US 12,005,886 B2
Methods and apparatus to control stability of a vehicle and trailer
Keith Weston, Canton, MI (US); Matthew Johnson, Toledo, OH (US); Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Sterling Heights, MI (US); and Brendan Diamond, Grosse Pointe, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/727,450.
Prior Publication US 2023/0339455 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B60W 30/02 (2012.01); B60G 17/016 (2006.01); B60W 40/114 (2012.01)
CPC B60W 30/02 (2013.01) [B60G 17/016 (2013.01); B60W 40/114 (2013.01); B60G 2300/044 (2013.01); B60G 2400/0513 (2013.01); B60G 2500/20 (2013.01); B60W 2510/207 (2013.01); B60W 2520/14 (2013.01); B60W 2530/207 (2020.02); B60W 2710/22 (2013.01); B60W 2720/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus to control stability of a vehicle and trailer, the apparatus comprising:
stability monitoring circuitry to:
determine, based on first sensor data obtained from one or more sensors of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, a starting pitch of the vehicle; and
determine, based on second sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors when the vehicle is moving, whether a vehicle stability condition associated with the vehicle is satisfied; and
stability control circuitry to;
when the vehicle stability condition is not satisfied, adjust a load distribution on front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle by adjusting a vehicle pitch; and
when the vehicle stability condition is satisfied, return the vehicle pitch to the starting pitch.