1743results about "Towing devices" patented technology

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.

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.

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.

The invention relates to a hitch angle estimation device, a hitch angle estimation method, and a program product. A hitch angle estimation device according to the present disclosure performs conversion from an observation coordinate system to a world coordinate system on a point sequence representing a tow bar and a lower end portion of a trailer in an image captured by a camera mounted on a vehicle that tows the trailer via the tow bar. In the present invention, linear fitting of a point row representing a tow bar and a lower end of a trailer after the execution of the transformation is performed is performed, and a hitch angle of the trailer in a world coordinate system is calculated on the basis of a straight line representing the tow bar in the world coordinate system and a straight line representing the lower end of the trailer in the world coordinate system obtained by the linear fitting. And executing Kalman filtering processing on the hitching angle of the trailer in the world coordinate system.

In some embodiments, techniques are provided for autonomously backing a vehicle (such as a Class 8 truck) to a trailer. In some embodiments, environment sensors such as image sensors and range sensors mounted to the vehicle detect a trailer and determine distances between the trailer and the vehicle as well as relative angles of the trailer and the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle determines a path to the trailer based on this information, and autonomously controls braking, torque, and / or steering of the vehicle to autonomously back the vehicle along the determined path.

The present disclosure relates to a hitch area surveillance system for an articulated vehicle (100) having vehicle data, comprising a hitch area lighting system and / or sensor circuitry overlooking a hitch area of the articulated vehicle, a control unit (5) operatively connected with the articulated vehicle and the hitch area lighting system (2) and / or sensor circuitry (3), wherein the control unit (5) is configured to activate the hitch area lighting system (2) and / or sensor circuitry (3) based on received vehicle data.

An auxiliary hydraulic system including an accumulator, a control valve, and a hydraulic connector. The accumulator connects to a primary hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump, a brake circuit, and a steering circuit. The control valve selectively allows or prevents flow from an accumulator to at least one of the brake circuit and the steering circuit. The hydraulic connector selectively connects an external source to the accumulator and the control valve.

A removeable vehicle hardtop lift apparatus is described which includes a lower platform, an upper platform and a linear actuator there-between. The upper platform may have adjustable supports, The linear actuator may be configured to move the upper platform linearly. The linear actuator may include a drive mechanism with a hand crank that is operable to cause the linear actuator to raise and lower the upper platform.

A system for transporting products throughout a manufacturing environment, includes a mobile robot including a frame, a tractive element coupled to the frame, a motor coupled to the frame and configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle, at least one sensor configured to collect sensor data regarding a surrounding environment of the vehicle, an interface configured to engage a product, a lift assembly coupling the interface to the frame and configured to raise the interface relative to the frame, and a controller operatively coupled to the motor, the at least one sensor, and the lift assembly. The controller is configured to control the motor and the lift assembly based on information from the at least one sensor to autonomously transport the product.

The disclosure includes vehicle-mounting devices to mount one or more utility locator devices to a vehicle for use in locating and mapping buried utility lines. Such vehicle-mounting devices may improve over other vehicle-mounting devices known in the art by preventing damage to associated utility locator devices as well as the vehicle mounting device. Further, such devices may be included in vehicle-based locate systems as well as in a computer implemented method for utility line positions and characteristics using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for control of a multi-vehicle system having independently powered and steered lead and trailer vehicles connected by a slidable length sensing tow bar system. The MVCS includes a controller configured to receive throttle, brake, and steering signals from the lead vehicle, receive signals from the tow bar system indicating an extension length of the tow bar system, a front angle deviation of the lead vehicle, and a rear angle deviation of the trailer vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received signals, a trailer vehicle acceleration / deceleration output and a trailer vehicle steering output, determine a driving scenario of the multi-vehicle system, and operate the multi-vehicle system based on the determined driving scenario and the determined trailer vehicle acceleration / deceleration output and trailer vehicle steering output.

A ball head turnable trailer is provided, including a trailer body and a trailer assembly containing a connecting component and a trailer component. The trailer component includes a mounting base and multiple ball heads. A rotating adjustment assembly includes a pin sleeve, a fixed pin, and a reset spring. A rotating shaft is roundly set with multiple fixed holes, each of which is matched with the fixed pin. A pull portion is pulled outwards to drive the fixed pin to move out from the fixed hole to release position limiting between the mounting base and the rotating shaft. The trailer no longer needs remove the fixed pin, which prevents the fixed pin losing. Moreover, the trailer is simple and labor-saving to pull, which is convenient and efficient.

The present invention relates to the field of tractors, and discloses a vehicle tractor. The vehicle tractor includes a traction front arm which is inserted and mounted in a trailer inserting end, and a traction rear arm which is mounted at a vehicle head connecting end. Through an arranged insertion prompting mechanism, under the action of damping telescopic rods and a connecting spring, a turning-over plate is abutted against the vehicle head connecting end, whereby a limiting effect is achieved, and the vehicle head connecting end is prevented from sliding; and on the other hand, when the turning-over plate turns over, the meshing gear on a front side of the turning-over plate moves upwards to be meshed with the transmission gear, at this time, the transmission gear rotates clockwise, connecting arms connected to the transmission gear through transmission shafts rotate clockwise along with the transmission gear.

A hitch pin assembly includes a hitch pin, a lock housing and a magnet on the lock housing. The magnet releasably attaches the lock housing for rotation around an aperture through the receiver tube. A plunger in the lock housing extends through the magnet and into the receiver tube. When a shank of a hitch assembly is inserted into the receiver tube and apertures on the shank and receiver tube align, the plunger extends through the apertures and holds the shank in position. A hitch pin is inserted through the opposite side of the receiver tube and into the lock housing. Flat exterior surfaces on the hitch pin are positioned between flat interior surfaces in the lock housing and hold the hitch pin against rotation as a rod in the lock housing is rotated into the hitch pin securing the rod and hitch pin together.

The invention relates to a semitrailer traction pin assembly (1) for an articulated vehicle, comprising a traction pin (2) defining an axis of rotation (A) wherein the traction pin (2) has a traction pin flange (3) for directly or indirectly connecting the traction pin (2) to the semitrailer. The traction pin assembly (1) further comprises an angle measuring device (15) at least partially embedded in the traction pin (2), the device having a shaft (17) rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation (A), and a transmission member (18) connected to the shaft (17), the transmission member (18) being pivotable about the axis of rotation (A).

A method of autonomously maneuvering a vehicle using environment sensors comprises calculating first coordinate data based on information received from environment sensors mounted on a first portion of the vehicle; determining, based on the first coordinate data, a first target at a first location; determining a path to maneuver the vehicle to the first location; determining and transmitting commands to autonomously control the vehicle to maneuver to the first location; calculating second coordinate data based on information received from environment sensors mounted on a second portion of the vehicle; determining based on the second coordinate data, a second target at a second location, determining a path to maneuver the vehicle from the first location to the second location; and determining and transmitting commands to autonomously control the vehicle to maneuver from the first location to the second location. Suitably configured vehicles (e.g., tractor units) are also described.

A subframe attachment system for a vehicle includes a front brace, a rear brace assembly, and tethers. The front brace extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is configured to be mounted to a pair of longitudinal rails of a main frame of the vehicle. The front brace includes front mounting apertures configured to be accessible from the cargo bed. The rear brace assembly is spaced apart from the front brace and extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear brace assembly is configured to be mounted to the main frame and includes rear mounting apertures configured to be accessible from the cargo bed. The tethers include a first end rotatably coupled to the rear brace assembly and a second end configured to be mounted to respective longitudinal rails of the pair of longitudinal rails.

A forklift assembly is provided and generally includes a self-propelled frame having a pair of wheel assemblies, each providing a selectively driven wheel, the frame providing a carriage receiving assembly between the pair of wheel assemblies; an extension assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end of the extension assembly being pivotably connected to the frame; a control system; and a carriage assembly having a prong assembly, the carriage assembly being operably connected to the second end of the extension assembly and configured to be controllably positioned within the carriage receiving assembly. The wheel assembly having a selectively engageable drive system with a motor, a clutch assembly, a driveshaft having a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface and configured to be rotated by the motor, and a locking mechanism configured to selectively urge the driveshaft to shift in either a first direction or a second direction. The self-propelled frame having an articulating tow hitch; and at least one rear wheel assembly.

Disclosed are a method and device for securely attaching a trailer hitch ball mount assembly to a trailer hitch. In one application, a hitch pin lock guard may be shaped to fit over a trailer hitch pin while the trailer hitch pin is disposed through aligned holes of a trailer hitch and ball mount assembly. In an example, implementation, an exterior of hitch pin lock guard may be tapered so that a cross-sectional of the hitch pin lock guard decreases as the hitch pin lock guard extends away from the trailer hitch.

A pintle hitch assembly includes a hitch member assembly comprising at least two hitch members projecting transverse to and radially outward from a shaft. A hitch member bearing rotatably supports the shaft of the hitch member assembly and is connected to a hitch member bearing mount that is adjustably securable to a draw bar assembly. A collar is secured to the hitch member bearing, and the shaft extends rearward through the collar and between the hitch member bearing and the hitch member assembly. A locking arm is rotatably secured to the hitch member bearing mount and is rotatable from a closed position, which is configured for locking the towing ring in an opening formed between the collar, the hitch member assembly, and the locking arm, to an open position.

Systems, devices, and methods for a towable lift system for lifting and transporting a mobility device and / or cargo. The system may include a frame and a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame such that the system may be towed by a vehicle. The system may include a platform configured to hold the mobility device and / or the cargo. The platform may have a stowed position for transporting the mobility device and / or the cargo and a deployed position for loading or unloading the mobility device and / or the cargo from the platform on a left side or a right side of the system. The system may include a lift configured to move the platform between the stowed position and the deployed position. The system may include one or more actuators configured to actuate the lift to move the platform between the stowed position and the deployed position.

The present invention relates to the field of tractors, comprising: in the process of adjusting the sliding support head by the vehicle tractor, the user needs to unscrew the locking bolt, so that the front end of the locking bolt is separated from the locking screw hole of the vertical adjusting end. The friction force between the sliding support head and the vertical adjusting end can be reduced, so that the sliding support head can slide more easily; on the other hand, the talcum powder located in the talcum powder cylinder is attached to the surface of the roller, so that a layer of thin film can be formed between the contact surface of the vertical adjusting end and the sliding support head, so that the movement is smoother, and the abrasion generated by the vertical adjusting end and the sliding support head in the subsequent traction process is protected.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a system for transferring a crawler chassis work machine, wherein the system includesan articulated frame steered transfer vehicle with a tow point, at least one dump hinge implemented with a transverse pivot shaft, a dump bed articulated with thee dump hinge, and a support point placed at a distance below the dump hinge,a low trailer with a platform for supporting the work machine on the low trailer during transfer, and a drawbar for fastening the low trailer pivotally to the tow point for towing the low trailer with the transfer vehicle,a draw arrangement supported to the pivot shaft and the support point non-rotatably with a torque arm included in the draw arrangement, wherein the draw arrangement includes a draw element for connecting the low trailer to the transfer vehicle with the draw arrangement.

A hitch angle estimation device performs a transformation from a view coordinate system to a world coordinate system on a point sequence indicating a tow bar on an image shot by a camera mounted on a vehicle towing a trailer via the tow bar and a point sequence indicating a lower end portion of the trailer on the image, performs a straight line fitting of the point sequence indicating the tow bar after the transformation and the point sequence indicating the lower end portion after the transformation, calculates a hitch angle of the trailer in the world coordinate system based on a straight line indicating the tow bar in the world coordinate system and a straight line indicating the lower end portion in the world coordinate system obtained by the straight line fitting, and performs a Kalman filter process on the hitch angle in the world coordinate system.

A wheel assembly for use with a trailer jack includes an outer shell defining a main volume. The wheel assembly may further include a main ball configured to be at least partially contained within the main volume of the outer shell and to contact a ground surface. The wheel assembly may further include a bearing coupled between the main ball and the outer shell and configured to allow motion of the main ball relative to the outer shell. The wheel assembly may further include a coupler configured to couple the outer shell to a shaft of a trailer jack. The wheel assembly may further include a lock configured to retain the main ball in place relative to the outer shell.

A trailer control box may receive a wireless message from a controller of the tractor. The trailer control box may validate and authenticating the message. The trailer control box may control an emergency-brake valve based on the message when the message is an emergency-brake command. The trailer control box may control a service-brake valve based on the message when the message is a service-brake command. The trailer control box may control at least one switch to operate trailer lights based on the message when the message is a light command. In certain embodiments, autonomous-capable socket is mounted to a trailer and includes: a chamfered outer casing, a plurality of electrical connectors, a service-brake air aperture, and an emergency-brake air aperture. The autonomous-capable socket required a single autonomous connection by an autonomous tractor.

A hitch pin lock includes a lock rod and a locking member. The lock rod having a first section, a second section, a fastener, and a spring member. The first section including a flanged head, a first shaft having first external threads, and a hole extending into a first shaft terminal end and including a terminal shoulder and a proximal shoulder. The second section including a tapered head extending from a lock groove, a second shaft, and a second section stud with an internally threaded hole with the second section stud connected to and extending from a second shaft proximal end. The fastener configured to mate with the internally threaded hole of the second section stud. The spring member disposed within the hole with at least a portion of the fastener passing through the spring member. The locking member including a locking member tube having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and an engagement portion configured to secure to the lock groove when the locking member is in a locked position.

The present disclosure aims to provide a hitch assembly comprising a towing module, connection module, and locking unit. The towing module includes a towing head for connecting to a towed object and a main body having a first engagement portion on its peripheral surface. The connection module includes a connection segment for attaching to a traction vehicle and an accommodation chamber having a second engagement portion. The main body is receivable in the accommodation chamber and movable from a first position to a second position within the accommodation chamber. In the first position, the first engagement portion engages with the second engagement portion to prevent disengagement of the towing module from the accommodation space. In the second position, the first engagement portion is disengaged from the second engagement portion to allow axial withdrawal of the towing module along its longitudinal axis. The locking unit restricts movement of the main body from the first position toward the second position. This hitch assembly demonstrates high structural strength and extended service life.

The utility model discloses a mounting device, the mounting device comprises a mounting actuating mechanism and a base, the mounting device also comprises a base buffer assembly and a guide limiting assembly, the base is used for being arranged on a tractor through the base buffer assembly, so that the base can move on at least one degree of freedom, and the guide limiting assembly is arranged on the base. The guide limiting assembly is arranged on the base and defines a guide channel with an opening; the mounting executing mechanism comprises a mounting executing part, an executing part driving assembly and a sensing assembly, the mounting executing part is arranged on the base, and the sensing assembly is used for sending a first control signal to the executing part driving assembly under the condition that it is detected that a mounting matching part enters the guide channel through the opening and reaches a set mounting position; the execution part driving assembly is used for driving the mounting execution part to enter the guide channel under the condition that the first control signal is received. The utility model further provides a tractor comprising the mounting device and a material transportation system comprising the tractor.