Trailer coupling assembly arranged to a support structure of a vehicle or support structure of a trailer, wherein the trailer coupling assembly comprises a tow bar or a connection head/trailer hitch, wherein it comprises an intermediate connection device enabling movement of the tow bar or connection head/trailer hitch in a vertical direction and/or longitudinal direction of the vehicle or trailer, respectively. A vehicle with trailer coupling assembly movable in at least a vertical direction and/or longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The invention presented utilizes laser points and/or lines and one or more rear-view optical sensors. The points and lines are projected on the front face of the trailer. The optical sensors capture images of the projected laser points and lines. A controller with memory holding logics processes them to find position and orientation of the trailer front face. The laser device projects laser points or lines on the front face of the trailer or the desired structure. The optical sensors capture images of the laser points and lines. The images are read by a controller that extracts the laser lines and points from the images, The controller then estimates the position and orientation of the trailer or the desired structure from the extracted points and lines. In addition, the system analyzes image of the front face of the trailer and determine the trailer type to determine if any adjustment to backward driving is needed or even if the hauler is compatible with trailer and capable of hitching the trailer at all. The presented invention is a non-invasive technique and so, the trailer face front is left intact.

A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. The ECU, via image processing of image data captured by the camera, detects a trailer rearward of the vehicle and determines a first path of travel for the vehicle to follow to maneuver the vehicle toward the trailer and to align the tow ball of the vehicle with a trailer hitch of the trailer. The ECU generates an output to maneuver the vehicle along the determined first path of travel. Responsive to detection of an object entering the first path of travel, the ECU determines a second path of travel for the vehicle to follow that avoids the detected object entering the determined path of travel.

A method for determining a distance between a camera positioned on a rear portion of a tow vehicle and a trailer coupler supported by a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle as the tow vehicle approaches the trailer. The method includes identifying the trailer coupler of the trailer within one or more images of a rearward environment of the tow vehicle. The method also includes receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image from the one or more images and a previously received image from the one or more images. The method includes determining the distance based on the identified trailer coupler, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference, the distance includes a longitudinal distance, a lateral distance, and a vertical distance.

A method for determining a distance between a camera positioned on a rear portion of a tow vehicle and a trailer coupler supported by a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle as the tow vehicle approaches the trailer. The method includes identifying the trailer coupler of the trailer within one or more images of a rearward environment of the tow vehicle. The method also includes receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image from the one or more images and a previously received image from the one or more images. The method includes determining the distance based on the identified trailer coupler, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference, the distance includes a longitudinal distance, a lateral distance, and a vertical distance.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for navigating an operator of a self-propelled vehicle for coupling with an attachment implement therefor. Each one of a first set of sensing elements arranged on the vehicle coupler forms a sensing pair with a respective one of a set of second sensing elements arranged on the attachment implement. Indicia for each of the sensing pairs on a user interface is displayed to the operator, corresponding to a three-dimensional spatial orientation of the first and second sensing elements with respect to each other. The user interface may comprise respective portions for each sensing pair, each portion comprising an indicator dynamically adjusted in a crosshair corresponding to first and second dimensions of alignment of the corresponding sensing elements with respect to each other, and the indicator in each portion further dynamically adjusted in appearance corresponding to a third dimension of distance between the corresponding sensing elements.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for navigating an operator of a self-propelled vehicle for coupling with an attachment implement therefor. Each one of a first set of sensing elements arranged on the vehicle coupler forms a sensing pair with a respective one of a set of second sensing elements arranged on the attachment implement. Indicia for each of the sensing pairs on a user interface is displayed to the operator, corresponding to a three-dimensional spatial orientation of the first and second sensing elements with respect to each other. The user interface may comprise respective portions for each sensing pair, each portion comprising an indicator dynamically adjusted in a crosshair corresponding to first and second dimensions of alignment of the corresponding sensing elements with respect to each other, and the indicator in each portion further dynamically adjusted in appearance corresponding to a third dimension of distance between the corresponding sensing elements.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A system and method of raising and lowering a ball coupler for coupling to a ball hitch is provided. A combination of hydraulic pump and hydraulic piston are employed to raise and lower the ball coupler of a gooseneck trailer. Both custom and off the shelf parts combine to create a user friendly system to couple and uncouple a gooseneck trailer to the truck. The system described herein replaces the need to raise and lower a gooseneck trailer's coupling system by hand crank and gear box and even the need to climb into the back of the truck bed. Varying trailer frame configurations and ball coupler sizes can be employed with the present invention. Also described and shown in this provisional is a non-rotating free end hydraulic piston device and method. Also described and shown is a coupling bushing device and method for securing a conventional coupler to piston rod.

A system and method of raising and lowering a ball coupler for coupling to a ball hitch is provided. A combination of hydraulic pump and hydraulic piston are employed to raise and lower the ball coupler of a gooseneck trailer. Both custom and off the shelf parts combine to create a user friendly system to couple and uncouple a gooseneck trailer to the truck. The system described herein replaces the need to raise and lower a gooseneck trailer's coupling system by hand crank and gear box and even the need to climb into the back of the truck bed. Varying trailer frame configurations and ball coupler sizes can be employed with the present invention. Also described and shown in this provisional is a non-rotating free end hydraulic piston device and method. Also described and shown is a coupling bushing device and method for securing a conventional coupler to piston rod.