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3561results about "Towing devices" patented technology
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Trailer connecting device
The invention provides a trailer connecting device. The trailer connecting device comprises a fixing piece, a trailer hook, a driven piece, a mandrel, a driving piece and the like. The mandrel is mounted on the fixing piece, is connected with the tow hook and synchronously rotates with the tow hook; the driving piece is directly or indirectly connected with the actuating device, the driven piece is installed on the mandrel, the driving piece is matched with the driven piece and drives the driven piece to rotate, and the tow hook is reliably fixed at the working position and the retracting position. The trailer connecting device is simple in structure, convenient to machine and manufacture and high in working reliability.
Owner:ZHEJIANG NORMAL UNIV
Systems and methods of monitoring and control for trailer dynamics
ActiveUS20250058593A1Static/dynamic balance measurementTowing devicesMonitoring and controlMoment of inertia
Detection of trailer dynamic parameters is provided. A vehicle can receive a geometry of a plurality of points of support disposed along a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The vehicle can determine a center of mass of the trailer based on the plurality of points of support and weights bearing down thereupon. The vehicle can bound or otherwise determine, based on the geometry of the plurality of points of support and the center of mass, a moment of inertia of the trailer about at least one of the plurality of points of support. The vehicle can perform a navigational action based on the moment of inertia or center of mass.
Owner:TORC ROBOTICS INC
Vehicle bumper and towing / tugging attachment
A vehicle bumper that also serves as a towing and / or tugging receiver includes a U-shaped member having first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween. The first and second ends provide respective upper attachment points for attaching the bumper to the vehicle. The bumper further includes a triangular brace having first and second vertices that provide respective lower attachment points for further attaching the bumper to the vehicle, and a third vertex joined with the midpoint of the U-shaped member. A towing receiver is joined with the triangular brace for towing a wide range of payloads.
Owner:HOWE & HOWE INC
Trailer angle estimation using machine learning
In various examples, a trailer angle may be estimated using one or more machine learning models to predict one or more keypoints on the center axis of the trailer drawbar (e.g., a keypoint representing the drawbar junction around which the drawbar pivots, one or more other keypoints along the center axis), back-projecting the predicted keypoint(s) onto a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the ground, and calculating the angle between the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and a line or ray formed by or fitted to the projected keypoints. The trailer angle may be estimated at any frame rate. For each frame, keypoints may be predicted from that frame and / or optical flow or some other type of feature tracking may be used to propagate predicted keypoint(s) from a preceding frame in lieu of predicting keypoint(s), and the resulting keypoint(s) may be used to estimate the trailer angle for that frame.
Owner:NVIDIA CORP
Systems and methods for a military vehicle
A vehicle having a primary mover, a charging system, multiple electric loads, and a controller. The charging system includes a charge storing device and an alternator. The alternator is configured to convert mechanical energy generated by the prime mover into electrical energy to charge the charge storing device. The multiple electrical loads are electrically coupled to the charging system via a power distribution module. The controller is communicably coupled to the charging system and is configured to receive an indication that an electrical output of the charging system is unable to provide sufficient electrical energy to each electrical load in the electrical loads. The controller is also configured to provide a control signal to the power distribution module in response to the indication. The control signal is configured to cause the power distribution module to decouple at least one of the electrical loads from the charging system.
Owner:OSHKOSH DEFENSE LLC
Methods, vehicle systems, and vehicles for managing energy transfer from a portable energy source
Methods, vehicle systems, and vehicles are provided that are capable of managing communication between a vehicle and a portable energy source (PES) coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle systems include a vehicle battery configured to provide electrical power to a propulsion system of the vehicle and a vehicle controller that is configured to establish two-way data communication between the vehicle controller and a PES controller of the PES, determine an energy transfer mode for transferring electrical power between the vehicle battery and a PES battery of the PES, initiate electrical power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery in accordance with the energy transfer mode while the vehicle is being propelled by the propulsion system, receive a status of the PES battery from the PES controller, and adjust the electrical power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery based on the status.
Owner:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Sensing system for autonomous mobile vehicle
PendingUS20250348078A1Registering/indicating working of vehiclesUnderstructuresMobile vehicleControl system
An autonomous vehicle system includes a vehicle including a base assembly having a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and side surfaces extending between the front surface and the rear surface. A sensor system is coupled to the base assembly and configured to detect one or more objects located in an area near the vehicle. The sensor system includes a first sensor oriented parallel with at least one of the front surface, the rear surface, or the side surfaces, and a second sensor oriented non-parallel with the front surface, the rear surface, and the side surfaces. A control system is configured to receive a communication regarding the detection of the one or more objects from the sensor system and generate one or more controls for at least one of the base assembly or one or more tractive elements.
Owner:OSHKOSH CORPORATION
Towable utility vehicle
A towable off-road vehicle with a towing engagement system for elevating the vehicle whereby, when engaged for towing with a towing vehicle, only certain wheels that are reversibly lockable for steering are engaged with a road surface over which the off-road vehicle is the be moved.
Owner:CANNON JOHN TEMP
Control device for articulated vehicle
A combination vehicle includes a tractor including a steered wheel and a trailer towed by the tractor. A control device for the combination vehicle includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to, when a reverse operation of the combination vehicle is performed, assist a reverse operation of the trailer by causing a controlled variable to follow a target value of reverse control that is set through a specific operation by an operator. The control unit is configured to execute a process of limiting the target value and a process of limiting a time rate of change in the target value from a viewpoint of suppressing occurrence of a jackknife phenomenon.
Owner:JTEKT CORP +1
Trailer hitch with lift mechanism
A trailer hitch with lift mechanism includes a vehicle connection point, an adjustable hitch base, a motor, and a hitch locking assembly. The motor is powered via a trailer hitch plug of a towing vehicle. The adjustable hitch base includes a plurality of adjustment apertures and one or more guide tracks. The hitch locking assembly is slidingly coupled to the adjustable hitch base and includes one or more guide rollers slidingly associated with the guide tracks, a backing plate, an aperture configured to receive a ball, and one or more adjustment locking devices. Rotation of the drive shaft causes the hitch locking assembly to move relative to the adjustable hitch base.
Owner:JEFFERIES ALLEN
Three-dimensional monitoring system for kingpin on fifth wheel
“THREE-DIMENSIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR KINGPIN ON FIFTH WHEEL” describes an invention patent, for a monitoring system of Kingpin / Fifth Wheel articulation presented on trucks, with a great applicability for autonomous steering systems and vehicle dynamics control. This system allows the precise monitoring of translational, rotational movements and the relative accelerations of the king pin (5) in relation to the fifth wheel (3) on the X, Y and Z axes, totaling measurements in six degrees of freedom. The present patent presents two ways to make this monitoring of the three-dimensional position of the kingpin (5): The first through a set of sensors (6) accelerometers and gyroscope integrated to an electromagnet (4) that when electrified, is coupled to the king pin (5) by magnetic attraction. The second mode through a reference device (20) that is magnetic, identifiable, independent and easy to apply to the kingpin (4).
Owner:BATISTA IGOR
Autonomous vehicle connected tool interchange systems and methods
ActiveUS12358575B1Coupling device engaging/disengagingUsing optical meansControl engineeringElectrical connection
Disclosed herein is an autonomous vehicle comprising at least one subsystem capable of determining a location corresponding to a connectable tool; determining an orientation for interconnecting with the connectable tool; aligning the autonomous vehicle for interconnecting with the connectable tool based on the location and the orientation of the connectable tool; engaging the connectable tool at one or more physical connection points and at least one electrical connection point; and establishing power line modem (PLM) communications between the autonomous vehicle and the connectable tool via an electrical power connection resulting from the engaging the at least one electrical connection point; and, before commencing full power operations over said electrical power connection, determining that the electrical power connection is without current diversion by transmitting a fixed amount of non-lethal electrical power from the autonomous vehicle to the connectable tool via the electrical power connection and determining whether the difference between the power transmitted by the autonomous vehicle and the power received by the connectable tool exceeds a threshold for indicating current diversion.
Owner:RENU ROBOTICS CORP
Multifunctional ball mount with high structural strength
A multifunctional ball mount with a high structural strength includes a first mount body and a second mount body. The first mount body is configured to be connected to a towing vehicle, and the second mount body is slidably provided on the first mount body to adjust a height position of the second mount body. The second mount body is provided with a tow member. A positioning mechanism is provided between the first mount body and the second mount body. The second mount body is positioned with the first mount body through the positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism includes a first positioning pin, a positioning through hole, and positioning grooves. The positioning through hole and the positioning grooves correspond to the first positioning pin. The positioning through hole is located on the second mount body. There are a plurality of positioning grooves located on the first mount body.
Owner:NINGBO SIRIUST METAL PRODUCTS CO LTD
Deployable step systems for motor vehicles
Deployable step systems are disclosed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The proposed deployable step systems may include various deployment mechanisms that are capable of sliding, pivoting, rotating, swinging, and / or otherwise adjusting for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space. The proposed deployable step systems may provide improved access to the vehicle cargo space irrespective of what position the tailgate assembly is positioned in relative to the vehicle cargo space.
Owner:FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
Automatic locking feature for a hitch-mounted equipment carrier
A mounting arrangement for hitch-mounted equipment carrier includes a mounting bar having a transversely movable locking member. An equipment carrier mounting portion is movably supported by the mounting bar for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position. An actuator moves the locking member to a locking position within the hitch receiver when the mounting portion is moved from the inoperative position toward the operative position. The actuator includes a biasing member that applies a biasing force on the locking member for engaging it with the hitch receiver. The equipment carrier mounting portion is movable from the operative position to a tilt position while the mounting bar is engaged within the passage of the hitch receiver by the locking member.
Owner:FABIO PEDRINI & PARTNERS SRL
Weight measuring hitch ball assembly for measuring weight of a trailer supported by a tow vehicle
A weight measuring hitch ball assembly is described. The assembly can include a hitch ball and a body portion having an opening that slidably receives a lower portion of the hitch ball. Additionally, the assembly can include a retention coupling operable with the hitch ball and the body portion to secure the hitch ball to the body portion. The retention coupling can have a retention protrusion and a retention wall defining at least a portion of a retention opening operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion therein. With the retention protrusion extending into the retention opening, the retention wall can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion that prevents removal of the hitch ball from the hitch ball opening, while allowing slidable movement of the hitch ball within the hitch ball opening sufficient to determine a magnitude of the force acting on the hitch ball.
Owner:WEIGH SAFE LLC
Trailer jack and transport systems employing a spherical load-bearing transport ball, and sport, recreational and utility trailer systems and methods employing the same
ActiveUS12409689B2Vehicle fittings for lifting and manoeuvringTowing devicesFree rotationTransport system
A trailer jack and transport system providing improved rolling and steerable motion to sport, recreational and utility trailers, when operating on diverse kinds of ground surfaces, including pavement, dirt, sand, and mud, without use of caster-style wheels. The trailer jack and transport system employs a spherical load-bearing transport ball supported within a frame assembly and configured to allow the spherical wheel to freely rotate in any orientation, on ground surfaces of a diverse nature during system operation.
Owner:ORBIT JACK LLC
Method and vehicle system for managing energy transfer of portable energy source
Methods, vehicle systems, and vehicles are provided that enable management of communications between a vehicle and a portable energy source (PES) coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle system includes a vehicle battery configured to provide power to a propulsion system of the vehicle and a vehicle controller configured to establish bidirectional data communication between the vehicle controller and a PES controller of the PES, determine an energy transfer mode for transferring power between the vehicle battery and a PES battery of the PES, and transmit the determined energy transfer mode to the propulsion system of the vehicle. When a vehicle is propelled by a propulsion system, power transfer between a vehicle battery and a PES battery is initiated according to an energy transfer mode, a state of the PES battery is received from the PES controller, and power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery is adjusted based on the state.
Owner:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Tow hook and automobile
Owner:BYD CO LTD
Device for supporting cables for articulated vehicles
Described is a device for supporting cables for articulated vehicles, designed for installation close to a connecting compartment between two adjacent units of an articulated vehicle, including at least one flexible connecting element fixed to the two units and formed by a series of plates connected to each other by interposing deformable laminar elements consisting of elastic metal elements which allow the elastic deformation of the flexible connecting element, and a series of cable-holder elements joined to respective plates of the flexible connecting element to each define at least one receiving seat provided for housing at least one cable, with supporting means for supporting the flexible connecting element containing the cables.
Owner:P E I PROTEZIONI ELABORAZIONI IND SRL
Relative angle detection device for combination vehicle
A relative angle detection device for a combination vehicle, the relative angle detection device being used in the combination vehicle in which a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle are connected by a towing-side connecting member and a towed-side connecting member. The relative angle detection device includes an imaging device that captures an image of one of the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle from the other, a radiation device that emits marker light to a position where the image is to be captured by the imaging device, and an image analysis device that analyzes the image captured by the imaging device to detect a relative angle of the towed vehicle with respect to the towing vehicle.
Owner:JTEKT CORP +1
Steerable towing hook device
A steerable towing hook device includes a towing ball body and a towing arm. The towing ball body includes a towing ball and a towing ball mount. The towing arm includes a hitch arm and a fixed arm, and the fixed arm is provided with a square steel configured to connect to a vehicle receiver. The towing ball mount is fixedly connected to an outer back of the hitch arm. The hitch arm is provided with a moving-steering device configured to move and steer the towing ball mount, and the hitch arm is snap-fitted the fixed arm through the device for moving and steering the towing ball mount. A steerable towing hook device with a rational structure and strong practicality enables the towing ball body to move back and forth to steer, adjusts a position of the towing hook flexibly, is convenient to use, and improves work efficiency.
Owner:ZHEJIANG LITUO MASCH CO LTD
Self-aligning, rotating D-ring for recovery vehicles
A rotating, self-aligning device (“D-ring assembly”) mounted on or associated with a recovery vehicle for supporting and pulling a load, and a method of using this device, which includes an outer housing rigidly attached to the recovery vehicle; and a rotating base plate, with a bearing for supporting a shackle. The device automatically self-aligns along a centerline of the shackle relative to the direction of the load.
Owner:MILLER IND TOWING EQUIPMENT INC
Aligning hitch pin assembly
A hitch pin assembly includes a hitch pin, housing and shoulder bushing. The bushing is permanently attached in an aperture of a receiver tube and the housing is rotatably attached to the bushing. A plunger in the housing extends through the bushing and projects into the receiver tube. When the shank is inserted into the receiver tube the plunger tip catches the aperture of the shank, holding the shank in a position in which the pin-receiving apertures on the receiver tube and shank are aligned. The hitch pin is then inserted from one side of the receiver tube and into the bushing. A plunger in the housing translates along a projection in a track of the plunger to reveal the projection to the hitch pin tip and place it into position for engagement with the inserted hitch pin. The engagement holds the shank and eliminates rattling.
Owner:ETRAILER CORP
Coupling interface between modules of an actuation system for a vehicle
PCT designated stage expiredWO2025136096A1Association with control/drive circuitsMechanical energy handling
The disclosure relates to a coupling interface between a first module and a second module of a modular actuation system for a vehicle. The first module comprises a first module housing provided at a first side thereof with a first aperture that extends in a first plane for receiving a rotatable axle therethrough. The second module comprises a second module housing different from the first module housing, provided at a second side thereof with a second aperture that extends in a second plane for receiving the rotatable axle therethrough. The coupling interface comprises complementary snap-fit couplers respectively associated with the second side of the second module housing and the first side of the first module housing, for being brought in a snap-fit coupling engagement by translation of the first and second module housings towards each other in an insertion direction transverse to the first plane and the second plane.
Owner:MCI MIRROR CONTROLS INT NETHERLANDS
Cable routing device
A cable routing device for connecting a line strand to a carrier element which can be moved with respect to the vehicle, wherein the cable routing device has a carrier element, fastened pivotably to the vehicle, and a cable store, in which at least part of the line strand is accommodated. Based on the problem of providing a cable routing device of compact design which is suitable for ensuring low sag of a line strand with a large diameter, the problem is solved by virtue of the fact that a spring element is arranged between the carrier element and the cable store, by which spring element, the line strand is supported loosely.
Owner:JOST WERKE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Method to detect a trailer coupler position using camera-based triangulation, optimization and filtering
Owner:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Systems and methods of monitoring and control for trailer dynamics
Trailer detection is provided. An autonomous vehicle can cause a first transceiver thereof to convey a signal to energize a second transceiver coupled to a trailer. The autonomous vehicle can receive, from the second transceiver, first information associated with the trailer, the first information comprising an indication of a trailer wheelbase.
Owner:TORC ROBOTICS INC
Trailer landing gear drive shaft rotating device and method of use
A trailer landing gear drive shaft rotating device for operating legs of a trailer landing gear assembly includes first and second couplers, which are attached to first and second ends of a rod, respectively. The first coupler is selectively couplable to a drive shaft of a trailer landing gear assembly so that the rod is reversibly pivotal between stowed and interim configurations, wherein the rod hangs from the drive and is substantially colinear with, and slidable relative to, the drive shaft, respectively. A terminal segment of the drive shaft is slidable into a first recess, which extends into the first end, as the rod is slid from the interim configuration to an operable configuration. The second coupler can engage a rotary tool, which then is positioned to impart a rotary force to the drive shaft to selectively raise and lower one or more legs of the trailer landing gear assembly.
Owner:MACK TROY EDWARD