Patent Application
20110087402
The present disclosure relates to automotive stability control systems and more particularly to adapting such systems to sense and compensate for towed trailers.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Some modern vehicles employ an electronic stability control (ESC) system that helps the driver avoid losing directional control of the vehicle. The ESC system employs one or more sensors that monitor yaw motion of the vehicle. The ESC controls road wheel torque and/or vehicle steering to help the driver maintain directional control when the yaw motion exceeds a predetermined threshold. The effectiveness of ESC may be hampered when the vehicle is towing a trailer.
An electronic stability control system includes a plurality of sensors that generate respective signals based on respective distances between a vehicle and a trailer that is being towed by the vehicle. A backup assistance module determines respective distances based on the signals. An electronic stability control (ESC) module controls a wheel torque of at least one of the vehicle and trailer based on the respective distances.
In other features the ESC module controls at least one of driveline torque and brake torque when controlling the wheel torque. The plurality of sensors sense the distances at least one of acoustically, optically, and electromagnetically. The ESC module controls the wheel torque of the at least one of the vehicle and trailer further based on at least one of amplitudes, slopes, and periods of the respective distances.
A stability control method includes generating signals based on respective distances between a vehicle and a trailer that is being towed by the vehicle, determining respective distances based on the signals, and controlling a wheel torque of at least one of the vehicle and trailer based on the respective distances.
In other features controlling the wheel torque further comprises controlling at least one of driveline torque and brake torque. Sensing the distances is performed at least one of acoustically, optically, and electromagnetically. Controlling the wheel torque of the at least one of the vehicle and trailer is further based on at least one of amplitudes, slopes, and periods of the respective distances over a period of time.
An electronic stability control system includes sensor means for generating signals based on respective distances between a vehicle and a trailer that is being towed by the vehicle, backup assistance means for determining respective distances based on the signals, and stability control means for controlling a wheel torque of at least one of the vehicle and trailer based on the respective distances.
In other features the stability control means controls at least one of driveline torque and brake torque when controlling the wheel torque. The sensor means sense the distances at least one of acoustically, optically, and electromagnetically. The stability control means controls the wheel torque of the at least one of the vehicle and trailer further based on at least one of amplitudes, slopes, and periods of the respective distances.
A computer readable memory includes instructions for a processor wherein the instructions implement a stability control method. The method includes generating signals based on respective distances between a vehicle and a trailer that is being towed by the vehicle, determining respective distances based on the signals, and controlling a wheel torque of at least one of the vehicle and trailer based on the respective distances.
In other features controlling the wheel torque further comprises controlling at least one of driveline torque and brake torque. Sensing the distances is performed at least one of acoustically, optically, and electromagnetically. Controlling the wheel torque of the at least one of the vehicle and trailer is further based on at least one of amplitudes, slopes, and periods of the respective distances over a period of time.
Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.
As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.
Referring now to
Sensors 12 can be part of a backup assistance (BA) system as is known in the art. A BA module 22 can receive signals from sensors 12 and, based on the signals, determine the distances 14L and 14R. Sensors 12 can employ acoustic, radiofrequency, and/or optical measuring technology as is known in the art.
An electronic stability control (ESC) module 24 controls the torques of associated vehicle wheels 26-1, 26-2, . . . , 26-4 and/or trailer wheels 28-1, 28-2. The torques are based on the magnitudes and rates of change of distances 14L and 14R. Vehicle wheels 26-1, 26-2, . . . , 26-4 may also be referred to collectively as vehicle wheels 26. Trailer wheels 28-1, 28-2 may also be referred to collectively as trailer wheels 28.
ESC module 24 can individually change the torque of each of vehicle wheels 26 and/or trailer wheels 28 by manipulating braking force and/or driveline torque using methods that are known in the art. It should be appreciated that the functionalities of ESC module 24 and BA module 22 may be combined into a single module. It should also be appreciated that while vehicle 10 is shown as having four wheels 26 and trailer 20 is shown as having two wheels 28, other numbers of wheels 26, 28 may be used.
Referring now to
Referring now to
During a first time period 36 trailer 20 is swaying right of vehicle 10 such as is depicted in
Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
