US 11,221,262 B2Granted

Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing

AssigneeMethode Electronics, Inc.

InventorsChad Reed, Julius Beck, Florian Burghardt, Johannes Gießibl, Chris Liston

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Abstract

A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A system for sensing forces acting on a towing vehicle comprising:

a towing vehicle weight sensing subsystem comprising a first member adapted to being connected or interconnected to a portion or part of the towing vehicle body;
a second member movable relative to the first member and adapted to being connected or interconnected to a portion or part of a suspension of the towing vehicle;
and at least one vehicle load sensor pin for outputting a signal representing a weight of the towing vehicle, the at least one vehicle load sensor pin being connected or interconnected between the first and second members thereby forming a mechanical force transmitting connection between the first and the second members and the at least one vehicle load sensor pin;
and
a hitch load sensing subsystem comprising a third member adapted to being connected or interconnected to a portion or part of the towing vehicle body;
a fourth member movable relative to the third member and adapted to being connected or interconnected to a receiver tube of a tow hitch;
and at least one hitch load sensor pin for outputting a signal representing an amount and direction of force on the receiver tube when a force is applied, the at least one hitch load sensor pin being connected or interconnected between the third and fourth members thereby forming a mechanical force transmitting connection between the third and the fourth members and the at least one hitch load sensor pin;
wherein each of the at least one vehicle load sensor pin and the at least one hitch load sensor pin comprise:
an elongated generally cylindrically hollow and elastically deformable shaft having at least one magneto-elastically active region directly or indirectly attached to or forming a part of the shaft at an axial location spaced from one end of the shaft, wherein the at least one active region possesses a remanent magnetic polarization;
and
a processor adapted to receiving signals from at least one magnetic field sensor device arranged proximate to the at least one magneto-elastically active region, wherein the at least one magnetic field sensor device includes at least one direction-sensitive magnetic field sensor configured for determination of a shear force in at least one direction, wherein the processor and the at least magnetic field sensor device are arranged to have a predetermined and fixed spatial position inside the hollow shaft.

8 more elements

A computer-implemented method for monitoring the loads on a towing vehicle when a trailer is attached to the towing vehicle, comprising:

providing a towing vehicle weight sensing subsystem comprising a first member adapted to being connected or interconnected to a portion or part of the towing vehicle body;
a second member movable relative to the first member and adapted to being connected or interconnected to a portion or part of a suspension of the towing vehicle;
and at least one vehicle load sensor pin for outputting a signal representing a weight of the towing vehicle, the at least one vehicle load sensor pin being connected or interconnected between the first and second members thereby forming a mechanical force transmitting connection between the first and the second members and the at least one vehicle load sensor pin;
providing a hitch load sensing subsystem comprising a third member adapted to being connected or interconnected to a portion or part of the towing vehicle body;
a fourth member movable relative to the third member and adapted to being connected or interconnected to a receiver tube of a tow hitch;
and at least one hitch load sensor pin for outputting a signal representing an amount and direction of force on the receiver tube when a force is applied, the at least one hitch load sensor pin being connected or interconnected between the third and fourth members thereby forming a mechanical force transmitting connection between the third and the fourth members and the at least one hitch load sensor pin;
receiving a first signal from the at least one vehicle load sensor pin containing information about a weight of at least a portion of the towing vehicle;
receiving a second signal from the at least one hitch load sensor pin containing information about a load applied to at least a portion of the tow hitch;
computing a load value using the first and second signals;
and
outputting the value to the vehicle via an electronic connection.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/582,093Filed 25 Sep 2019 · continuation in part
Priority: 27 Feb 2018
Published: US 2020/0041362 A16 Feb 2020
Granted: 11 Jan 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

G01L 1/12
Measuring force or stress, in general: by measuring variations in the magnetic properties of materials resulting from the application of stress
B60D 1/248
Characterised by arrangements for particular functions: for measuring, indicating or displaying the weight
B60D 1/62
Auxiliary devices: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like
B60Q 9/00
Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of

Family

Application62/635,848Us provisional application · filed 27 Feb 2018
Application62/635,890Us provisional application · filed 27 Feb 2018
Application62/635,869Us provisional application · filed 27 Feb 2018
Application62/677,378Us provisional application · filed 29 May 2018
Application16/136,837Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 20 Sep 2018
Application16/212,038Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 6 Dec 2018
Application62/888,819Us provisional application · filed 19 Aug 2019
US 2020/0041362 A1Pre-grant publication · published 6 Feb 2020
US 11,014,417 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 10,670,479 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2019/0263204 A1Published application
US 2019/0265112 A1Published application
US 11,221,262 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.