Vehicle control system

• US 7,451,020 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goetting KG, Götting KG
• Original Assignee: Goetting KG
• Inventors: Spiegelberg, Gernot, Schwarzhaupt, Andreas, Scherf, Helmut, Goetting, Hans Heinrich, Schumacher, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US10/522,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/36, 701/41, 701/70, 701/78, 701/91, 701/200, 701/201, 701/207, 701/208, 340/431
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/10 Automatic or semi-automatic parking aid systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/22 Articulation angle, e.g. between tractor and trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/20 Steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system (1) for a vehicle provided with an electronically controlled drive train (2) which comprises a steering system (6), a braking system (7) and a transmission unit (4). An operating unit (10) generates a motion vector (BV) based on a driver'"'"'s wish (FW), from which control signals (SS) are generated by a control unit (12) for controlling the drive train (2). In order to simplify maneuvering, more particularly reversing, a trajectory calculator (13) is provided, said trajectory calculator calculating the trajectory of movement for the situation and position of the vehicle (3) on the basis of actual values that are detected by a status and position determining device (14) and on the basis of set values that can be inputted by means of a target input device (15). The trajectory of movement consists of a sequence of motion vectors (BV), which move the vehicle from its actual status and actual position to the set status and set position when the drive train (2) executes the motion vectors (BV) of the trajectory of movement. For said purpose, the trajectory calculator (13) is coupled to the operating unit (10) and additionally to the control unit (12) by means of a common drive train interface (11) for transmitting the motion vectors (BV).

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle having an electronically actuable drive train which includes at least one steering system, a brake system and a drive assembly;

an operator control device for generating a standardized movement vector in response to a driver request input therein;

a second control device, which is coupled to the drive train for generating control signals based on said standardized movement vector received from the operator control device, to actuate the drive train, which processes the control signals in order to implement the driver request; and

a drive-train interface via which the operator control device is coupled to the control device in order to transmit the standardized movement vector;

said control system further comprising;

a path computer;

an orientation- and position-determining device, which is coupled to the path computer, and which continuously determines actual values for orientation and position of the vehicle, and transmits the actual values to the path computer;

a destination-inputting device, into which setpoint values for the orientation and position of the vehicle can be input and which is coupled to transmit the setpoint values to the path computer;

wherein

the path computer calculates a movement for the vehicle path based on the actual values and the setpoint values, which movement path is composed of a sequence of standardized movement vectors that move the vehicle from its actual orientation and position into the setpoint orientation and position when the movement vectors of the movement path are processed;

the path computer is also coupled to the control device via the drive train interface in order to transmit the movement vectors.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a combination vehicle, which includes a towing unit and a trailer.

3. The control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the path computer has a capability to calculate such a movement path in which the vehicle moves backward or which contains at least one movement path section in which the vehicle moves backward.

4. The control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the path computer has a capability to calculate such a movement path which contains i) an end section in which the vehicle reaches the setpoint values for orientation and position by traveling backward, and ii) a section which precedes the end section and in which the vehicle assumes, by traveling forward, an intermediate position that permits the setpoint values to be obtained by the backward travel.

5. The control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the path computer takes into account vehicle ambient conditions in the calculation of the movement path.

6. The control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein an input device is provided via which the vehicle ambient conditions can be conveyed to the path computer.

7. The control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle ambient conditions comprise at least one of a profile of the road, and a minimum distance from obstacles.

8. The control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the path computer continuously updates the movement path based on current actual values.

9. The control system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a transceiver arrangement is provided via which the path computer is connected to the drive train interface.

10. The control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive train also comprises at least one of a transmission and a ride level control device.

11. The control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a sensor system is provided which senses conditions surrounding the vehicle and conveys said conditions to the path computer.

12. The control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the orientation- and position-determining device determines the actual values for the orientation and position of the towing vehicle and of the trailer; and

the setpoint values for the orientation and position of at least one of the towing vehicle and the trailer can be input into the destination-inputting device.

13. A control system for a vehicle, comprising:

an electronically actuatable vehicle drive train unit for controlling movement of the vehicle;

an operator control device for receiving vehicle driver requests regarding movement of the vehicle, and for generating standardized movement vectors based on said driver requests, said operator control device including at least one of a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal;

a destination input device into which setpoint values for a desired orientation and position of the vehicle can be input;

means for determining current orientation and position of the vehicle;

a path computer which calculates a movement path for the vehicle, based on said current orientation and position and said desired orientation and position, said movement path comprising a sequence of standardized movement vectors that move the vehicle from its present orientation and position to the desired orientation and position;

a vehicle control unit for generating and sending to said vehicle drive train unit control signals for causing said drive train unit to control a movement of said vehicle, based on standardized movement vectors input thereto; and

a single drive train interface via which both the operator control device and the path computer are coupled to transmit standardized movement vectors to said vehicle control unit.