INTUITIVE DRIVER INTERFACE FOR TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST

• US 20150134183A1
• Filed: 01/19/2015
• Published: 05/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lavoie, Erick Michael, Rhode, Douglas Scott, Rupp, Matthew Y., Smit, David Dean, Pilutti, Thomas Edward, Trombley, Roger Arnold
• Granted Patent: US 9,809,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/126 Rotatable input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/14 Tractor-trailers, i.e. combinations of a towing vehicle and one or more towed vehicles, e.g. caravans; Road trains
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/22 Articulation angle, e.g. between tractor and trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18036 Reversing
• 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 is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position.

Claims

1. A steering input apparatus for a trailer backup assist system, comprising:

a control element manually operable to a select position of a plurality of commanding positions, including a zero curvature position and two positions that directionally oppose the zero curvature position; and

a control module generating a vehicle steering command based on a commanded trailer path corresponding to the select position of the control element.

2. The steering input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control element includes a knob rotatable to the plurality of commanding positions for providing the commanded trailer path.

3. The steering input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the knob is biased to the zero curvature position and rotatable in opposing directions from the zero curvature position to the two positions to provide clockwise and counter-clockwise curved commanded trailer paths, respectively.

4. The steering input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle steering command is determined based on the commanded trailer path and a hitch angle sensed between a trailer and a vehicle having the trailer backup assist system.

5. The steering input apparatus of claim 4, wherein the commanded trailer path corresponding to the zero curvature position directs the trailer along a straight rearward path defined by a longitudinal centerline axis of the trailer.

6. The steering input apparatus of claim 4, wherein the generated vehicle steering command causes the trailer to travel on the commanded trailer path.

7. A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer, comprising:

an input device having a control element movable to a first position providing a zero curvature command and at least two additional positions providing curvature commands in opposing directions relative to the zero curvature command; and

a control module generating a steering command for the vehicle based on a commanded curvature of the trailer provided by the control element.

8. The backup assist system of claim 7, further comprising:

a camera-based apparatus sensing a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer, wherein the steering command is determined based on the commanded curvature and the hitch angle.

9. The backup assist system of claim 7, further comprising:

a steering system of a vehicle autonomously adjusting a steering angle of steered wheels of the vehicle based on the generated steering command, causing the trailer to travel on the commanded curvature.

10. The backup assist system of claim 7, wherein the control element includes a rotatable knob positionable within opposing rotational ranges of positions relative to the first position for providing the commanded curvature.

11. The backup assist system of claim 10, wherein a first one of the opposing rotational ranges of positions is substantially equal to a second one of the opposing rotational ranges of positions.

12. The backup assist system of claim 7, wherein the control element includes a knob biased to the first position and movable in opposing directions from the first position to the at least two additional positions.

13. The backup assist system of claim 12, wherein the at least two additional positions provide clockwise and counter-clockwise curvature commands in opposing directions from the first position.

14. The backup assist system of claim 7, wherein the zero curvature command directs the trailer along a path defined by a longitudinal centerline axis of the trailer.

15. A method, comprising:

providing a control element movable to a select position of a first position providing a zero curvature command and second and third positions providing curvature commands in opposing directions from the zero curvature command;

sensing a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer; and

generating a steering command for the vehicle based on the hitch angle and a commanded curvature of the trailer provided by the control element.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

autonomously adjusting a steering angle of steered wheels of the vehicle with a steering system of the vehicle based on the generated steering command.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the control element includes a knob rotatable within opposing ranges of positions relative to the first position for providing the commanded curvature, and wherein a first one of the opposing ranges of positions includes the second position and a second one of the opposing ranges of positions including the third position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the opposing rotational ranges of positions are substantially equal to each other.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the control element includes a knob biased to the first position and movable in opposing directions from the first position to the second and third positions.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the second and third positions provide clockwise and counter-clockwise commanded curvatures, respectively, and wherein the zero curvature command directs the trailer along a path defined by a longitudinal centerline axis of the trailer.