Automatic trailer brake gain scaling system and method using hitch forces
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsAvesta Goodarzi, Utkarsh Saini, Patrick Giancarlo Gabriel DiGioacchino, Hasan Alper Hepguvendik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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, including from a hitch load sensor. A processor computes a trailer resistance force of the trailer based on the sensor data. The processor automatically updates the trailer brake gain based on both the sensor data and the trailer resistance force.
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, including from a hitch load sensor;
- computing, by at least one processor and based on the sensor data, a trailer resistance force of the trailer;
- computing, by the at least one processor and using the sensor data, an optimum hitch force as a function of a vertical force on a hitch of the vehicle and deceleration of the vehicle;
- updating, automatically by the at least one processor, the trailer brake gain based on the optimum hitch force, the sensor data and the trailer resistance force;
- and
- scaling, by the at least one processor and using the updated trailer brake gain, the trailer brakes in response to application of the vehicle brakes, and applying the trailer brakes using the updated trailer brake gain.
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 providing sensor data, including a hitch load sensor;
- and
- at least one processor configured to:
- compute, based on the sensor data, a trailer resistance force of the trailer;
- compute an optimum hitch force as a function of a vertical force on a hitch of the vehicle and deceleration of the vehicle;
- automatically update the trailer brake gain based on the optimum hitch force, the sensor data and the trailer resistance force;
- and
- scale, using the updated trailer brake gain, the trailer brakes in response to application of the vehicle brakes, and apply the trailer brakes using the updated trailer brake gain.
A vehicle comprising:
- a body configured to be coupled, via a hitch, to a trailer having a trailer braking system;
- one or more sensors configured to obtain sensor data for the vehicle, the sensor data including:
- a longitudinal force and a vertical force on the hitch;
- 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 resistance force of the trailer;
- compute, based on the sensor data and the trailer resistance force an optimum force on the hitch;
- determine an error between the optimum force on the hitch and an actual force on the hitch that is obtained from the sensor data;
- automatically update a trailer brake gain to eliminate the error between the optimum force on the hitch and the actual force on the hitch;
- and
- scale, using the updated trailer brake gain, the trailer brakes in response to application of the vehicle brakes, and apply the trailer brakes using the updated trailer brake gain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.