Apparatus and method for sway control
First Claim
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1. A device for controlling the sway of a vehicle comprising:
- a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operable to detect a speed of the vehicle;
a rate gyro operable to detect sway of the vehicle;
a voltage regulator coupled to the rate gyro;
a controller coupled to the voltage regulator, the GPS receiver, and the rate gyro;
wherein the GPS receiver and the rate gyro provide speed information and sway information to the controller; and
wherein the controller outputs a brake command;
if the speed of the vehicle is above a first predetermined threshold and sway of the vehicle in only a first lateral direction is above a second predetermined threshold and the brake command is to apply the brakes of the vehicle for a first predetermined period of time;
if the speed of the vehicle is below the first predetermined threshold and sway of the vehicle in a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction opposite the first direction is above a third predetermined threshold and the brake command is to apply the brakes for a second predetermined period of time.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a device and method for controlling sway of a trailer utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) device to detect a speed of a vehicle, a rate gyro to detect a sway angle of the vehicle, and a controller coupled to the GPS device and the rate gyro. The GPS and the rate gyro provide the speed and the sway angle to the controller and the controller outputs a brake command if either a first condition is satisfied or a second condition is satisfied.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for controlling the sway of a vehicle comprising:
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a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operable to detect a speed of the vehicle; a rate gyro operable to detect sway of the vehicle; a voltage regulator coupled to the rate gyro; a controller coupled to the voltage regulator, the GPS receiver, and the rate gyro; wherein the GPS receiver and the rate gyro provide speed information and sway information to the controller; and wherein the controller outputs a brake command; if the speed of the vehicle is above a first predetermined threshold and sway of the vehicle in only a first lateral direction is above a second predetermined threshold and the brake command is to apply the brakes of the vehicle for a first predetermined period of time; if the speed of the vehicle is below the first predetermined threshold and sway of the vehicle in a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction opposite the first direction is above a third predetermined threshold and the brake command is to apply the brakes for a second predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device for controlling sway of a trailer comprising:
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a housing attached to the trailer and including; a global positioning system (GPS) device to detect a speed of the trailer; a rate gyro to detect sway of the trailer; and a controller coupled to the GPS device and the rate gyro; wherein the GPS device and the rate gyro provide the speed and the sway angle to the controller; and wherein the controller outputs a brake command if a first speed threshold is satisfied and a second sway threshold is satisfied; wherein all components of the device for controlling sway are located on the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling sway of a trailer comprising:
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detecting a speed of a trailer; detecting an angular speed of the trailer; and sending a first signal, by a controller, to trigger a trailer brake system if a first speed threshold is satisfied and a second sway threshold is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification