System for detecting trailer instability
First Claim
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1. A vehicle steering mechanism to compensate for instabilities comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
a front axle coupled to said vehicle frame, said front axle further coupled to two front wheels;
a rear axle coupled to said vehicle frame, said rear axle further coupled to two rear wheels;
an actuator for changing a direction and angle of said two rear wheels;
a trailer hitch coupled to said frame;
at least one sensor for measuring instability in said trailer hitch;
a controller processing said measured instability; and
wherein said controller controls said actuator and the direction and angle of said two rear wheels to compensate for said measured instability.
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Abstract
A vehicle steering mechanism to compensate for instabilities including a vehicle frame, a front axle coupled to the vehicle frame, the front axle further coupled to two front wheels, a rear axle coupled to the vehicle frame, the rear axle further coupled to two rear wheels, an actuator for changing the direction and angle of the two rear wheels, a trailer hitch coupled to the frame, at least one sensor for measuring instability in the trailer hitch, a controller processing the measured instability, and where the controller controls the actuator and the direction and angle of the two rear wheels to compensate for the measured instability.
50 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vehicle steering mechanism to compensate for instabilities comprising:
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a vehicle frame;
a front axle coupled to said vehicle frame, said front axle further coupled to two front wheels;
a rear axle coupled to said vehicle frame, said rear axle further coupled to two rear wheels;
an actuator for changing a direction and angle of said two rear wheels;
a trailer hitch coupled to said frame;
at least one sensor for measuring instability in said trailer hitch;
a controller processing said measured instability; and
wherein said controller controls said actuator and the direction and angle of said two rear wheels to compensate for said measured instability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of compensating for trailer instability for a vehicle and trailer tow configuration comprising
determining if an instability in the vehicle and trailer tow configuration is present; - and
actuating a four-wheel steering system to compensate for a determined instability. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A trailer hitch for a vehicle comprising:
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a first member coupled;
second members coupled to said first member in a substantially perpendicular configuration; and
sensors coupled to said second members and in contact with the frame of the vehicle to sense vehicle loads. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
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Original AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
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InventorsGrougan, Paul A., Lindell, Heather M.
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Primary Examiner(s)Hurley, Kevin
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Assistant Examiner(s)Lum, L.
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Application NumberUS10/084,612Publication NumberTime in Patent Office643 DaysField of Search180/408, 180/412-415, 180/421, 180/422, 280/419, 280/442US Class Current280/419CPC Class CodesB60D 1/30 for sway control , e.g. sta...B60D 1/485 mounted by means of transve...B62D 7/159 characterised by computing ...
