TRAILER DETECTION SYSTEM

• US 20080186204A1
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Buckley, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,786,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4039 of sensor or antenna obstruction, e.g. dirt- or ice-coating
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A proximity sensor system for a vehicle includes a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle. A trailer detection module determines that one of the objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from the first remote sensor. A response module selectively responds to the objects other than the trailer based on the objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. An indicator responds to response module signals.

Claims

1. A proximity sensor system for a vehicle comprising:

a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle;

a trailer detection module that determines that one of said objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from said first remote sensor;

a response module that selectively responds to said objects other than said trailer based on said objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold; and

an indicator that responds to response module signals.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second remote sensor that senses objects in another rearward area relative to the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first remote sensor comprises at least one of a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, and a visual sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said response module selectively responds to all of said objects within said predetermined distance threshold.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an object tracking module that tracks position information for said objects.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising an estimation module that estimates a threat of impact between the vehicle and said objects based on object tracking module signals.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said response module selectively responds to said objects based on signals from said estimation module.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising a kinematics module that generates position and angular direction signals of the vehicle, wherein said estimation module generates said threat of impact based on kinematics module signals.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a control area network communications bus, wherein said kinematics module communicates through said control area network communication bus.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises left and right side mirror indicators that selectively display icons based on said response module signals indicating one of said objects on at least one of left and right sides of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a display that indicates a relative distance of the vehicle to said trailer.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises an audible alert device that comprises at least one of a chime and a buzzer.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a stability control module that controls stability of the vehicle based on said trailer detection module signals.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising an override module that overrides said response module.

16. A proximity sensor system for a vehicle comprising:

a first remote sensor that senses first objects in a right rearward area relative to the vehicle;

a second remote sensor that senses second objects in a left rearward area relative to the vehicle;

a steering angle sensor that senses a steering angle of the vehicle;

a trailer detection module that determines that one of said first and second objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from said first and second remote sensors and further based on said steering angle;

a response module that selectively responds to said first and second object other than said trailer based on said first and second objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold; and

an indicator that responds to response module signals.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said response module initially responds to said trailer.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said response module responds to all of said first and second objects within said predetermined distance threshold.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein a stability control module responds to response module signals.

20. A control method for a remote sensor system for a vehicle comprising:

sensing first objects in a right rearward area relative to the vehicle;

sensing second objects in a left rearward area relative to the vehicle;

sensing a steering angle of the vehicle;

determining that one of said first and second objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on repeating patterns within said right and left rearward areas and said steering angle; and

selectively responding to said first and second objects other than said trailer based on said first and second objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. _