An electrically powered trailer hitch self-cleaning method, system, vehicle, and storage medium

Abstract

The application provides an electric trailer hook self-cleaning method, system, vehicle and storage medium, which is applied to an electric trailer hook self-cleaning system of a vehicle, the electric trailer hook self-cleaning system comprises a trailer system and a cleaning system, the trailer system comprises a trailer hook, and the cleaning system comprises a sprayer used for spraying cleaning liquid; the method comprises the following steps: in response to a user-triggered operation, sending a cleaning instruction to the cleaning system; acquiring cleaning condition information of the vehicle, and judging whether the cleaning condition information meets a cleaning starting condition; in the case that the cleaning starting condition is met, controlling the sprayer to spray the cleaning liquid to the trailer hook based on the cleaning instruction. Through the method provided by the application, the problems of great cleaning difficulty and poor cleaning effect caused by traditional manual cleaning of the trailer hook are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a self-cleaning method, system, vehicle, and storage medium for an electric trailer hitch. Background Technology

[0002] Electric trailer hitches (or electric tow hooks) are a modern automotive accessory widely used for connecting vehicles to towed caravans, trailers, or other towed objects. Driven by an electric control system, electric trailer hitches enable automated connection and disconnection, providing a convenient, safe, and reliable method for trailer connection.

[0003] When traveling in a towed caravan, inclement weather is inevitable. When driving on muddy roads in rain or snow, the electric tow hook, whether retracted under the vehicle or extended to connect to the trailer, will be exposed to mud, dust, and rainwater. Accumulated contaminants on the tow hook not only affect its retraction and connection to the trailer but also accelerate wear and tear, reducing its lifespan. Traditionally, tow hooks are cleaned manually, relying on wiping or spraying cleaning fluid, which is cumbersome and incomplete. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application proposes an electric trailer hook self-cleaning method, system, vehicle and storage medium to solve the problems of high cleaning difficulty and poor cleaning effect caused by traditional manual cleaning of trailer hooks.

[0005] The first aspect of this invention provides a self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hitch, the technical solution of which is:

[0006] A self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hitch, applied to an electric trailer hitch self-cleaning system for a vehicle, the electric trailer hitch self-cleaning system comprising a trailer system and a cleaning system, the trailer system comprising a trailer hitch, and the cleaning system comprising a sprayer for spraying a cleaning fluid; the method comprising:

[0007] In response to a user-triggered operation, a cleaning command is sent to the cleaning system;

[0008] Obtain the cleaning condition information of the vehicle and determine whether the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start conditions;

[0009] When the cleaning start conditions are met, the sprayer is controlled to spray the cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook based on the cleaning command.

[0010] Optionally, the step of controlling the injector to spray the cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook based on the cleaning command, when the cleaning start conditions are met, includes:

[0011] When the cleaning start conditions are met, the trailer hitch is controlled to move according to a preset motion mode based on the cleaning command;

[0012] According to the preset motion mode, the injector is controlled to start spraying in a spray mode corresponding to the preset motion mode.

[0013] Optionally, the preset motion mode includes a movement trajectory mode or a target position mode; the movement trajectory mode indicates that the trailer hitch switches between an deployed position and a retracted position according to a preset movement trajectory, and the target position mode indicates that the trailer hitch moves to a target position; wherein,

[0014] The step of controlling the injector to start spraying in a spraying state corresponding to the preset motion mode according to the preset motion mode includes:

[0015] According to the movement trajectory pattern, the injector is controlled to be in a first injection position, and injection is initiated when the trailer hook leaves the deployed or retracted position; or...

[0016] According to the target position pattern, the injector is controlled to start spraying the trailer hook at the target position at the second spray position.

[0017] Optionally, the cleaning condition information includes vehicle speed information and connection status information. The step of obtaining the vehicle's cleaning condition information and determining whether the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start conditions includes:

[0018] Obtain the vehicle speed information and the connection status information of the trailer hitch;

[0019] If the vehicle speed information is less than or equal to a first threshold and the connection status information is in a disconnected state, it is determined that the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start condition.

[0020] Optionally, the cleaning instruction includes a switch instruction and a cleaning time instruction, wherein the cleaning time instruction has at least one; the step of sending the cleaning instruction to the cleaning system in response to a user-triggered operation includes:

[0021] Based on the user-triggered switch operation, a switch command is sent to the cleaning system;

[0022] Based on the user-triggered time selection operation, a cleaning time instruction corresponding to the selected cleaning time is sent to the cleaning system;

[0023] The step of controlling the sprayer to spray the cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook based on the cleaning command includes:

[0024] Based on the start command and target cleaning time command in the switch command, the injector is controlled to spray the cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook at a cleaning time corresponding to the target cleaning time command.

[0025] Optionally, the step of controlling the injector to be in the first injection position according to the movement trajectory pattern, followed by:

[0026] According to the movement trajectory pattern, the trailer hook is controlled to move along the preset movement trajectory at a first driving speed.

[0027] Secondly, the present invention also provides a self-cleaning system for electric trailer hooks, the technical solution of which is:

[0028] An electric trailer hitch self-cleaning system includes a trailer system and a cleaning system, wherein the trailer system includes a trailer hitch, and the cleaning system includes:

[0029] Storage tank for storing cleaning fluid;

[0030] A water pump is connected to the storage tank;

[0031] A sprayer, connected to the water pump, is used to spray the cleaning solution;

[0032] The function buttons are used to receive user trigger operations; wherein, the function buttons include an on button, an off button, and at least one cleaning time button;

[0033] The control module is communicatively connected to both the water pump and the function buttons.

[0034] Optionally, the sprayer is positioned at a first spraying position, which matches a preset movement trajectory of the trailer hook; or, the sprayer is positioned at a second spraying position, which matches a target position to which the trailer hook has moved; thereby allowing the cleaning fluid sprayed by the sprayer to cover the trailer hook.

[0035] Optionally, the system also includes:

[0036] The trigger module is used to send cleaning instructions to the cleaning system in response to user-triggered operations;

[0037] The acquisition module is used to acquire the cleaning condition information of the vehicle and determine whether the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start conditions.

[0038] The cleaning module is used to control the sprayer to spray the cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook based on the cleaning command when the cleaning start conditions are met.

[0039] Optionally, the cleaning module includes:

[0040] The motion module is used to control the trailer hook to move according to a preset motion mode based on the cleaning command when the cleaning start conditions are met.

[0041] The injection module controls the injector to start injection in an injection mode corresponding to the preset motion mode, according to the preset motion mode.

[0042] Optionally, the injection module includes a first injection submodule or a second injection submodule:

[0043] The first injection submodule is used to control the injector to be in the first injection position according to the movement trajectory pattern, and to start injection when the trailer hook leaves the deployment position or the recovery position;

[0044] The second injection submodule is used to control the injector to start spraying the trailer hook at the target position at the second injection position according to the target position pattern.

[0045] Optionally, the acquisition module includes:

[0046] The acquisition submodule is used to acquire the vehicle speed information and the connection status information of the trailer hitch;

[0047] The judgment module is used to determine that the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start condition when the vehicle speed information is less than or equal to a first threshold and the connection status information is in a disconnected state.

[0048] Optionally, the triggering module includes:

[0049] The first triggering submodule is used to send a switch command to the cleaning system based on the user-triggered switch operation;

[0050] The second triggering submodule is used to send a cleaning time instruction corresponding to the selected cleaning time to the cleaning system based on the user-triggered time selection operation.

[0051] The cleaning module includes:

[0052] The cleaning execution module is used to control the injector to spray the cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook at a cleaning time corresponding to the target cleaning time instruction, based on the start instruction and the target cleaning time instruction in the switch command.

[0053] Optionally, the injection module includes:

[0054] The speed control module is used to control the trailer hook to move along the preset movement trajectory at a first travel speed according to the movement trajectory pattern.

[0055] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising:

[0056] One or more processors; and

[0057] One or more machine-readable media having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the vehicle to perform the steps of one or more methods as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform the steps of one or more methods as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0059] This application has the following advantages:

[0060] The self-cleaning method provided in this embodiment can automatically clean the electric trailer hitch. Especially during self-driving tours in rainy or snowy weather, or when driving on muddy roads, the system allows for convenient user operation to control the cleaning system to automatically clean the electric trailer hitch, achieving automated cleaning and reducing the need for manual maintenance. This effectively reduces the impact of mud accumulation on the electric trailer hitch, ensuring its normal use in various environments. Therefore, users can enjoy a more convenient and cleaner self-driving travel experience. Vehicles equipped with electric trailer hitches and incorporating the system and method of this embodiment will significantly improve ease of use, durability, and user experience, enhancing their product competitiveness in modern self-driving caravans and smart cars.

[0061] The system and vehicle described herein have the same advantages over the prior art as the electric trailer hook self-cleaning method described above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0062] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application, the drawings used in the description of this application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0063] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hook according to an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of a self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hook according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0065] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0066] With the increasing popularity of caravans, users are more inclined to choose vehicles equipped with electric trailer hitches, and the demand for more efficient and intelligent self-cleaning functions in electric trailer hitches is also growing. Although electric trailer hitches have many advantages, some challenges and problems exist in practical use, mainly including:

[0067] Dirt buildup: During the use of a towed caravan, the tow hook will be exposed to dirt, dust, rainwater, and other contaminants, especially under harsh driving conditions (such as rainy or snowy weather, muddy roads, etc.). These contaminants not only affect the normal operation of the tow hook but also accelerate its wear and tear, reducing its lifespan.

[0068] Cleaning inconvenience: Because electric trailer hitches are usually designed to be concealed, traditional manual cleaning methods are not only time-consuming and laborious, but also difficult to thoroughly remove dirt accumulated on the trailer hitch, especially when the trailer hitch is under the vehicle or in a hard-to-reach location. In some cases, cleaning tools (water, brushes, etc.) are also lacking.

[0069] Therefore, improving the ease of use and maintenance efficiency of electric trailer hitches, and developing self-cleaning technology for electric trailer hitches, will become an important research direction. By equipping electric trailer hitches with an automatic cleaning system, users can automatically activate the cleaning function without leaving their vehicles to remove mud, dust, and stains from the trailer hitches.

[0070] To achieve this objective, the first aspect of the present invention provides an electric trailer hitch self-cleaning method, applied to an electric trailer hitch self-cleaning system for vehicles. The electric trailer hitch self-cleaning system includes a trailer system and a cleaning system. The trailer system includes a trailer hitch, and the cleaning system includes a sprayer for spraying cleaning fluid.

[0071] Specifically, the self-cleaning system of a trailer hitch mainly consists of a trailer system and a cleaning system. The trailer system typically has an electric control module that controls the deployment and retraction of the trailer hitch and its positioning. The cleaning system has a control module that controls the sprayers to apply cleaning fluid and perform the cleaning task. The electric control module and the cleaning system interact via the vehicle's ECU, enabling the self-cleaning operation to be performed through the trailer system, the cleaning system, and certain functions of the ECU.

[0072] In this embodiment, the electric control module and the control module are integrated into the vehicle's ECU. The ECU receives information from various vehicle sensors (such as tow hook position, vehicle speed, and tow truck connection status) and centrally manages commands such as data acquisition and processing, tow hook motion control, injection start and stop control, and injection timing control based on this data. Therefore, the ECU performs the self-cleaning operation. The ECU interacts with the vehicle's human-machine interface (HMI) to display the status of the electric tow hook self-cleaning function. The HMI has function buttons, and virtual function buttons are displayed accordingly. Simultaneously, the user can turn the cleaning function on or off via a virtual switch on the vehicle's control interface. The ECU provides feedback to the HMI when the cleaning process starts, completes, or is interrupted.

[0073] Specifically, the trailer system controls the movement of the electrically operated trailer hook, including its deployment, retraction, position control, and locking. A trailer system typically consists of a trailer switch, trailer hook, electric motor, transmission, and mechanical connection. The trailer switch is integrated into the vehicle's touchscreen; the user taps it to control the deployment / retraction of the electric trailer hook. The trailer hook is located under the vehicle's chassis, below the rear of the trunk, and is responsible for connecting to a caravan or other towing equipment. The electric motor, transmission, and mechanical connection are connected to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to control the automatic deployment or retraction of the trailer hook as needed. In the deployed position, the electric motor pushes the trailer hook head out and adjusts it to the appropriate height and position for docking with the towing equipment's hook. After towing is complete, the trailer hook automatically retracts to its original position; in the retracted position, it is hidden in a storage location under or behind the vehicle. Normally, the extension / retraction function is activated via control buttons or a control panel inside the vehicle.

[0074] Specifically, the cleaning system is responsible for providing cleaning fluid (such as water or detergent) and spraying it onto the trailer hitch to remove dirt, mud, and other impurities. In this embodiment, a cleaning system is installed near the trailer hitch at the rear of the vehicle, including a sprayer for spraying cleaning fluid. The specific position and spray direction of the sprayer can be matched to the movement pattern of the trailer hitch. A reservoir stores the cleaning fluid. A water pump provides sufficient water pressure and flow to propel the cleaning fluid to the sprayer. The water pump is electrically connected to the ECU, which controls the spraying and stopping of the cleaning fluid, as well as the spraying time and flow rate. A water pipe connects the reservoir, the sprayer, and the water pump. Virtual function buttons are added to the vehicle's touchscreen. Users can use these buttons to control at least the on / off function of the electric trailer hitch's self-cleaning function, and the on / off status can be directly fed back to the user interface. At least one sensor is used to detect the current position and movement pattern of the trailer hitch and control the on / off time of the sprayer.

[0075] In some embodiments, the reservoir can be shared with the vehicle's windshield washer fluid system, reducing the need for additional space.

[0076] In some embodiments, a control valve is installed on the water pipe. The control valve is electrically connected to the ECU, which controls the spray flow rate of the cleaning fluid. Together with the spray time, the spray volume is controlled to adjust the cleaning level.

[0077] In some embodiments, the function buttons include an on button, an off button, and at least one cleaning time button. When a user touches the on button, the water pump is turned on, and the sprayer starts spraying; when a user touches the off button, the water pump is turned off, and the sprayer stops spraying; when a user touches the corresponding cleaning time button, a timer starts when the sprayer starts spraying, and the spraying automatically stops when the cleaning time is up, while the trailer hitch automatically moves to the position before self-cleaning.

[0078] During the self-cleaning process of the electric trailer hitch, if the user triggers the start / stop spray switch button again, or triggers the trailer hitch deployment / retraction switch, the electric trailer hitch self-cleaning function will be turned off, and the user's latest intention will be executed.

[0079] Specifically, Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hitch according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the self-cleaning methods relying on this system include:

[0080] S1. In response to user-triggered operations, send cleaning instructions to the cleaning system;

[0081] Users trigger the self-cleaning function via the vehicle's touchscreen. When the user presses the "Clean Start" button, the system receives the instruction and initiates the cleaning process by sending cleaning commands to the sprayer. These commands may include starting the cleaning fluid spray and controlling the spray volume.

[0082] Users trigger cleaning operations through the vehicle's human-machine interface, such as the in-vehicle touchscreen. After triggering the operation, the vehicle's ECU receives and processes the user's cleaning command, instructing the cleaning system to start or stop. For example, if the user presses the start button on the in-vehicle touchscreen, the ECU receives the command and sends a cleaning instruction. If the user presses the stop button, the ECU receives the command and sends a stop cleaning instruction.

[0083] At the same time, the ECU will receive feedback information from the cleaning system and display the current status of the self-cleaning function on the vehicle touch screen, indicating whether self-cleaning is being performed (e.g., "self-cleaning in progress" or "self-cleaning completed").

[0084] S2. Obtain the vehicle's cleaning condition information and determine whether the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start conditions;

[0085] After receiving the cleaning command from the user, the ECU first obtains the vehicle's cleaning conditions and determines whether the conditions meet the requirements for activating the self-cleaning function. The cleaning process will only begin when the conditions are met.

[0086] For example, cleaning condition information includes vehicle speed information and trailer connection status information. The ECU obtains the vehicle speed information through the vehicle's built-in speed sensor and determines whether the speed meets the conditions for starting cleaning. The trailer system checks whether the trailer hitch is connected to the trailer and sends this information to the ECU to determine whether the current connection status of the trailer hitch meets the conditions for starting cleaning.

[0087] In some embodiments, the cleaning operation is initiated only when both vehicle speed and connection status information meet the requirements. For example, if the vehicle speed is 0 (vehicle stationary) and the trailer hitch is not connected to a trailer, the ECU confirms that the cleaning start conditions are met and allows the cleaning process to begin.

[0088] Preferably, when the cleaning command is an open command, the vehicle's cleaning condition information is obtained; when the cleaning command is a close command, the vehicle's cleaning condition information does not need to be obtained.

[0089] S3. When the cleaning start conditions are met, control the sprayer to spray cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook based on the cleaning command.

[0090] Once the cleaning start conditions are met, the ECU powers the water pump, which pumps the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the injector via a water hose. The injector then begins spraying the cleaning fluid onto the tow hook. After cleaning is complete, the user presses the off button on the vehicle's touchscreen to stop the spraying of the cleaning fluid, and the tow hook automatically returns to its pre-cleaning position, ready to continue with other tasks.

[0091] In some embodiments, the cleaning system can be set to a cleaning time. Cleaning is considered complete when the cleaning time is up, and spraying automatically stops.

[0092] The spray flow rate and spray time can be controlled by adjusting the control valve and water pump, thereby adjusting the cleaning effect of the trailer hook.

[0093] To ensure the cleaning fluid can cover the entire trailer hitch via the sprayer, the position of the trailer hitch and the sprayer's spray position can be precisely aligned. For example, the sprayer's position can be precisely calibrated to ensure it covers the entire cleaning area of ​​the electric trailer hitch. The spray angle of the sprayer can be dynamically adjusted according to the trailer hitch's extended and retracted position. Furthermore, by adding sensors, the sprayer can dynamically adjust the nozzle's spray angle based on the trailer hitch's movement and current position, ensuring that each spray hits the trailer hitch surface.

[0094] In summary, the self-cleaning method provided in this embodiment can automatically clean the electric trailer hook, especially during rainy or snowy weather or when driving on muddy roads during a caravan road trip. The system allows for convenient user operation, controlling the cleaning system to automatically clean the electric trailer hook, achieving automated cleaning and reducing the need for manual maintenance. This effectively reduces the impact of mud accumulation on the electric trailer hook, ensuring its normal use in various environments. Therefore, users can enjoy a more convenient and cleaner road trip experience. Vehicles equipped with electric trailer hooks and incorporating the system and method of this embodiment will significantly improve ease of use, durability, and user experience, enhancing their competitiveness in modern caravans and smart cars.

[0095] The self-cleaning method for the electric trailer hook in this application can also be:

[0096] Step S3 also includes:

[0097] S31. When the cleaning start conditions are met, control the trailer hitch to move according to the preset motion mode based on the cleaning command;

[0098] S32. According to the preset motion mode, control the injector to start spraying in the spray mode corresponding to the preset motion mode.

[0099] Specifically, the movement pattern of the trailer hitch is typically defined during the cleaning process. The trailer hitch moves according to a preset movement pattern, matching the spraying motion of the sprayer to ensure that the cleaning fluid sprayed by the sprayer covers the entire surface of the trailer hitch. Only after the cleaning start conditions are met and a cleaning command is received, and the ECU determines that the user has a cleaning need and the cleaning conditions are met, will it control the trailer hitch to move according to the preset movement pattern.

[0100] The trailer hitch's preset movement modes can be divided into a trajectory mode or a target position mode. In trajectory mode, the trailer hitch moves from the deployed position to the retracted position, or vice versa, according to the trailer system's program and its own trajectory. In target position mode, the trailer hitch moves from the deployed or retracted position to a newly set target position.

[0101] The movement mode of the trailer hitch includes the spray position and timing of the sprayer. The spray mode determines when and where the sprayer will spray cleaning fluid onto the surface of the trailer hitch. The sprayer executes the corresponding movement mode based on the different preset movement modes of the trailer hitch.

[0102] For example, when the trailer hitch moves in a trajectory mode, the injector is in the first injection position, and the injector starts continuous spraying synchronously during the trailer hitch's movement. When the trailer hitch moves in a target position mode, the injector is in the second injection position, and the injector only starts spraying when the trailer hitch has reached the target position.

[0103] Therefore, the preset movement mode of the trailer hitch ensures that the trailer hitch moves to the correct position, facilitating cleaning with the cleaning fluid; the spray mode of the sprayer ensures that the angle, timing, and range of the cleaning fluid spray match the movement state of the trailer hitch, ensuring that the cleaning fluid can be effectively sprayed on the surface of the trailer hitch, maximizing the cleaning effect, and avoiding cleaning blind spots caused by improper trailer hitch position or improper spraying by the sprayer.

[0104] Furthermore, step S32 also includes:

[0105] S321. Based on the movement trajectory pattern, control the injector to be in the first injection position, and start injection when the trailer hitch leaves the deployed or retracted position; or,

[0106] S322. According to the target position mode, control the injector to start spraying the trailer hook at the target position at the second spray position.

[0107] In this embodiment, the spraying mode, as mentioned above, includes the spraying position and spraying timing of the sprayer. The spraying position can be pre-calibrated according to the preset movement mode of the trailer hitch. Calibrating the spraying position ensures that the cleaning fluid sprayed by the sprayer can always accurately cover the entire trailer hitch for cleaning. The spraying mode determines how the sprayer sprays the cleaning fluid onto the surface of the trailer hitch. Based on the preset movement mode of the trailer hitch, the spraying mode of the sprayer can be:

[0108] In the movement trajectory mode, the trailer hitch's trajectory is pre-stored in the electric control system, ensuring that the trailer hitch deploys and retracts along a specific path. By actually testing the trailer hitch's movement from its deployed to its retracted position, or vice versa, the movement trajectory is obtained. This trajectory reveals multiple cleaning positions the trailer hitch traverses during its movement. Therefore, after determining the locations of these multiple cleaning positions, the sprayer's angle and position can be optimized and adjusted through multiple tests during calibration. The spraying effect is tested under different sprayer installation conditions to ultimately confirm the optimal installation position and spray angle that can cover the most or even all cleaning positions. This point can then be designated as the first spray position for the sprayer in movement trajectory mode, and the sprayer is installed and fixed at this first position. Therefore, once the electric trailer hitch begins moving along its own trajectory, the sprayer can effectively clean the trailer hitch at different cleaning positions throughout its entire range of motion.

[0109] After determining the first spray position corresponding to the movement trajectory pattern, the spray timing is controlled. The sprayer is simultaneously controlled to start spraying cleaning fluid as soon as the trailer hitch moves from the retracted position or from the deployed position.

[0110] In this embodiment, the initial position (deployed or retracted) of the trailer hook can be obtained through the position sensor built into the trailer system. Based on the received position signal, the system determines whether it is in the process of deploying or retracting. If the ECU receives a feedback signal from the position sensor, it determines that the trailer hook has not yet started moving; otherwise, it determines that the trailer hook has started moving. When the trailer hook starts moving, the ECU synchronously starts the cleaning system, and the sprayer starts working, continuously cleaning the surface of the trailer hook at the first spray position.

[0111] Further, step S321, followed by:

[0112] S3211. According to the movement trajectory mode, control the trailer hook to move along the preset movement trajectory at a first travel speed. Therefore, when the trailer hook is unfolding and retracting according to the specific preset movement trajectory, the movement speed of the electric trailer hook will be slowed down, and the cleaning system will be activated at the same time to achieve the purpose of thorough cleaning.

[0113] The initial travel speed of the trailer hitch can be set by controlling the current between the ECU and the electric motor of the trailer system. Reducing the current transmitted from the ECU to the electric motor decreases the speed of the trailer hitch. This initial travel speed can be determined based on actual conditions; this embodiment does not impose a limitation on it.

[0114] In target position mode, the electric trailer hitch automatically moves to a target location, which can be user-defined. This target location is either the middle of the trailer hitch's trajectory or a specific area requiring special cleaning, and then stops at that middle position. Once the target position of the trailer hitch is determined, the angle and position of the sprayer can be optimized and adjusted through multiple tests during the calibration process. The water spraying effect is tested under different sprayer installation conditions to ultimately confirm the point with the largest and most uniform cleaning range. This point can then be designated as the second spraying position for the sprayer in target position mode, and a fixed sprayer is installed at this second spraying position. Therefore, once the electric trailer hitch reaches the middle position, it ensures that the water spray covers all the cleaning areas of the electric trailer hitch.

[0115] After determining the second spray position corresponding to the target mode, the spray timing is controlled. The cleaning system is activated only when the trailer hitch reaches the middle position.

[0116] In this embodiment, a position sensor (e.g., potentiometer, rotary encoder, or photoelectric sensor) is installed at the target location to obtain the target position of the trailer hook. When the ECU receives the feedback signal provided by the position sensor, it determines that the trailer hook has reached the target position. The ECU automatically starts the cleaning system, triggers the water pump to start, and delivers water from the reservoir to the sprayer through the water pipe to start spraying water to clean the electric trailer hook.

[0117] If the cleaning is not complete in one go, the user can restart the self-cleaning function by pressing the power button.

[0118] Therefore, when the trailer hitch selects the movement trajectory mode, the sprayer is in the first spray position and starts spraying when the trailer hitch leaves the deployed or retracted position. However, when the trailer hitch selects the target position mode, the sprayer is in the second spray position and starts spraying when the trailer hitch reaches the target position. Through the control of preset movement modes, the sprayer can start at the right time and spray at the optimal position, ensuring that the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the area that needs cleaning, effectively conserving cleaning fluid, and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of the spraying process.

[0119] Furthermore, calibration can predetermine a fixed spray angle and spray range, allowing the system to focus only on the position of the trailer hitch and the on / off control of the injector, without relying on real-time dynamic adjustment of the nozzle angle, thus reducing control complexity and computational requirements.

[0120] In conjunction with the above embodiments, in another embodiment, this application also provides a self-cleaning method for electric trailer hooks. The cleaning condition information includes vehicle speed information and connection status information. When implementing the method of this application, step S2 further includes:

[0121] S21. Obtain vehicle speed information and trailer hitch connection status information;

[0122] S22. When the vehicle speed information is less than or equal to the first threshold and the connection status information is in the disconnected state, it is determined that the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start condition.

[0123] Specifically, the vehicle's current speed information is typically provided by the vehicle's braking control system or speed sensor. The ECU relies on this speed information to determine whether the vehicle's speed is less than or equal to a first threshold, which can be set between 0 and 30 km / h. When the speed is 0 km / h, the vehicle is stationary; when the speed is less than or equal to 30 km / h (but not including 0), the vehicle is traveling at a low speed. This helps prevent poor injection efficiency or fluid waste during medium- to high-speed vehicle movement.

[0124] The connection status information refers to the connection status between the trailer hitch and the trailer. The ECU determines whether the trailer hitch is disconnected by detecting the switch or electrical connection status on the trailer hitch. In some embodiments, a pressure sensor can be installed on the trailer hitch or a camera sensor can be installed at the rear of the trunk. The pressure information collected by the pressure sensor or the image information collected by the camera sensor is used to determine whether the trailer hitch is disconnected. If the trailer hitch is connected, the self-cleaning function is disabled; if it is disconnected, the self-cleaning function is enabled.

[0125] In this embodiment, the electric trailer hook will only be triggered to move to the target position or start moving according to a preset trajectory when both the vehicle speed information and the connection status information meet the cleaning conditions.

[0126] In conjunction with the above embodiments, in another embodiment, this application also provides a self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hitch. The cleaning command includes a switch command and a cleaning time command. When implementing the method of this application, step S1 further includes:

[0127] S11. Based on the user-triggered switch operation, send a switch command to the cleaning system;

[0128] S12. Based on the user-triggered time selection operation, send a cleaning time instruction corresponding to the selected cleaning time to the cleaning system;

[0129] Step S3 includes:

[0130] S33. Based on the start command and target cleaning time command in the switch command, control the injector to spray cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook at a cleaning time corresponding to the target cleaning time command.

[0131] Specifically, the on / off commands include an on command and a off command. The on command is sent by the on button, and the off command is sent by the off button, thus enabling the self-cleaning function of the cleaning system to be switched on and off. A time setting item has also been added to the human-machine interface, allowing users to select the self-cleaning time. Options include: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, etc. (the default time is 10 seconds). Each cleaning time button sends a cleaning time command, allowing users to select the desired cleaning time based on the degree of dirt on the electric trailer hitch.

[0132] Therefore, the user simultaneously sends an activation command and a cleaning time command with a preset value. Upon receiving both commands, the ECU starts cleaning and begins timing simultaneously. During the cleaning process, the sprayer operates according to the user-set cleaning time. When the cleaning time reaches the preset value, it automatically stops spraying water and instructs the tow hook to return to its original position (i.e., the position before self-cleaning), thereby further ensuring cleaning effectiveness and convenience.

[0133] The following provides a specific operation example when the target location mode is selected for the trailer hitch:

[0134] like Figure 2 The flowchart shown in this embodiment illustrates a self-cleaning method for an electric trailer hitch, comprising the following steps:

[0135] S101. The user clicks the on / off button on the human-machine interface to send the function on / off information to the ECU;

[0136] S102. When the user clicks the start button and selects the cleaning time, the start command is sent to the ECU, and the cleaning time command with the specific setting is sent to the ECU at the same time; and the start and stop status, as well as the cleaning time, are displayed accordingly.

[0137] S103, ECU receives the current vehicle speed information from the braking control system, and a vehicle speed ≤30km / h is a prerequisite for the cleaning system to be activated;

[0138] S104. The ECU obtains the connection status information of the trailer hitch. The disconnected status information is used as a prerequisite for the trailer system to be opened.

[0139] S105, if the ECU determines that the vehicle speed is less than 30km / h and the tow hook is in the disconnected state, it controls the tow hook to move to the middle position. After reaching the middle position, it controls the sprayer in the second spray position to start spraying cleaning fluid and starts timing.

[0140] S106. As self-cleaning proceeds, the cleaning time reaches the set value, the cleaning system is turned off, and self-cleaning ends.

[0141] S107. During self-cleaning, the working status is fed back to the human-machine interface. When self-cleaning is finished, the shutdown status is sent to the human-machine interface system.

[0142] In this embodiment, when the trailer hook selects the movement trajectory mode, unlike in the first embodiment, in step S105, if all the preconditions are met, the trailer hook is controlled to move from the initial position, and the sprayer in the first spray position is simultaneously controlled to start spraying cleaning fluid.

[0143] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the method embodiments are all described as a series of actions. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of this application are not limited to the described order of actions, because according to the embodiments of this application, some steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions involved are not necessarily required by the embodiments of this application.

[0144] Based on the same inventive concept, one embodiment of this application provides an electric trailer hitch self-cleaning system. It includes a trailer system and a cleaning system. The trailer system includes a trailer hitch, and the cleaning system includes: a reservoir for storing cleaning fluid; a water pump connected to the reservoir; a sprayer connected to the water pump for spraying the cleaning fluid; function buttons for receiving user trigger operations; wherein the function buttons include an on button, an off button, and at least one cleaning time button; and a control module communicatively connected to the water pump and the function buttons.

[0145] In one feasible solution, the sprayer is positioned at a first spraying position that matches a preset movement trajectory of the trailer hitch; or, the sprayer is positioned at a second spraying position that matches a target position reached by the trailer hitch, thereby allowing the cleaning fluid sprayed by the sprayer to cover the trailer hitch.

[0146] In one feasible solution, the system also includes:

[0147] The trigger module is used to send cleaning instructions to the cleaning system in response to user-triggered operations;

[0148] The acquisition module is used to acquire the vehicle's cleaning condition information and determine whether the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start conditions.

[0149] The cleaning module is used to control the sprayer to spray cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook based on cleaning commands when cleaning start conditions are met.

[0150] In one feasible solution, the cleaning module includes:

[0151] The motion module is used to control the trailer hitch to move according to a preset motion mode based on the cleaning command when the cleaning start conditions are met.

[0152] The injection module controls the injector to start injection in a corresponding injection mode according to the preset motion mode.

[0153] In one feasible embodiment, the injection module includes either a first injection submodule or a second injection submodule:

[0154] The first injection submodule is used to control the injector to be in the first injection position according to the movement trajectory pattern, and to start injection when the trailer hook leaves the deployed or retracted position.

[0155] The second injection submodule is used to control the injector to start spraying the trailer hook at the target position at the second injection position according to the target position pattern.

[0156] In one feasible solution, the acquisition module includes:

[0157] The acquisition submodule is used to acquire vehicle speed information and trailer hitch connection status information;

[0158] The judgment module is used to determine whether the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start condition when the vehicle speed information is less than or equal to the first threshold and the connection status information is in the disconnected state.

[0159] In one feasible solution, the triggering module includes:

[0160] The first triggering submodule is used to send switching commands to the cleaning system based on user-triggered switching operations;

[0161] The second triggering submodule is used to send a cleaning time instruction corresponding to the selected cleaning time to the cleaning system based on the user-triggered time selection operation.

[0162] The cleaning module includes:

[0163] The cleaning execution module is used to control the injector to spray cleaning fluid onto the trailer hook at a cleaning time corresponding to the target cleaning time instruction, based on the start instruction and the target cleaning time instruction in the switch command.

[0164] In one feasible embodiment, the injection module includes:

[0165] The speed control module is used to control the trailer hook to move along a preset movement trajectory at a first travel speed according to the movement trajectory pattern.

[0166] As the system implementation is basically similar to the method implementation, it is described in a relatively simple way. For relevant details, please refer to the description of the method implementation.

[0167] This application also provides a vehicle, including:

[0168] One or more processors; and

[0169] One or more machine-readable media having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the vehicle to perform the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application.

[0170] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform the steps of the methods described in this application.

[0171] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0172] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, apparatus, or computer program products. Therefore, embodiments of this application can take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments, or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, embodiments of this application can take the form of computer program products implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0173] This application describes embodiments with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, terminal devices (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing terminal device to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing terminal device, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0174] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing terminal device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0175] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing terminal equipment, causing a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable terminal equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable terminal equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0176] Although preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0177] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.

[0178] The above provides a detailed description of the electric trailer hook self-cleaning method, system, vehicle, and storage medium. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A method of self-cleaning of an electrically powered trailer hitch, characterized in that, An electric trailer hook self-cleaning system applied to a vehicle, the electric trailer hook self-cleaning system comprising a trailer system and a cleaning system, the trailer system comprising a trailer hook, the cleaning system comprising a sprayer for spraying cleaning liquid; the method comprising: sending a cleaning instruction to the cleaning system in response to a user-triggered operation; obtaining cleaning condition information of the vehicle, and determining whether the cleaning condition information meets a cleaning start condition; controlling the sprayer to spray the cleaning liquid to the trailer hook based on the cleaning instruction in a case where the cleaning start condition is met.

2. A method of self-cleaning of an electrically powered trailer hitch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controlling the sprayer to spray the cleaning liquid to the trailer hook based on the cleaning instruction in a case where the cleaning start condition is met comprises: controlling the trailer hook to move according to a preset movement mode based on the cleaning instruction in a case where the cleaning start condition is met; controlling the sprayer to start spraying in a spraying mode corresponding to the preset movement mode according to the preset movement mode.

3. A method of self-cleaning of an electrically powered trailer hitch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset movement mode comprises a moving track mode or a target position mode; the moving track mode is characterized in that the trailer hook switches between an unfolded position and a recovered position along a preset moving track, and the target position mode is characterized in that the trailer hook moves to a target position; wherein The controlling the sprayer to start spraying in a spraying mode corresponding to the preset movement mode according to the preset movement mode comprises: controlling the sprayer to be located at a first spraying position and start spraying when the trailer hook leaves the unfolded position or the recovered position according to the moving track mode; or controlling the sprayer to start spraying to the trailer hook in the target position at a second spraying position according to the target position mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning condition information comprises vehicle speed information and connection state information, and the obtaining cleaning condition information of the vehicle and determining whether the cleaning condition information meets a cleaning start condition comprises: obtaining vehicle speed information of the vehicle and connection state information of the trailer hook; determining that the cleaning condition information meets the cleaning start condition when the vehicle speed information is less than or equal to a first threshold value and the connection state information is in a disconnected state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning instruction comprises an on-off instruction and a cleaning time instruction, and the cleaning time instruction has at least one; The sending a cleaning instruction to the cleaning system in response to a user-triggered operation comprises: sending an on-off instruction to the cleaning system based on a user-triggered on-off operation; sending a cleaning time instruction corresponding to a selected cleaning time to the cleaning system based on a user-triggered timing operation; The controlling the sprayer to spray the cleaning liquid to the trailer hook based on the cleaning instruction comprises: controlling the sprayer to spray the cleaning liquid to the trailer hook for a cleaning time corresponding to a target cleaning time instruction in the on-off instruction based on the on-off instruction and the target cleaning time instruction.

6. A method of self-cleaning of an electrically powered trailer hitch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controlling the sprayer to be located at a first spraying position and then comprises: According to the movement track mode, the trailer hook is controlled to move along the preset movement track at a first driving speed.

7. An electrically powered trailer hitch self-cleaning system characterized by, The trailer system comprises a trailer hook, and the cleaning system comprises: a liquid storage tank for storing cleaning liquid; a water pump in communication with the liquid storage tank; a sprayer in communication with the water pump for spraying the cleaning liquid; a function button for receiving a trigger operation of a user; wherein the function button comprises an on button, an off button, and at least one cleaning time button; a control module in communication with the water pump and the function button, respectively.

8. An electrically powered trailer hitch self-cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein, The sprayer is arranged at a first spraying position matched with a preset movement track of the trailer hook, or arranged at a second spraying position matched with a target position to which the trailer hook moves, so that the cleaning liquid sprayed by the sprayer covers the trailer hook.

9. A vehicle characterized by comprising: comprise: one or more processors; and one or more machine-readable media having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the vehicle to perform the steps of the method of any of claims 1-6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, one or more machine-readable media having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to perform the steps of the method of any of claims 1-6.

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