A system for measuring the tongue weight of a trailer attached to a hitching component of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a smart device comprising a sensor for determining the angle of the smart device with respect to horizontal and an app running on the smart device. The app is configured to take a signal from the sensor when the smart device is resting on a surface of the vehicle at a point in time when the trailer is not hitched to the vehicle and store a value “Angle Unhitched,” corresponding to the angle of the vehicle without the trailer hitched. The app is also configured to take a signal from the sensor when the smart device is resting on the surface of the vehicle at a point in time when the trailer is hitched to the vehicle and store a value “Angle Hitched,” corresponding to the angle of the vehicle without the trailer hitch attached. The app is further configured to obtain a value “VSC,” corresponding to stiffness of suspension for the vehicle, and reflecting a change in angle per unit of weight applied to the hitching component. The app is configured to then calculate a value “TW,” representing the tongue weight of the trailer when hitched to the vehicle, by using the formula: TW=[(a sin(Angle Unhitched)−a sin(Angle Hitched)]×VSC, where a sin is the arcsine. The app is also configured to report the value TW to a user of the smart device.
A vehicle may include a passenger compartment, one or more vehicle controls in the passenger compartment, a user interface in the passenger compartment, and a trailer hitch towards the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle may include an accelerometer and a vehicle control unit (VCU). The accelerometer may output a signal in response to a change in pitch of the vehicle as a trailer is attached to the vehicle at the trailer hitch. The VCU may have a memory device and a processing device. The processing device may: determine the change in the pitch of the vehicle; determine a tongue weight of the trailer based on the change in the pitch; compare the tongue weight to a threshold tongue weight; and, in response to the tongue weight being greater than the threshold tongue weight, output a warning indicator via the vehicle's user interface.
B60D 1/24 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
B60D 1/28 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances
A device to control rotation is disclosed. The device includes a stationary portion having an internal aperture with a frustoconical inner surface. The device also includes a movable portion having a frustoconical outer surface, adapted to engage the frustoconical inner surface, to stop rotation between the movable portion and the stationary portion when engaged. An input sleeve is included, configured to transmit an applied rotational force to the device, also configured so that, as the input sleeve moves in a first axial direction, the moveable portion engages the stationary portion, and as the input sleeve moves in a second and opposite axial direction, the moveable portion is pushed out of engagement with the stationary portion. The device further includes a one-way rotation governor, non-rotatably attached to the movable portion and non-rotatably attached to a shaft and configured to allow rotation between the movable portion and the shaft in one rotational direction and prevent rotation between the movable portion and the shaft in a second opposite rotational direction.
A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and a spring, configured to bias the moment bar rearward end toward the frame member of the trailer; and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle is disclosed.
A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising: a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.
A winch is disclosed having a drive cylinder, configured to be rotated by an applied force about its longitudinal axis and having at least three drive grooves. The winch also includes an idler with a longitudinal axis spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the drive cylinder. A line is fed onto the winch by passing it over a first of the at least three drive grooves then around the idler and then around a second of the at least three drive grooves. The line is attached to one of a fixed object or the object to be moved. The winch is attached to the other of the fixed object or the object to be moved. As the applied force is applied to the drive cylinder, the line is gripped by the at least three drive grooves and a length of the line between the fixed object and the object to be moved is shortened, whereby the object is moved.
A slider has a drum with alternating alpha and beta grooves, first stacked pulleys, and second stacked pulleys. First and second end pulleys are at opposite ends of the slider. A line wraps as a loop from the last beta groove, around the first end pulley, to the last alpha groove, back and forth around the first stacked pulleys, off the first alpha groove, around the second end pulley, to the first beta groove, back and forth around the second stacked pulleys, and back to the last beta groove. When the drum or the end pulleys are driven, the difference in circumferences of the grooves causes the slider to move toward one of the first or second end pulleys.
F16H 19/06 - Gearings comprising essentially only toothed gears or friction members and not capable of conveying indefinitely-continuing rotary motion for interconverting rotary motion and reciprocating motion comprising an endless flexible member
B66B 1/34 - Control systems of elevators in general Details
A device for moving an object is disclosed. The device has a drive cylinder with drive grooves and a set of idler pulleys. The idler pulleys are on a shaft that is parallel to the drive cylinder. Each of the idler pulleys rotate at an angle around the drive shaft that aligns the grooves of the idler pulleys to neighboring drive grooves. This allows the line to pass onto the drive groove, around an idler pulley, and onto a next adjacent drive groove. The line therefore winds back and forth between the drive grooves, the idler pulleys, and back to the next drive groove. One end of the line is placed under tension and the other is attached to an object or to a fixed member. The drive cylinder is driven and the line is moved through the device, or the device is moved along the line, respectively.
A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.
The invention is a system for optimizing a trailer path and a tow vehicle path. The system includes image sensors configured to capture images of a trailer and images of a path of travel both in front of and behind the trailer and tow vehicle, a weight determination system, accelerometers that sense acceleration of the tow vehicle and/or the trailer, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive image data from the image sensors, receive weight data from the weight determination system, receive accelerometer data from the one or more accelerometers and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine a trailer path and a tow vehicle path based on the image data, accelerometer data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to determine a safety parameter, communicate the trailer path and tow vehicle path to a user or vehicle control system, thereby prompting adjustments to the tow vehicle path and or acceleration when the trailer path or tow vehicle path is not optimum.
B60D 1/24 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
B60D 1/30 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for sway control
B60D 1/62 - Auxiliary devices involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
B60W 10/04 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units
B60W 10/20 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of steering systems
B60W 30/00 - Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
The invention is a system for optimizing a trailer path. The system includes an image sensor configured to capture images of a trailer attached to a tow vehicle, accelerometers that sense acceleration of at least one of the tow vehicle and the trailer, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive image data from the image sensor, receive accelerometer data from the one or more accelerometers and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine a trailer path based on the image data, accelerometer data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to communicate the trailer path to a user or vehicle control system, thereby prompting adjustments to the tow vehicle path and or acceleration when the trailer path is not optimum.
The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle safety setting based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing devices includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. The processor is also configured to determine at least one safety setting based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data, send the safety setting data to the monitoring system, and communicate the safety setting to a user.
G01G 19/03 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles for weighing during motion
B60W 50/00 - Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit
B60W 50/14 - Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
G01G 19/02 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles
G01G 19/12 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for incorporation in vehicles having electrical weight-sensitive devices
B60W 10/08 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
G01G 19/414 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only
G01G 23/00 - Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
G01G 23/37 - Indicating the weight by electrical means, e.g. using photoelectric cells involving digital counting
13.
Monitoring system for determining a vehicle maintenance condition based on weight
The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle maintenance condition based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive maintenance requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive vehicle use requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine at least one maintenance condition based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to send the maintenance condition data to the monitoring system and communicate the maintenance condition to a user.
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
G07C 5/00 - Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
G01G 19/02 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles
G01G 19/12 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for incorporation in vehicles having electrical weight-sensitive devices
G01G 23/00 - Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
G01G 23/37 - Indicating the weight by electrical means, e.g. using photoelectric cells involving digital counting
The invention is a system for automatically adjusting drive modes based on weight. The system includes a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing devices includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive weight data from the weight determination system, receive the input data from the data input device, and receive a user input. The processor is also configured to determine at least one drive mode setting based on the weight data, the input data and the user input, send the drive mode setting data to a vehicle control system, and communicate the drive mode setting to a user.
B60W 20/16 - Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect for reducing engine exhaust emissions
B60W 50/08 - Interaction between the driver and the control system
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
B60W 10/08 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
G07C 5/00 - Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
B60W 50/00 - Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit
B60K 6/20 - Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a total weight of a vehicle, transmitting the total weight measured to the vehicle's autonomous control system, and controlling the vehicle according to the total weight of the vehicle. The system and method further transmits information between separate vehicles with similar autonomous control systems. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating drive force to motor speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, determining the vehicle's longitudinal acceleration and drive force, determining a total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; transmitting the total weight to the autonomous control system, and controlling the vehicle according to total weight of the vehicle.
B60W 10/08 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
B60W 20/10 - Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
B60W 30/04 - Control of vehicle driving stability related to roll-over prevention
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a trailer brake gain signal for trailer brakes on a trailer being towed by a vehicle, and applying brakes to the trailer is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating motor drive force to motor speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds and providing accelerometer data. The method then determines that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within threshold ranges and then determines both the vehicle weight and the trailer weight. The brake gain signal is determined based on the ratio of the current trailer weight and the original trailer weight. The brake gain signal is then transmitted to a trailer brake controller that applies trailer brakes according to the brake gain signal.
B60T 8/18 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to vehicle weight or load, e.g. load distribution
B60T 8/32 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration
B60T 8/17 - Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking
B60T 7/20 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger specially adapted for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of trailer
17.
Determining weight of electric and hybrid vehicles
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a gross combined weight of an electric or hybrid vehicle and its load is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating engine drive force to engine speed and electric motor drive force to motor speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight, the total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; and transmitting the total weight to a display.
B60W 50/14 - Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
B60W 10/22 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of suspension systems
B60W 10/10 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of change-speed gearings
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
B60W 10/30 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
B60K 35/00 - Instruments specially adapted for vehiclesArrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
B60W 20/11 - Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand using model predictive control [MPC] strategies, i.e. control methods based on models predicting performance
B60W 20/15 - Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
B60L 15/20 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
In various embodiments, a system and method for determining a gross combined weight of a vehicle and its load is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating force to engine speed for a specific vehicle travelling in a reverse direction, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight, the total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; and transmitting the total weight to a remote system for display.
B60W 40/00 - Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit
B60W 10/10 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of change-speed gearings
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
B60W 10/22 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of suspension systems
B60W 50/14 - Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
B60W 50/00 - Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a tongue weight of a vehicle with a trailer and its load is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating force to engine speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight, the total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle, determining tongue weight from vehicle weight, total weight and delta pitch, and transmitting the tongue weight to a display.
B60W 40/00 - Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit
B60W 50/14 - Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
B60W 10/22 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of suspension systems
B60W 10/10 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of change-speed gearings
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
B60W 10/30 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a gross combined weight of a vehicle and its load is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating force to engine speed for a specific vehicle travelling at various speeds, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight, the total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; and transmitting the total weight to a remote system for display.
B60W 10/06 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
B60W 10/10 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of change-speed gearings
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
B60W 30/188 - Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
G01G 19/02 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles
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