Patent ID: 8036792

Claim:
A method of determining a steering setpoint angle (β 0 ) for the steered wheels of a vehicle ( 1 ) comprising a tractor ( 2 ) and a trailer ( 8 ) that is articulated with respect to the tractor ( 2 ) during backing-up maneuvers, wherein: a setpoint angle value (θ C ) is determined for the angle between the axes of the trailer ( 33 ) and of the tractor ( 38 ) using a target point (C) through which the path of the vehicle is to pass and as a function of said target point (C); the steering angle setpoint value (β 0 ) for the steered wheels is determined as the result of feedback control that causes the measured angle (θ) between the axis of the trailer and of the tractor to tend toward said angle setpoint value (θ C ); and the value of the setpoint angle (θ C ) between the axes of the trailer ( 33 ) and of the tractor ( 38 ) is determined as a function of the geometry of the vehicle, said geometry comprising a dimension that is taken in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle.