Trailer sway control with reverse sensors
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorKirk Matthew Englert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Reverse proximity sensors are used to determine an angle between a towed trailer and the towing vehicle. The trailer sway control determines a trailer angle of sway based upon proximity sensor readings from the reverse proximity sensors and from a sensor reading of an angle of turn of a steering wheel of the towing vehicle. Provided the determined trailer angle of sway exceeds a range that can be tolerated, a controller sends instructions to apply necessary braking to the vehicle or trailer to mitigate the trailer sway.
Claims24
A method of trailer sway control, comprising:
- the steps of:
- taking proximity sensor readings to sense proximity between a trailer and a towing vehicle that is towing the trailer;
- sensing a turning of a steering wheel of the towing vehicle to provide steering wheel turn readings;
- calculating a trailer angle of sway in a manner that is independent of measured yaw rate, the calculating being based on the steering wheel turn readings and the proximity sensor readings, braking to counter trailer sway in a manner that furthers stabilization by taking into account the calculated trailer angle of sway, the proximity sensor readings and the steering wheel turn readings.
An apparatus suited for trailer sway control, comprising:
- at least one proximity sensor configured and arranged to sense proximity between a trailer and a towing vehicle that tows the trailer so as to provide proximity sensor readings;
- at least one detector arranged to sense a turning of a steering wheel of the towing vehicle to provide steering wheel turn readings;
- and a trailer sway control system configured to calculate a trailer angle of sway in a manner that is independent of measured yaw rate yet based on the steering wheel turn readings and the proximity sensor readings and to direct braking to counter trailer sway in a manner that furthers stabilization by taking into account the calculated trailer angle of sway, the proximity sensor readings and the steering wheel turn readings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.