Vehicle system and method for detecting trailer connection
US11285768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2300/808
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle has a trailer hitch, a vehicle electrical connector configured to electrically connect to a trailer electrical connector, and an imaging system oriented to captures images proximate to the trailer hitch. The vehicle also includes a proximity sensing system arranged to sense objects proximate to the trailer hitch and generate a proximity signal, an electrical connection detection system to detect an electrical connection to the vehicle trailer connector and generate an electrical connection signal, and a controller processing the captured images, the proximity signal and the electrical connector signal and determining a connection state of a trailer to the vehicle based on the captured images, the proximity sensor and the electrical connector signal, and generating an output indicative of the determined connection state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.