SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HITCH ANGLE DETECTION
First Claim
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1. A hitch angle detection system comprising:
- ultrasonic transducers disposed on a rear vehicle structure and configured to transmit ultrasonic waves in a rearward vehicle direction;
an ultrasonic reflector disposed on a trailer and configured to reflect incident ultrasonic waves back toward the corresponding ultrasonic transducers; and
a processor configured to derive distance measurements between the ultrasonic transducers and the ultrasonic reflector and determine a hitch angle based on the derived distance measurements.
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Abstract
A hitch angle detection system is provided herein. Ultrasonic transducers are disposed on a rear vehicle structure and are configured to transmit ultrasonic waves in a rearward vehicle direction. An ultrasonic reflector is disposed on a trailer and is configured to reflect incident ultrasonic waves back toward the corresponding ultrasonic transducers. A processor is configured to derive distance measurements between the ultrasonic transducers and the ultrasonic reflector and determine a hitch angle based on the derived distance measurements.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hitch angle detection system comprising:
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ultrasonic transducers disposed on a rear vehicle structure and configured to transmit ultrasonic waves in a rearward vehicle direction; an ultrasonic reflector disposed on a trailer and configured to reflect incident ultrasonic waves back toward the corresponding ultrasonic transducers; and a processor configured to derive distance measurements between the ultrasonic transducers and the ultrasonic reflector and determine a hitch angle based on the derived distance measurements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7)
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- 4. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor determines a positive hitch angle based on derived distance measurements between the ultrasonic reflector and each of the third and fourth ultrasonic transducers, a distance between the third and fourth ultrasonic transducer, a distance between the longitudinal axis and one of the third and fourth ultrasonic transducers, and the length of the vehicle hitch bar.
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8. A hitch angle detection system comprising:
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ultrasonic transducers disposed on a rear vehicle structure and configured to transmit ultrasonic waves in a rearward vehicle direction; an ultrasonic reflector disposed on a trailer and configured to reflect incident ultrasonic waves back toward the ultrasonic transducers; and a processor configured to derive distance measurements between the ultrasonic reflector and at least two of the ultrasonic transducers and determine a hitch angle based on the derived distance measurements. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A hitch angle detection method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting ultrasonic waves in a rearward vehicle direction with ultrasonic transducers disposed on a rear vehicle structure; providing an ultrasonic reflector on a trailer and reflecting incident ultrasonic waves back toward the corresponding ultrasonic transducers; using a processor to derive distance measurements between the ultrasonic transducers and the ultrasonic reflector; and determining a hitch angle based on the derived distance measurements. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification