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Backup system to position vehicle relative to stationary trailer during backing procedure

  • US 5,729,194 A
  • Filed: 11/26/1996
  • Issued: 03/17/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A vehicle backup guidance system to provide for an operator of a vehicle to be informed of a distance measurement and an angular orientation measurement, both measurements indicative of a relative position of a coupling ball member and a coupling member during a backing procedure, the coupling ball member mounted on a rearward end of the vehicle, the coupling member mounted on a forward end of a stationary trailer, the backing procedure to position the vehicle relative to the stationary trailer in a hitchable position to allow the connection of the coupling member to the coupling ball member, the coupling member of the stationary trailer being a closest object of the stationary trailer to the vehicle during the backing procedure, the vehicle backup guidance system comprising:

  • a) an autofocus assembly to provide for identifying a closest object within a predetermined sight zone, the sight zone having a center projection line, a maximum angular vertical limit upward from the center projection line, a maximum angular vertical limit downward from the center projection line, a maximum angular horizontal limit right of the center projection line and a maximum angular horizontal limit left of the center projection line, the autofocus assembly mounted on the rearward end of the vehicle in close proximity to the coupling ball member, the sight zone extending rearward from the vehicle with the center projection line horizontally aligned with a center longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the autofocus assembly comprising;

    1) distance measurement means to provide for a calculation of a distance measurement from the autofocus assembly to the closest object within the predetermined sight zone during the backing procedure, the calculation returning a distance measurement;

    2) angular orientation measurement means to provide for a calculation of an angular offset measurement from the center projection line of the sight zone to the closest object within the predetermined sight zone during the backing procedure, the calculation returning an angular orientation measurement;

    b) transfer means to provide for electronically transferring the distance measurement and for electronically transferring the angular orientation measurement;

    c) receiving means to provide for receiving the electronically transferred distance measurement and the electronically transferred angular orientation measurement;

    d) indication means to provide for informing the operator of the positional placement of the autofocus assembly relative to the closest object within the sight zone during the backing procedure, the indication means receiving the electronically transferred distance measurement and the electronically transferred angular orientation measurement from the receiving means;

    whereby the operator is informed of the positional placement of the autofocus assembly, and therefore of the vehicle upon which the autofocus assembly is mounted, and the closest object within the sight zone, and therefore of the coupling member of the stationary trailer, during the backing procedure.

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