Trailer detection system

• US 7,786,849 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Buckley, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHANNON, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US11/670,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20080186204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340435-436, 340/440, 3406861-6866, 340/901, 340/932.2, 180/271, 180/274, 701 45- 47, 701 93- 98, 342 70- 74
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4039 of sensor or antenna obstruction, e.g. dirt- or ice-coating
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A proximity sensor system for a vehicle includes a first remote sensor that senses objects in a rearward area relative to the vehicle. A trailer detection module determines that one of the objects is a trailer that is attached to the vehicle based on a repeating pattern of signals from the first remote sensor. A response module selectively responds to the objects other than the trailer based on the objects outside of a predetermined distance threshold. An indicator responds to response module signals.

Claims

1. A proximity sensor system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first remote sensor that senses first objects in a right rearward area relative to the vehicle;

a second remote sensor that senses second objects in a left rearward area relative to the vehicle;

a steering angle sensor that senses a steering angle of the vehicle;

a trailer detection module in communication with said first remote sensor, said second remote sensor, and said steering angle sensor, said trailer detection module identifying a first condition when said first remote sensor senses an object in said right rearward area in conjunction with said steering angle sensor sensing a first steering angle and identifying a second condition when said second remote sensor senses an object in said left rearward area in conjunction with said steering angle sensor sensing a second steering angle different than said first steering angle and determining the presence of a trailer attached to the vehicle based on a predetermined pattern of at least one of said first condition and said second condition;

a response module that selectively responds to said first and second objects other than said trailer based on said first and second objects other than said trailer outside of a predetermined distance threshold; and

an indicator that responds to response module signals.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said response module initially responds to said trailer.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said response module responds to all of said first and second objects within said predetermined distance threshold.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein a stability control module responds to response module signals.

5. A control method for a remote sensor system for a vehicle, the method comprising:

sensing first objects in a right rearward area relative to the vehicle;

sensing second objects in a left rearward area relative to the vehicle;

sensing a steering angle of the vehicle;

identifying a first condition when an object is detected in said right rearward area in conjunction with a first steering angle;

identifying second condition when an object is detected in said left rearward area in conjunction with a second steering angle different than said first steering angle;

determining the presence of a trailer attached to the vehicle based on a predetermined pattern of at least of said first condition and said second condition; and

selectively responding to said first and second objects other than said trailer based on said first and second objects other than said trailer outside of a predetermined distance threshold.