Trailer Hitch Load Sensor for Boat Launch Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a vehicle backup position for launching a boat are inadequate, as they fail to provide a precise location that prevents vehicle damage from backing up too far or not far enough, especially due to limitations in vision-based systems and device-specific solutions that do not account for variations in boat and trailer sizes or types.
Innovation Solution
The use of trailer hitch load measurements, including vertical, fore-and-aft, and lateral loads, to determine a precise vehicle backup position using sensors and a controller that communicates with the vehicle's display and systems to assist the driver in positioning the vehicle correctly for launching and loading the boat, regardless of the boat or trailer's size or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle backs up further to allow the boat to float off the trailer, then the boat can be successfully launched, but the vehicle risks backing up too far into deep water causing damage or loss of traction
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors trailer hitch load during the backup process and provides real-time feedback to the driver through the display. When the boat begins to float (indicated by a specific load threshold), the system alerts the driver to stop, preventing over-backing into deep water while ensuring the boat is properly launched.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces vision-based systems with a mechanical load-sensing system at the trailer hitch. This mechanical approach directly measures the physical state of the boat-trailer-hitch system, providing more reliable and precise detection of the boat's floating status without relying on visual confirmation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle stops too early to avoid water damage, then the vehicle remains safe, but the boat cannot float off the trailer for proper launching
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous load monitoring and real-time feedback to the driver, clearly indicating when the optimal stopping point is reached. This ensures the driver stops at the precise moment the boat begins to float, avoiding both early stopping (which prevents launching) and late stopping (which causes water damage).
Solution Approach 2:
The load-sensing system automatically detects the boat's floating status and provides guidance without requiring driver intervention or judgment. The system serves itself by using the physical properties of the hitch load to determine the correct stopping point, eliminating the need for driver estimation or visual assessment.
3Loss of information
If vision-based systems are used to determine backup position, then the driver can see the water level, but the systems fail to account for variations in boat and trailer sizes or types
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer hitch load sensing system is universally applicable to any boat and trailer combination. Instead of relying on visual systems that must be calibrated for specific configurations, the mechanical load measurement approach works with all boat types, sizes, and trailer configurations, as the physics of load distribution remains consistent across different setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces vision-based detection with mechanical load sensing at the trailer hitch. This substitution eliminates the limitations of visual systems regarding boat and trailer variations, as the load measurement directly reflects the physical state of the system regardless of its specific configuration.
4Measurement precision
If device-specific solutions are implemented for each boat and trailer, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal trailer hitch load sensor that works with any boat and trailer combination without requiring device-specific configurations. This single approach achieves precise positioning for all configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The load-sensing system automatically adapts to different boat and trailer configurations without requiring manual setup or calibration. The system self-adjusts by monitoring the actual load conditions, eliminating the complexity of pre-programming or configuring device-specific parameters for each setup.
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 allows for accurate and efficient boat launching and loading by preventing vehicle damage from excessive water exposure, working with any boat or trailer, and providing real-time feedback to the driver to stop at the optimal position, ensuring safe and successful operations.
Implementation Method 1
The use of trailer hitch load measurements, including vertical, fore-and-aft, and lateral loads, to determine a precise vehicle backup position using sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein that determine a vehicle backup position for launching and loading a boat using trailer hitch load. An example apparatus includes a data analyzer to determine, based on a trailer hitch load of a vehicle coupled to a trailer, a vehicle backup position for launching the boat at which a boat coupled to the trailer is floating on a body of water and an instruction generator to instruct a braking system of the vehicle to stop the vehicle at the vehicle backup position for launching the boat.