Towing vehicle controller providing brake control to a towed vehicle and method
Various embodiments of a towing vehicle controller and methods for brake control of a towed vehicle are provided. A towing vehicle controller includes an input for receiving a load signal indicative of a load of a towed and towing vehicle combination; an input for receiving a stability signal indicative of at least one of a yaw rate, a steering angle, and a lateral acceleration of the towing vehicle; and an input for receiving a deceleration signal indicative of an automated deceleration request. Control logic is capable of determining a comparison value prior to receiving the deceleration signal and after receiving the load signal and the stability signal, wherein the determination of the comparison value is based on the load signal and the stability signal. After the deceleration signal is received, the control logic determines a brake control transmission signal based on the deceleration signal and the comparison value.
1. A towing vehicle controller for providing a towed vehicle brake control comprising:
a controller input for receiving a load signal indicative of a load of a towed and towing vehicle combination;
a controller input for receiving a yaw rate signal indicative of a yaw rate of a towing vehicle;
a controller input for receiving a deceleration signal indicative of an automated deceleration request; and
control logic capable of:
determining a yaw rate deviation based on the yaw rate signal;
determining a comparison value based on the yaw rate deviation and the load signal;
determining an empirical deceleration value based on the deceleration signal;
comparing the empirical deceleration value to the comparison value;
determining a brake control transmission signal after receiving the deceleration signal; and
assigning the empirical deceleration value as the brake control transmission signal when the empirical deceleration value is less than or equal to the comparison value, and assigning the comparison value as the brake control transmission signal when the empirical deceleration value is greater than the comparison value.
2. The towing vehicle controller of claim 1 , wherein the control logic is further capable of:
comparing the empirical deceleration value to the comparison value when the yaw rate deviation is at least as great as a predetermined yaw rate deviation threshold.
3. The towing vehicle controller of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined yaw rate deviation threshold is at least about 2 deg/s.