Ford global technologies, llc (20240239408). APPLICATION OF AUXILIARY LIGHTING IN AUTOMATIC HITCH OPERATION simplified abstract

APPLICATION OF AUXILIARY LIGHTING IN AUTOMATIC HITCH OPERATION

Organization Name

ford global technologies, llc

Inventor(s)

Luke Niewiadomski of Dearborn MI (US)

Douglas Rogan of Mountainview CA (US)

Shannon Brooks-lehnert of Ann Arbor MI (US)

Chen Zhang of South Rockwood MI (US)

Roger Arnold Trombley of Ann Arbor MI (US)

Peter Ling of Canton MI (US)

Kenneth Michael Mayer of Ypsilanti MI (US)

Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny of Canton MI (US)

Bo Bao of Bloomfield MI (US)

Steven Wayne Friedlander of Canton MI (US)

APPLICATION OF AUXILIARY LIGHTING IN AUTOMATIC HITCH OPERATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240239408 titled 'APPLICATION OF AUXILIARY LIGHTING IN AUTOMATIC HITCH OPERATION

The abstract describes a vehicle hitching assistance system that helps drivers align their vehicle with a trailer for hitching.

• Controller executes initial alignment process to search for a trailer within a specified area of image data.
• Controller presents indication to driver to reposition vehicle if trailer is not identified within specified area.
• Controller removes indication when trailer is identified within specified area.
• Automated backing process is executed upon identifying the trailer within the specified area.
• System identifies coupler of the trailer and outputs a steering signal to align the vehicle's hitch ball with the coupler during reversing.

Potential Applications: - This technology can be used in parking lots, campgrounds, and other areas where vehicles need to hitch trailers. - It can be integrated into self-parking systems in vehicles to assist drivers in hitching trailers more efficiently.

Problems Solved: - Helps drivers align their vehicle with a trailer accurately and quickly. - Reduces the time and effort required to hitch a trailer, especially for inexperienced drivers.

Benefits: - Improves safety by ensuring proper alignment between the vehicle and the trailer. - Saves time and reduces frustration for drivers when hitching trailers.

Commercial Applications: - This technology can be marketed to automotive companies for integration into new vehicle models. - It can also be sold as an aftermarket accessory for existing vehicles.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the system identify the trailer within the specified area?

  - The system uses image data to search for the trailer within a specified area and presents an indication to the driver if the trailer is not identified.

2. What are the potential challenges faced by the system in aligning the vehicle with the trailer?

  - The system may face challenges in accurately identifying the coupler of the trailer and aligning it with the vehicle's hitch ball during the backing process.

Original Abstract Submitted

a vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. the controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.