AUTOMATED HITCHING ASSIST SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:
- initiating a trailer hitch assist system with an input device;
detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with at least one sensor mounted to the vehicle;
determining a vehicle hitch ball location;
determining a trailer hitch location with a controller for a hitch assist system;
calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position with the controller, wherein the vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position;
calculating with the controller the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position; and
sending instructions from the controller to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hitch assist system for a vehicle comprises a camera mounted to view a reverse path of a vehicle, an input device connected for the hitch assist system, and a controller. The controller includes instructions for detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with the camera, determining a vehicle hitch ball location, determining a trailer hitch location, and calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position. The vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position. The controller also includes instructions for calculating the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position and sending instructions to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:
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initiating a trailer hitch assist system with an input device; detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with at least one sensor mounted to the vehicle; determining a vehicle hitch ball location; determining a trailer hitch location with a controller for a hitch assist system; calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position with the controller, wherein the vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position; calculating with the controller the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position; and sending instructions from the controller to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hitch assist system for a vehicle comprising:
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a camera mounted to view a reverse path of a vehicle; an input device connected for the hitch assist system; and a controller including instructions for; detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with the camera; determining a vehicle hitch ball location; determining a trailer hitch location; calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position, wherein the vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position; calculating the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position; and sending instructions to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21)
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17. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:
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providing an controller configured to provide signals for controlling the steerable wheels via a powered steering system operatively coupled to the steerable wheels; providing a driver input device for receiving a directional input from the driver related to an intended direction of travel of the vehicle in reverse; providing a camera for viewing a rear of the vehicle; receiving, at the controller, the directional input from the driver comprising the intended direction of travel of the vehicle; and implementing, via the controller, a command to the powered steering system to steer the wheels to correspond to the intended direction of travel of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification