Trailer and vehicle collision detection and response during autohitch maneuvering
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsArnav Sharma, Douglas Rogan, Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle system includes a vehicle brake system, an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives a first signal from the accelerometer and, during reversing of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, transmits an actuation signal to the vehicle brake system when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval.
Claims20
A vehicle system, comprising:
- a brake system within the vehicle and including vehicle service brakes configured to decelerate the vehicle to a stop;
- an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle;
- and
- a controller:
- positioned within the vehicle;
- receiving a first signal from the accelerometer;
- and
- during an automated hitching operation of the vehicle, including reversing of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction toward a trailer from an initial distance between the trailer and the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, transmitting an actuation signal to the brake system within the vehicle to cause actuation of the vehicle service brakes when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval.
A vehicle hitching assistance system, comprising:
- a hitch mounted on the vehicle;
- a vehicle brake system within the vehicle and including vehicle service brakes configured to decelerate the vehicle to a stop;
- a vehicle steering system including steered vehicle wheels connected with the vehicle service brakes;
- an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle;
- and
- a controller:
- identifying a trailer coupler disconnected from the hitch, spaced from the vehicle, and within a specified area relative to the vehicle;
- outputting a steering signal to the vehicle steering system to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler;
- receiving a first signal from the accelerometer;
- and
- during an automated hitching operation of the vehicle, including reversing of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction toward the trailer from an initial distance between the trailer and the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, transmitting an actuation signal to the brake system to cause actuation of the vehicle service brakes when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval.
A method for controlling a vehicle during reversing, comprising:
- receiving a first signal from an accelerometer mounted with the vehicle;
- and
- during an automated hitching maneuver of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction toward a trailer from an initial distance between the trailer and the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, transmitting an actuation signal from within the vehicle to a vehicle brake system when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval, the signal causing application of service brakes within the vehicle to cause the vehicle to decelerate to a stop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.