TRAILER SWAY WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD

[0001] This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/029,911, entitled “TRAILER SWAY WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed on Jul. 28, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference

[0002] The disclosure made herein relates generally to active safety technologies in vehicles, and more particularly to a trailer sway warning system that is configured with a hitch angle sensor.

[0003] It is generally understood that a trailer may sway when the towing vehicle is driving forward. This can occur for several reasons, including the trailer experiencing a lateral force, such as wind, the weight distribution on the trailer or the hitch connection being unbalanced, the trailer tires being in a degraded condition, and the vehicle exceeding a certain speed. These reasons for trailer sway may be exaggerated with certain kinematic factors, such as the length of the trailer being disproportionate with the wheel base of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is desired for the driver to be aware of swaying movement of the trailer, as such swaying movement may cause the trailer to travel outside an intended path and may also cause vehicle instability.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a trailer sway warning system includes a hitch angle sensor for sensing a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The trailer sway warning system also includes a vehicle sensor for sensing a dynamic parameter of the vehicle. Further, the trailer sway warning system includes a controller that generates a warning signal when the dynamic parameter is substantially constant and the hitch angle is oscillating at a magnitude that exceeds a warning threshold.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a trailer sway warning system includes a hitch angle sensor that senses a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The trailer sway warning system also includes a controller that has an oscillation module and a warning module. The oscillation module determines a magnitude of oscillation of the hitch angle about a central angle. The warning module generates a warning signal when the magnitude exceeds a warning threshold and the central angle is substantially constant.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a trailer sway warning includes sensing a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The method also includes sensing a dynamic parameter of the vehicle. Further, the method includes generating a warning signal based on the dynamic parameter being substantially constant and the hitch angle oscillating at a magnitude that exceeds a warning threshold.

[0007] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

[0019] For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the disclosed trailer sway warning system and the related methods may assume various alternative embodiments and orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. While various aspects of the trailer sway warning system and the related methods are described with reference to a particular illustrative embodiment, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and additional modifications, applications, and embodiments may be implemented without departing from the disclosed invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, reference numeral 10 generally designates a trailer sway warning system for a vehicle 12 towing a trailer 14 by monitoring a hitch angle γ between the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14. To monitor the position of the trailer 14 relative to the vehicle 12, the trailer sway warning system 10 may include a sensor system 16 that senses the hitch angle γ between the trailer 14 and the vehicle 12, which may be generally referred to as a hitch angle sensor 18. To avoid unacceptable trailer conditions, such as swaying at a frequency greater than an allowable threshold, the hitch angle γ and related information from the hitch angle sensor 18 may be monitored and processed with a warning routine 20 to provide a hitch angle warning signal to the driver. The trailer sway warning system 10, according to one embodiment, also provides a steering angle sensor 24 that senses a steering angle rate of steered wheels 26 of the vehicle 12. The trailer sway warning system 10 may generate a warning signal when the steering angle rate is substantially zero and the hitch angle γ is not substantially constant, or otherwise oscillating, which is indicative of trailer sway. An additional embodiment of the trailer sway warning system 10 may include a yaw rate sensor 58 for sensing a yaw rate of the vehicle 12, whereby a warning signal may be generated when the yaw rate is substantially constant and the hitch angle γ is oscillating at a magnitude that exceeds a warning threshold. Further, alternative embodiments of the trailer sway warning system 10 may determine a central angle, about which the hitch angle γ is oscillating. In such an embodiment, a warning signal may be generated when the central angle is substantially constant and the magnitude of oscillation is exceeding a warning threshold 28. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a warning signal indicative of trailer sway may be generated based on the hitch angle γ and a dynamic parameter of the vehicle, such as the steering angle or the yaw rate, sensed by a vehicle sensor, such as the steering angle sensor 24 or the yaw rate sensor 58.

[0021] With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 12 is a pickup truck embodiment that is equipped with one embodiment of the trailer sway warning system 10 for monitoring the trailer 14 that is attached to the vehicle 12 for lateral movement, such as oscillating trailer movement or trailer sway. Specifically, the vehicle 12 is pivotally attached to one embodiment of the trailer 14 that has a box frame 30 with an enclosed cargo area 32, a single axle having a right wheel assembly and a left wheel assembly, and a tongue 34 longitudinally extending forward from the enclosed cargo area 32. The illustrated trailer 14 also has a trailer hitch connector in the form of a coupler assembly 36 that is connected to a vehicle hitch connector in the form of a hitch ball 38. The coupler assembly 36 latches onto the hitch ball 38 to provide a pivoting ball joint connection 40 that allows for articulation of the hitch angle γ. It should be appreciated that additional embodiments of the trailer 14 may alternatively couple with the vehicle 12 to provide a pivoting connection, such as by connecting with a fifth wheel connector. It is also contemplated that additional embodiments of the trailer may include more than one axle and may have various shapes and sizes configured for different loads and items, such as a boat trailer or a flatbed trailer.

[0022] Still referring to FIG. 1, the sensor system for sensing the hitch angle γ in the illustrated embodiment includes a vision-based hitch angle sensor 18 that employs an imager 42 (e.g. video imaging camera) on the vehicle. The imager 42 may be located proximate an upper region of the vehicle tailgate 44 at the rear of the vehicle 12, as shown, such that the imager 42 may be elevated relative to the tongue 34 of the trailer 14. The illustrated imager 42 has an imaging field of view 46 located and oriented to capture one or more images of the trailer 14, including an imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) of the hitch connection and/or an imaged scene of one or more desired target placement zones for at least one target 50 to be secured. Although it is contemplated that the imager 42 may capture images of the trailer 14 without a target 50 to determine the hitch angle γ, in the illustrated embodiment, the trailer sway warning system 10 includes a target 50 placed on the tongue of the trailer 14 to allow the trailer sway warning system 10 to utilize information acquired via image acquisition for processing a hitch angle monitoring routine to determine the hitch angle γ. For instance, the illustrated imager 42 may include a video imaging camera that repeatedly captures successive images of the trailer 14 that may be processed to identify the target 50 and its location relative to the vehicle 12 for determining movement of the trailer 14 and the corresponding hitch angle γ, as described in more detail herein. It should also be appreciated that the imager 42 may include one or more video imaging cameras and may be located at other locations on the vehicle 12 to acquire images of the trailer 14 and the desired target placement zone, such as on a passenger cab 52 of the vehicle 12 to capture images of a gooseneck trailer. Furthermore, it is contemplated that additional embodiments of the hitch angle sensor 18 and the sensor system 16 for providing the hitch angle γ may include one or a combination of a potentiometer, a magnetic-based sensor, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a rotational sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, or a mechanical based sensor, such as a mechanical sensor assembly mounted to the pivoting ball joint connection 40, a yaw rate sensor on the trailer 14 and the vehicle 12, energy transducers of a reverse aid system, a blind spot system, and/or a cross traffic alert system, and other conceivable sensors or indicators of the hitch angle γ to supplement or be used in place of the vision-based hitch angle sensor 18.

[0023] With reference to the embodiment of the trailer sway warning system 10 shown in FIG. 2, the hitch angle sensor 18 provides the sensed hitch angle γ to the trailer sway warning system 10. As mentioned, one embodiment of the hitch angle sensor 18 may include an imager 42 for capturing images of the trailer 14 in ascertaining the hitch angle γ. Similarly, the illustrated embodiment of the trailer sway warning system 10 receives vehicle status-related information from additional vehicle sensors 54. This information may include a speed of the vehicle 12 from a speed sensor 56 and a yaw rate of the vehicle 12 from a yaw sensor 58. It is contemplated that in additional embodiments that the vehicle status-related information may also include positioning information from a positioning device, such as a global positioning system (GPS), to determine a coordinate location of the vehicle 12 and/or the trailer 14. Further, it is conceivable that the hitch angle sensor 18 and other vehicle sensors 54 and devices may provide sensor signals or other information, such as proximity sensor signals or successive images of the trailer 14, that a controller of the trailer sway warning system 10 may process with various routines to determine a value or other indication of the hitch angle or range of hitch angles.

[0024] As further shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the trailer sway warning system 10 is in communication with a power steering system 60 of the vehicle 12 to operate the steered wheels 26 (FIG. 1) of the vehicle 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the power steering system 60 is an electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system that includes a steering angle sensor 24 for sensing the steering angle, which may be defined as the angular orientation of the steered wheels 26 of the vehicle 12 away from a longitudinal orientation. The steering angle is provided to a controller 62 of the trailer sway warning system 10 for determining when to generate the warning signal. The power steering system 60 may also include an electric steering motor for autonomously turning the steered wheels 26 to a steering angle based on a steering command. The steering command may be provided by the trailer sway warning system 10 for autonomously steering the vehicle 12 to reduce effects of sensed trailer sway and the steering command may be provided manually via a rotational position (e.g., steering wheel angle) of a steering wheel 64 (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the steering wheel 64 of the vehicle 12 is mechanically coupled with the steered wheels 26 of the vehicle 12, such that the steering wheel 64 moves in concert with steered wheels 26, preventing manual intervention with the steering wheel 64 during autonomous steering. Accordingly, a torque sensor may be provided on the power steering system 60 to senses torque on the steering wheel 64 that is not expected from autonomous control of the steered wheels 26 and therefore indicative of manual intervention.

[0025] Still referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a vehicle brake control system 66 may also communicate with the controller 62 to receive braking commands for reducing the speed of the vehicle and to provide the trailer sway warning system 10 with braking information, such as wheel speed. For instance, vehicle speed information can be determined from individual wheel speeds as monitored by the brake control system 66. Vehicle speed may also be determined from a powertrain control system 68, the speed sensor 56, and a positioning device, among other conceivable means. In some embodiments, individual wheel speeds can also be used to determine a yaw rate of the vehicle, which can be provided to the trailer sway warning system 10 in the alternative or in addition to the yaw sensor 58, for use in determining when to generate a warning signal indicative of trailer sway or corrective steering commands. The powertrain control system 68, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, may also interact with the trailer sway warning system 10 for regulating speed and acceleration of the vehicle 12. As mentioned above, regulation of the speed of the vehicle 12 may be necessary to limit the potential for or severity of trailer sway.

[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the trailer sway warning system 10 in the illustrated embodiment may communicate with one or more devices including vehicle warning devices 70 that may be used to alert the driver of the vehicle in a variety of forms. For instance, the vehicle warning devices 70 may utilize the generated warning signal to prompt visual, auditory, and tactile warnings. As such, the vehicle warning devices 70 may include lights 72, such as exterior brake lights and vehicle emergency flashers, as well as interior dash lights and mirror lights. Also, with respect to auditory warnings, the vehicle warning devices 70 may include a speaker 74 on the interior or exterior of the vehicle. With respect to a tactile or haptic warning, the vehicle warning devices 70 may include a variety of equipment, such as the steering wheel, a driver's seat, and/or other vehicle devices. Additionally, the trailer sway warning system 10 may communicate warnings and other information with a human machine interface (HMI) 76 for the vehicle 12 including a vehicle display 78, such as a center stack mounted navigation and/or entertainment display (FIG. 1). Further, the trailer sway warning system 10 may communicate via wireless communication with another embodiment of the HMI 76, such as with one or more handheld or portable devices, including one or more smartphones. The portable device may also include the display 78 for displaying one or more images and other visual warnings to a user. For instance, the portable device may display one or more images of the trailer 14 and the present hitch angle articulation on the display. In addition, the portable device may provide feedback information, such as audible and tactile warnings.

[0027] Still referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the controller 62 is configured with a microprocessor 80 to process logic and routines stored in memory 82 that receive information from the hitch angle sensor 18, the power steering system 60, the vehicle brake control system 66, the powertrain control system 68, and other vehicle sensors 54 and devices. As recited above, the controller may process the hitch angle and related information from the hitch angle sensor 18 or other input to generate a warning signal with enough time for the driver to respond to an unacceptable trailer condition, such as trailer sway. It is disclosed herein that the trailer sway warning system 10 can issue a warning signal corresponding to a notification of an actual, impending, and/or anticipated trailer sway. The controller 62 may additionally or alternatively generate vehicle braking and/or steering commands for correcting or reducing the trailer sway. The controller 62 may include the microprocessor 80 and/or other analog and/or digital circuitry for processing one or more routines. Also, the controller 62 may include the memory 82 for storing one or more routines, including a hitch angle monitoring routine 84 and the warning routine 20. It should be appreciated that the controller 62 may be a stand-alone dedicated controller or may be a shared controller integrated with other control functions, such as integrated with the sensor system 16, the power steering system 60, and other conceivable onboard or off-board vehicle control systems.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 3, we now turn to a discussion of vehicle and trailer information and parameters used to calculate a kinematic relationship between the trailer 14 and the steering angle of the vehicle 12 towing the trailer 14, which can be desirable for a trailer sway warning system 10 configured in accordance with some embodiments, including for use in generating corrective steering commands. To achieve such a kinematic relationship, certain assumptions may be made with regard to parameters associated with the vehicle/trailer system. Examples of such assumptions include, but are not limited to, the wheels of the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14 having negligible (e.g., no) slip, tires of the vehicle 12 having negligible (e.g., no) lateral compliance, tires of the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14 having negligible (e.g., no) deformation, actuator dynamics of the vehicle 12 being negligible, and the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14 exhibiting negligible (e.g., no) roll or pitch motions, among other conceivable factors with the potential to have an effect on controlling the trailer 14 with the vehicle 12.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, for a system defined by a vehicle 12 and a trailer 14, the kinematic relationship is based on various parameters associated with the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14. These parameters include:

[0030] δ: steering angle at steered front wheels of the vehicle 12;

[0031] α: yaw angle of the vehicle 12;

[0032] β: yaw angle of the trailer 14;

[0033] γ: hitch angle (γ=β−α);

[0034] W: wheel base of the vehicle 12;

[0035] L: length between hitch point and rear axle of the vehicle 12;

[0036] D: distance between hitch point and axle of the trailer 14 or effective axle for a multiple axle trailer 14 (axle length may be an equivalent); and

[0037] r₂: curvature radius for the trailer 14.

[0038] One embodiment of a kinematic relationship between trailer path radius of curvature r₂ at the midpoint of an axle of the trailer 14, steering angle δ of the steered wheels 26 of the vehicle 12, and the hitch angle γ can be expressed in the equation provided below. As such, if the hitch angle γ is provided, the trailer path curvature κ₂ is can be controlled based on regulating the steering angle δ (where {dot over (β)} is trailer yaw rate and {dot over (η)} is trailer velocity).

${\kappa }_2=\frac{1}{r_2}=\frac{\stackrel{.}{\beta }}{\stackrel{.}{\eta }}=\frac{\left(W+\frac{{\mathrm{KV}}^2}{g}\right)\sin \gamma +L\cos \gamma \tan \delta }{D\left(\left(W+\frac{{\mathrm{KV}}^2}{g}\right)\cos \gamma -L\sin \mathrm{\gamma tan\delta }\right)}$

[0039] This relationship can be expressed to provide the steering angle δ as a function of trailer path curvature κ₂ and hitch angle γ.

$\delta ={\tan }^{-1}\left(\frac{\left(W+\frac{{\mathrm{KV}}^2}{g}\right)\left[{\kappa }_2D\cos \gamma -\sin \gamma \right]}{\mathrm{DL}{\kappa }_2\sin \gamma +L\cos \gamma }\right)=F\left(\gamma ,{\kappa }_2,K\right)$

[0040] Accordingly, for a particular vehicle and trailer combination, certain parameters (e.g., D, W and L) of the kinematic relationship are constant and assumed known. V is the vehicle longitudinal speed and g is the acceleration due to gravity. K is a speed dependent parameter which when set to zero makes the calculation of steering angle independent of vehicle speed. For example, vehicle-specific parameters of the kinematic relationship can be predefined in an electronic control system of the vehicle 12 and trailer-specific parameters of the kinematic relationship can be inputted by a driver of the vehicle 12, determined from sensed trailer behavior in response to vehicle steering commands, or otherwise determined from signals provided by the trailer 14. Through the use of the equation for providing steering angle, a corresponding steering command can be generated by the curvature routine 98 for controlling the power steering system 60 of the vehicle 12.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, the hitch angle monitoring routine 84 is illustrated according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, at step 86, the hitch angle monitoring routine is initiated by the ignition switch of the vehicle 12 being on and the transmission moving out of the park position, although various alternative vehicle conditions may initiate the routine. Upon initiating the hitch angle monitoring routine 84, at step 88, dimensions of the trailer 14 and the location of the target 50 on the trailer 14 is provided to the controller 62. It is contemplated that the dimensions of the trailer 14 may be autonomously determined with sensor readings or may not be necessary in some embodiments of the trailer sway warning system 10. Similarly, the target location may be automatically determined with image processing. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the location of the target 50 on the trailer 14 is provided with measurements that are input into the system, such as via the HMI. Accordingly, at step 90, the user may be prompted to provide the trailer dimensions and/or the target placement measurements.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, once the target is placed and the hitch angle sensor 18 is operable, at step 92, an image of the target may be captured with the imager of the hitch angle sensor 18 at step 94. It is contemplated that the captured image may be a continuously streaming video image or a still image. Once the target is identified, at step 96 the imager may ascertain the position of the target 50 relative to the vehicle to then, at step 98, determine the hitch angle based on the target position, trailer dimensions, and any relevant target placement measurements. The movement of the determined hitch angle may also be calculated and output as a hitch angle rate at step 100 alone or in combination with the present hitch angle. This output may then used at step 102 to operate the warning routine 20 of the trailer sway warning system 10, as shown in the controller 62 depicted in FIG. 2 and in the flow chart depicted in FIG. 5, according to one embodiment.

[0043] With reference to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the warning routine 20 is shown at step 104 by first sensing the steering angle of the vehicle, such as with the steering angle sensor 24. If the steering angle is determined at step 106 to be constant or substantially constant, the routine moves on to sense the hitch angle at step 108. However, if the steering angle is not constant or substantially constant, at step 114 any trailer sway warning signal being generated is deactivated and the routine resumes monitoring the steering angle at steps 104 and 106. Once the hitch angle is sensed at step 108, such as via the hitch angle monitoring routine 84, the hitch angle is monitored at step 110 to determine if it is constant or substantially constant. If the hitch angle is not constant or not substantially constant, a warning signal may be generated at step 112. It is also conceivable that the steering angle and the hitch angle may be monitored in reverse or in parallel to similarly determine when to generate a warning signal.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 6, three different embodiments of an oscillating hitch angle signal 116, 118, 120 are shown overlaid on a graph with a warning threshold shown at lines 28 and a second threshold shown at lines 122 for determining when the oscillation is reduced enough to deactivate a warning signal. As described in greater detail herein, this embodiment of the warning threshold and second threshold is shown to simply consider generating the warning signal based on the magnitude of the hitch angle signal oscillation (i.e. peaks and valleys), although other embodiments may consider the frequency of the hitch angle signal in combination with or alternative to the magnitude. And further, additional embodiments may also tune the warning signal to generate based on the severity of exceeding the warning threshold, such as when the magnitude of the signal exceeds the warning threshold a select number of times or for a select duration.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 7, an additional embodiment of the warning routine 20 is shown that similarly generates the warning signal based on the sensed hitch angle and the sensed steering angle, although the steering angle rate is referenced at steps 124 and 126 to determine whether the steering angle rate is less than or equal to a constant steering rate threshold, which may be greater than zero. After it is determined that the steering angle rate is substantially constant, at steps 128 and 130 the hitch angle is referenced to determine whether it is considered to be in oscillation. It is contemplated that the oscillation denervation may consider the frequency of the hitch angle, the magnitude of the hitch angle, and whether the hitch angle signal is increasing and decreasing about a predicted hitch angle based on the steering angle of the vehicle and the vehicle and trailer kinematics. For instance, if the steering angle is substantially zero, it would be predicted that the corresponding hitch angle would be substantially zero, and therefore oscillation of the hitch angle above and below zero for a select threshold of time or select frequency could result in a determination that the hitch angle is oscillating.

[0046] If the determination is made that the hitch angle is oscillating, at step 132 the magnitude (or amplitude) and frequency of the oscillation is measured, if not already measured in determining the presence of oscillation. At step 134 the magnitude and the frequency of the oscillation are compared with a warning threshold to determine if the oscillation is great enough to warrant a warning signal to the driver. More specifically, the warning threshold for the magnitude (or amplitude) for the oscillation may be represented as line 28 in FIG. 6 or by the hitch angle signal exceeds the warning threshold for two periods over one cycle (a sine wave or wavelength) of oscillation. Similarly the warning threshold may have a frequency component, whereby the measured frequency of the oscillation may be compared with the frequency component of the warning threshold to determine if the frequency is great enough to warrant generating a warning signal. It is conceivable that step 134 may require the magnitude and the frequency to be greater than the warning threshold or may focus exclusively on either one of the magnitude or the frequency. Once the determination is made that the magnitude or the frequency are greater than the warning threshold, at step 136 the warning signal is generated to notify the driver that trailer sway is present.

[0047] With continued reference to the embodiment of the trailer sway warning routine 20 shown in FIG. 7, a hysteresis is provided to the warning signal when it is generated to prevent flickering of the warning signal when the sensed hitch angle is oscillating at a magnitude or frequency approximately equal to the warning threshold. At step 138, the hysteresis is applied by waiting to deactivate the warning signal at step 140 until the measured magnitude and the measured frequency are less than a second threshold that is less than the warning threshold. For instance, one embodiment of the second threshold 122 with respect to magnitude of the oscillation is show in FIG. 6, which illustrates that the second warning team is greater than the second threshold but less than the warning threshold, such that if the warning signal is present it would remain activated until the magnitude dropped below the second threshold, such as the third hitch angle signal 120. Accordingly, when the measured oscillation of the sensed hitch angle has a magnitude and a frequency less than the second threshold, at step 140, the warning signal is deactivated.

[0048] When the warning signal is generated, several things may be done separately or in combination to alert the driver and to correct the trailer sway condition. Specifically, any or a combination of the vehicle warning devices 70 may provide a visual, audible, and/or tactile warning to the driver as a manifestation of the warning signal. For instance, the warning signal may advise the driver to produce the speed of the vehicle using any of the warning devices 70 or vehicle HMI 76. Further, the warning signal may advise the driver to follow instructions followed by the vehicle HMI 76 or other vehicle warning devices 70 to correct the trailer sway when the vehicle is stopped, such as by redistributing the weight of the load within the trailer. Also, it is contemplated that the warning signal may advise the driver to check the tire condition of the vehicle and the trailer and/or advise the driver at what speed should not be exceeded to avoid trailer sway based on the kinematic relationship, previously sensed hitch angle oscillation, sensed trailer loading on the vehicle hitch ball, weather conditions, or other factors that may contribute to trailer sway conditions.

[0049] To provide a visual indication of the hitch angle γ, FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of an imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) of a trailer hitch connection between the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14. This imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) may be generated as a result of the controller 62 processing one embodiment of the warning routine 20 (FIG. 2). More specifically, an overlay 142 may be super imposed on the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) and configured as an inverted triangle defined by a first boundary line 144, a second boundary line 146, and a third boundary line 148. As shown, the first and second boundary lines 144, 146 meet at a point 150 coinciding with the trailer hitch connection 40 and extending upward and outwardly therefrom in opposite directions before being joined to an end of the third boundary line 148, which extends horizontally across the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9). With respect to the illustrated embodiment, the overlay 142 may be separated into a plurality of triangular regions that may include a central region 152, outer regions 154 and 155, and outermost regions 156 and 157. The position and dimensions of the overlay 142 may be determined by the controller 62 based on vehicle related information, camera related information, and/or trailer related information. While the overlay 142 and the accompanied regions 152-157 have been shown and described herein as being triangular, it should be appreciated that other shapes may be used for accomplishing the same.

[0050] According to one embodiment, each region 152-157 of the overlay 142 may encompass one or more hitch angle positions, each corresponding to an angular position of a centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 relative to a fixed centerline longitudinal axis 160 of the vehicle 12. Generally, the centerline longitudinal axis 160 of the vehicle 12 coincides with the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 when the vehicle 12 is aligned with the trailer 14. For instance, the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) shown in FIG. 8 may be captured while the vehicle 12 and trailer 14 are being driven forward and turning left along a curved path in a counterclockwise direction (i.e. the vehicle 12 is steered to the left), which is manifested in the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) as a corresponding angular displacement of the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 about point 15. Conversely, the vehicle 12 and trailer 14 may be driven forward and turned right along a curved path in a clockwise direction (i.e. the vehicle 12 is steered to the right), which is manifested as a corresponding angular displacement of the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 about point 150, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 9. In either case, a hitch angle γ describes the angular displacement of the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 relative to the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the vehicle 12.

[0051] With respect to the illustrated embodiment, the central region 152 is symmetric about the centerline longitudinal axis 160 of the vehicle 12 and encompasses hitch angle positions having relatively small hitch angles γ in both the positive and negative directions. Outer regions 154 and 155 share mirror symmetry about the centerline longitudinal axis 160 of the vehicle 12 and encompass hitch angle positions having greater hitch angles in the positive and negative directions than those of the central region 152. Lastly, outermost regions 156 and 157 also share mirror symmetry about the centerline longitudinal axis 160 of the vehicle 12 and encompass hitch angle positions having the greatest hitch angles in both the positive and negative directions.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the outermost regions 156, 157 of the overlay 142 are each indicative of a suggested hitch angle position limit. The hitch angle position limit is not limited to any particular hitch angle value or set of values. In one implementation, the hitch angle position limit may correspond to an operational limit of a vehicle system such as, but not limited to, the trailer sway warning system 10. For instance, the hitch angle position limit may encompass a maximum hitch angle γ at which the target 50 disposed on the trailer 14 can be accurately detected by the imager 42. In another instance, the hitch angle position may encompass a maximum hitch angle γ before a potential jackknife condition is encountered. In any event, to provide greater visual impact, the overlay 142 may be generated as a color scale and each region 152-157 of the overlay 142 may be visually distinguished via a color associated therewith. According to one embodiment, the central region 152 may be distinguished using a green color, whereas outer regions 154, 155 may be distinguished using a yellow color and outermost regions 156 and 157 may be distinguished using a red color. However, it should be appreciated that the overlay 142 may be represented using only the outermost regions 156, 157.

[0053] To enable a driver of the vehicle 12 to monitor the hitch angle between the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14, a hitch angle position indicator 162 may be generated that visually relates the current hitch angle position to the hitch angle position limit. For purposes of illustration, the hitch angle position indicator 162 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 as a trailer tongue but may include other visible imaged objects. When selecting the hitch angle position indicator 162, it may be advantageous to use imaged objects that both coincide with the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 and move within the overlay 142 in a consistent manner therewith. Further, if using an overlay 142 generated as a color scale, the color scale should not be so bright as to prevent a driver from seeing the trailer tongue or other imaged object serving as the hitch angle position indicator 162.

[0054] With respect to the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the hitch angle position indicator 162 coincides with the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14. In this configuration, the hitch angle position indicator 162 is equidistant from each of the outermost regions 154, 156 when the centerline longitudinal axis 158 of the trailer 14 coincides with the centerline longitudinal axis of the vehicle 12 and is angularly displaced either towards outermost region 154 or outermost region 156 when the hitch angle γ increases in either a negative direction or a positive direction, respectively. Thus, by tracking the position of the hitch angle position indicator 162 within the overlay 142, a driver of the vehicle 12 can quickly ascertain the current hitch angle position in relation to the hitch angle position limit and whether the hitch angle may be oscillatory and experiencing trailer sway.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, the hitch angle position indicator 162 may be represented as a virtual object. According to one embodiment employing a color cast, the processor 80 may vary the brightness of the overlay 142 based on the current hitch angle position or the magnitude of frequency of oscillation. For example, the current hitch angle position is shown in FIG. 8 as contained within the central region 152 of the overlay 142. In that instance, the central region 152 or portion thereof (e.g. the right half) may be made to glow brighter in color than the other regions 154-157. Alternatively, the brightness of the central region 152 or portion thereof may remain the same while the brightness of the other regions 154-157 is reduced or eliminated altogether. In either embodiment, the processor 80 can determine in which region 152-157 the current hitch angle position is located based on hitch angle measurements supplied thereto from the hitch angle sensor 18, which may indicate both the hitch angle γ and heading relative to the centerline longitudinal axis 160 of the vehicle 12. By using hitch angle measurements to determine the current hitch angle position, the overlay 142 may be superimposed elsewhere on the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9).

[0056] As previously mentioned, the warning signal generated by the warning routine 20 may be provided to the driver in various forms, such as with the vehicle warning devices 70 and/or the vehicle HMI 76. In the event that a warning signal is generated to alert the driver of the vehicle 12 in a variety of forms, the warning signal may prompt a visual warning that includes flashing the outermost regions 154, 156 of the overlay 142. Additionally or alternatively, the warning signal may be sent to a vehicle audio system to prompt an auditory warning to the driver of the vehicle 12. Additionally or alternatively still, the warning signal may prompt a haptic warning, achievable in a variety of equipment such as, but not limited to, a driver seat and/or a smartphone or other device.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, a flow diagram for a method of executing the visual warning signal is shown, according to one embodiment. The method may be embodied as a routine stored in the memory 82 of the controller 62 and executed by the processor 80. The routine may start in step 164 when a vehicle 12 is placed out of park or into drive for automatic transmitters. In step 166, the imager 42 images a rear vehicle scene. In step 168, the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) is displayed on a display 78 of the trailer sway warning system 10. In step 170, the routine superimposes an overlay 142 on the imaged scene 48 (FIGS. 8-9) that indicates a hitch angle position limit between the vehicle 12 and the trailer 14. In step 172, a hitch angle position indicator 162 is displayed on the display 78 and identifies a current hitch angle position in relation to the hitch angle limit position. In step 174, the routine generates a warning signal when the current hitch angle position reaches or exceeds the warning threshold. Once the vehicle 12 is placed in park or the ignition is turned OFF, the routine may end in step 176.

[0058] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

[0059] For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

[0060] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0061] It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0062] It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.