IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,471,989
Granted Patent B2
US 10,471,989 · App. 15/871,409 · Granted Nov 12, 2019

Trailer backup offset determination

Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie (Dearborn, MI); Joseph M. Raad (Farmington, MI); Donald Jacob Mattern (Canton, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B62D13/06B60D1/245B60D1/62B60Q9/005B60W50/0098B62D15/027B60W2050/0088B60W2520/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,471,989
App. No.
15/871,409
Granted
Nov 12, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for calibrating a backup assist system for a trailer attached to a vehicle is provided which includes a hitch sensor continuously measuring a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer. A controller is configured to determine an offset of the measured hitch angle. The controller is configured to calculate and store in memory a forward offset if no reverse offset is stored.

Claims (20)

1. A system for calibrating a backup assist system for a trailer attached to a vehicle, comprising:

a hitch sensor continuously measuring a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer; and

a controller configured to determine an offset of the measured hitch angle, wherein the controller is configured to calculate and store in memory a forward offset if no reverse offset is stored, wherein the controller is further configured to not calculate a forward offset if the reverse offset is stored.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the offset is determined between the measured hitch angle and an actual hitch angle when the actual hitch angle is substantially zero.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the forward and reverse offsets are determined during a steady state condition of the vehicle and the trailer.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a knob sensor continuously sensing a knob angle, wherein the knob angle is substantially zero when the vehicle and trailer are in a substantially standing state, and wherein the reverse offset is determined when the knob angle is substantially zero over a threshold time while the vehicle is driving above a threshold speed.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a yaw sensor continuously sensing a yaw rate of the vehicle, wherein the yaw rate of the vehicle is substantially zero when the vehicle is steered straight, and wherein the forward and reverse offsets are determined when the angle rate is substantially zero over a threshold time while the vehicle is driving above a threshold speed.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines an approximate distance the vehicle must travel straight to place the actual hitch angle at zero based on a length of the trailer and the measured hitch angle.

7. A system for calibrating a backup assist system for a trailer attached to a vehicle, comprising:

a hitch sensor continuously measuring a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer;

a controller configured to determine an offset of the measured hitch angle, wherein the controller is configured to calculate and store in memory a forward offset if no reverse offset is stored; and

a knob sensor continuously sensing a knob angle, wherein the knob angle is substantially zero when the vehicle and trailer are in a substantially standing state, and wherein the reverse offset is determined when the knob angle is substantially zero over a threshold time while the vehicle is driving above a threshold speed.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the offset is determined between the measured hitch angle and an actual hitch angle when the actual hitch angle is substantially zero.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to not calculate a forward offset if the reverse offset is stored.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a yaw sensor continuously sensing a yaw rate of the vehicle, wherein the yaw rate of the vehicle is substantially zero when the vehicle is steered straight, and wherein the forward and reverse offsets are determined when the angle rate is substantially zero over a threshold time while the vehicle is driving above a threshold speed.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller determines an approximate distance the vehicle must travel straight to place the actual hitch angle at zero based on a length of the trailer and the measured hitch angle.

12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the forward and reverse offsets are determined during a steady state condition of the vehicle and the trailer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2018
From: LAVOIE, ERICK MICHAEL; RAAD, JOSEPH M.; MATTERN, DONALD JACOB
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 044621/0786 →
Continuity (8)
Division 14886668 · Oct 19, 2015
Continuation In Part 14201130 · Mar 7, 2014
Continuation In Part 14068387 · Oct 31, 2013
Continuation In Part 14059835 · Oct 22, 2013
Continuation In Part 13443743 · Apr 10, 2012
Continuation In Part 13336060 · Dec 23, 2011
Provisional Application 61477132 · Apr 19, 2011
Related Publication 20180134314A1 · May 17, 2018