Trailer path curvature control for trailer backup assist

US8909426B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US
• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Douglas Scott Rhode · Farmington Hills, US
• David Dean Smit · Ann Arbor, US
• Erick Michael Lavoie · Dearborn, US
• Martin Fitzpatrick Frey · Saline, US
• Thomas Edward Pilutti · Ann Arbor, US
• Taehyun Shim · Ann Arbor, US
• Matt Y. Rupp · Canton, US
• Roger Arnold Trombley · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 23, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 9, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Y2200/147
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signa. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.