A method for minimizing disturbance due to wind forces of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The method also includes receiving, at a data processing hardware data from a sensor system for the tow vehicle. The method also includes determining, at the data processing hardware, a passing object profile. The method also includes predicting, at the data processing hardware, a wind force profile based upon the sensor data the passing object profile. The method also includes determining, at the data processing hardware, at least one preventative action for the vehicle to minimize the effect of disturbance on the trailer.

A sway block assembly includes a sway block having a wear surface and a flange. The flange includes a first slot configured to receive a first fastener to secure the sway block to a member of a three-point hitch system. The wear surface is configured to contact a wear block of the three-point hitch system. The wear surface is not formed on the flange.

The present invention relates to entering data into a trailer backup guidance system. In particular, the present invention relates to storing data in the components of a trailer backup guidance system corresponding to a plurality of trailer and vehicle combinations to better facilitate sharing those components across a plurality of trailers and vehicles.

The present invention relates to entering data into a trailer backup guidance system. In particular, the present invention relates to storing data in the components of a trailer backup guidance system corresponding to a plurality of trailer and vehicle combinations to better facilitate sharing those components across a plurality of trailers and vehicles.

A trailer flank object contact avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a sensor system configured to detect objects in an operating environment of the vehicle and a controller. The controller processes information received from the sensor system to monitor a relative position of at least one object with respect to the vehicle during driving and determines an instantaneous path of the trailer based on a vehicle steering angle and whether the instantaneous path of the trailer would bring the trailer into contact with the at least one object. The controller issues a coaching notification to the driver that reverse driving is required to prevent contact between the trailer and the vehicle when a corrective steering angle cannot prevent contact of the trailer with the at least one object during forward driving.

A system for probing properties of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle in a heavy-duty vehicle combination. The system comprises at least one torque generating component for inducing movements of the trailer relative to a yaw axis of the trailer; a control unit configured to, during driving of the vehicle combination, activate the torque generating component and apply a pre-determined control action to the torque generating component so as to excite oscillations of the trailer; and at least one detection unit configured to detect the resulting oscillations of the trailer, wherein the control unit is configured to, based on the detected resulting oscillations, determine one or more properties of the trailer. The invention also relates to a probing method.

A vehicle includes one or more laser scanners and an on-board vehicle computer system communicatively coupled to the laser scanners. The computer system uses information (e.g., coordinate points) obtained from the laser scanners to calculate a trailer angle (e.g., a cab-trailer angle) for the vehicle. The computer system may include a shape detection module that detects a trailer based on the information obtained from the laser scanners and an angle detection module that calculates an angle of the detected trailer relative to a laser scanner, calculates the orientation of the detected trailer based on that angle and dimensions (e.g., width and length) of the trailer, and calculates a cab-trailer angle based on the orientation of the trailer. The computer system may include an autonomous operation module configured to use the cab-trailer angle in an autonomous or computer-guided vehicle maneuver, such as a parking maneuver or backing maneuver.

A vehicle includes one or more laser scanners and an on-board vehicle computer system communicatively coupled to the laser scanners. The computer system uses information (e.g., coordinate points) obtained from the laser scanners to calculate a trailer angle (e.g., a cab-trailer angle) for the vehicle. The computer system may include a shape detection module that detects a trailer based on the information obtained from the laser scanners and an angle detection module that calculates an angle of the detected trailer relative to a laser scanner, calculates the orientation of the detected trailer based on that angle and dimensions (e.g., width and length) of the trailer, and calculates a cab-trailer angle based on the orientation of the trailer. The computer system may include an autonomous operation module configured to use the cab-trailer angle in an autonomous or computer-guided vehicle maneuver, such as a parking maneuver or backing maneuver.

The present disclosure relates to a trailer alignment device intended to facilitate the backing up of an automobile to align a hitch of the automobile with a towable trailer. The alignment device further provides for trailer stabilization by providing for a second point of attachment for the trailer to the automobile.

The present disclosure relates to a trailer alignment device intended to facilitate the backing up of an automobile to align a hitch of the automobile with a towable trailer. The alignment device further provides for trailer stabilization by providing for a second point of attachment for the trailer to the automobile.