Hitch detecting system

• US 9,056,535 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2013
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRACIUN, GABRIELA C
• Application Number:
  US13/954,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20150035253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 180/14.1, 180/14.2, 340/425.5, 340/431
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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, the coupling assembly having a receiver and a mounting member, the mounting member coupled to the receiver by a transversely mounted pin, the pin being arranged substantially parallel to a support mounted to a vehicle frame member, the coupling assembly further having a tow ball coupled to the mounting member by a shaft;

a first sensor operably coupled to the pin, the first sensor configured to monitor one or more first parameters related to the coupling assembly;

a second sensor coupled to the shaft, the second sensor configured to monitor one or more second parameters related to the coupling assembly; and

a controller in communication with the first sensor and second 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 first sensor and second 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 first parameters correspond to a presence of one or more coupling components of the coupling assembly, wherein the one or more first parameters includes the detection of the presence of the pin.

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

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

6. The hitch detecting system of claim 5, wherein, the pin is supported by a bushing, the sensor being disposed with the the bushing.

7. The hitch detecting system of claim 5, wherein the the one or more second parameters corresponds to the presence of the shaft in the mount member.

8. The hitch detecting system of claim 5, wherein the one or more second parameters correspond to a measurement of one or more forces transferred between the shaft and the mount member.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

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

19. The hitch detecting system of claim 9 wherein the controller is further operable to change, during the operation of the vehicle, the one or more functions of the vehicle to a default operating characteristics in response to information detected by the first sensor and second sensor.

13. A method of operating a vehicle, comprising:

detecting with a first sensor one or more first parameters corresponding to a coupling assembly arranged to connect the vehicle to a hitchable apparatus, the sensor being operably coupled to a pin that secures a mount member to a receiver, the coupling assembly further having a tow ball coupled to the mount member by a shaft;

detecting with a second sensor one or more second parameters corresponding to the coupling assembly, the second sensor being operably coupled to the shaft;

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

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

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

14. The method of claim 13, 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.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more second parameters includes forces and the detecting includes detecting forces transferred between the shaft and mounting member.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more first parameters includes a presence or an absence of the pin.

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

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the controlling includes the controller performing a first action in response to the one or more second parameters being within a first range and a second action in response to the one or more second parameters being within a second range.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the performing of the second action includes changing the one or more functions of the vehicle to a default operating characteristics.