Trailer sway mitigation using measured distance between a trailer and a tow vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle and a trailer, the vehicle having a front end and a rear end and the trailer coupled to the rear end, the method comprising:
- sensing a steering angle of the vehicle;
sensing, during vehicle operation, a distance between the vehicle and the trailer with a sensor positioned on the rear end of the vehicle;
calculating, during vehicle operation, a target distance between the rear end of the vehicle and the trailer based on the sensed steering angle of the vehicle;
determining an error signal based on the sensed distance and the target distance; and
during a vehicle turn, applying a braking force on at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the error signal.
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Abstract
A method of controlling a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle has a front and a rear end, and the trailer is coupled to the rear end. The method includes sensing a plurality of vehicle characteristics, sensing a distance between the vehicle and the trailer with at least one sensor positioned on the rear end of the vehicle, determining an oscillatory action of the trailer based on the sensed distance, and applying a braking force on at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the oscillatory action.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a vehicle and a trailer, the vehicle having a front end and a rear end and the trailer coupled to the rear end, the method comprising:
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sensing a steering angle of the vehicle; sensing, during vehicle operation, a distance between the vehicle and the trailer with a sensor positioned on the rear end of the vehicle; calculating, during vehicle operation, a target distance between the rear end of the vehicle and the trailer based on the sensed steering angle of the vehicle; determining an error signal based on the sensed distance and the target distance; and during a vehicle turn, applying a braking force on at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the error signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for controlling a vehicle and a trailer, the vehicle having a front end and a rear end and the trailer coupled to the rear end, the system comprising:
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a sensor configured to output a steering angle of the vehicle; at least one distance sensor coupled to the rear end of the vehicle, the at least one distance sensor configured to sense a distance between the rear end and the trailer and to output a distance signal indicative of the sensed distance; an electronic control unit coupled to the vehicle and configured to receive the steering angle of the vehicle and the distance signal, the electronic control unit configured to calculate, during vehicle operation, a target trailer distance based on the steering angle of the vehicle, to determine an error signal based on the sensed distance and the target trailer distance, and to apply, during a vehicle turn, a braking force to at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the error signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification