Trailer hitch mount for vehicle backup sensor

Abstract

An object detection system is mounted at the rear of a vehicle the trailer receiver for the vehicle. The object detection system warns the driver of the vehicle of persons or objects behind the vehicle, when the vehicle is moving backwards. The system emits microwaves rearwardly of the vehicle and senses microwave reflected from objects behind the vehicle. The microwave transceiver is mounted in the trailer receiver in place of the trailer ball that is normally mounted in the receiver.

1. A warning sensor system for a vehicle comprising:
 a sensor head mountable in an aperture of a trailer receiver attached to a rear of the vehicle and from which receiver a trailer ball mount is absent, wherein said sensor head includes a transceiver emitting wireless signals rearwardly of the vehicle and detecting echoes from the signals reflected from an object behind the vehicle;  
 an electrical coupling connected to the sensor head and connectable to a matching coupling on said receiver; and  
 an alarm device mounted in a passenger compartment of said vehicle and electrically connected to  in electrical communication with said sensor head,  
 wherein said sensor transceiver includes a mounting post which inserts into the aperture of the receiver, a plate mounted on an end of the mounting post and a hood, and the post, plate and hood are slidably engaged with the receiver, wherein the transceiver further includes an electronics board mounted on said plate and said hood provides a portion of the outer housing for the transceiver.  
 
     
     
       2. The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the sensor transceiver is bordered by radar adsorbing material (RAM). 
     
     
       3. The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein said receiver includes an aperture facing rearwardly of the vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor head has a rearward face substantially flat and having a vertical orientation. 
     
     
       5. The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor head has a rearward face substantially flat and having a vertical orientation. 
     
     
       6. The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the transceiver is tilted with respect to a vertical plan to rearwardly and upwardly project a beam behind the vehicle. 
     
     
       7. The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the electrical coupling plugs into a standard electrical socket for a trailer hitch.