecting the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle, and regulating the vehicle park assist system based on the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle park assist system comprising:

a transmitter arrangement to produce incident energy on an obstacle;

a sensor arrangement to detect reflected energy from the obstacle;

a controller to determine an obstacle status based on the reflected energy, and to detect attachment of a trailer to the vehicle; and

a warning apparatus operably coupled to the controller to indicate the obstacle status;

wherein the warning apparatus is regulated based on the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy is selected from a group consisting of ultrasonic energy and electromagnetic radiation.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein regulation of the warning apparatus comprises deactivation of the warning apparatus when the trailer is attached to the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein regulation of the warning apparatus comprises activation of the warning apparatus when the trailer is detached from the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the indication of the obstacle status comprises at least one of an audio indication and a visual indication.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein detecting attachment of the trailer to the vehicle comprises detecting at least one of a change in a trailer circuit current, a change in a trailer circuit voltage, and detection of a radio frequency.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein attachment of the trailer to the vehicle comprises connection of a trailer harness to a trailer circuit.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a trailer indicator to indicate status of the trailer attachment.

9. A method of providing a vehicle park assist system including an operably attached trailer, the method comprising:

detecting the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle; and

regulating the vehicle park assist system based on the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle comprises detecting a change in a trailer circuit voltage.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle comprises detecting a change in a trailer circuit current.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle comprises detecting a radio frequency.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle comprises connecting a trailer harness to a trailer circuit

14. The method of claim 9 wherein regulating the vehicle park assist system comprises deactivating a portion of the system when the trailer is attached to the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein regulating the vehicle park assist system comprises activating a portion of the system when the trailer is detached from the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating status of the trailer attachment.

17. A vehicle park assist system comprising:

means for producing incident energy on an obstacle;

means for detecting reflected energy from the obstacle;

means for determining an obstacle status based on the reflected energy;

means for detecting attachment of a trailer to the vehicle; and

means for indicating the obstacle status;

wherein the indicating means are regulated based on the attachment of the trailer to the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the energy is selected from a group consisting of ultrasonic energy and electromagnetic radiation.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein regulation of the indicating means comprises deactivation of the indicating means when the trailer is attached to the vehicle.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein regulation of the indicating means comprises activation of the indicating means when the trailer is detached from the vehicle.

21. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for indicating status of the trailer attachment.