Coupling alignment warning system
First Claim
1. An alignment indicating system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising:
- a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit;
at least one sensor adapted to be attached to the towing unit for receiving ambient light and for generating a first output signal representing a sensed ambient light level, and for receiving a light beam transmitted from the towed unit and for generating a second output signal representing the intensity of the received light beam;
a processing circuit for receiving the first and second output signals and generating an indicator signal; and
an indicator responsive to the indicator signal for notifying the user whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit, wherein said processing circuit computes a threshold level of light from the first output signal, compares the level of the second output signal with the threshold level, and generates the indicator signal when the level of the second output signal reaches the threshold level to signify whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The coupling alignment warning system (CAWS) of the instant invention is designed to provide the driver of a towing unit, e.g., a commercial truck, with visual and/or audible cues that indicate whether the towing unit is aligned relative to a towed unit for proper engagement of the coupling components mounted thereon, including a fifth wheel hitch on the towing unit and a king pin on the trailer. The CAWS combines a laser light source and a series of sensors with a reflective target to provide alignment information to the user. In particular, the system combines a low-power laser diode mounted on the towing unit with a retro-reflective target that is attached, preferably temporarily, on the towed unit. The target will continuously return positive coupling alignment information back to the sensors as long as laser light impinges upon the target, i.e., as long as target acquisition is maintained. The sensors transmit detection signals to a processing unit that includes a microprocessor and relay. The microprocessor is programmed to calculate a threshold level of light that is based on sensed ambient light signals. In operation, the microprocessor decodes the detected light and determines whether the detected light level reaches the threshold level of light. If so, the CAWS indicates to the user that target acquisition has been achieved, and thus, that the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit for positive coupling. The microprocessor also controls the relay, thus controlling the delivery of power to the laser light source so that the system can continually compute an updated threshold level of light based on the ambient light in the surrounding operating environment. As a result, the system minimizes the chance of triggering on false light signals, notwithstanding varying ambient light conditions. The CAWS is particularly useful in zero or low visibility conditions because it can be used in conjunction with mirrors and external reference points to provide reliable position information to the user.
60 Citations
47 Claims
-
1. An alignment indicating system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising:
-
a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit;
at least one sensor adapted to be attached to the towing unit for receiving ambient light and for generating a first output signal representing a sensed ambient light level, and for receiving a light beam transmitted from the towed unit and for generating a second output signal representing the intensity of the received light beam;
a processing circuit for receiving the first and second output signals and generating an indicator signal; and
an indicator responsive to the indicator signal for notifying the user whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit, wherein said processing circuit computes a threshold level of light from the first output signal, compares the level of the second output signal with the threshold level, and generates the indicator signal when the level of the second output signal reaches the threshold level to signify whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. An alignment indicating system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising:
-
a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit;
at least one sensor attached to the towing unit for receiving light and for generating a detection signal;
a control circuit that receives the detection signal and generates an indicator signal in response to the detection signal, wherein said control circuit is coupled to said light source for periodically deactivating said light source for a predetermined time period, said control circuit calculates a threshold light level based on detection signals from said sensor during the predetermined time period and determines whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit based on the threshold light level and the detection signals received when said light source is activated; and
an indicator responsive to said indicator signal for signifying whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit.
-
-
4. An alignment warning system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising:
-
a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit, wherein said light source generates a collimated light beam that is projected rearwardly from the towing unit;
at least one sensor attached to the towing unit for receiving light and for generating a detection signal;
a control circuit that receives the detection signal and generates an indicator signal in response to the detection signal; and
an indicator responsive to said indicator signal for signifying whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. An alignment warning system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising:
-
a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit;
at least one sensor attached to the towing unit for receiving light and for generating a detection signal;
a spatial filter positioned adjacent said at least one sensor for restricting the angles at which light may impinge upon said at least one sensors;
a control circuit that receives the detection signal and generates an indicator signal in response to the detection signal; and
an indicator responsive to said indicator signal for signifying whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. An alignment warning system for coupling a trailer to a towing unit comprising:
-
a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source adapted to be attached to the towing unit;
a retro-reflective target adapted to be mounted to the trailer for reflecting the light beam back toward the towing unit when the light beam impinges on said retro-reflective target;
at least one sensor adapted to be attached to the towing unit for receiving the reflected light beam and for generating an output signal that indicates that the reflected light beam is being received; and
an indicator responsive to the output signal generated by said at least one sensor for indicating whether the towing unit is aligned with the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
a spatial filter positioned adjacent said at least one sensor for restricting the angles at which light may impinge upon said at least one sensor.
-
-
37. The alignment warning system according to claim 35, wherein said retro-reflective target has a top edge and a bottom edge and is adapted to be removably attached to the trailer.
-
38. The alignment warning system according to claim 35, wherein said retro-reflective target contains a magnetic surface for attaching said retro-reflective target to the trailer.
-
39. The alignment warning system according to claim 35, wherein said light source is attached to the towing unit so that the light beam emitted from said light source is aligned with the throat of a fifth wheel hitch of the towing unit.
-
40. The alignment warning system according to claim 37, wherein said retro-reflective target is attached to the trailer so that, at initial alignment, the light beam emitted from said light source impinges upon the center of the bottom edge of said retro-reflective target.
-
41. The alignment warning system according to claim 40, wherein said light source is a laser diode.
-
42. The alignment warning system according to claim 35, wherein the alignment warning system indicates that the towed unit will couple with the towing unit over a range of lateral and vertical misalignment.
-
43. The alignment warning system according to claim 42, wherein said reflective target has dimensions corresponding to said range of lateral and vertical misalignment.
-
44. The alignment warning system according to claim 43, wherein said range of lateral and vertical misalignment is about twelve inches laterally by about four inches vertically.
-
45. An alignment warning system for coupling a trailer to a towing unit comprising:
-
a laser diode for emitting a laser light beam, said laser diode adapted to be attached to the towing unit;
a retro-reflective target adapted to be mounted to the trailer for reflecting the laser beam back toward the towing unit when the light beam impinges on said target;
at least one ambient sensor adapted to be attached to the towing unit for receiving ambient light and for generating a first output signal;
at least one target sensor adapted to be attached to the towing unit for receiving the reflected laser beam and for generating a second output signal;
a processing circuit for receiving the first and second output signals and generating an indicator signal; and
an indicator responsive to the indicator signal for notifying the user whether the towing unit is aligned with the trailer;
wherein said processing circuit computes a threshold level of light from the first output signal, compares the level of the second output signal with the threshold level, and generates the indicator signal when the level of the second output signal reaches the threshold level to signify whether the towing unit is aligned with the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (46)
-
-
47. An alignment warning system for aligning a moving unit with a stationary unit comprising:
-
a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source adapted to be attached to the moving unit;
a reflective target adapted to be removably attached to the stationary unit for reflecting the light beam back toward the moving unit when the light beam impinges on said reflective target, wherein said light beam only impinges upon said reflective target when the moving unit and the stationary unit are aligned for proper coupling;
at least one sensor adapted to be attached to the moving unit for receiving the reflected light beam and for generating an output signal;
a processing unit that receives the output signal and generates an indicator signal when a level of the output signal indicates that the reflected light beam is being received; and
an indicator responsive to the indicator signal for indicating whether the moving unit is aligned with the stationary unit.
-
Specification