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Method and apparatus for vehicle sway detection and reduction

  • US 7,917,274 B2
  • Filed: 10/19/2007
  • Issued: 03/29/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle towing a trailer, comprising:

  • determining if a sway force is exerted on the vehicle by the trailer, the determining if a sway force is exerted on the vehicle by the trailer comprising;

    generating signals indicative of a vehicle yaw rate;

    filtering the signals of the vehicle yaw rate to obtain values of an actual yaw rate;

    determining for a predetermined time an oscillation direction of the vehicle using frequency and amplitude values of the actual yaw rate;

    determining if a vehicle speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed;

    determining if a steering wheel angle is opposite the determined oscillation direction; and

    determining that values of the actual yaw rate are greater than threshold values; and

    if it is determined that the sway force is exerted on the vehicle, reducing a torque of an engine of the vehicle and applying independent braking forces to each wheel of the vehicle to reduce the sway.

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