Measuring and control system for the tranverse regulation of successive vehicles and method for this purpose

A method for controlling the spacing between a following vehicle and a leading vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• measuring the spacing between the following vehicle and the leading vehicle;
• measuring and determining a drawbar angle (μ) defined as the angle between a longitudinal axis of the following vehicle and a connecting line formed between the following vehicle and the leading vehicle in the instance of lateral offset between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle;
• measuring and determining the vehicle speed of the following vehicle;
• and
• determining a steering signal (U) for the following vehicle as a function of the determined drawbar angle and as a function of at least one of the measured spacing and the following vehicle speed.

A method for controlling spacing between a following vehicle and a leading vehicle comprising the steps of:

• measuring the spacing between the following vehicle and the leading vehicle;
• determine an angular relationship between a longitudinal axis of the following vehicle and a connecting line between the following vehicle and the leading vehicle;
• determine the vehicle speed of the following vehicle;
• and
• providing a steering signal for the following vehicle as a function of the measured spacing and the measured angle.