Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Todd J Brinkman

Avesta Goodarzi

David B Antanaitis

Steven G Reini

Douglas J Spry

Stacey M Marmara

Eric Edward Krueger

Curtis L Hay

Edward T Heil

Ralph D Schlottke

Scott Alan Stacey

Steven Kent Raypole

Vincent Guy Pichon

Michael Nguyen

Harold B Thibodeau

Priya B Abraham

Brandon E Pieniozek

Benjamin J Eles

Gursimran Chauhan

Mike W Hilton

John W Pennala

Frank R Bruneel, Ii

Matthew Giuffre

Andrew F Hall

Jason A McClelland

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 deceleration of a vehicle towing a trailer. In an embodiment, a method includes: generating, by a processor, trailer brake command data to pulsate brakes of the trailer; in response to the generating the trailer brake command data, storing, in a data storage device of the vehicle, a first set of deceleration data; generating, by the processor, vehicle brake command data to pulsate brakes of the vehicle; in response to the generating the vehicle brake command data, storing, in the data storage device, a second set of deceleration data; determining, by the processor, a maximum vehicle brake torque threshold where a maximum trailer brake output occurs based on the first set of deceleration data and the second set of deceleration data; and controlling, by the processor, the brakes of the trailer based on the maximum vehicle brake torque threshold.

Methods and systems for adaptive trailer brake control

Methods and systems determine resistance related constants for use by a vehicle towing a trailer. A system for controlling functions of the vehicle and the trailer includes sensors that provide sensor data. A processor performs a readiness check, based on the sensor data, by determining whether the sensor data exceeds predetermined thresholds. When the readiness check is passed, meaning the thresholds are not exceeded, and based on the sensor data, the processor computes values for constants that represent aerodynamic resistance and rolling resistance of the vehicle and the trailer. Based on the constants, the processor controls functions of the vehicle.

Systems and methods for determining vehicle and trailer resistance related characteristics

A braking current management system for use in a towed trailer. The braking current management system comprises a battery health module configured to determine an amount of available battery current associated with the towed trailer and to generate therefrom an available current signal. The system further includes a trailer brake control module configured to receive the available current signal and, in response to the available current signal, to control an amount of current applied to a trailer brake associated with the towed trailer.

Apparatus and method for current draw management in a trailer brake system

A method for enabling a V2V communications link between a trailer and a first tow vehicle including receiving a towing system activation control signal, transmitting a tow vehicle request, receiving a first tow vehicle response including a first tow vehicle location and a first tow vehicle identifier, determining a first distance between the first tow vehicle and the trailer, and enabling the V2V communications link in response to the first distance being less than a threshold distance.

Wireless trailer connection

An anti-lock braking system for a triple axle trailer having three axles and six wheels is disclosed. The system includes a first wheel speed sensor coupled to the first wheel of the trailer, a second wheel speed sensor coupled to the third wheel of the trailer, a spring mount pivotably coupled to the body of the trailer, a first suspension member coupled to the first wheel and to the spring mount and a second suspension member coupled to the second wheel and to the spring mount. The system includes a hydraulic braking actuator having a first channel coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel and a second channel coupled to the third wheel. The spring mount pivots in response to an applied brake torque to increase a normal force applied to the second wheel as compared to a normal force applied to the first wheel.

Systems for anti-lock braking for a tow vehicle

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an autonomous system is provided that includes: a tow vehicle, a trailer, and a control system. The tow vehicle has a vehicle battery. The trailer is coupled to the tow vehicle, and has a trailer battery. The control system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate measuring a state of charge of the trailer battery. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate selectively providing current from the tow vehicle to the trailer based on the state of charge of the trailer battery.

Trailer to vehicle integral current draw management

The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for application of a park hold assist system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to receive an activation signal and to determine that the vehicle is in a park hold assist condition, such as inclined road surface, attached trailer or wheel rotation while transmission is in the park position. The system is operative to apply the hydraulic brakes in response to this condition thereby engaging a brake mechanism on all wheels.

Method and apparatus for parking brake hold assist in a motor vehicle

A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Todd J Brinkman