HITCH DETECTING SYSTEM

• US 20150035253A1
• Filed: 07/30/2013
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Materna, William S., Bodenmiller, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,056,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like

Abstract

A hitch detecting system for a vehicle. The system includes a coupling assembly arranged to connect the vehicle to a hitchable apparatus. A sensor is operably coupled to the coupling assembly and monitors one or more parameters related to the coupling assembly. A controller is provided in communication with the sensor. The controller is operable to change, during operation of the vehicle, one or more functions of the vehicle in response to information detected by the sensor.

Claims

1. A hitch detecting system for a vehicle, comprising:

a coupling assembly arranged to connect the vehicle to a hitchable apparatus;

a sensor operably coupled to the coupling assembly, the sensor monitoring one or more parameters related to the coupling assembly; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller operable to change, during operation of the vehicle, one or more functions of the vehicle in response to information detected by the sensor.

2. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the hitchable apparatus includes a trailer.

3. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters correspond to a presence of one or more coupling components of the coupling assembly or connected to the coupling assembly.

4. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters correspond to an absence of one or more coupling components of the coupling assembly or connected to the coupling assembly.

5. The hitch detecting system of claim 4, wherein the coupling assembly is a receiver-type hitch that comprises a receiver having an opening receptive of a mount, and a pin arranged to removably secure the mount to the receiver.

6. The hitch detecting system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is disposed with the pin.

7. The hitch detecting system of claim 5, further comprising a tow ball secured to the receiver via the mount.

8. The hitch detecting system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is disposed with the tow ball.

9. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters are a measurement of one or more forces transferred between the vehicle and the hitchable apparatus via the coupling assembly.

10. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more functions includes a cruise control function, an autonomous braking function, an automatic gear shifting function, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.

11. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more functions correspond to operation of a power system of the vehicle, a transmission system of the vehicle, a braking system of the vehicle, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.

12. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the controller performs an action in response to the one or more parameters crossing a predetermined threshold.

13. The hitch detecting system of claim 1, wherein the controller performs a first action in response to the one or more parameters being within a first predetermined range and a second action in response to the one or more parameters being within a second predetermined range.

14. A method of operating a vehicle, comprising:

detecting with a sensor one or more parameters corresponding to a coupling assembly arranged to connect the vehicle to a hitchable apparatus;

transmitting a signal indicating the one or more parameters from the sensor to a controller of the vehicle; and

controlling, during operation of the vehicle, one or more functions of the vehicle with the controller in response to the signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more functions include an autonomous braking function, a cruise control function, an automatic gear shifting function, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more parameters includes forces and the detecting includes detecting forces transferred between the vehicle and the hitchable apparatus via the coupling assembly.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more parameters includes a presence or an absence or one or more coupling components of the coupling assembly or connected to the coupling assembly.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling includes the controller performing an action in response to the one or more parameters crossing a predetermined threshold.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling includes the controller performing a first action in response to the one or more parameters being within a first range and a second action in response to the one or more parameters being within a second range.