Illuminated hitch angle detection component

• US 9,464,887 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2015
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• 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, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/821,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20150345939A1
• 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: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/15 Strips of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/195 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• 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 assembly is provided herein. The lighting system includes a hitch angle detection component having a predefined pattern thereon. A light source is disposed within the hitch angle detection component. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the light source. The photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light output from at least a portion of the light source.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a trailer, comprising:

a hitch angle detection component disposed on a trailer;

a light source disposed within the detection component;

a first photoluminescent structure disposed on the light source and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source; and

a second photoluminescent structure separated from the light source and disposed on a trailer feature, wherein the second photoluminescent structure luminesces in response to light output from the light source.

2. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of printed LEDs.

3. The lighting system for a trailer of claim 2, wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to 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 hitch angle detection component includes a predetermined image pattern of a certain size and shape provided on a top surface for capture by a video camera and recognition by an image processing unit.

8. A trailer system, comprising:

a hitch angle detection component having a light source; and

a first luminescent structure disposed on the light source and configured to luminesce in a first color in response to excitation by the light source when a motion detection unit detects a trailer is in motion and in a second, different color when the motion detection unit detects the trailer is stationary.

9. The trailer system of claim 8, wherein the light source comprises a printed LED.

10. The trailer system of claim 8, wherein the light source is powered by a power source disposed within a vehicle and is configured to illuminate when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

11. The trailer system of claim 9, wherein the first luminescent structure comprises at least one luminescent material configured to convert an inputted light received from at least a portion of the printed LED into a visible light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

12. The trailer system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second luminescent structure separated from the light source.

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

14. The trailer system of claim 8, wherein the light source is powered by a power source within the hitch angle detection component.

15. A lighting system for a trailer assembly, comprising:

a hitch angle detection component having a pattern thereon on a trailer component;

a light source disposed within the hitch angle detection component;

a photoluminescent structure disposed on the light source, wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light output from the light source; and

an overmold material disposed over the photoluminescent structure configured to encapsulate the light source and photoluminescent structure between the overmold material and trailer component.

16. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 15, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of printed LEDs.

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

a photosensor configured to measure incident light; and

a controller configured to maintain a constant intensity of light emitted from the detection component based on a lighting condition of the hitch angle detection component.

18. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 17, further comprising:

a solar panel connected to a power source disposed within the hitch angle detection component.

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

a motion detection unit disposed on the hitch angle detection component configured to detect a positional change of the trailer.

20. The lighting system for a trailer assembly of claim 19, wherein the light source is illuminated when the motion detection unit senses movement of the trailer and returns to an unilluminated state if no motion is sensed for a predetermined amount of time thereafter.