A method for determining trailer angle includes determining angles of a trailer hitch relative to a data recording device via an angle measuring device while the trailer hitch pivots about a hitch ball of the device. While the trailer hitch pivots about the hitch ball of the device, trailer hitch information is determined responsive to processing of captured image data and responsive to determined angles of the trailer hitch. After determining trailer hitch information, data representative of the determined information is provided to an electronic device, which is disposed at a vehicle having a rear backup camera that has a field of view that encompasses a hitch ball of the vehicle and at least a portion of a hitch of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. Using the provided data, and responsive to processing of captured image data, an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle is determined.

A system according to the present disclosure includes an estimated hitch angle module, a measured hitch angle module, a corrected hitch angle module, and at least one of a driver assist module and an actuator control module. The estimated hitch angle module estimates a hitch angle, which is an angle between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and a longitudinal axis of a trailer that is attached to the vehicle. The measured hitch angle module determines a measured hitch angle based on an input from a sensor. The corrected hitch angle module determines a corrected hitch angle based on the estimated and measured hitch angles. The driver assist module controls a user interface device to assist a driver of the vehicle based on the corrected hitch angle. The actuator control module controls an actuator of at least one of the vehicle and the trailer based on the corrected hitch angle.

A steering system includes a fixing part connected to a frame, a wheel part into which a part of the fixing part is inserted to perform a relative motion and on which a wheel is provided, and a sensor provided between the wheel part and the fixing part and measuring an error angle of the wheel part with respect to a preset initial position of the wheel part.

Methods and systems for an axle are described. The axle may be a steering axle that is coupled to wheels that may move to change a steering angle of a vehicle. In one example, the axle includes two bearings that are arranged similarly so as to reduce a height of an axle. The two bearings may be tapered wheel bearings so that vertical and lateral wheel loads may be supported via an actual total of two bearings per wheel.

Techniques are described for measuring angle and/or orientation of a rear drivable section (e.g., a trailer unit of a semi-trailer truck) relative to a front drivable section (e.g., a tractor unit of the semi-trailer truck) using an example rotary encoder assembly. The example rotary encoder assembly comprises a base surface; a housing that includes a second end that is connected to the base surface and a first end that is at least partially open and is coupled to a housing cap; and a rotary encoder that is located in the housing in between the base surface and the housing cap, where the rotary encoder includes a rotatable shaft that protrudes from a first hole located in the housing cap, and where a top of the rotatable shaft located away from the rotary encoder is coupled to magnet(s).

A trailer angle identification system includes an imaging device configured to capture an image. A controller is configured to receive steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of a vehicle, receive vehicle speed data corresponding to a vehicle speed, and estimate an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle by processing the image, the steering angle data, and the vehicle speed data in at least one neural network.

A backup assist system for a vehicle and trailer combination includes a vehicle steering system, a camera generating images of the trailer, and a controller. The controller processes sequential images the trailer, selects a baseline image, and determines a collision angle based on a location of a feature of the trailer in the baseline image. The controller further controls the steering system to maintain a hitch angle below a lesser of a maximum controllable angle and the collision angle.

A system according to the present disclosure includes an estimated hitch angle module, a measured hitch angle module, a corrected hitch angle module, and at least one of a driver assist module and an actuator control module. The estimated hitch angle module estimates a hitch angle, which is an angle between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and a longitudinal axis of a trailer that is attached to the vehicle. The measured hitch angle module determines a measured hitch angle based on an input from a sensor. The corrected hitch angle module determines a corrected hitch angle based on the estimated and measured hitch angles. The driver assist module controls a user interface device to assist a driver of the vehicle based on the corrected hitch angle. The actuator control module controls an actuator of at least one of the vehicle and the trailer based on the corrected hitch angle.

A steering system includes an arm, a knuckle, a joint, and a steering sensor. The arm defines a first passage. The knuckle has a knuckle arm defining a second passage. The joint has a ball portion and a shaft portion extending. The ball portion is disposed within the first passage and the shaft portion is disposed within the second passage. The ball portion defines a conical recess that has an opening at an upper end of the ball portion and terminates inside the ball portion with a pocket. The steering sensor has a driveshaft extending along a longitudinal axis into the conical recess. The driveshaft includes a head that engages with the pocket. The ball portion is configured to pivot within the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis and the head. The joint and the driveshaft are configured to rotate together about the longitudinal axis as the knuckle is turned.

Techniques are described for measuring angle and/or orientation of a rear drivable section (e.g., a trailer unit of a semi-trailer truck) relative to a front drivable section (e.g., a tractor unit of the semi-trailer truck) using an example rotary encoder assembly. The example rotary encoder assembly comprises a base surface; a housing that includes a second end that is connected to the base surface and a first end that is at least partially open and is coupled to a housing cap; and a rotary encoder that is located in the housing in between the base surface and the housing cap, where the rotary encoder includes a rotatable shaft that protrudes from a first hole located in the housing cap, and where a top of the rotatable shaft located away from the rotary encoder is coupled to magnet(s).