Length sensing tether bar system for self propelled trailer systems
AssigneeFca US LLC
InventorsTravis D Bechtel, Mark E Stout, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tow bar system for an independently steered and powered trailer vehicle includes a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle. A free sliding bar is disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch. A length sensor is operably associated with the free sliding bar and configured to sense a length of the tow bar system.
Claims19
A tow bar system for coupling a multi-vehicle system including a lead vehicle and an independently steered and powered trailer vehicle, comprising:
- a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle;
- a free sliding bar disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch during operation of the multi-vehicle system;
- and
- a length sensor operably associated with the free sliding bar to continuously sense a dynamic length of the tow bar system during operation of the multi-vehicle system to facilitate determining a relative acceleration between the lead vehicle and the trailer vehicle.
A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for dynamic stability and control of a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle each with independent propulsion and control, the MVCS comprising:
- a tow bar system including:
- a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle;
- a free sliding bar disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch during operation of the multi-vehicle system;
- and
- a length sensor operably associated with the free sliding bar to continuously sense a dynamic length of the tow bar system during operation of the multi-vehicle system;
- and
- a controller in signal communication with the lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) or autonomous driving system, the controller programmed to:
- continuously monitor and receive signals from the length sensor indicating the dynamic length of the tow bar system during operation of the multi-vehicle system;
- determine an acceleration rate of change between the lead vehicle and the trailer vehicle based on the continuously sensed dynamic length of the tow bar system;
- and
- modify a throttle and a braking of the trailer vehicle, based on the received signals from the length sensor, to dynamically stabilize the multi-vehicle system.
A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for dynamic stability and control of a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle each with independent propulsion and control, the MVCS comprising:
- a tow bar system including:
- a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle;
- a free sliding bar disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch;
- and
- a length sensor operably associated with the free sliding bar and configured to sense a length of the tow bar system;
- and
- a controller in signal communication with the lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) or autonomous driving system, the controller programmed to:
- monitor and receive signals from the length sensor indicating a length of the tow bar system;
- and
- modify a throttle and a braking of the trailer vehicle, based on the received signals from the length sensor, to dynamically stabilize the multi-vehicle system,
- wherein the controller is further programmed to determine an acceleration rate of change based on the received signals from the length sensor,
- wherein the controller determines the acceleration rate of change based on the sensed length of the tow bar system at three points in time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.