Abstract: A trailer-detection system includes a radar-sensor, an angle-detector, and a controller. The radar-sensor is used to detect an other-vehicle present in a blind-zone proximate to the host-vehicle. The angle-detector is used to determine a trailer-angle relative to a host-vehicle of a trailer being towed by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the angle-detector and the radar-sensor. The controller is configured to determine a trailer-presence of the trailer based on the radar-signal and the trailer-angle.

Abstract: A warning system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, a location-detector, a transceiver, and a controller. The object-detector is used to determine a separation-distance to a target-vehicle from a host-vehicle. The location-detector is used to provide global-positioning-system-coordinates (GPS-coordinates) of the target-vehicle. The transceiver is used to transmit a proximity-warning to the target-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector, the location-detector, and the transceiver. The controller is configured to operate the transceiver to transmit the proximity-warning when the separation-distance between the host-vehicle and the target-vehicle is less than a distance-threshold. The proximity-warning includes the GPS-coordinates of the target-vehicle and the separation-distance.

Abstract: A warning system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, a location-detector, a transceiver, and a controller. The object-detector is used to determine a separation-distance to a target-vehicle from a host-vehicle. The location-detector is used to provide global-positioning-system-coordinates (GPS-coordinates) of the target-vehicle. The transceiver is used to transmit a proximity-warning to the target-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector, the location-detector, and the transceiver. The controller is configured to operate the transceiver to transmit the proximity-warning when the separation-distance between the host-vehicle and the target-vehicle is less than a distance-threshold. The proximity-warning includes the GPS-coordinates of the target-vehicle and the separation-distance.

Abstract: A steering-control system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect an other-vehicle approaching the host-vehicle, and to detect a stationary-object that defines a roadway traveled by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and adapted to operate the host-vehicle. The controller is configured to steer the host-vehicle towards a centered-position of a travel-lane of the roadway when a projected-path of the other-vehicle approaches the host-vehicle to a minimum-distance between the other-vehicle and the host-vehicle greater than a distance-threshold. The controller is also configured to steer the host-vehicle towards a biased-position of the travel-lane to increase the minimum-distance when the projected-path approaches the host-vehicle to less than the distance-threshold if the host-vehicle remains in the centered-position.

Abstract: A steering-control system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect an other-vehicle approaching the host-vehicle, and to detect a stationary-object that defines a roadway traveled by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and adapted to operate the host-vehicle. The controller is configured to steer the host-vehicle towards a centered-position of a travel-lane of the roadway when a projected-path of the other-vehicle approaches the host-vehicle to a minimum-distance between the other-vehicle and the host-vehicle greater than a distance-threshold. The controller is also configured to steer the host-vehicle towards a biased-position of the travel-lane to increase the minimum-distance when the projected-path approaches the host-vehicle to less than the distance-threshold if the host-vehicle remains in the centered-position.

Abstract: A radar object detection system includes a radar sensor and a controller. The radar sensor is configured to emit a radar signal toward a defined area proximate to the vehicle, and output a reflection signal indicative of a detected target present in the defined area. The controller is configured to receive the reflection signal from the radar sensor, determine if the detected target corresponds to a trailer towed by the vehicle, and define an exclusion zone characterized as occupied by the trailer and thereby excluded from the defined area where objects can be detected.

Abstract: A radar object detection system includes a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor emits a first radar signal toward a first area about a vehicle, and outputs a first signal indicative of detected targets proximate to the vehicle. The controller receives the first signal from the first sensor, determines when a trailer is connected to the vehicle based on the first signal, defines a shadow-zone that corresponds to a first portion of the first area obstructed by the trailer from being viewed by the first sensor, and ignores detected targets within the shadow-zone that are indicated by the first signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a radar system on a vehicle to reduce nuisance alerts caused by a stationary structure proximate to the vehicle. The method includes determining a stationary count indicative of the number of targets detected by the radar system that are within a travel path of the vehicle and are classified by the radar system as stationary, and indicating that the vehicle is proximate to a stationary structure if the stationary count is greater than a count threshold.

Abstract: A radar object detection system includes a radar sensor and a controller. The radar sensor is configured to emit a radar signal toward a defined area proximate to the vehicle, and output a reflection signal indicative of a detected target present in the defined area. The controller is configured to receive the reflection signal from the radar sensor, determine if the detected target corresponds to a trailer towed by the vehicle, and define an exclusion zone characterized as occupied by the trailer and thereby excluded from the defined area where objects can be detected.

Abstract: A method for operating a radar system on a vehicle to reduce nuisance alerts caused by a stationary structure proximate to the vehicle. The method includes determining a stationary count indicative of the number of targets detected by the radar system that are within a travel path of the vehicle and are classified by the radar system as stationary, and indicating that the vehicle is proximate to a stationary structure if the stationary count is greater than a count threshold.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint deployment method utilizes measured vehicle speed and acceleration and the output of a closing velocity sensor that detects the presence and closing rate of an approaching object prior to contact with the vehicle. The closing velocity and vehicle speed are utilized for classification of an impending crash event, where the deployment options vary depending on the crash classification. In the ensuing crash event, a classification-dependent algorithm is executed to determine if, when and what level of restraint deployment is warranted based on measures of actual crash severity. Additionally, the algorithm is reset when the calculated change in vehicle velocity reaches the initial closing velocity.

Abstract: A two-step deployment control method for a supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) in a vehicle. The deployment decision includes a "time to wait" step in which the control determines "when to deploy", and a "severity" step in which the control determines "whether to deploy". The "time to wait" step is based on an estimation of occupant displacement due to the crash, and the "severity" step is based on an estimation of the crash severity. The control method is modified to initiate earlier deployment when the acceleration data is indicative of a localized impact which does not involve the full front structure of the vehicle, such as an angle or pole impact.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system has a deployment algorithm which is enabled when a threshold acceleration is reached and then, based on subsequent measured acceleration data, determines whether and when to deploy an air bag. Rough road conditions produce accelerations which can enable the algorithm and then produce a reset event to terminate the algorithm. Reset events are each stored for a short time and the number of unexpired reset events is a measure of the rough road condition. The deployment calculation is adjusted to delay deployment for a time proportional to the number of reset events to allow gathering of additional acceleration data for the deployment decision.