Electronic backing/hitching system
View Patent ↗An electronic backing/hitching system that assists drivers with connecting towing devices such as trailers, haulers, etc., to ball hitches attached or affixed to vehicles.
1. A backing assistance mechanism for attaching a hitch to a towing device comprising:
a line in communication with a rotating trigger;
the rotating trigger movably affixed to a shaft for rotational and axial movement upon the shaft, wherein the rotating trigger is oriented vertically with respect to the line, exaggerates movement of the line, and the rotating trigger is enclosed within a casing;
at least one movement trigger;
at least one movement indicator comprising at least one reed switch;
a transmitter;
a receiver; and
signaling indicia.
2. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the at least one movement trigger comprises a magnet.
3. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising at least one lower movement indicator.
4. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the at least one lower movement indicator is formed from multiple movement indicators.
5. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the signaling indicia comprise visual indicia.
6. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the signaling indicia comprise auditory indicia.
7. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the rotating trigger includes at least one movable flange.
8. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a distance detection unit.
9. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising an activating device on the line.
10. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising the rotating trigger including at least one elliptical shaped opening.
11. The backing assistance mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the at least one movement indicator and at least one movement trigger do not contact one another to transmit a movement signal.
12. A method for positioning a hitch with relation to a towing device comprising;
affixing a line between a towing device and a backing unit, wherein the backing unit includes a rotating trigger in communication with the line;
positioning the rotating trigger vertically with respect to the line and placing the rotating trigger within a casing;
translating movement of the line, which causes movement of the rotating trigger which in turn causes the rotating trigger to exaggerate movement of the line, into signals via at least one reed switch; and
generating instructions from the signals regarding approaching the towing device.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the instructions being visual.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the instructions being auditory.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising generating signals based on interaction between at least one movement indicator and at least one movement trigger.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one movement indicator comprises a magnet.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the signals comprise radiofrequency signals.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one movement indicator and at least one movement trigger do not contact one another to transmit a movement signal.