Automatic trailer uncoupling system
AssigneeNorco Industries, Inc.
InventorsJon STOUGH, William ASKE, Nathan STROZIER, Daryl HOCHSTETLER, Bryan BILLER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A jack control system for instructing a jack how to raise a trailer relative to a tow vehicle to thereby assist in uncoupling the trailer from the tow vehicle. The jack control system includes a jack and a controller. The jack includes a motor and a leg operatively connected to the motor, wherein the motor is operable to extend or retract the leg. The controller is operatively connected to the motor and is configured to cause extension of the leg based on current drawn by the motor, voltage of the motor, a predetermined period of time, and/or difference in angular orientation of the trailer.
Claims20
A jack system, comprising:
- a jack including:
- a motor, and
- a leg operatively connected to the motor, wherein the motor is operable to extend or retract the leg;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- monitor electrical current draw of the motor as the motor extends the leg and determine a grounded state when electrical current draw exceeds a minimum threshold;
- upon determination of the grounded state, instruct the motor to continue extending the leg, continue monitoring electrical current draw of the motor as the motor continues to extend the leg, and determine a currently loading state as the electrical current draw increases over time;
- determine a fully loaded state when electrical current draw stabilizes;
- and
- instruct the motor to continue extending the leg for a predetermined period of time.
A jack system, comprising:
- a jack including:
- a motor, and
- a leg operatively connected to the motor, wherein the motor is operable to extend or retract the leg;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- monitor electrical current draw of the motor and determine a grounded state when electrical current draw exceeds a minimum threshold;
- and
- instruct the motor to continue extending the leg for a predetermined period of time.
A jack system, comprising:
- a jack including:
- a motor, and
- a leg operatively connected to the motor, wherein the motor is operable to extend or retract the leg;
- a level sensor configured to provide readings indicative of angular orientation;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the motor and the level sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- record a preliminary angular orientation based on the readings received from the level sensor;
- monitor electrical current draw of the motor as the motor extends the leg and determine a grounded state of the leg when electrical current draw exceeds a minimum threshold;
- upon determination of the grounded state, instruct the motor to continue extending the leg, continue monitoring electrical current draw of the motor as the motor continues to extend the leg, and determine a currently loading state as the electrical current draw increases over time;
- determine a fully loaded state when the electrical current draw stabilizes over time;
- instruct the motor to continue extending the leg for a predetermined period of time;
- instruct the motor to extend the leg and compare current readings from the level sensor to the preliminary angular orientation;
- and
- instruct the motor to cease extension of the leg when a difference between the preliminary angular orientation and the current reading from the level sensor equals a target change in angular orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.