US 9,428,220 B2 · Method and device for maneuvering a trailer

Abstract

A method and a device for maneuvering a combination of a towing vehicle and a trailer, wherein the trailer is connected to the towing vehicle by a non-steerable tow-bar, and the towing vehicle observes the rear surroundings, including the trailer, by a rear-view camera. The method includes the steps: a) determining the actual articulation of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle; b) determining the length of the tow-bar and the maximum articulation of the trailer; c) inputting the intended articulation of the trailer; d) reversing the towing vehicle with at least active steering support until the intended articulation of the trailer is reached; e) fixing the direction of travel predetermined by the intended articulation; f) maneuvering the towing vehicle with at least active steering support while maintaining the predetermined direction of travel until an eventual parking position is reached.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for maneuvering a combination comprising a tow vehicle and a trailer, the trailer being connected to the tow vehicle with the aid of a non-steerable tow bar and the tow vehicle monitoring the rear surroundings, including the trailer with the aid of a rear-view camera, the method comprising:

determining, using a control device, an actual articulation of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle;
determining a tow bar length and a maximum articulation of the trailer;
inputting a setpoint articulation of the trailer;
reversing the tow vehicle with at least active steering assistance until achieving the setpoint articulation of the trailer;
fixing a direction of travel predetermined by the setpoint articulation;
and
maneuvering the tow vehicle with at least active steering assistance and maintaining a predetermined direction of travel until reaching a final parking position.

4 more elements

A trailer maneuvering assistant of a motor vehicle comprising:

a control device, wherein the control device is configured to:
determine an actual articulation of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle;
determine a tow bar length and a maximum articulation of the trailer;
input a setpoint articulation of the trailer;
revise the tow vehicle with at least active steering assistance until achieving the setpoint articulation of the trailer;
fix a direction of travel predetermined by the setpoint articulation;
and
maneuver the tow vehicle with at least active steering assistance and maintain the predetermined direction of travel until reaching a final parking position, wherein the trailer maneuvering assistant comprises:
an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device for communicating with a driver of the vehicle;
a device for detecting a coupled trailer;
and
an actuator for actuating a steering system,
wherein the trailer maneuvering assistant has a rear-view camera for recording images of the rear surroundings,
wherein the control device has a device for determining the actual articulation and for determining the maximum permissible articulation of the coupled trailer from images of the rear-view camera,
wherein the HMI device has a device for entering a setpoint articulation of the trailer, and
wherein the HMI device dynamically displays an actual position of the trailer in the actual articulation and a setpoint position of the trailer in the setpoint articulation.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and device for maneuvering a trailer

Life of this patent

Method and device for maneuvering a trailer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11