TRAILER HITCH ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An alignment system for a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to a tongue of a trailer, the alignment system comprising:
- an energy emitter secured to the vehicle that emits energy in the direction of the trailer tongue;
at least two sensors secured to the vehicle in spaced-apart relationship, each sensor configured to generate signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the trailer tongue; and
a processor in communication with the sensors that processes the signals generated by the sensors to provide directional data representative of a location of the trailer tongue relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for aligning a towing vehicle trailer hitch with the tongue of a trailer/towed vehicle are provided that enable a driver to know when the towing vehicle trailer hitch is close enough to the trailer tongue such that the two can be coupled. A trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to a trailer tongue. An alignment system includes at least one energy emitter secured to the vehicle that emits energy in the direction of the trailer tongue, and at least two sensors secured to the vehicle in spaced-apart relationship. The energy emitter(s) and sensors may be secured to the trailer or trailer hitch.
71 Citations
37 Claims
-
1. An alignment system for a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to a tongue of a trailer, the alignment system comprising:
-
an energy emitter secured to the vehicle that emits energy in the direction of the trailer tongue; at least two sensors secured to the vehicle in spaced-apart relationship, each sensor configured to generate signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the trailer tongue; and a processor in communication with the sensors that processes the signals generated by the sensors to provide directional data representative of a location of the trailer tongue relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. An alignment system for a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to a tongue of a trailer, the alignment system comprising:
-
a pair of transducers secured to the vehicle in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each transducer emits energy in the direction of the trailer tongue and generates signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the trailer tongue; and a processor in communication with the transducers that processes the signals generated by the transducers to provide directional data representative of a location of the trailer tongue relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method of aligning a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle with a trailer tongue, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to the trailer tongue, the method comprising:
-
emitting energy in the direction of the trailer tongue; generating signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the trailer tongue at first and second sensors secured to the vehicle in spaced-apart relationship; and processing the signals generated by the first and second sensors to provide directional data representative of a location of the trailer tongue relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. An alignment system for a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to a tongue of a trailer, the alignment system comprising:
-
an energy emitter secured to the trailer that emits energy in the direction of the vehicle; at least two sensors secured to the trailer in spaced-apart relationship, each sensor configured to generate signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the vehicle; and a processor in communication with the sensors that processes the signals generated by the sensors to provide directional data representative of a location of the trailer tongue relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end.
-
-
36. An alignment system for a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to a tongue of a trailer, the alignment system comprising:
-
a pair of transducers secured to the trailer in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each transducer emits energy in the direction of the vehicle and generates signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the vehicle; and a processor in communication with the transducers that processes the signals generated by the transducers to provide directional data representative of a location of the trailer tongue relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end.
-
-
37. A method of aligning a trailer hitch mounted to a vehicle with a coupler of a towed vehicle, wherein the trailer hitch includes a tow bar having a free end configured to be coupled to the coupler, the method comprising:
-
emitting energy in the direction of the vehicle; generating signals in response to detecting a reflection of the energy from the vehicle at first and second sensors secured to the towed vehicle in spaced-apart relationship; and processing the signals generated by the first and second sensors to provide directional data representative of a location of the coupler relative to a target zone that represents a location of the tow bar free end.
-
Specification