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Vehicle trailer control system with wireless capability

  • US 10,196,089 B2
  • Filed: 10/02/2015
  • Issued: 02/05/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a backing system for a vehicle and trailer assembly, the method comprising:

  • initiating a backing system mode with an electronic control unit for a backing system when a start system input is received from a control device, the control device is wirelessly connected to the electronic control unit, the control device being a joystick assembly including a joystick, moveable relative to a joystick base, a display screen, a control knob rotatable relative to the joystick and a control safety control button;

    receiving, with the electronic control unit, an accelerometer signal generated by an accelerometer of the control device;

    receiving, at the electronic control unit, at least one other input from the control device, the at least one other input including information about a desired vehicle action including at least one of requests to shift gears of the vehicle, apply brakes, press emergency stop to park the vehicle and cease control, steer the vehicle, and change a surround view of the vehicle;

    determining a desired hitch angle based on the accelerometer signal and the at least one other input;

    receiving, with the electronic control unit, camera information from one or more cameras positioned on the vehicle, the one or more cameras in communication with the electronic control unit;

    determining, with the electronic control unit, a current hitch angle for the vehicle and trailer assembly based on the camera information;

    determining, with the electronic control unit, a vehicle steering angle based on the current hitch angle and the desired hitch angle to move the trailer to the desired hitch angle;

    when the control safety control button is depressed, calculating, with the electronic control unit, a required vehicle response based on the vehicle steering angle to achieve the desired hitch angle; and

    sending a request from the electronic control unit to at least one vehicle system to perform the calculated vehicle response causing a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly to move to the desired hitch angle.

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