System and method for trailer propulsion
AssigneeAnamnesis Corporation
InventorIan C. Rust
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer—such as a Class 8 semi-trailer—and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).
Claims20
An electric vehicle (EV) system configured to connect between a semi-tractor and a trailer, the EV system comprising:
- a chassis defining a sagittal plane;
- a kingpin assembly configured to couple the chassis to a fifth wheel of the semi-tractor, the kingpin assembly comprising:
- a multi-axis sensor assembly, comprising a first force sensor and second force sensor configured to measure forces along a first axis and a second axis, respectively, wherein the first axis and second axis are orthogonal and in the sagittal plane;
- a secondary fifth wheel mounted to the chassis and configured to couple the trailer to the chassis;
- and
- an electric drivetrain comprising:
- a traction motor and a drive axle.
A vehicle system configured to connect between a semi-tractor and a trailer, the vehicle system comprising:
- a chassis defining a sagittal plane;
- a kingpin assembly configured to couple the chassis to a fifth wheel of the semi-tractor, the kingpin assembly comprising:
- a multi-axis sensor assembly, comprising a first force sensor and second force sensor configured to measure forces along a first axis and a second axis, respectively, wherein the first axis and second axis are orthogonal and in the sagittal plane;
- and
- a secondary fifth wheel mounted to the chassis.
A sensory kingpin system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a kingpin body;
- a first force sensor and a second force sensor integrated into the kingpin body and configured to measure forces along a first axis and a second axis, respectively, wherein the first axis and second axis are orthogonal;
- and
- a third force sensor mechanically coupled to the kingpin and configured to measure force along a third axis, wherein the first axis and the third axis are orthogonal in a midsagittal plane of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.