STEERING INPUT APPARATUS FOR TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST SYSTEM

• US 20130268160A1
• Filed: 06/12/2012
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Trombley, Roger Arnold, Shutko, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,187,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/42
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means

Abstract

A trailer backup steering input apparatus provides a trailer steering information signal to a trailer backup assist control module of a vehicle through a signal interface thereof. The trailer steering information signal is configured for enabling the trailer backup assist control module to generate electrical steering commands for a steering system of the vehicle as a function of the trailer steering information signal. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is self-contained and physically detachable/detached form the vehicle. Advantageously, such a trailer backup steering input apparatus saves space, allows for greater flexibility with interior styling of the vehicle, and allows all drivers regardless of stature the ability to have the trailer backup steering input apparatus easily accessible while utilizing the trailer backup assist functionality of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A trailer backup steering input apparatus for providing a trailer steering information signal to a trailer backup assist control module of a vehicle through a signal interface thereof, wherein the trailer steering information signal is configured for enabling the trailer backup assist control module to generate electrical steering commands for a steering system of the vehicle as a function of the trailer steering information signal, the trailer backup steering input apparatus comprising:

a user interface through which trailer path altering commands are inputted;

a signal generator that generates the trailer steering information signal as a function of the trailer path altering commands;

a signal interface connectable to the signal interface of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer steering information signal to be transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus for reception by the trailer backup assist control module; and

an enclosure having the user interface, the signal generator, and the signal interface mounted thereon such that the trailer backup steering input apparatus is able to be selectively placed by a driver of the vehicle with respect to a structure to which the trailer backup assist control module is mounted.

2. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal interfaces are jointly configured for enabling connection therebetween by a cable.

3. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 2 wherein a connector of the cable is selectively connectable to a mating connector of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer backup steering input apparatus td be selectively connected to and disconnected from the trailer backup assist control module.

4. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal interfaces are jointly configured for enabling a signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus to the trailer backup assist control module.

5. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen through which trailer path altering commands are inputted.

6. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal interfaces are jointly configured for enabling a signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus to the trailer backup assist control module.

7. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the user interface includes a knob;

the signal generator includes a knob movement sensing device coupled to the knob for sensing movement of the knob;

the knob is biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion; and

the knob movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of at least one of an amount of rotation of the rotational control input device with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotational control input device, and a direction of movement of the rotational control input device with respect to the at-rest position.

8. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

the signal interfaces are jointly configured for enabling connection therebetween by a cable; and

a connector of the cable is selectively connectable to a mating connector of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer backup steering input apparatus to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the trailer backup assist control module.

9. The trailer backup steering input apparatus of claim 8 wherein the signal interfaces are jointly configured for enabling a signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus to the trailer backup assist control module.

10. A trailer backup assist system, comprising:

a trailer backup assist control module having a set of instructions tangibly embodied on a non-transitory processor-readable medium thereof, wherein the set of instructions is accessible from the non-transitory processor-readable medium by at least one data processing device of the electronic controller system for being interpreted thereby, and wherein the set of instructions is configured for causing the at least one data processing device to carry out operations for;

receiving trailer path curvature information characterizing a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer during backing of the trailer by a vehicle towably coupled thereto, wherein the trailer path curvature information includes trailer steering information and trailer angle information;

determining vehicle steering information through assessment of kinematical information of a system defined by the vehicle and the trailer, wherein assessment of the kinematical information is performed as a function of the trailer path curvature information; and

generating a steering command for a steering system of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information; and

a trailer backup steering input apparatus for providing the trailer steering information to the trailer backup assist control module, wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus is self-contained and electronically connectable to the trailer backup assist control module in a manner enabling selective placement of the trailer backup steering input apparatus by a driver of the vehicle with respect to a structure to which the trailer backup assist control module is mounted.

11. The trailer backup assist system of claim 10 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus is connected to the trailer backup assist control module through by a cable; and

a connector of the cable is detachable from a mating connector of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer backup steering input apparatus to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the trailer backup assist control module.

12. The trailer backup assist system of claim 10 wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus is connected to the trailer backup assist control module through a wireless connection

13. The trailer backup assist system of claim 10 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus includes a user interface comprising a touchscreen through which trailer path altering commands can be inputted by a driver of the vehicle; and

the trailer steering information is generated as a function of the trailer path altering commands.

14. The trailer backup assist system of claim 10 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus includes a knob and a knob movement sensing device coupled to the knob for sensing movement of the knob, wherein the trailer steering information is generated by the trailer backup steering input apparatus as a function of the movement of the knob;

the knob is biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion; and

the knob movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of at least one of an amount of rotation of the rotational control input device with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotational control input device, and a direction of movement of the rotational control input device with respect to the at-rest position.

15. The trailer backup assist system of claim 14 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus and the trailer backup assist control module are jointly configured for being connected to each other by a cable for enabling the trailer steering information to be transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus for reception by the trailer backup assist control module; and

a connector of the cable is detachable from a mating connector of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer backup steering input apparatus to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the trailer backup assist control module.

16. The trailer backup assist system of claim 14 wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus and the trailer backup assist control module are jointly configured for being connected to each other through a wireless connection for enabling the trailer steering information to be transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus for reception by the trailer backup assist control module.

17. A vehicle, comprising:

a trailer backup assist control module for generating electrical steering commands as a function of trailer path curvature information, wherein the trailer path curvature information characterizes a desired curvature for the path of travel of a trailer during backing of the trailer by a vehicle towably coupled thereto, wherein the trailer path curvature information includes trailer steering information and trailer angle information, and wherein the trailer backup assist control module includes a signal interface for receiving the trailer steering information;

a steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module for receiving steering assist control signals therefrom, wherein the steering system controls actuation mechanisms thereof as a function of the steering assist control signals; and

a trailer backup steering input apparatus for providing the trailer steering information to the trailer backup assist control module through the signal interface, wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus is self-contained and electronically connected to the trailer backup assist control module in a manner enabling selective placement of the trailer backup steering input apparatus by a driver of the vehicle with respect to a structure of the vehicle to which the trailer backup assist control module is mounted.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus is connected to the trailer backup assist control module through by a cable; and

a connector of the cable is detachable from a mating connector of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer backup steering input apparatus to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the trailer backup assist control module.

19. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus is connected to the trailer backup assist control module through a wireless connection

20. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus includes a user interface comprising a touchscreen through which the trailer steering information is inputted by a driver of the vehicle.

21. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus includes a knob and a knob movement sensing device coupled to the knob for sensing movement of the knob, wherein the trailer steering information is generated by the trailer backup steering input apparatus as a function of the movement of the knob;

the knob is biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion; and

the knob movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of at least one of an amount of rotation of the rotational control input device with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotational control input device, and a direction of movement of the rotational control input device with respect to the at-rest position.

22. The vehicle of claim 21 wherein:

the trailer backup steering input apparatus and the trailer backup assist control module are jointly configured for being connected to each other by a cable for enabling the trailer steering information to be transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus for reception by the trailer backup assist control module; and

a connector of the cable is detachable from a mating connector of the trailer backup assist control module for enabling the trailer backup steering input apparatus to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the trailer backup assist control module.

23. The vehicle of claim 21 wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus and the trailer backup assist control module are jointly configured for being connected to each other through a wireless connection for enabling the trailer steering information to be transmitted from the trailer backup steering input apparatus for reception by the trailer backup assist control module.