VEHICLE PARK ASSIST WITH STEERING CENTERING

• US 20110260887A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Recker, Darrel Alan, Weinhold, Volker, Meise, Janet, Toledo, Salvador, Wey, Torsten, Gunia, Dirk, Lavoie, Erick Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/765,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20110260887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically

Abstract

A park assist system for parking a vehicle in a parking space makes steering control inputs and prompts the vehicle driver to make necessary brake and/or gear shift actions to execute a desired steering trajectory. After the vehicle is properly parked, the park assist system actuates the steering system to place it in a centered condition.

Claims

1. A system for aiding in parking a vehicle in a parking space comprising:

a sensing system detecting objects defining the parking space; and

a control module identifying the parking space, controlling a vehicle steering system, and prompting a driver to park the vehicle in the parking space, the control module further controlling the steering system to achieve a centered condition after the vehicle is properly parked.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing system comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing system comprises at least one optical sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a visual interface and an audible interface prompting the driver to operate a vehicle braking system.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a camera imaging an area behind the vehicle and a display screen displaying a rearward view to the driver.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the steering system comprises an electric power assisted steering system and the control module sends control signals to an electric motor associated with the steering system.

7. A park assist system for parking a vehicle in a parking space comprising a control module receiving signals from a sensing system detecting objects defining the parking space, identifying the parking space, operating a vehicle steering system and prompting a driver to park the vehicle in the parking space, and operating the steering system to a centered condition after a final movement of the vehicle into the parking space.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the sensing system comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the sensing system comprises at least one optical sensor.

10. The system according to claim 7, further comprising at least one of a visual interface and an audible interface prompting the driver to operate at least one of a braking control device and a transmission control device.

11. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a camera imaging an area behind the vehicle and a display screen displaying a rearward view to the driver.

12. The system according to claim 7, wherein the steering system comprises one of an electric power assisted steering system and an electro-hydraulic power assisted steering system, and the control module sends control signals to an electric motor associated with the steering system.

13. A method for parking a vehicle in a parking space comprising:

using a park assist system and a related sensor to detect neighboring objects and evaluate the parking space;

automatically operating a vehicle steering system and prompting a driver to take actions to move the vehicle into the parking space; and

after the vehicle is in a parked condition in the parking space, automatically operating the steering system to a centered condition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of automatically operating a vehicle steering system comprises controlling an electric motor associated with at least one of an electric power assisted steering system and an electro-hydraulic power assisted steering system.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of prompting the driver comprises instructing the driver to actuate at least one of a brake control device and a transmission control device.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of prompting the driver comprises generating at least one of a visual signal and an audible signal.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising operating a camera to image an area behind the vehicle and displaying to the driver a rearward view from the camera.

20. The method according to claim 13, further displaying to the driver a virtual top view showing the vehicle and a vehicle location relative to the parking space.