Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Avesta Goodarzi

Utkarsh Saini

Norman Joseph Weigert

Ralph D Schlottke

Hasan Alper Hepguvendik

Steffen P Lindenthal

Todd J Brinkman

Patrick Giancarlo Gabriel Digioacchino

Patrick G DiGioacchino

Akram M Abdel-Rahman

Michael D Alarcon

Halit Zengin

Grant L Meade

Christopher A Stanek

Michael J Bliss

Alexander S Barath

Manvir Dulai

Benjamin J Eles

Gursimran Chauhan

Jomo Hanley

Magdalena M Parkila

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, image data from one or more image sensors of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, a change in vehicle height based on the image data; determining, by the processor, at least one of a vehicle load and a trailer tongue load based on the change in vehicle height; and generating, by the processor, at least one of notification data and control data to control the vehicle based on the at least one of the vehicle load and the trailer tongue load.

Methods and systems for estimating vehicle load and trailer tongue load based on camera images

A vehicle system includes one or more sensors and a control module. The control module is configured to receive one or more vehicle parameters, calculate an actual braking utilization factor based on the received vehicle parameters and an estimated vehicle parameter, calculate an optimum braking utilization factor based on the estimated vehicle parameter and an estimated trailer parameter, compare the optimum braking utilization factor and the actual braking utilization factor, and in response to a difference between the optimum braking utilization factor and the actual braking utilization factor being greater than a defined threshold, generate an alert signal to notify the driver of the vehicle that the trailer brake gain for the trailer hitched to the vehicle should be adjusted. Other example vehicle systems and methods for notifying a driver that a trailer brake gain should be adjusted are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for warning a driver of an incorrect trailer brake gain

Methods and systems for preventing unwanted movement of a trailer coupled to a towing vehicle are provided. A method includes obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the towing vehicle indicating movement of the towing vehicle and/or trailer, and in response to an indication of movement of the towing vehicle and/or trailer, automatically activating a trailer brake to prevent movement of the trailer.

Trailer parking brake system and method

Methods and systems are provided for controlling towing of a trailer by a vehicle. Sensors are configured to at obtaining sensor data pertaining to the vehicle and the trailer. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium is configured to store parameters that include dimensions pertaining to the vehicle, the trailer, or hitching of the trailer to the vehicle via a hitch. A processor is coupled to the sensors and to the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and is configured to at least facilitate determining when instability of the trailer is likely to occur at a future time, using the sensor data and the parameters from the non-transitory computer readable storage medium; and taking vehicle actions, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when it is determined that the instability of the trailer is likely to occur at the future time.

System and method for trailer instability advanced warning based on hitch load measurement

Methods and systems automatically scale and set trailer brake gain without a need for vehicle driver input and without testing. Scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer towed by a vehicle includes obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the vehicle, including from a hitch load sensor. A processor computes a trailer resistance force of the trailer based on the sensor data. The processor automatically updates the trailer brake gain based on both the sensor data and the trailer resistance force.

Automatic trailer brake gain scaling system and method using hitch forces

Methods and systems automatically scale and set trailer brake gain without a need for vehicle driver input and without testing. Scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer towed by a vehicle includes obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the vehicle. A processor computes a trailer weight of the trailer and a trailer resistance force of the trailer. The processor automatically updates the trailer brake gain based on both the trailer weight and the trailer resistance force and may use vehicle data and axle torque.

Methods and systems for automatic trailer brake gain scaling

In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided that include one or more underbody cameras and a processor for a vehicle. The underbody cameras are configured to obtain camera images under the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more underbody cameras, and is configured to at least facilitate: performing image processing for the camera images; and determining a ride height, a measure of weight on the vehicle, or both, based on the camera images from the one or more underbody cameras and the processing thereof via the processor.

Method to determine vehicle payload, trailer tongue weight, and ride height using underbody cameras

Method for providing parallel parking assistance including generating an augmented video stream including an overhead view video stream, a graphical representation of a host vehicle, and a first arrow for indicating an initial position of the host vehicle, generating, by a processor, a first control signal indicative of a first steering angle in response to receiving a first confirmation signal from a user interface indicative of a confirmation of the initial position of the host vehicle, generating, by the processor, a second control signal indicative of a second steering angle in response to a change in yaw reaching a first desired yaw, generating, by the processor, a second arrow to be overlaid on the overhead view video stream indicative of a distance between the host vehicle and a curb, generating, by the processor, a third control signal indicative of a third steering angle in response to receiving a second confirmation signal from the user interface indicative of a confirmation of the distance between the host vehicle and the curb.

Driver in the loop parallel parking assistance system

Methods and systems for vehicles are provided for trailer steering assistance. The system includes a computer system onboard the vehicle and configured to, by a processor: monitor a front steering angle of the vehicle and a hitch angle of the vehicle as the vehicle and the vehicle trailer move in the reverse direction, dynamically adjust a rear steering angle of the vehicle as the vehicle and the trailer move in the reverse direction based on the front steering angle and the hitch angle to match the rear steering angle to the front steering angle while the hitch angle less than a predetermined hitch angle, and dynamically adjust the rear steering angle of the vehicle as the vehicle and the trailer move in the reverse direction based on the front steering angle and the hitch angle to maintain the hitch angle at the predetermined hitch angle.

Methods and systems for trailer steering assistance

A tow configuration may include a tow vehicle and first and second trailers. The intermediate trailer hitch angle with the tow vehicle is controlled with one objective being to improve the off-tracking performance of the other trailer. The hitch angle may be controlled through steerable wheels at the intermediate trailer or through wheel differential steering at the intermediate trailer.

Trailer tracking control

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided in a vehicle to reduce the likelihood of a trailer jackknife condition. The method includes: receiving trailer profile information; receiving a dynamic vehicle steering angle (δ) and dynamic hitch articulation angle (θ) while the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction; continuously calculating a maximum safe vehicle speed (v) at which to proceed in reverse without jackknifing based on the trailer profile information, the δ, the θ, a predetermined safe time to jackknife (TTJ_ne), and a maximum hitch articulation angle (θ); comparing a current vehicle longitudinal speed (v) to the v; automatically generating a speed correction signal to cause the vehicle to slow down below the vwhen the v exceeds the v; and sending the speed correction signal to a vehicle motion control system to instruct the vehicle motion control system to reduce the v below the v.

Vehicle controllability during trailer backup operations

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for providing multi-trailer reverse assistance. In a multi-trailer reverse assistance system in an articulated transport system comprising a lead vehicle, an intermediate trailer, and a final trailer, the reverse assist system includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a view of an environment behind the final trailer; cause the view to be displayed in a display screen of a user interface device; receive, via a secondary steering device of the user interface device, a user intended direction of travel of the articulated transport system in reverse to direct the final trailer in a desired direction; continuously calculate controllable steering angles for directing the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction; and control the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction using the calculated controllable steering angles.

Method and apparatus in a motor vehicle for reversing multiple trailers

A method for finding an optimum trailer gain, comprising: applying trailer brake pulses to a trailer while a vehicle is coasting using a trailer brake of a trailer, wherein the trailer is coupled to the vehicle; monitoring an average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting; generating a graph of the average deceleration of the vehicle versus the trailer brake gain, wherein the graph includes a curve that illustrates a relationship between the average deceleration of the vehicle and the trailer brake gain of the trailer brake pulses applied to the trailer while the vehicle is coasting; and finding a bend point of the curve in the graph to determine an optimum trailer brake gain.

Vehicle-based algorithm for finding the trailer brake optimum gain

Systems are provided for assisting in towing a trailer by a lead vehicle. A wheeled tow assist unit couples between the lead vehicle and the trailer. A drive unit onboard the tow assist unit drives the wheels in response to a force between the trailer and the tow assist unit. The tow assist unit bears at least a portion of the force required to tow the trailer.

Tow assist system

Methods and apparatus are provided for performing an assisted driving trailer reversing operation including a camera operative to capture an image, an interactive user interface operative to display a graphical user interface and to receive a user input, a processor operative to generate the graphical user interface in response to the user input, the user input being indicative of a trailer destination, to generate a left maneuverability margin and a right maneuverability margin in response to a trailer dimension and a hitch angle, and a projected trailer path in response to the trailer destination, wherein the graphical user interface includes the image and a plurality of graphics overlaid on the image indicative of the left maneuverability margin, the right maneuverability margin, the projected trailer path and the trailer destination, and a vehicle controller operative to perform a trailer reversing operation in response to the control signal.

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Whitby, Canada

Avesta Goodarzi