System for hitching a trailer to a motor vehicle

• US 7,237,790 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Gehring, Ottmar, Heilmann, Harro, Holzmann, Frederic, Schwarzhaupt, Andreas, Spiegelberg, Gernot, Sulzmann, Armin
• Primary Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US11/091,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 280/434, 280/504, 340/431
• US Class Current: 280/477
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

A system for coupling a trailer (2) to a motor vehicle (1), in particular a trailer (2) to a motor tractor (1), is provided with an image sensor (5), which is located in the coupling area. The coupling process involves connecting a trailer coupler (4) of the motor vehicle (1) and a tow bar (3) of the trailer (2), which is detected by an image sensor (5) detecting a movement of a locking element (8) associated with the trailer coupling (4). Thereupon a process of braking of the motor vehicle (1) is initiated.

Claims

1. A system for coupling a tow bar of a trailer to a trailer coupler of a motor vehicle, with an image sensor located in the coupling area,

wherein the coupling process involves connecting the trailer coupler (4) of the motor vehicle (1) and the tow bar (3) of the trailer (2),

wherein a coupling is detected by the image sensor (5) detecting a movement of a locking element (8) associated with the trailer coupler (4),

wherein upon the detection of the coupling, a process of braking the motor vehicle (1) is initiated.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the trailer coupler (4) of the motor vehicle (1) includes a sensor for detection of an open condition of the trailer coupler (4).

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor emits a signal upon coupling of the trailer (2) to the motor vehicle (1), so that the process of braking of the motor vehicle (1) can be initiated.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the emitted signal is relayed to a control unit, which automatically initiates the process of braking.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein upon an increase in the engine torque of the motor vehicle (1) the process of braking is initiated.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the process of braking is initiated upon noticing a drop in the rear of the motor vehicle (1) by means of the image sensor (5).

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling process involves a transverse and/or elevation control of the motor vehicle (1).

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor (5) is located in an area above the trailer coupler (4) of the motor vehicle (1).

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor (5) is integrated in the trailer coupler (4) of the motor vehicle (1).