Title:
AUTOMATIC CAR TRAILER HITCHING AND UNHITCHING SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/055321
Kind Code:
A8
Abstract:
An automated system for aligning a vehicle tow ball (1) with a tow cup (2) of a trailer (25). The vehicle (23) has a controller connected to its steering, transmission and braking systems to enable the controller automatically to steer, reverse and brake the vehicle. A tow ball (1) is mounted on a rear of the vehicle (23) and sensors are associated with the rear of the vehicle for detecting the presence of an object within a region behind the vehicle, the sensors being connected to the controller which is configured to utilise the data from the sensors to identify the tow cup (2) of a trailer (25) located within said region behind the vehicle (23). The controller is further configured to control the reversing of the vehicle (23) in order to bring the tow ball (1) into alignment beneath the identified tow cup (2) so as to facilitate coupling of the tow cup (2) onto the tow ball (1). The tow cup (2) of the trailer has a locking jaw (28) associated with the tow ball cavity and moveable between a release position in which it is substantially withdrawn from the tow ball cavity so as to allow, in use, a tow ball (1) to be inserted into or withdraw from the cavity, and a locked position in which it is extended into or under the cavity so as, in use, to lock a tow ball (1) in the cavity. Drive means is operable to move the locking jaw (28) between the locked and release positions. A jockey wheel (20) is located proximate the tow cup (2) and vertically moveable to raise and lower the tow cup (2) relative to the ground. Drive means is connected to the jockey wheel (20) for vertically moving the jockey wheel (20), and a controller is connected to the jockey wheel drive means and the locking jaw driving means for controlling the movement of each of the jockey wheel (20) and the locking jaw (28). A power supply is provided for supplying power to the controller and each of the drive means, and communication means is provided for receiving instructions regarding movement of the jockey wheel (20) and the locking jaw (28).
Inventors:
WEBSTER GARY (GB)
KERON NEIL (AU)
KERON NEIL (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2017/000142
Publication Date:
June 28, 2018
Filing Date:
September 19, 2017
Export Citation:
Assignee:
WEBSTER GARY (GB)
KERON NEIL (AU)
KERON NEIL (AU)
International Classes:
B60D1/06; B60D1/36
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