The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 19, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 24, 2009
Williamson SY, Tokyo, JP;
Doug Johnston, Plymouth, MI (US);
Pascal Martin, Commerce Township, MI (US);
Damian Nowicki, Grayling, MI (US);
Williamson Sy, Tokyo, JP;
Doug Johnston, Plymouth, MI (US);
Pascal Martin, Commerce Township, MI (US);
Damian Nowicki, Grayling, MI (US);
Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, DE;
Abstract
A system and method for determining characteristics of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The trailer is coupled to the vehicle using a trailer hitch using at least one intelligent bolt or fastener. The intelligent fastener has structural characteristics similar to those of traditional bolts for fastening a trailer to a vehicle (e.g., shear strength, diameter, etc.), but the intelligent fastener is configured to sense forces at a junction between the trailer and the vehicle. An ESC system receives force readings from the intelligent fastener sensors along with signals from a plurality of other sensors and determines one or more characteristics of the trailer. The ESC system compensates the motion of the vehicle based on the forces sensed at the junction and the characteristics of the trailer.