Trailer carrier

Abstract

A trailer is used for being connected with a drivable vehicle, and the trailer comprises a trailer body and a trailer body. The driving unit is arranged on the carrier main body and is used for driving the carrier main body to move; the power battery system is electrically connected with the driving unit and used for providing electric energy for the driving unit; the charging unit can receive electric energy from a power grid and store the electric energy in the power battery system; the range extender can use fuel to generate electric energy which can be used for directly driving the driving unit to work and / or charging the power battery system; and the whole vehicle control unit is in communication connection with the range extender, the driving unit, the power battery system and the charging unit, and the whole vehicle control unit can receive external signals and perform coordinated control on one or more of the range extender, the driving unit, the power battery system and the charging unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of trailers, and more particularly to a trailer with electric functionality. Background Technology

[0002] Cars are a common means of transportation in daily life. As an accessory to cars, trailers are gradually being promoted and used because they can carry more goods and enhance the carrying capacity of cars.

[0003] Traditional trailers are towed by a lead vehicle to travel together, offering very limited functionality. They also place certain demands on the lead vehicle's power performance and are limited in their applicability to various road conditions. For example, on uphill sections, the trailer can place a significant load on the lead vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to design a more feature-rich and intelligent trailer. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, this application provides a trailer for connection to a drivable vehicle, the trailer comprising: a vehicle body; a drive unit disposed on the vehicle body for driving the vehicle body to move; a power battery system electrically connected to the drive unit for providing power to the drive unit; a charging unit capable of receiving power from the power grid and storing the power energy in the power battery system; a range extender capable of using fuel to generate power that can be used to directly drive the drive unit and / or charge the power battery system; and a vehicle control unit communicatively connected to the range extender, drive unit, power battery system, and charging unit, the vehicle control unit being capable of receiving external signals and coordinating control of one or more of the range extender, drive unit, power battery system, and charging unit.

[0005] In one embodiment, the trailer also includes a connecting member disposed on the outer wall of the trailer body, and the drivable vehicle can be connected to the connecting member to drive the trailer body to move; wherein, the connecting member is equipped with a sensing component, the sensing component is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit, the vehicle control unit can receive data information from the sensing component, and coordinate and control the trailer according to the data information.

[0006] In one embodiment, the sensing component includes a horizontal force sensor, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit, and is used to detect the force on the connecting member in the horizontal direction.

[0007] In one embodiment, the sensing component further includes a vertical force sensor, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit and is used to detect the force on the connecting member in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal.

[0008] In one embodiment, the sensing component includes a first IMU unit, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit can receive data information sensed by the first IMU unit and control the trailer according to the data information.

[0009] In one embodiment, a second IMU unit is provided on the vehicle body. The second IMU unit is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit can simultaneously receive data information sensed by the first IMU unit and the second IMU unit, and can calculate the data information sensed by the first IMU unit and the second IMU unit to generate control information for controlling the trailer.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sensing component includes a temperature sensor that is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit and is used to detect the temperature at the connection point between the connecting member and the drivable vehicle.

[0011] In one embodiment, the trailer vehicle further includes a solar charging module disposed on the vehicle body, the solar charging module being electrically connected to the power battery system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the charging unit further includes a discharge module electrically connected to the power battery system for discharging electrical energy from the power battery system to external electrical components.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the drive unit is operating and the power battery system is below a preset charge level, the vehicle control unit controls the range extender to start operating to provide power to the drive unit; or, when the drive unit is not operating, the power battery system is below a preset charge level, and no power is received from the grid, the vehicle control unit controls the range extender to start operating to charge the power battery system.

[0014] The trailer of this application, by incorporating a drive unit and a power battery system, enables the trailer to provide its own power source, offering auxiliary power to the connected drivable vehicle, thus reducing the power load on the drivable vehicle and making it suitable for more road conditions. By incorporating a range extender, the trailer's range can be increased, and when the drivable vehicle is an electric vehicle, it can further provide power to the drivable vehicle, increasing the range of the vehicle in front. Furthermore, by incorporating a vehicle control unit, it receives external signals to understand the current situation and controls and coordinates the range extender, drive unit, and power battery system to ensure the trailer operates appropriately for the corresponding scenario, improving the overall performance of both the trailer and the drivable vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a towing system including a drivable vehicle and a trailer, according to one embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the frame of a trailer vehicle according to one embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a frame in which a sensing component is provided for the trailer of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "setup" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1This application illustrates a towing system according to one embodiment. The towing system may include a trailer 100 and a drivable vehicle 200. The trailer 100 can be connected to the drivable vehicle 200, which acts as a tow vehicle, allowing the trailer 100 to follow the drivable vehicle 200. The drivable vehicle 200 can be controlled by a user to travel directionally on a road. It may be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a range-extended electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a pure electric vehicle, etc. This application does not specifically limit the type of drivable vehicle 200. The trailer 100 can be attached to the rear of the drivable vehicle 200 and follows the drivable vehicle's movement under its drive.

[0023] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the frame of a trailer according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The trailer 100 includes a vehicle body 10, a drive unit 20, a power battery system 30, a charging unit 40, a range extender 50, and a vehicle control unit 60. The vehicle body 10 can be a combination of a cargo box, a chassis, and wheels. The cargo box can be used to load objects, and the chassis and wheels can support the cargo box to move with a drivable vehicle. The specific structure of the cargo box, chassis, and wheels is not limited in this application; the shape and size of the cargo box, the model of the chassis, and the size and number of wheels can all be set according to actual needs. The vehicle body 10 can be directly connected to a drivable vehicle, allowing the vehicle body 10 to move with the drivable vehicle.

[0024] The drive unit 20 is installed inside the vehicle body 10. The drive unit 20 serves as the drive source for the vehicle body 10, driving its movement. That is, the vehicle body 10 can be driven by a connected drivable vehicle or moved under the drive of the drive unit 20, enabling the towed vehicle 100 to adapt to more road conditions. Specifically, the drive unit 20 may include a drive motor and a reduction mechanism. The motor can be a permanent magnet synchronous motor, an AC asynchronous motor, or a DC motor. The number of motors can be one or more; this application does not impose a specific limitation. In some embodiments, the motor of the drive unit 20 is an AC motor. The drive unit 20 may also include an inverter for converting the DC power from the vehicle battery into AC power.

[0025] The power battery system 30 is electrically connected to the drive unit 20. It can store electrical energy and supply electrical energy to the drive unit 20. The power battery system 30 is installed on the vehicle body 10 and may include one or more battery packs and a battery control module. The material of the battery pack can be selected according to actual needs. For example, the battery pack can use any of the following materials: lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, nickel-metal hydride, ternary lithium, graphene, etc. This application does not limit this. The battery control module can detect the state of each individual cell in the battery pack to determine the state of the entire battery system, and perform corresponding control adjustments and strategy implementation on the power battery system based on their state to realize the charging and discharging management of the power battery system and each individual cell, so as to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power battery system.

[0026] The charging unit 40 is electrically connected to the power battery system 30. It can receive electrical energy from the power grid and store it in the power battery system 30, thereby providing power to the drive unit 20. Users can charge the power battery system 30 through the charging unit 40. The charging unit 40 can be any type of unidirectional, bidirectional, or integrated on-board charger, which can be configured according to actual needs.

[0027] The range extender 50, electrically connected to the drive unit 20, can use fuel to generate electrical energy to directly drive the drive unit 20. The range extender 50 can use gasoline, diesel, or other biomass fuels, such as methanol, etc., without specific limitations in this application. The range extender 50 may include a generator, the electrical energy generated by the generator can directly drive the drive unit 20, and excess electricity can be stored in the power battery system 30. In some embodiments, the range extender 50 also includes an engine, and the generator is driven by the engine. When the range extender starts, the engine provides energy to the drive unit motor to drive the towed vehicle.

[0028] The vehicle control unit 60 is communicatively connected to the range extender 50, drive unit 20, power battery system 30, and charging unit 40. The vehicle control unit 60 can communicate with external devices and receive external control signals to coordinate and control the range extender 50, drive unit 20, power battery system 30, and charging unit 40.

[0029] The trailer 100 of this application, by setting up a drive unit 20 and a power battery system 30, enables the trailer 100 to provide its own power source and provide auxiliary power to the drivable vehicle connected to it, which helps to reduce the power load of the drivable vehicle and is suitable for more road conditions. By setting up a range extender 50, the range of the trailer 100 can be increased. When the drivable vehicle is an electric vehicle, it can further provide power to the drivable vehicle and increase the range of the vehicle in front. Furthermore, by setting up a vehicle control unit 60, it receives external signals, understands the current actual situation, and controls and coordinates the range extender, drive unit and power battery system to enable the trailer 100 to operate under appropriate scenario conditions, thereby improving the overall performance of the trailer 100 and the drivable vehicle.

[0030] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 In some embodiments, the trailer 100 further includes a connecting member 70 disposed on the outer wall of the vehicle body 10. A drivable vehicle can be connected to the connecting member 70 to drive the vehicle body 10 to follow the movement of the drivable vehicle. The connecting member 70 may be equipped with a sensing component 71, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit 60. The vehicle control unit 60 can receive data from the sensing component 71 and coordinate the control of the trailer 100 based on this data. Through the sensing component 71 on the connecting member 70, the connection status between the trailer 100 and the drivable vehicle can be monitored in real time. Based on the real-time monitoring data, the vehicle control unit 60 can make relevant decisions in a timely manner, thereby controlling the range extender 50, drive unit 20, and / or power battery system 30 to complete the corresponding instructions.

[0031] In one embodiment, the sensing component 71 includes a horizontal force sensor, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit 60. The horizontal force sensor can detect the force on the connecting component in the horizontal direction. At least one horizontal force value range F1-F2 can be preset. When the force value detected by the horizontal force sensor exceeds the horizontal force threshold F2, it is determined that the drivable vehicle is struggling to pull the trailer 100, and the vehicle control unit 60 can control the drive unit 20 to increase its output power until the force value detected by the horizontal force sensor is less than F2. When the force value detected by the horizontal force sensor is less than the horizontal force threshold F1, it is determined that the drive unit 20 is using excessive power to drive the trailer 100, and the vehicle control unit 60 can control the drive unit 20 to reduce its power output until the force value detected by the horizontal force sensor is greater than F1. By detecting and judging the horizontal force, the drive unit 20 can quickly adjust its power output to maintain the load of the drivable vehicle within a reasonable range. It should be noted that there can be multiple ranges of target horizontal force, so that the power of the drive unit 20 can be divided into multiple levels, realizing the staged power output of the drive unit 20 of the trailer 100, which greatly optimizes the load of the drivable vehicle and improves the efficiency of the drivable vehicle in driving the trailer 100.

[0032] In one specific implementation, the horizontal force sensor can detect the magnitude of the longitudinal force between the drivable vehicle 200 and the towed vehicle 100, and can determine the type of the longitudinal force. The longitudinal direction is characterized by the direction of travel of both the drivable vehicle 200 and the towed vehicle 100, and the type of longitudinal force can be tension or thrust. For example, if the drivable vehicle 200 and the towed vehicle 100 are connected by a hook, when a force applied by the drivable vehicle 200 to the hook is detected, causing the hook to move the towed vehicle 100 closer to the drivable vehicle 200, the longitudinal force is determined to be tension, and the vehicle control unit 60 can control the drive unit 20 to increase power output based on the magnitude of the longitudinal force. When a force applied by the towed vehicle 100 to the hook is detected, causing the hook to move the drivable vehicle 200 away from the towed vehicle 100, the longitudinal force is determined to be thrust, and the vehicle control unit 60 can control the drive unit 20 to decrease power output based on the magnitude of the longitudinal force.

[0033] In one embodiment, the sensing component 71 further includes a vertical force sensor, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit 60 and is used to detect the force on the connecting member 70 in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal.

[0034] Specifically, a vertical force sensor can be installed at the connection point between the drivable vehicle and the trailer 100. Vertical force thresholds F3 and F4 can be preset, where F3 is the force value directed towards the ground and F4 is the force value directed away from the ground. When the vertical force sensor detects a force value towards the ground greater than F3, it determines that there is a risk to the connection between the drivable vehicle and the trailer 100, such as a risk of breakage. At this time, a prompt message can be generated and sent to the drivable vehicle to indicate the abnormal situation. The user can determine the handling plan based on the prompt message, such as adjusting the load distribution of the object being transported on the trailer.

[0035] When the vertical force sensor detects a force value greater than F4 on the ground, it determines that there is a risk to the connection between the drivable vehicle and the trailer 100, such as a risk of breakage. At this time, a prompt message can be generated and sent to the drivable vehicle to indicate the abnormal situation. The user can determine the handling plan based on the prompt message, such as adjusting the load distribution of the object being transported on the trailer.

[0036] In one embodiment, the sensing component 71 includes a first IMU unit, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit 60. The vehicle control unit 60 can receive data information sensed by the first IMU unit and control the trailer 100 based on the data information.

[0037] The first IMU unit can detect the orientation information of the connecting component 70. The vehicle control unit 60 can receive the first orientation information detected by the first IMU unit, and can also receive the orientation information of the vehicle ahead of the drivable vehicle 200. It can also calculate the deviation value between the first orientation information and the orientation information of the vehicle ahead. When the deviation value is greater than the preset orientation deviation value A1, the vehicle control unit 60 can reduce the power output of the drive unit 20, thereby increasing the load of the drivable vehicle 200, so as to reduce the driving speed of both the drivable vehicle 200 and the trailer 100, thereby improving the safety of the trailer 100 during driving and avoiding the risks caused by the excessive orientation deviation between the drivable vehicle 200 and the trailer 100.

[0038] In one specific implementation, a third IMU unit can be installed on the drivable vehicle 200 to obtain the yaw rate of the drivable vehicle 200, and a first IMU unit can obtain the yaw rate of the towed vehicle 100; the vehicle control unit 60 can receive the yaw rate of the drivable vehicle 200 and the yaw rate of the towed vehicle 100, and determine the yaw rate difference; when the yaw rate difference reaches a preset yaw difference value, the vehicle control unit 60 can control the drive unit 20 to reduce or stop the power output, so as to reduce the overall speed of the drivable vehicle 200 and the towed vehicle 100, until the yaw rate difference is less than the preset yaw difference value within a certain time period.

[0039] In one embodiment, a second IMU unit is provided on the vehicle body 10. The second IMU unit is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit 60. The vehicle control unit 60 can simultaneously receive data information sensed by the first IMU unit and the second IMU unit, and can calculate the data information sensed by the first IMU unit and the second IMU unit to generate control information for controlling the towed vehicle 100.

[0040] Specifically, the first IMU unit detects the first orientation information of the connecting member 71, and the second IMU unit can detect the second orientation information of the vehicle body 10. A pre-set orientation deviation value M1 can be used. When the orientation deviation value of the first orientation information detected by the first IMU unit and the second orientation information detected by the second IMU unit is greater than the pre-set orientation deviation value M1, it indicates that there is a potential risk in the connection relationship between the vehicle body 10 and the connecting member 70. The vehicle control unit 60 can control the drive unit 20 to stop the power output and generate a prompt message to send to the drivable vehicle, and can also present it to the user driving the drivable vehicle to indicate the potential abnormal risk.

[0041] In one embodiment, the sensing component 71 includes a temperature sensor, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit 60. The temperature sensor can be located at the connection point between the connecting member 70 and the drivable vehicle to detect the temperature at the connection point. Specifically, a temperature threshold C1 can be set. When the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor exceeds the temperature threshold C1 for a continuous period of time T1, the vehicle control unit 60 can generate a prompt message to send to the drivable vehicle and present it to the user driving the drivable vehicle to alert them to potential abnormal risks. The user can determine a course of action based on the prompt message, such as stopping to observe the specific condition of the connecting member.

[0042] In one embodiment, the trailer 100 further includes a solar charging module 80 disposed on the vehicle body 10, and the solar charging module 80 is electrically connected to the power battery system 30. By setting up the solar charging module 80, the trailer 100 can be given an additional source of power, enabling it to receive solar energy and convert it into electrical energy. This greatly increases the applicability of the trailer 100, allowing it to be charged even when it is inconvenient to receive power from the grid.

[0043] In one embodiment, the charging unit 40 has a discharge module electrically connected to the power battery system 30. The discharge module can also be electrically connected to external electrical components to release electrical energy from the power battery system 30 to the external electrical components, greatly expanding the functionality of the trailer 100. For example, when a user is camping in the wild, the trailer 100 can act as an energy storage device to provide power to related electrical appliances.

[0044] In one embodiment, the drivable vehicle 200 may be equipped with a power drive system including a power battery, and the power battery system 30 of the tow vehicle 100 can provide electrical energy to the power drive system of the drivable vehicle 200. For example, when the battery level of the power drive system of the drivable vehicle 200 is lower than a preset battery level, it can send a message to the vehicle control unit 60. After receiving the message, the vehicle control unit 60 can control the power battery system 30 to provide electrical energy to the power drive system of the drivable vehicle 200, thereby increasing the driving range of the drivable vehicle 200. In one embodiment, it can be configured that the message is only sent to the vehicle control unit 60 when the battery level of the drivable vehicle 200 is lower than the preset battery level for a continuous period. It is understood that, in one embodiment, the power drive system of the drivable vehicle 200 can also provide electrical energy to the power battery system 30 of the tow vehicle 100.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the drive unit 20 is operating and the vehicle control unit 60 receives a signal that the power battery system 30 is below a preset charge level, the vehicle control unit 60 can control the range extender 50 to start operating and provide power to the drive unit 20. At this time, the vehicle control unit 60 can also control the power battery system 30 to stop power output or reduce the rate of power output.

[0046] In one embodiment, when the drive unit 20 is not working and the vehicle control unit 60 receives a power battery system 30 with a lower than preset charge value and no power from the grid, the vehicle control unit 60 can control the range extender 50 to start working and charge the power battery system 30.

[0047] The trailer described in this application greatly enriches the functionality of the trailer by setting up modules such as a power battery system, drive unit, and range extender, and coordinating and controlling them through the vehicle control unit. This enables intelligent management and control of the trailer, meeting the diverse needs of users in various scenarios.

[0048] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A trailer for connection to a drivable vehicle, characterized in that, The towed vehicle includes: Vehicle body; A drive unit, disposed on the vehicle body, is used to drive the vehicle body to move; A power battery system is electrically connected to the drive unit and is used to provide electrical energy to the drive unit; The charging unit can receive electrical energy from the power grid and store the electrical energy in the power battery system; The range extender can use fuel to generate electrical energy that can be used to directly drive the drive unit and / or charge the power battery system; The vehicle control unit is communicatively connected to the range extender, drive unit, power battery system, and charging unit. The vehicle control unit can accept external signals and coordinate the control of one or more of the range extender, drive unit, power battery system, and charging unit.

2. The trailer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The trailer also includes a connecting member disposed on the outer wall of the trailer body. The drivable vehicle can be connected to the connecting member to drive the trailer body to move. The connecting member is equipped with a sensing component, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit can receive data information from the sensing component and coordinate and control the trailer based on the data information.

3. The trailer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The trailer also includes a solar charging module mounted on the main body of the vehicle, which is electrically connected to the power battery system.

4. The trailer as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The charging unit also has a discharge module, which is electrically connected to the power battery system and is used to release the electrical energy of the power battery system to external electrical components.

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