METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING A TRAILER IN A STRAIGHT POSITION RELATIVE TO THE VEHICLE
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:
- determining a straight position of the trailer using a trailer sensor during forward motion of the vehicle; and
controlling the vehicle to maintain the trailer in the straight position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, determining a vehicle velocity, determining a steering wheel angle, and determining a rear axle side slip angle. When the rear axle side slip angle is above a predetermined value, the vehicle velocity is above a velocity threshold, and the steering wheel is about zero, brake-steer is applied to the vehicle.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:
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determining a straight position of the trailer using a trailer sensor during forward motion of the vehicle; and
controlling the vehicle to maintain the trailer in the straight position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for controlling an automotive vehicle having a trailer comprising:
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a secondary steering actuator generating a signal indicative of a desired trailer turn direction;
reverse signal means generating a reverse signal corresponding to a reverse direction of the vehicle;
a trailer position sensor generating a trailer position signal;
a controller coupled to the secondary steering actuator, the reverse signal means and the trailer position sensor, said controller programmed to brake-steer the vehicle to maintain the vehicle in the desired trailer turn direction. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of aligning a trailer and a vehicle comprising:
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determining a position of the trailer using a trailer sensor positioned on the vehicle and a locating plate having a locating hole located on the trailer;
determining the position of the locating hole relative to the vehicle when the vehicle is reversing toward the trailer; and
displaying an indication of the position of the locating hole relative to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification