DE-102025145576-A1 - SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SNOWPLOWER TO A VEHICLE

DE102025145576A1DE 102025145576 A1DE102025145576 A1DE 102025145576A1DE-102025145576-A1

Abstract

Systems and procedures for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle are provided. Due to the size of the snowplow and the fact that the mounting bracket is located in front of the vehicle and closer to the ground, it is difficult for a vehicle operator to correctly orient the vehicle relative to the snowplow. The techniques described in this disclosure use virtual alignment features, which are either programmed into the vehicle or learned by the vehicle, to correctly align the vehicle with the snowplow. The virtual alignment features correspond to the attachment points of the vehicle's snowplow mounting bracket. In some cases, the vehicle can autonomously detect a snowplow and orient itself using the virtual alignment marks and other alignment features of the snowplow so that it is aligned with the snowplow. This makes the snowplow attachment process seamless and simple.

Inventors

Andrew Brown
Anthony Maraldo
Brendan Diamond
Keith Weston
Michael Alan McNees
Jim Stevens

Assignees

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20251105
Priority Date: 20241113

Claims (15)

A method comprising: Receiving, by a vehicle, information relating to the attachment of a snowplow to a front end of the vehicle; Displaying, by the vehicle on a screen of the vehicle, an image of an environment at the front end of the vehicle, wherein the image includes a representation of the snowplow; Displaying, by the vehicle on the screen, a plurality of virtual alignment markers, wherein the plurality of virtual alignment markers is associated with a snowplow mounting bracket of the vehicle; and Aligning, by the vehicle, each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers with a corresponding alignment feature of the snowplow.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the snowplow mounting bracket is attached at a lower end closer to a ground surface at the front end of the vehicle.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , furthermore comprising: Receiving, by the vehicle, of dimensional information associated with the snowplow mounting bracket; and determining, by the vehicle, a position of each of the multitude of virtual alignment markers based on the dimensional information.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , furthermore comprehensively: Determine, by the vehicle using one or more of its sensors, prior to alignment, that the snowplow mounting bracket is ready for use.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the alignment further includes autonomous movement of the vehicle to within a first distance of the snowplow.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the snowplow mounting bracket includes a plurality of snowplow connection points and each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers is assigned to a corresponding plurality of snowplow connection points, wherein the method further comprises: determining, by the vehicle, a height of a plurality of snowplow connection points from a ground surface; and placing, by the vehicle, the plurality of snowplow connection points in the same plane as the plurality of snowplow connection points.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the snowplow mounting bracket includes a plurality of snowplow connection points and each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers is assigned to a corresponding plurality of snowplow connection points.
Vehicle comprising: one or more sensors; one or more processors coupled to the one or more sensors; and one or more memory devices coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more memory devices contain instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the vehicle to: determine, based on user input, that a snowplow should be attached to a front side of the vehicle; display, on a screen of the vehicle, a variety of virtual alignment markers gen, which is associated with a snowplow mounting bracket of the vehicle; display, on the screen, an image of an external environment in front of the vehicle, the image including the snowplow; and orienting oneself with respect to the snowplow such that each of the multitude of virtual alignment markers is aligned with a corresponding alignment feature located on the snowplow.
Vehicle after Claim 8 , where each of the multitude of virtual alignment markers is assigned to one of a multitude of connection points of the snowplow mounting bracket.
Vehicle after Claim 8 , wherein the snowplow mounting bracket is attached to a lower side closer to a ground surface at a front end of the vehicle.
Vehicle after Claim 8 , wherein one or more processors further cause the vehicle to determine that the snowplow mounting bracket is ready for use.
Vehicle after Claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors further cause the vehicle to: receive dimensional information associated with the snowplow mounting bracket; and determine a position of each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers based on the dimensional information.
Vehicle after Claim 8 , wherein the snowplow mounting bracket includes a plurality of snowplow connection points and each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers is assigned to a corresponding plurality of snowplow connection points, wherein the one or more processors further cause the vehicle to: determine a height of a plurality of snowplow connection points from a ground surface; and place the plurality of snowplow connection points in the same plane as the plurality of snowplow connection points.
Vehicle after Claim 8 , wherein one or more processors further cause the vehicle to move autonomously to within a first distance of the snowplow in order to orient itself in relation to the snowplow.
A method comprising: Receiving, by a vehicle, an input indicating that a snowplow is to be attached to the vehicle; Determining, by the vehicle using one or more of its sensors, that a snowplow mounting bracket of the vehicle is ready to receive the snowplow; Detecting, by the vehicle, the presence of the snowplow in front of the vehicle; Determining, by the vehicle using one or more sensors, a plurality of mounting points of the snowplow; Displaying, by the vehicle, a plurality of virtual alignment features on a display of the vehicle; Moving, autonomously by the vehicle, until within a first distance of the snowplow; Aligning, by the vehicle, each of the plurality of mounting points of the snowplow mounting bracket with a corresponding mounting point of the snowplow; Determining, by the vehicle using one or more sensors, the height of the plurality of mounting points of the snowplow; and cause the vehicle to position the multiple mounting points of the snowplow mounting bracket in the same plane as the multiple mounting points of the snowplow.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY The present disclosure relates to the attachment of a snowplow to a vehicle. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for seamlessly attaching a snowplow to a front end of the vehicle. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART Attaching a snowplow to the front of a vehicle can often be challenging. The installation process may require specialized tools and knowledge, making it a complex task for those without experience. One problem is ensuring the mounting brackets and fittings are correctly positioned. Misalignment can lead to uneven wear on both the plow and the vehicle. This process frequently requires precise measurements and adjustments, which can be difficult without the right tools and expertise. Even a slight misalignment can cause the plow to operate at an incorrect angle, making it less effective at clearing snow. SUMMARY The present disclosure describes systems and methods for attaching a snowplow to the front side of a vehicle. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for attaching a snowplow to the front of a vehicle. The method involves the vehicle receiving information regarding the attachment of a snowplow to the front of the vehicle. The vehicle then displays an image of the environment at the front of the vehicle on a screen of the vehicle. The displayed image includes a representation of the snowplow. The vehicle then displays a plurality of virtual alignment markers, the plurality of alignment markers being associated with a snowplow mounting bracket of the vehicle. The vehicle then aligns each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers with a corresponding alignment feature of the snowplow. In another case, a vehicle is provided that includes one or more sensors, one or more processors coupled to the one or more sensors, and one or more memory devices coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memory devices contain instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the vehicle, based on user input, to determine that a snowplow should be attached to the front of the vehicle, to display a plurality of virtual alignment markers associated with a snowplow mounting bracket of the vehicle on a screen of the vehicle, to display an image of an external environment in front of the vehicle on the screen depicting a snowplow, and to orient itself with respect to the snowplow such that each of the plurality of virtual alignment markers is aligned with a corresponding alignment feature located on the snowplow. In yet another instance, a method for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle is provided. The method involves the vehicle receiving an input indicating that a snowplow is to be attached. The vehicle then determines, using one or more of its sensors, that a snowplow mounting bracket is ready to receive a snowplow. The vehicle further detects the presence of a snowplow in front of it and, using the one or more sensors, determines a plurality of snowplow mounting points. The vehicle also displays a plurality of virtual alignment features on a vehicle display. The vehicle then autonomously moves to within a first distance of the snowplow and aligns each of the plurality of snowplow mounting bracket mounting points with a corresponding snowplow mounting point. The vehicle then determines the height of the plurality of snowplow mounting points using the one or more sensors and positions the plurality of snowplow mounting bracket mounting points in the same plane as the plurality of snowplow mounting points. These and other benefits of the present revelation are provided in detail in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is set out with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical elements. Different embodiments may be described below. Other elements and/or components may be used than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in different embodiments. The elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural expressions may be used interchangeably depending on the context. 1 illustrates an environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 Illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, on the front of which a snowplow is attached. 4 illustrates a front end of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 Illustrates a side view of the vehicle and the snowplow according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 illustrates a snowplow with special alignment features according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. 7 illustrates a UI screen of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure