Method of controlling an automotive vehicle having a trailer
A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle and trailer includes determining the presence of a trailer and applying brake-steer to the vehicle in response to the trailer to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle and the trailer.
1. A method of controlling an automotive vehicle and a trailer comprising:
determining a presence of a trailer; and
applying at least one trailer brake and at least one vehicle brake to brake-steer the vehicle and trailer in response to the presence of the trailer to reduce a vehicle turning radius of the vehicle and trailer.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising generating a reverse direction signal of the vehicle and applying brake-steer in response to the reverse direction signal.
3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein generating a reverse direction signal comprises generating a reverse direction signal from a shift lever.
4. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein generating a reverse direction signal comprises generating a reverse direction from a push button.
5. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein generating a reverse direction signal comprises generating a reverse direction from a transmission controller.
6. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein generating a reverse direction signal comprises generating a reverse direction from a wheel speed sensor relative to a first wheel.
7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a presence of a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer with a hitch sensor.
8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a presence of a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer with a reverse aid sensor.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a presence of a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer with an ultrasonic sensor.
10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a presence of a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer with a camera.
11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a presence of a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer with a harness current.
12. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a presence of a trailer comprises determining the presence of a trailer with a manually activated mechanism.
13. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising determining a position of the trailer and applying at least one trailer brake and at least one vehicle brake in response to the position.
14. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein applying brake-steer to the vehicle in response to the trailer to enhance control of the trailer relative to the vehicle comprises applying brake-steer to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle.
15. A control system for an automotive vehicle and a trailer having a brake comprising:
means to determining the presence of a trailer;
a controller coupled to the means, said controller programmed to apply brake-steer to the vehicle and the trailer brakes to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle and trailer in response to the presence of the trailer.
16. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said means to determine the presence of a trailer comprises a hitch sensor.
17. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said means to determine the presence of a trailer comprises a reverse aid sensor.
18. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said means to determine the presence of a trailer comprises an ultrasonic sensor.
19. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said means to determine the presence of a trailer comprises a camera.
20. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said controller is programmed to apply brake-steer by applying a first brake and a second brake to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle.
21. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said controller is programmed to apply brake-steer by applying at least one brake at a first wheel to reduce a vehicle turning radius.
22. A system as recited in claim 15 wherein said controller is programmed to brake-steer by applying an increased drive torque to a second wheel relative to the first wheel.
23. A system as recited in claim 15 further comprising a steering wheel angle sensor generating a steering wheel angle signal, said controller programmed to apply brake-steer in response to a reverse direction signal and the steering wheel angle signal.
24. A system as recited in claim 15 further comprising a yaw rate sensor generating a yaw rate signal, said controller programmed to apply brake-steer in response to a reverse direction signal and yaw rate signal.
25. A system as recited in claim 15 further comprising a steering wheel torque sensor generating a steering torque signal, said controller programmed to apply brake-steer in response to a reverse direction signal and steering torque signal.
26. A system as recited in claim 15 further comprising a steering wheel angle sensor generating a steering wheel angle signal and a vehicle velocity sensor generating a vehicle velocity signal, said controller programmed to apply brake-steer in response to a reverse direction signal, steering wheel angle and vehicle velocity signal.
27. A system as recited in claim 15 further comprising means to determine a trailer position, said controller programmed to apply brake-steer in response to the trailer position.