Method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle combination, computer software product, lane departure warning system
First Claim
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1. A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle combination with a towing vehicle and a trailer comprising:
- determining, by a controller, a width of the motor vehicle combination;
detecting, by a lane detector, a traffic lane;
predicting, by the controller, a space required by the motor vehicle combination when travelling;
calculating, by the controller, a nominal track for the towing vehicle such that the motor vehicle combination remains within the traffic lane, wherein the nominal track provides an anticipated path to maintain the motor vehicle combination in the traffic lane including in a curve;
defining, by the controller, the nominal track through the curve based on the space required using a speed of the motor vehicle combination, a steering angle of the towing vehicle, and dimensions of motor vehicle combination;
detecting, by a lane departure warning system, when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane; and
delivering, by the controller, a warning when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane, as indicated by the motor vehicle combination moving off the nominal track.
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Abstract
A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle combination with a towing vehicle and a trailer is described. A width of the motor vehicle combination is determined and a traffic lane is detected. A space required by the motor vehicle combination when travelling is predicted. A nominal track for the towing vehicle is calculated such that the motor vehicle combination remains inside the traffic lane. A computer software product, a lane departure warning system and a towing vehicle are also described.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle combination with a towing vehicle and a trailer comprising:
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determining, by a controller, a width of the motor vehicle combination; detecting, by a lane detector, a traffic lane; predicting, by the controller, a space required by the motor vehicle combination when travelling; calculating, by the controller, a nominal track for the towing vehicle such that the motor vehicle combination remains within the traffic lane, wherein the nominal track provides an anticipated path to maintain the motor vehicle combination in the traffic lane including in a curve; defining, by the controller, the nominal track through the curve based on the space required using a speed of the motor vehicle combination, a steering angle of the towing vehicle, and dimensions of motor vehicle combination; detecting, by a lane departure warning system, when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane; and delivering, by the controller, a warning when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane, as indicated by the motor vehicle combination moving off the nominal track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle combination with a towing vehicle and a trailer comprising:
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determining, by a controller, a width of the motor vehicle combination; detecting, by a lane detector, a traffic lane; reading an ultrasonic sensor; calculating, by the controller using the reading from the ultrasonic sensor, a distance between the towing vehicle and the trailer; detecting, by a rear-facing camera an image of the trailer; calculating, by the controller using the image, an angle formed between a reference point and a front outside edge of the trailer; predicting, by the controller using the distance and the angle, a space required by the motor vehicle combination when travelling; calculating, by the controller, a nominal track for the towing vehicle such that the motor vehicle combination remains within the traffic lane, wherein the nominal track provides an anticipated path to maintain the motor vehicle combination in the traffic lane including in a curve, and when required by the space, defining the nominal path closer to the curve outside boundary of the traffic lane than the curve inside boundary, through the curve; detecting, by a lane departure warning system, when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane; and delivering, by the controller, a warning to the driver when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane, as indicated by the motor vehicle combination moving off the nominal track.
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13. A lane departure warning system of a towing vehicle comprising:
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a lane detector; a lane departure warning system; at least one rearward detecting sensor configured to capture a width of a trailer attached to the towing vehicle; and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to; predict a space required by the motor vehicle combination when travelling; calculate a nominal track for the towing vehicle such that the motor vehicle combination remains within the traffic lane, wherein the nominal track provides an anticipated path to maintain the motor vehicle combination in the traffic lane including in a curve; allow departure of the towing vehicle from a center of the traffic lane through the curve; detect, by the lane departure warning system, when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane; and deliver a warning when the motor vehicle combination is about to move outside the traffic lane, as indicated by the motor vehicle combination moving off the nominal track. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification