Method and system for preventing instability in a vehicle-trailer combination
First Claim
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1. A method of preventing instability in a vehicle-trailer combination, the method comprising:
- monitoring relative movement between the vehicle and the trailer using optical sensing means, wherein the optical sensing means comprises a camera;
determining a trailer yaw condition in dependence on a signal output from the optical sensing means;
comparing the determined trailer yaw condition to a predetermined threshold yaw condition;
when the determined trailer yaw condition is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold yaw condition, outputting an alert signal indicative of the onset of instability in the vehicle-trailer combination directly to a driver of the vehicle in order to allow the driver to take corrective measures;
capturing a reference image of the trailer using the camera;
monitoring the trailer during towing using the camera; and
determining the trailer yaw condition based on at least one difference between a monitored image of the trailer and the reference image.
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Abstract
A method of preventing instability in a vehicle-trailer combination (10) is provided. The method comprises monitoring relative movement between the vehicle (20) and the trailer (30) using optical sensing means; determining a trailer yaw condition in dependence on a signal output from the optical sensing means; comparing the determined trailer yaw condition to a predetermined threshold yaw condition; and when the determined trailer yaw condition is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold yaw condition, outputting an alert signal indicative of the onset of instability in the vehicle-trailer combination.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of preventing instability in a vehicle-trailer combination, the method comprising:
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monitoring relative movement between the vehicle and the trailer using optical sensing means, wherein the optical sensing means comprises a camera; determining a trailer yaw condition in dependence on a signal output from the optical sensing means; comparing the determined trailer yaw condition to a predetermined threshold yaw condition; when the determined trailer yaw condition is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold yaw condition, outputting an alert signal indicative of the onset of instability in the vehicle-trailer combination directly to a driver of the vehicle in order to allow the driver to take corrective measures; capturing a reference image of the trailer using the camera; monitoring the trailer during towing using the camera; and determining the trailer yaw condition based on at least one difference between a monitored image of the trailer and the reference image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of preventing instability in a vehicle-trailer combination, the method comprising;
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sensing relative movement between the vehicle and the trailer using first and second sensors; outputting a signal from each of the first and second sensors; determining first and second trailer yaw conditions in dependence on respective signals from the first and second sensors; applying a weighting factor to each of the first and second trailer yaw conditions in dependence on the expected accuracy of the respective first and second sensors, a higher weighting factor being associated with a greater expected accuracy; and determining a composite trailer yaw condition in dependence on the weighted first and second trailer yaw conditions; comparing the determined composite trailer yaw condition to a predetermined threshold yaw condition; and when the determined composite trailer yaw condition is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold yaw condition, outputting an alert signal indicative of the onset of instability in the vehicle-trailer combination. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification