Methods and systems for automatic trailer brake gain scaling
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsAvesta Goodarzi, Utkarsh Saini, Patrick Giancarlo Gabriel DiGioacchino, Hasan Alper Hepguvendik
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Abstract
Methods and systems automatically scale and set trailer brake gain without a need for vehicle driver input and without testing. Scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer towed by a vehicle includes obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the vehicle. A processor computes a trailer weight of the trailer and a trailer resistance force of the trailer. The processor automatically updates the trailer brake gain based on both the trailer weight and the trailer resistance force and may use vehicle data and axle torque.
Claims20
A method for scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer having trailer brakes and towed by a vehicle having vehicle brakes, the method comprising:
- obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the vehicle;
- computing, by a processor and based on the sensor data, a trailer weight of the trailer;
- computing, by the processor and based on the sensor data, a trailer resistance force of the trailer;
- computing a vehicle brake-force pressure constant;
- determining a vehicle braking force based on the vehicle brake-force pressure constant and a brake state of the vehicle;
- updating, automatically by the processor, the trailer brake gain based on the vehicle braking force, the trailer weight and the trailer resistance force;
- and
- applying, using the updated trailer brake gain, the trailer brakes in response to an application of the vehicle brakes.
A system for scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer having trailer brakes and towed by a vehicle having vehicle brakes, the system comprising:
- sensors of the vehicle configured to provide sensor data;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- compute, based on the sensor data, a trailer weight of the trailer;
- compute a vehicle brake-force pressure constant;
- determine a vehicle braking force based on the vehicle brake-force pressure constant and a brake state of the vehicle;
- compute, based on the sensor data, a trailer resistance force of the trailer;
- automatically update the trailer brake gain based on the vehicle braking force, the trailer weight and the trailer resistance force;
- and
- apply, using the updated trailer brake gain, the trailer brakes in response to an application of the vehicle brakes.
A vehicle having vehicle brakes comprising:
- a body configured to be coupled to a trailer having a trailer braking system that includes trailer brakes;
- a brake pedal;
- one or more sensors configured to obtain sensor data for the vehicle, the sensor data including:
- a state of a brake pedal of the vehicle;
- and
- a deceleration of the vehicle;
- and
- a processor that is coupled with the one or more sensors and that is configured to:
- compute, based on the sensor data, a trailer weight of the trailer;
- compute, based on the sensor data, a trailer resistance force of the trailer;
- compute a brake utilization factor of the trailer, wherein the brake utilization factor is a function of certain parameters including a vehicle weight of the vehicle and the trailer weight;
- automatically update a trailer brake gain based on both the trailer weight and the trailer resistance force;
- and
- apply, using the updated trailer brake gain, the trailer brakes in response to an application of the vehicle brakes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.