Steerable trailer and steering apparatus of combination vehicle

Abstract

A steerable trailer is described which includes a coupling detector for detecting a coupling angle, a trailer wheel steering angle detector for detecting a trailer wheel steering angle, and actuators for steering the trailer wheels. A controller is provided for calculating and memorizing a travel direction of a coupling point at a location in response to signals transmitted from each of the detectors. The controller transmits output signals to the actuators to align a travel direction of a rear end of a trailer with the memorized direction of the coupling point when the rear end of the trailer reaches the location. The controller calculates and memorizes the travel direction of the coupling point at plural, discrete locations along the path of travel of the trailer. The steerable trailer may be connected to a tractor to provide a vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.