Luminescent hitch angle detection component

• US 9,464,886 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2015
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Lavoie, Erick Michael, Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Hason Moon
• Application Number:
  US14/820,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20150345938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 362/485, 362/487, 362509-510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/00 Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices devices specially adapted for connection between tractors and agricultural machines or implements A01B59/00; fifth-wheel couplings B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/245 for facilitating push back or parking of trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting system for a trailer is provided herein. The lighting system may include a hitch angle detection component disposed on the trailer. A light source is disposed on the vehicle. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the hitch angle detection component and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. The hitch angle detection component may further include a predetermined image pattern of a certain size and shape provided on the top surface thereof for capture by an imaging device and recognition by an image processing unit.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a trailer towed by a vehicle, comprising:

a hitch angle detection component disposed on the trailer having a predetermined image pattern provided for capture by an imaging device and recognition by an image processing unit;

a light source disposed on the vehicle; and

a photoluminescent structure forming the image pattern through a plurality of portions having the photoluminescent structure therein on the detection component and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source.

2. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the hitch angle detection component includes a predetermined image pattern of a certain size and shape.

3. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 2, wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to down convert an inputted light received from at least a portion of the light source into a visible light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

4. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 3, wherein the inputted light comprises one of blue light, violet light, and UV light.

5. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the hitch angle detection component is configured as a target.

6. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 5, wherein the target cooperates with a trailer backup assist function of a vehicle.

7. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to vary an intensity of inputted light based on environmental characteristics of the detection component.

8. A lighting system for a trailer, comprising:

a light source on a vehicle;

a target assembly on a trailer having a first luminescent structure thereon and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source; and

an imaging device, wherein the light source is configured to emit varied intensities of inputted light based on environmental characteristics such that the imaging device captures a redefined intensity of luminescence from the first luminescent structure.

9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein target assembly includes a predetermined image pattern of a certain size and shape provided through a surface thereof for capture by an imaging device and recognition by an image processing unit.

10. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the light source emits inputted light in the blue spectrum and the first luminescent structure converts the inputted light to outputted light of a different wavelength.

11. The lighting system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second luminescent structure disposed on a feature proximate to the light source.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the first luminescent structure illuminates in a first color and the second luminescent structure illuminates in a second color.

13. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the first and second luminescent structures are disposed in a checkered pattern on the target assembly.

14. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the light source emits inputted light rearwardly of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forwardly.

15. A lighting system for a trailer assembly having a trailer towed by a vehicle, comprising:

a hitch angle detection component located on the trailer;

a light source powered by the vehicle and configured to emit non-visible light while the vehicle is moving in a forward direction; and

a photoluminescent structure disposed on the detection component and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light output from the light source.

16. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

an imaging device capturing images of the detection component.

17. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 16, wherein the pattern is captured by the imaging device and recognized by an image processing unit.

18. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a controller configured to control the inputted light emitted from the light source.

19. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a sensor configured to monitor an intensity of outputted light emitted from the photoluminescent structure, wherein the controller varies the intensity of light emitted from the light source based on the intensity of measured outputted light.

20. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 15, wherein the light source is illuminated when a vehicle transmission is placed in reverse and returns to an unilluminated state when the vehicle is removed from a reverse position.