US 11,891,038 B2Granted

Vehicle-based algorithm for finding the trailer brake optimum gain

AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC

InventorsAvesta Goodarzi, Hasan Alper Hepguvendik, Patrick G. DiGioacchino

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Abstract

A method for finding an optimum trailer gain, comprising: applying trailer brake pulses to a trailer while a vehicle is coasting using a trailer brake of a trailer, wherein the trailer is coupled to the vehicle; monitoring an average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting; generating a graph of the average deceleration of the vehicle versus the trailer brake gain, wherein the graph includes a curve that illustrates a relationship between the average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting; and finding a bend point of the curve in the graph to determine an optimum trailer brake gain.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for finding an optimum trailer brake gain, comprising:

applying trailer brake pulses to a trailer while a vehicle is coasting using a trailer brake of a trailer, wherein the trailer is coupled to the vehicle, each of the trailer brake pulses has an activation brake time and a trailer brake gain, the trailer brake is commanded by a trailer brake controller to apply the trailer brake pulses, the trailer brake pulses have a waiting time, and the trailer brake gain is proportional to an amount of braking force applied to the trailer by the trailer brake;
monitoring an average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting;
generating a graph of the average deceleration of the vehicle versus the trailer brake gain, wherein the graph includes a curve that illustrates a relationship between the average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting;
and
finding a bend point of the curve in the graph to determine the optimum trailer brake gain.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/332,432Filed 27 May 2021
Published: US 2022/0379853 A11 Dec 2022
Granted: 6 Feb 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60T 8/1708
Braking or traction control means specially adapted for particular types of vehicles: for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations
B60T 7/20
For automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger: specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or…
B60T 8/171
Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking: detecting parameters used in the regulation; Measuring values used in the…
B60T 8/172
Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking: determining control parameters used in the regulation, e.g. by calculations…