Magnetic Hitch Angle Sensing to Resist Stray Field Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for measuring the hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer are either prone to failure due to wear, difficult to install, or unreliable in the presence of stray magnetic fields, and lack a simple, cost-effective, and long-lasting method.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic angle measurement system using an electromagnet and a magnetometer to determine the hitch angle, where the electromagnet is placed on the vehicle and the magnetometer on the trailer, with the system initialized on a level surface to minimize interference from the Earth's magnetic field and other sources, and readings are taken before and after energizing the electromagnet to isolate the magnetic field strength attributed to the electromagnet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a potentiometer based hitch angle measuring solution is used, then the device can measure the hitch angle, but the internal parts wear out due to friction causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical potentiometer system with a magnetic sensing system. A magnet is mounted on the hitch ball and a magnetometer is mounted on the trailer, eliminating mechanical contact and friction wear while maintaining angle measurement capability. This substitution of mechanical components with magnetic field-based components directly resolves the reliability issue caused by friction wear.
2Reliability
If mechanical magnetic rotation sensors are used, then the operating lifetime is extended, but the installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing system into two separate components: a passive magnet mounted on the hitch ball and an active magnetometer mounted on the trailer. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed without complex mechanical linkages, significantly simplifying installation while maintaining the long operational lifetime benefit of magnetic sensors.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic compasses on both vehicle and trailer are used to measure headings, then the hitch angle can be calculated, but the measurements become unreliable in the presence of stray magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passive magnet as an intermediary between the vehicle and trailer sensing systems. Instead of relying on Earth's magnetic field which can be distorted by stray fields, the system uses the localized magnetic field generated by the known-position magnet on the hitch ball. The magnetometer measures this controlled magnetic field to determine hitch ball orientation, eliminating the reliability issues caused by stray magnetic field interference.
4Measurement precision
If imaging techniques using the vehicle's backup camera are used, then the hitch angle can be ascertained, but considerable processing power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex imaging and image processing system with a simple magnetic sensing system. The magnetometer directly measures the magnetic field direction to determine hitch ball orientation, providing hitch angle measurement without requiring substantial processing power. This substitution of imaging techniques with magnetic field sensing resolves the power consumption issue.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a reliable, easy-to-install, and cost-effective method for measuring the hitch angle with a long operational lifetime, reducing the impact of stray magnetic fields and ensuring accurate angle calculations.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic angle measurement system using an electromagnet and a magnetometer to determine the hitch angle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to magnetic angle measurement and, in particular, the present invention relates to measuring the hitch angle with a magnetometer formed by a vehicle while coupled with and towing a trailer by measuring the direction to a magnetic field source.