Trailer length estimation in hitch angle applications
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsChristos Kyrtsos, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Alex Maurice Miller, Douglas Scott Rhode
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle system for estimating a trailer length is disclosed. The system incorporates at least one sensor configured to measure a wheel steer angle and a trailer angle in communication with a processor. The processor is operable to determine a first length by a first computation method and determine a second length by a second computation method. The processor is further operable to validate an estimated trailer length based on the first length and the second length and perform a back-up function for the trailer based on the estimated trailer length.
Claims16
An apparatus for determining an estimated trailer length comprising:
- a processor operable to:
- determine a first trailer length using an angle from a hitch angle sensor;
- determine a second trailer length using the angle;
- determine a difference between the first trailer length and the second trailer length as a result in a first comparison;
- and
- set the estimated trailer length to the first trailer length based on the result being less than a first predetermined value.
A method for determining an estimated trailer length comprising:
- receiving a steering angle from a steering module;
- receiving a trailer angle from a hitch sensor;
- calculating a first trailer length based on the steering angle and a minimum error calculation of the trailer angle;
- calculating a second trailer length based on a radius of curvature of a trailer and a vehicle;
- and evaluating the first trailer length and the second trailer length to determine the estimated trailer length, wherein the evaluating of the first trailer length and the second trailer length comprises:
- determining a difference between the first trailer length and the second trailer length;
- and
- comparing the difference to a first predetermined threshold to determine a first validation of the estimated trailer length.
A vehicle system for estimating a trailer length comprising:
- at least one sensor configured to measure a wheel steer angle and a trailer angle;
- and
- a processor operable to:
- determine a first trailer length by a first computation method;
- determine a second trailer length by a second computation method;
- and
- validate an estimated trailer length based on the first trailer length and the second trailer length, wherein the validation of the estimated trailer length comprises a comparison of the difference of the first trailer length and the second trailer length to a predetermined value;
- and
- perform a back-up function for the trailer based on the estimated trailer length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.