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US 11,298,994 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for trailer load assist in a motor vehicle
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorKyle D. Pierce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for trailer load assist in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a trailer connection, determine an initial tongue weight and compare the initial tongue weight with a current tongue weight. A audible and/or visual cue is generated when the current tongue weight exceeds the initial tongue weight in a ratio indicative of an optimally loaded trailer.
Claims18
An apparatus comprising:
- a first detector for generating a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is generated in response to detection of a trailer electrical connection;
- a second detector for detecting an initial vertical force value indicative of an initial trailer tongue weight in response to the first control signal, the second detector further operative to detect a reduction in vertical force after the detection of the initial vertical force and to detect a second vertical force value indicative of a current trailer tongue weight in response to the detection of the reduction in vertical force;
- a processor for comparing the initial force value and the second force value and generating a cue control signal in response the second force value exceeding the initial force value by a threshold value;
- and
- a cue generator for generating a cue in response to the cue control.
2 more elements
An apparatus for assisting a trailer loading operation comprising:
- a trailer detection sensor to detecting the connection of a trailer to a vehicle and generating a detection control signal;
- a trailer weight sensor for determining an initial force on a trailer hitch in response to the detection control signal and generating an initial force value control signal the trailer weight sensor further operative to detect a reduction in vertical force after the detection of the initial force and for determining a current force on the trailer hitch in response to the detection of the reduction in vertical force and for generating a force value control signal indicative of the current force;
- a processor for receiving the initial force value control signal and the force value control signal and generating an indication control signal in response to the current force exceeding the initial force by a threshold value;
- and
- an indicator for generating an indication in response to the indication control signal.
2 more elements
A method for trailer load indication comprising:
- determining an initial force value indicative of an initial tongue weight on a trailer hitch;
- detecting a reduction in vertical force after the determination of the initial vertical force
- determining a current force value indicative of a current tongue weight on a trailer hitch in response to the detection of the reduction in vertical force;
- and
- generating a cue in response to the current tongue weight exceeding the initial tongue weight by a threshold value.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.