Towing load detection system
First Claim
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1. A towing load detection system for distinguishing a condition of towing an object from another condition comprising:
- a controller that determines an expected output of a vehicle based on a known input to the vehicle, the controller also detecting an actual output of the vehicle, the controller further detecting whether the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle, the controller determining that the vehicle is subject to an increased load when the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle; and
at least one proximity sensor operable to detect a presence of the object;
wherein the controller determines that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object when the at least one proximity sensor detects the presence of the object and determines that the increased load is caused otherwise when the at least one proximity sensor fails to detect the presence of the object, the controller being further operable to cause a vehicle effect when the controller determines that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object.
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Abstract
A towing load detection system for detecting whether a vehicle is towing an object. The system includes a controller and at least one proximity sensor operable to detect the presence of the object being towed. The controller is operable to cause a vehicle effect when the proximity sensor detects that the vehicle is towing an object.
35 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A towing load detection system for distinguishing a condition of towing an object from another condition comprising:
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a controller that determines an expected output of a vehicle based on a known input to the vehicle, the controller also detecting an actual output of the vehicle, the controller further detecting whether the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle, the controller determining that the vehicle is subject to an increased load when the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle; and at least one proximity sensor operable to detect a presence of the object; wherein the controller determines that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object when the at least one proximity sensor detects the presence of the object and determines that the increased load is caused otherwise when the at least one proximity sensor fails to detect the presence of the object, the controller being further operable to cause a vehicle effect when the controller determines that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vehicle comprising:
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a controller that determines an expected output of the vehicle based on a known input to the vehicle, the controller also detecting an actual output of the vehicle, the controller further detecting whether the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle, the controller determining that the vehicle is subject to an increased load when the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle; and at least one proximity sensor operable to detect a presence of an object being towed by the vehicle; wherein the controller determines that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object when the at least one proximity sensor detects the presence of the object and determines that the increased load is caused otherwise when the at least one proximity sensor fails to detect the presence of the object, the controller being further operable to cause a vehicle effect when the controller determines that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of distinguishing a condition of towing an object from another condition, the method comprising:
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determining an expected output of the vehicle based on a known input to a vehicle; detecting an actual output of the vehicle; determining that the vehicle is subject to an increased load when the actual output of the vehicle is less than the expected output of the vehicle; detecting with at least one proximity sensor whether the vehicle is towing the object; determining that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object when the at least one proximity sensor detects the object and determining that the increased load is caused otherwise when the at least one proximity sensor fails to detect the object; and causing a vehicle effect when it is determined that the increased load is at least partially caused by the object. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification