Jaguar Land Rover Limited

Nigel Clarke

Edward Hoare

Thuy-Yung Tran

Mikhail Cherniakov

Simon Gilling

Jithesh Kotteri

Martin Edney

Alex Bystrov

Marina Gashinov

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for determining a location of a tow hitch () mounted to a vehicle (), comprising imaging means () disposed in relation to the vehicle to output image data corresponding to an image (), and processing means () arranged to receive the image data (), wherein the processing means is arranged to select image data corresponding to a region () of the image and to search within the selected data for image data corresponding to the tow hitch () to determine the location of the tow hitch within the image.

Apparatus and method for determining tow hitch location

The present invention includes a system for use in a vehicle for determining the terrain type in proximity to a vehicle. The system comprises a processor configured to receive primary output data from at least one vehicle-mounted sensor, and secondary output data from a secondary data source; and a data memory configured to store pre-determined primary data relating primary output data for the at least one vehicle-mounted sensor to a particular terrain type, and store at least one data set relating to one or more terrain types. The processor is configured to compare the primary output data with the pre-determined data to determine an indication of the particular terrain type corresponding to the primary output data, and compare the secondary output data with a data set corresponding to the indication of the particular terrain type.

System for use in a vehicle

A vehicle having a wading sensor may include a control unit adapted to implement an alternative or modified vehicle control strategy during wading. The wading strategy may change many vehicle functions, alone or in combination, and may be further responsive to depth of wading.

Vehicle control system

A wading vehicle () having a water level sensor () comprising a hydrostatic pressure sensor.

Wading vehicle depth measurement apparatus

A vehicle having a system for determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has entered or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth. The system comprising at least one under-body mounted sensor both configured to remotely and directly detect the presence of water substantially below and about the under-body mounted sensor. The under-body mounted sensor may be an ultrasound transducer sensor both configured to estimate a depth of water the surface of which is substantially below the sensor and to detect the presence of water when the sensor is in contact with water. In response to determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has entered or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth, the system is configured to implement one or more vehicle control strategies.

Vehicle under-body mounted sensor and control system

A vehicle includes a plurality of water level sensors, for example comprising capacitive or resistive sensors, from the outputs of which can be determined vehicle orientation when wading. In conjunction with a vehicle orientation sensor, the outputs from any one water level sensor permits calculation of water depth at any point on the vehicle body.

Vehicle orientation device and method

A method of determining a wade depth (d) in relation to a vehicle () when at least partially submerged in water. An attitude of the vehicle () is determined and a first height (d) of the surface of the water measured relative to a first reference point on the vehicle (). The wade depth (d) is determined based on the attitude of the vehicle () and said first height (d). Alternatively, or in addition, the travel height (H) of a vehicle suspension is determined. Aspects of the invention also relates to a system and a vehicle ().

Method and system for determining a wading depth of a vehicle

A vehicle having a system for determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth. In response to determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth, the system is configured to implement one or more vehicle control strategies. The system comprises at least one remote sensor configured to remotely detect the presence of water about or ahead of the vehicle.

Wading vehicle control system

A predictive method of detecting the depth of water ahead of a wading vehicle comprises providing a wading sensor and an attitude sensor on the vehicle, and using this information to estimate the depth of water at a location ahead of the direction of vehicle movement. Corresponding apparatus is disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Bridgnorth, United Kingdom

Nigel Clarke