Trailer Hitch Alignment Controller with Height Safety Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitching a trailer to a vehicle is a difficult and time-consuming process due to the lack of clear sight lines, requiring repeated driving and steering maneuvers to align the hitch ball with the trailer hitch, and there is a risk of collision from overshooting, especially since the hitch ball is often obscured and its positioning can only be inferred.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a controller that identifies the coupler position of a trailer, aligns the hitch ball with it, and monitors the height difference, stopping the vehicle if the coupler height is less than the hitch ball height, and providing notifications through an indication device for manual adjustment, ensuring compatibility and preventing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driver manually aligns the hitch ball with the trailer hitch through repeated driving and steering maneuvers, then the hitching operation can be completed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated optical sensing and control system. The sensor apparatus detects the trailer hitch position, and the controller automatically generates steering commands to align the vehicle with the trailer, eliminating the need for repeated manual driving and steering maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vehicle to perform self-alignment with the trailer hitch. The sensor apparatus continuously monitors the relative position, and the controller autonomously adjusts the steering angle to achieve proper alignment, allowing the vehicle to service itself without requiring multiple manual intervention cycles.
2Ease of operation
If the driver relies on inference of hitch ball positioning without direct visibility, then the hitching can proceed, but the risk of collision increases due to potential overshooting
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor apparatus provides continuous feedback on the relative position between the vehicle and trailer hitch. The controller uses this feedback to monitor the alignment process in real-time and automatically adjusts steering to prevent overshooting, ensuring reliable collision avoidance while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor apparatus acts as an intermediary between the driver and the physical hitching components. It provides direct visual or electronic indication of the hitch ball's position relative to the trailer hitch, eliminating the need for inference and enabling precise collision-free alignment.
3Manufacturing precision
If the hitch ball is positioned close to the rear bumper for proper alignment, then the hitching geometry is correct, but the visibility of the hitch ball is further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor apparatus serves as an intermediary that detects the hitch ball position when it is in the optimal close position near the rear bumper. This allows the system to maintain precise alignment geometry while compensating for the reduced visibility by providing electronic or visual position information to the driver.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle aligning the hitch ball with the coupler position and monitor a height of the coupler relative to the hitch ball. In response to the coupler height being less than a height of the hitch ball, the controller is configured to stop the motion of the vehicle.