GB2365974A - Means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle by the use of an ultrasonic arrangement and an audio/visual display - Google Patents

Means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle by the use of an ultrasonic arrangement and an audio/visual display Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2365974A
GB2365974A GB0109392A GB0109392A GB2365974A GB 2365974 A GB2365974 A GB 2365974A GB 0109392 A GB0109392 A GB 0109392A GB 0109392 A GB0109392 A GB 0109392A GB 2365974 A GB2365974 A GB 2365974A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
radio frequency
towing vehicle
slave unit
ultrasonic
transmitter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0109392A
Other versions
GB2365974B (en
GB0109392D0 (en
Inventor
Andrew Brian Carrington
Philip Ake Masson Rydin-Orwin
Bernard Orwin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FLOTEC UK Ltd
Original Assignee
FLOTEC UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FLOTEC UK Ltd filed Critical FLOTEC UK Ltd
Publication of GB0109392D0 publication Critical patent/GB0109392D0/en
Priority to EP01305628A priority Critical patent/EP1170155A3/en
Publication of GB2365974A publication Critical patent/GB2365974A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2365974B publication Critical patent/GB2365974B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/52—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking for indicating emergencies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/36—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
    • G01S11/16—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using difference in transit time between electrical and acoustic signals

Abstract

Method and means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle (11) into a position where the hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle is aligned with the hitch component on the front of a trailer vehicle (13). A master unit (10) is mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle (11) and includes computing means, a radio frequency transmitter (Fig 4,15) and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic receivers (Fig 4, 19 and 20). A slave unit (12) is mounted on the front of the trailer vehicle (13) and includes a radio frequency receiver (Fig 4, 16) and an ultrasonic transmitter (Fig 4, 18). A second slave unit (14) is mounted within the vehicle (11) and includes a radio frequency receiver (Fig 4, 17) and a display (28) / audible indicator which is used to aid alignment of the hitch components.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> METHOD AND MEANS FOR FACILITATING REVERSING OF A TOWING VEHICLE Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle.
In US Patent Specification No. 5,191,328 there is described a trailer hitching aid which comprises a dual transmitter mounted on the forward end of the trailer vehicle and arranged to transmit pulses of infra red light and pulses of ultrasonic sound. An infra red detector and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic sound detectors are mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle. The detectors are incorporated in an electrical circuit which includes a computer programmed so that a measurement can be made of the time difference between the detection of the light burst and the detection of the sound bursts. The time differences are utilised to calculate the distance from each detector to the transmitter, and the distances and angles between the detectors and the transmitter are
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
then displayed on the computer screen to enable the driver of the towing vehicle to manouevre it accurately into a position in which the hitch components on the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle are in register.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at .he rear of the towing vehicle can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide improvements over the arrangement described in US Patent Specification No. 5,191,328.
Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle, said method comprising providing:- a) a master unit which includes computing means, a radio frequency transmitter and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic receivers, b) a first slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter, and
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
c) a second slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and a display and/or an audible indicator, mounting the master unit on the rear of the towing vehicle, mounting the first slave unit on the front of the trailer vehicle, mounting the second slave unit within the towing vehicle at a position such that it is readily visible and/or audible by the driver of the towing vehicle, and creating a sequence of operations such that the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends a signal to the radio frequency receiver of the first slave unit to initiate operation of the ultrasonic transmitter of the first slave unit to send signals to the ultrasonic receivers such that the computing means calculates the distances between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receivers and the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends signals to the second slave unit to effect operation of the display and/or the audible indicator.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle, said facilitating means including:- a) a master unit which includes computing means, a radio frequency transmitter and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic receivers, b) a first slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter, and
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
c) a second slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and a display and/or an audible indicator, the master unit being mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle, the first slave unit being mounted on the front of the trailer vehicle, and the second slave unit being mounted within the towing vehicle at a position such that it is readily visible and/or audible by the driver of the towing vehicle, means being provided for creating a sequence of operations such that the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends a signal to the radio frequency receiver of the first slave unit to initiate operation of the ultrasonic transmitter of the first slave unit to send signals to the ultrasonic receivers such that the computing means calculates the distances between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receivers and the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends signals to the second slave unit to effect operation of the display and/or the audible indicator.
The ultrasonic receivers of the master unit are preferably ultrasonic transceivers, i.e. they can both transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, so that the facilitating means can also be used as a reversing aid.
The radio frequency signals transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit are preferably coded signals and each slave unit preferably includes a decoder to enable it to recognise the signals to which it is required to respond.
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle and trailer fitted with the facilitating means, Figures 2 and 3 show different relative positions of the vehicle and trailer, and Figure 4 is a system block diagram.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in the drawings, the facilitating means comprises a master unit 10 which, in use, is mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle 11, a first slave unit 12 which, in use, is mounted on the front of the trailer 13 and a second slave unit 14 which, in use, is mounted within the towing vehicle 11 adjacent the rear view mirror thereof so that it is readily visible and audible to the driver of the towing vehicle 10.
The master unit 10 includes a radio frequency transmitter 15 which, in use, transmits coded signals to a radio frequency receiver 16 contained within the first slave unit 12 and to a radio frequency receiver 17 contained within the second slave unit 14. Each receiver 16, 17 has an associated decoder so as to enable them to recognise and respond appropriately to the signals which they receive. The first slave unit 12 includes an ultra sonic transmitter 18
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
which is connected to the receiver 16 such that, on receipt of an initiation signal by the receiver 16 from the transmitter 15,a signal is sent to the ultra sonic transmitter 18 to cause it to transmit a burst of ultra sonic energy. The master unit 10 includes two laterally spaced ultra sonic transceivers 19, 20 and a timer comprising a timing circuit which includes a signal processor 21, a pair of amplifiers 22 and 23, a pair of analog to digital converters 24 and 25, and a pair of memory units 26 and 27. Thus, when a radio frequency signal is transmitted from the master unit 10 and received by the first slave unit 12, an ultra sonic signal is transmitted by the first slave unit 12 to the two transceivers 19 and 20 of the master unit 10. The timer is started on transmission of the signal from the master unit 10 to the first slave unit 12. The master unit 10 also includes a temperature sensor which sends information to the signal processor 21 concerning the ambient temperature. Because radio frequency energy travels in air approximately one million times faster than ultra sonic energy and the radio frequency signal code and decode times are small, the radio frequency link can be considered as operating instantaneously. When the ultra sonic transceivers 19 and 20 detect the ultra sonic burst, the timer is stopped and the time interval between transmission of the radio frequency signal and reception of the ultra sonic burst can be considered to be equal to the elapsed time interval for the ultra sonic burst to travel from the first slave unit 12 to the master unit 10.
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
The distance is then calculated by multiplying the time interval by the velocity of sound in air. The velocity of sound in air is determined by measuring the temperature and then using a known mathematical relationship between ambient temperature and the speed of sound in air. The method of the present invention thus includes measuring the ambient temperature and then effecting a calibration operation in dependence on the measured temperature. As mentioned above, the master unit 10 includes two ultra sonic transceivers 19 and 20, i.e. sensors that can act as a transmitter and a receiver. This enables the master unit 10 to act without the first slave unit 12 as a standard reversing aid by transmitting and receiving ultra sonic energy and determining the elapsed time between transmission and subsequent reception of a burst of ultra sonic energy reflected by an adjacent object. By having the two spaced transceivers 19 and 20 positioned a known distance apart, it is possible to derive the angular position of the trailer relative to the vehicle, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. With the relative positions of the vehicle and trailer as shown in Figure 2, i.e. with the towing vehicle accurately aligned with the trailer, the time for the burst of ultra sonic energy to travel from C to A will be the same as that taken to travel from C to B. On the other hand, with the relative positions of the vehicle and trailer as shown in Figure 3, i.e. with the towing vehicle out of alignment with the trailer, the time for the burst of ultra sonic energy to travel from C to
<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
A will be significantly less than that taken by the burst of ultra sonic energy to travel from C to B.
The master unit may alternatively include more than two transceivers. For example, an additional transceiver may be provided which is at a different height as compared to the two transceivers 19 and 20 shown in the drawings. The signal processor 21 of the master unit receives information concerning the times taken by the burst of ultra sonic energy to travel from C to A and from C to B and, utilising the information concerning the velocity of ultra sonic energy at the relevant temperature, calculates the distances from C to A and from C to B. This information is then encoded and transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter 15. The ultrasonic transmission involves converting an electrical pulse train to an ultrasonic pulse train in the ultrasonic transmit sensor 18. The ultrasonic pulse train then propagates from the transmitter 18 of the first slave unit 12 to the two ultrasonic transceivers 19 and 20 of the master unit 10 travelling at the speed of sound in air. At the time of reception, the two transceivers 19 and 20 convert the ultrasonic signals back to electrical signals and the electrical signals then proceed via the amplifiers 22 and 23 to the analog to digital converters 24 and 25. Each of the converters 24 and 25 then stores a digital replica of the analog signal in the associated memory 26, 27 for subsequent statistical processing.
<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
The master unit 10 will then process the data using advanced statistical methods. It will first conduct a statistical "quality" test on the data to make sure that it is valid and then calculates the two transit times, i.e. from C to A, and from C to B.
Alternatively the master unit can include two receiving sensors and one channel that can switch between the two sensors. A measurement then consists of two transmissions, in quick succession, with the receiving channel connected first to one receiving sensor and then to the other.
The second slave unit 14 includes a display portion 28 which includes a facility for displaying information as to:- a) the distance between the rear of the towing vehicle 10 and the front of the trailer 12, and b) the angular relationship of the direction of travel of the towing vehicle 10 to a straight line joining the tow ball at the rear of the towing vehicle 10 and the coupling on the tow bar of the trailer 12.
Operation of the display portion 28 is controlled by a "decode and calculate" module 29 contained within the second slave unit 14 and interposed between the radio frequency receiver 17 and the display portion 28.
The second slave unit 14 may additionally or alternatively include an audible indicator which transmits the information referred
<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
to above audibly to the driver, for example, by means of a speech unit which is programmed to give the information to the driver in response to the signals which it receives.
The accuracy of the system is such that, when the reversing procedure is complete, the driver need only lower the trailer coupling directly onto the vehicle tow ball.
The use of radio frequency transmissions has the important advantage that it is not necessary to interconnect the master unit and the two slave units by means of wires, thereby simplifying installation of the units in a vehicle.
<Desc/Clms Page number 11>

Claims (8)

  1. Claims:- 1. A method of facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle, said method comprising providing:- a) a master unit which includes computing means, a radio frequency transmitter and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic receivers, b) a first slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter, and c) a second slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and a display and/or an audible indicator, mounting the master unit on the rear of the towing vehicle, mounting the first slave unit on the front of the trailer vehicle, mounting the second slave unit within the towing vehicle at a position such that it is readily visible and/or audible by the driver of the towing vehicle, and creating a sequence of operations such that the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends a signal to the radio frequency receiver of the first slave unit to initiate operation of the ultrasonic transmitter of the first slave unit to send signals to the ultrasonic receivers such that the computing means calculates the distances between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receivers and the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends signals to the second slave unit to effect operation of the display and/or the audible indicator.
    <Desc/Clms Page number 12>
  2. 2. A method of facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, which includes measuring the ambient temperature and effecting a calibration operation in dependence on the measured temperature.
  3. 3. A method of facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  4. 4. Means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle, said facilitating means including:- a) a master unit which includes computing means, a radio frequency transmitter and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic receivers, b) a first slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter, and c) a second slave unit which includes a radio frequency receiver and a display and/or audible indicator, the master unit being mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle, the first slave unit being mounted on the front of the trailer vehicle, and the second slave unit being mounted within the towing vehicle at a position such that it is readily visible and/or audible by the driver of the towing vehicle,
    <Desc/Clms Page number 13>
    means being provided for creating a sequence of operations such that the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends a signal to the radio frequency receiver of the first slave unit to initiate operation of the ultrasonic transmitter of the first slave unit to send signals to the ultrasonic receivers such that the computing means calculates the distances between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receivers and the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit sends signals to the second slave unit to effect operation of the display and/or the audible indicator.
  5. 5. Facilitating means as claimed in Claim 4, in which the ultrasonic receivers of the master unit are ultrasonic transceivers, i.e. they can both transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, so that the facilitating means can also be used as a reversing aid.
  6. 6. Facilitating means as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the radio frequency signals transmitted by the radio frequency transmitter of the master unit are coded signals and each slave unit includes a decoder to enable it to recognise the signals to which it is required to respond.
  7. 7. Facilitating means as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, which includes means for measuring the ambient temperature and effecting a calibration operation in dependence on the measured temperature.
  8. 8. Means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle into a position in which a hitch component at the rear of the towing vehicle
    <Desc/Clms Page number 14>
    can be engaged with a hitch component at the front of a trailer vehicle, said facilitating means being constructed and arranged to operated substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings
GB0109392A 2000-06-30 2001-04-17 Method and means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle Expired - Fee Related GB2365974B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01305628A EP1170155A3 (en) 2000-06-30 2001-06-28 Method and means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0015962A GB0015962D0 (en) 2000-06-30 2000-06-30 Ultrasonic and radio frequency alignment system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0109392D0 GB0109392D0 (en) 2001-05-30
GB2365974A true GB2365974A (en) 2002-02-27
GB2365974B GB2365974B (en) 2002-07-10

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GB0015962A Ceased GB0015962D0 (en) 2000-06-30 2000-06-30 Ultrasonic and radio frequency alignment system
GB0109392A Expired - Fee Related GB2365974B (en) 2000-06-30 2001-04-17 Method and means for facilitating reversing of a towing vehicle

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0015962A Ceased GB0015962D0 (en) 2000-06-30 2000-06-30 Ultrasonic and radio frequency alignment system

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015222140A1 (en) * 2015-11-10 2017-05-11 Audi Ag Method for determining a position information and arrangement comprising a motor vehicle and a stationary object describing a relative position between a motor vehicle and a stationary object

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5191328A (en) * 1990-06-13 1993-03-02 Donald L. Gambill Trailer hitching aid and method using reception delay of different velocity signals
GB2264782A (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-09-08 Daniel Lance Fox A vehicle parking aid
US5442592A (en) * 1994-02-08 1995-08-15 The Whitaker Corporation Ultrasonic distance meter
US5455557A (en) * 1993-02-10 1995-10-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Auxiliary back-up and trailer coupling device for motor vehicles
US6062161A (en) * 1998-02-11 2000-05-16 Boden; Robert O. Vehicle alarm apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5191328A (en) * 1990-06-13 1993-03-02 Donald L. Gambill Trailer hitching aid and method using reception delay of different velocity signals
GB2264782A (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-09-08 Daniel Lance Fox A vehicle parking aid
US5455557A (en) * 1993-02-10 1995-10-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Auxiliary back-up and trailer coupling device for motor vehicles
US5442592A (en) * 1994-02-08 1995-08-15 The Whitaker Corporation Ultrasonic distance meter
US6062161A (en) * 1998-02-11 2000-05-16 Boden; Robert O. Vehicle alarm apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015222140A1 (en) * 2015-11-10 2017-05-11 Audi Ag Method for determining a position information and arrangement comprising a motor vehicle and a stationary object describing a relative position between a motor vehicle and a stationary object

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0015962D0 (en) 2000-08-23
GB2365974B (en) 2002-07-10
GB0109392D0 (en) 2001-05-30

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050417