US5455557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auxiliary back-up and trailer coupling device for motor vehicles
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1994-01-28
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Granted: 1995-10-03
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Expires: 2014-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An auxiliary back-up and trailer coupling device for motor vehicles includes ultrasonic sensors mounted on the motor vehicle. The ultrasonic sensors transmit and receive sound waves, and are linked to a control and display device. The device permits the position of a trailer unit that is equipped with a coupling device and arranged behind the motor vehicle to be exactly determined. The trailer is equipped with a coupling device, preferably a tow bar, and has an additional transmitting and receiving ultrasonic sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Noll
- 👤 Ulrich Kanzler
- 👤 Klaus Krockenberger
- 👤 Juergen Leinberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/93; G01S15/931; B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; G01S2015/937; G01S2015/938; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A device for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle to back-up and hitch a trailer equipped with a coupling device, comprising: a) ultrasonic sensors, the ultrasonic sensors i) mounted on the motor vehicle, and ii) adapted to transmit and receive sound waves; b) a control unit coupled with the ultrasonic sensors and having an output; c) a display device having an input coupled with the output of the control unit; and d) an additional ultrasonic sensor, the additional ultrasonic sensor i) disposed in a fixed position relative to the coupling device of the trailer, and ii) adapted to receive said sound waves, and further adapted to transmit additional sound waves in response to said sound waves transmitted by said ultrasonic sensors and received by said additional ultrasonic sensor; wherein said control unit determines a position of the motor vehicle relative to the trailer based on said additional sound waves transmitted by said additional ultrasonic sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A device for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle to back-up and hitch a trailer equipped with a coupling device, comprising: a) ultrasonic sensors, the ultrasonic sensors i) mounted on the motor vehicle, and ii) adapted to transmit and receive sound waves; b) a control unit coupled with the ultrasonic sensors and having an output; c) a display device having an input coupled with the output of the control unit; and d) an additional ultrasonic sensor, the additional ultrasonic sensor i) disposed in a fixed position relative to the coupling device of the trailer, and ii) adapted to receive said sound waves, and further adapted to transmit additional sound waves in response to said sound waves transmitted by said ultrasonic sensors and received by said additional ultrasonic sensor; wherein said control unit determines a position of the motor vehicle relative to the trailer based on said additional sound waves transmitted by said additional ultrasonic sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the coupling device of the trailer is a tow bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the additional ultrasonic sensor includes a timing controller for controlling a cycle of said additional sound waves transmitted by said additional ultrasonic sensor and a power supply for supplying power to said additional ultrasonic sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the additional ultrasonic sensor is adapted to transmit a pulse, thereby forming a plurality of sound paths between the additional ultrasonic sensor and the ultrasonic sensors, and wherein the control unit uses the shortest of the plurality of sound paths to determine a lateral offset and a clearance of the coupling device of the trailer relative to the motor vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic sensors include at least three ultrasonic sensors, one of which is provided at a coupling mouth located in the middle rear of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the ultrasonic sensors consist of three ultrasonic sensors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the ultrasonic sensors consist of five ultrasonic sensors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic sensors are adapted to simultaneously emit pulses at a first instant, and wherein the additional ultrasonic sensor is adapted to emit a pulse at a second instant in response to the pulses emitted by the ultrasonic sensors at the first instant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the ultrasonic sensors are each adapted to emit a new pulse in response to the pulse emitted by the additional ultrasonic sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic sensors are adapted to automatically emit synchronization pulses at specific time intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic sensors are spaced from one another by a constant distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the control unit is adapted to check signals from the ultrasonic sensors for plausibility using redundant equations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-02 | 1999-04-03 | 1999-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-02 | 2003-04-03 | 2003-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-02 | 2007-04-03 | 2007-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |