Back to results
US 7,950,751 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for maintaining a trailer in a straight position relative to the vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsTimothy G. Offerle, Craig H. Stephan, Douglas S. Rhode
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method of controlling a vehicle with a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer, determining a vehicle velocity, determining a steering wheel angle, and determining a rear axle side slip angle. When the rear axle side slip angle is above a predetermined value, the vehicle velocity is above a velocity threshold, and the steering wheel is about zero, brake-steer is applied to the vehicle.
Claims19
A system for controlling an automotive vehicle having a trailer and a primary steering actuator comprising:
- a secondary steering actuator generating a signal indicative of a desired trailer turn direction;
- reverse signal means generating a reverse signal corresponding to a reverse direction of the vehicle;
- a trailer position sensor generating a trailer position signal;
- a controller coupled to the secondary steering actuator, the reverse signal means and the trailer position sensor, said controller programmed to brake-steer the vehicle to maintain the vehicle in the desired trailer turn direction.
1 more element
A method of aligning a trailer and a vehicle comprising:
- determining a position of the trailer using a trailer sensor positioned on the vehicle and a locating plate having a locating hole located on the trailer;
- determining the position of the locating hole relative to the vehicle when the vehicle is reversing toward the trailer;
- and
- displaying an indication of the position of the locating hole relative to the vehicle.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.