Reverse docking assistance system using ultrasonic detection
AssigneeStoneridge Electronics AB
InventorJohn Couperthwaite
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of assisting a reversing maneuver for a tractor trailer includes determining a predicted trailer path based at least in part on a steering angle of a tractor, identifying a position of an adjacent object adjacent the trailer using ultrasonic sensors, and identifying a state of the predicted path as one of a correct state, an incorrect but correctible state, and an uncorrectable state. The state is obtained by determining if the predicted path results in a portion of the trailer intersect with the position of the at least one adjacent object. After determining the state, the method identifies a steering angle correction capable of adjusting the predicted path such that no portion of the trailer intersects the adjacent object.
Claims17
A method of providing for assisting a reversing maneuver for a tractor trailer comprising:
- determining a predicted trailer path of a trailer based at least in part on a steering angle of a tractor;
- identifying a position of at least one adjacent object, relative to the trailer, using a set of ultrasonic sensors disposed about the trailer;
- identifying a state of the predicted path as one of a correct state, an incorrect but correctible state, and an uncorrectable state by determining if the predicted path results in a portion of the trailer intersecting with the position of the at least one adjacent object and identifying a steering angle correction capable of adjusting the predicted path such that no portion of the trailer intersects with the position of the at least one adjacent object in response to detecting that the portion of the trailer is expected to intersect with the position of the at least one adjacent object absent the correction;
- and
- displaying one of a no path adjustment needed message, a path adjustment message, and a no path correction possible message based on the state of the predicted path.
A vehicle controller comprising:
- a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions for causing the processor to determine a predicted trailer path of a trailer based at least in part on a steering angle of a tractor, identify a position of at least one adjacent object, relative to the trailer, using a set of ultrasonic sensors disposed about the trailer, identify a state of the predicted path as one of a correct state, an incorrect but correctible state, and an uncorrectable state by determining if the predicted path results in a portion of the trailer intersecting with the position of the at least one adjacent object and identifying a steering angle correction capable of adjusting the predicted path such that no portion of the trailer intersects with the position of the at least one adjacent object in response to detecting that the portion of the trailer is expected to intersect with the position of the at least one adjacent object absent the correction, and causing a screen to display one of a no path adjustment needed message, a path adjustment message, and a no path correction possible message based on the state of the predicted path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.