US 9,037,346 B2 · Steering control for vehicle trains

Abstract

A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A steering control system for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle, the steering control system comprising:

a steering assembly for controlling steering of the at least one ground-engaging member of the first towed vehicle;
one or more sensing devices configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train;
and
a controller configured to:
determine a steering correction for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information;
and
apply the steering correction for the second towed vehicle by, at least in part, controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.

4 more elements

A steering control method for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member and a steering assembly for controlling steering of the at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle, the steering control method comprising:

determining, by one or more sensing devices, orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train;
determining a steering correction for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information;
and
applying the steering correction for the second towed vehicle by, at least in part, controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Steering control for vehicle trains

Life of this patent

Steering control for vehicle trains

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20