SUITE SYSTEM

Abstract

System (30) comprising the following: a docking station (34) that can be installed in a charging area (38) of a vehicle (32) and can be electrically connected to a power source (40) of the vehicle (32); and a suitcase (36) containing the following: a connection (42) that can engage the docking station (34); a battery (44) which is electrically connected to the terminal (42); an electric motor (46) which is electrically connected to the battery (44); a wheel (48) connected to the electric motor (46); a weight sensor (74) and a controller (64) in communication with the electric motor (46), the wheel (48) and the weight sensor (74), wherein the control unit (64) is programmed to instruct the electric motor (46) to rotate the wheel (48) based on at least one weight signal from the weight sensor (74).

Description

GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0001] One type of luggage useful for air travel is a rolling suitcase. A rolling suitcase may be shaped like a rectangular prism. A flap on a front side of the rolling suitcase opens and closes, for example, with a zipper that extends along three sides of the flap. The rolling suitcase may include a telescopic handle that extends from a top edge of a back side. The rolling suitcase may include two wheels on an edge between the back side and a bottom side. The wheels may rotate freely relative to the rolling suitcase.

[0002] JP 2007 - 089 618 A describes a suitcase in which the electric motor is controlled based on a signal from a weight sensor. The signal is used to calculate the required drive power.

[0003] US 8 434 577 B1 describes a suitcase with a weight sensor that is used to determine the total weight of the suitcase.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve the prior art to provide a user with better support when using a rolling suitcase. This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are set out in the subclaims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective rear view of a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle with a trunk lid removed for illustrative purposes. Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle with the trunk lid removed and containing a suitcase. Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the vehicle and the case. Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the case in a closed state. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the case in an opened state. Fig. 7 is a perspective rear view of the case. Fig. Figure 8 is a control loop diagram for the suitcase. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] Referring to the figures, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, a system 30 includes a docking station 34 and a case 36. The docking station 34 is installable in a cargo area 38 of a vehicle 32 and electrically connectable to a power source 40 of the vehicle 32. The case 36 includes a port 42 engageable with the docking station 34, a battery 44 electrically connected to the port 42, an electric motor 46 electrically connected to the battery 44, and a wheel 48 connected to the electric motor 46.

[0006] The system 30 assists a user in moving the case 36. This assistance is particularly useful for users with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and so on. The system 30 coordinates with the vehicle 32 to provide convenience to the user by charging the battery 44 of the case 36 while, for example, the user is driving the vehicle 32. When not in use as a case, the case 36 can serve as a storage compartment within the cargo area 38 of the vehicle 32.

[0007] With reference to Fig. 1, the vehicle 32 may be a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, a sedan, a coupe, a van, a minivan, a truck, an SUV, etc. The vehicle 32 may be any known subsystem for propelling a vehicle (not shown), for example, a conventional powertrain including an internal combustion engine coupled to a transmission that transmits rotational motion to the wheels; an electric powertrain including batteries, an electric motor, and a transmission that transmits rotational motion to the wheels; a hybrid powertrain including elements of the conventional powertrain and the electric powertrain; or other type of powertrain.

[0008] With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the vehicle 32 includes the cargo area 38. The cargo area 38 is a space within the vehicle 32 whose purpose is to carry cargo. The cargo area 38 may be intended to carry cargo, e.g., a trunk. Alternatively, the cargo area 38 may be configurable between a cargo-carrying state and another state. For example, floor space under a removable seat (not shown) may be in a cargo-carrying state when the seat is absent and in a passenger-carrying state when the seat is present.

[0009] With reference to Fig. 4, the electrical power source 40 provides electrical power to the components to which the power source 40 is connected. The power source 40 may store electrical energy, for example, a battery connected to the conventional, electric, or hybrid powertrain.

[0010] With reference to the Fig. 2-4, the docking station 34 is installable in the charging area 38 of the vehicle 32. The docking station 34 is electrically connectable to the power source 40 of the vehicle 32. The docking station 34 may include lines 50 connectable to the power source 40.

[0011] The docking station 34 includes engagement features for engaging the case. As an example, the docking station 34 may include clips 52 that can engage the case 36, as further described below. Alternatively or additionally, the docking station 34 may include guide rails, cable ties, magnets, etc., for engaging the case 36 with the docking station 34 in a particular position relative to the docking station 34.

[0012] With reference to the Fig. 4-7, the case 36 includes an exterior 54 and a flap 56, which together define a cavity 58. The case 36 may include the battery 44 and connector 42, a second connector 60, a light 62, a controller 64 (i.e., a computing system), a transceiver 66, a lock 68, the electric motor 46, torque sensors 70, a tilt sensor 72, a weight sensor 74, a position sensor 76, and an alarm 78, all electrically connected to the battery 44. The controller 64 is in communication with the transceiver 66, the lock 68, the electric motor 46, the torque sensors 70, the tilt sensor 72, the weight sensor 74, the position sensor 76, and the alarm 78. The electric motor 46 is connected to the wheels 48.

[0013] With reference to the Fig. 5-7, the exterior surface 54 of the case 36 includes a plurality of walls 80, 82, 84, 86 that form the case 36. Specifically, the case 36 may include a top wall 80, a bottom wall 82, side walls 84, and a rear wall 86. The case 36 may be shaped like a rectangular prism with the top wall 80 opposite the bottom wall 82, the side walls 84 opposite each other, and the rear wall 86 opposite the flap 56. The exterior surface 54, e.g., the rear wall 86, may include slots 88 positioned to receive the clips 52 of the docking station 34.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 6, the cavity 58 is a space within the trunk 36. A user of the trunk 36 can use the cavity 58 for storage.

[0015] With reference to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the flap 56 is movable relative to the outer side 54 between an open position, as in Fig. 5, and a closed position as shown in Fig. 6. In the closed position, the flap 56 lies opposite the rear wall 86 and encloses the cavity 58, as shown in Fig. 5. In the open position, the flap 56 is retracted along the outer side 54 and defines the cavity 58, as shown in Fig. 6 to provide access to the cavity 58. The flap 56 may be a roll-up flap. In particular, the flap 56 includes flap segments 92 parallel along a longitudinal direction relative to the flap 56. The flap segments 92 are flexibly connected in series in a longitudinal direction relative to the flap 56. As the flap 56 moves from the closed position to the open position, the flap segments 92 slide along the outer surface 54 of the case 36 such that the flap 56 conforms to a shape of the outer surface 54.

[0016] With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 7, the connector 42 can engage the docking station 34. The connector 42 can be attached to the rear wall 86 of the exterior 54 of the case 36. The connector 42 can have leads 90 that connect to the leads 50 of the docking station 34 when the connector 42 is engaged with the docking station 34. An arrangement of the leads 90 of the connector 42 can correspond to an arrangement of the leads 50 of the docking station 34; for example, the connector 42 has Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the docking station 34 has two leads 90 spaced apart by a distance, and the docking station 34 has two leads 50 spaced apart by the same distance. When the leads 90 of the connector 42 are connected to the leads 50 of the docking station 34, the leads 50, 90 create an electrical path between the docking station 34 and the case 36.

[0017] With reference to Fig. 4, the battery 44 is electrically connected to the connector 42. The battery 44 receives electrical energy from the connector 42 when the connector 42 is engaged with the docking station 34 and thus connected to the power source 40 of the vehicle 32. The battery 44 may be any suitable device for storing sufficient charge for the activities described below, for example, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lead-acid batteries, or ultracapacitors.

[0018] The controller 64 may be a microprocessor-based controller. The controller 64 may include a processor, a memory, etc. The memory of the controller 64 may include a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor, as well as for electronically storing data and / or databases.

[0019] The transceiver 66 may be configured to transmit and receive signals wirelessly using any suitable wireless communication protocol, such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, 802.11a / b / g, radio, etc. The transceiver 66 may be configured to communicate with a remote server, i.e., a server that is separate and spaced apart from the case 36. The remote server may be located outside the case 36. Alternatively, the transceiver 66 may be a separate transmitter and receiver.

[0020] With reference to the Fig. 4-6, the lock 68 is movable between a locked position engaged with the exterior face 54 and the flap 56 in a closed position and an unlocked position disengaged from at least one of the exterior face 54 and the flap 56. For example, the lock 68 may be mounted on the flap 56 and include a latch 94 that mates with a receptacle 96 mounted on the exterior face 54. The latch 94 and the receptacle 96 may be close enough to mate when the flap 56 is in the closed position.

[0021] The lock 68 can be movable to the unlocked position via a master key and one of a personal key and combination. The master key is usable with all copies of the lock 68 that the manufacturer produces and is typically not provided to the end user. The personal key is only usable with one or a small number of copies of the lock 68 and is provided to the end user upon purchase of the lock 68 and / or the case 36. The combination is a sequence of numbers that is provided to the end user upon purchase of the lock 68 and / or the case 36. The lock 68 can, for example, include a plurality of rotatable, numbered dials (not shown) through which the end user can enter the combination.

[0022] The lock 68 may be in communication with the controller 64. The lock 68 may be configured to be movable between the unlocked position and the locked position in response to a signal from the controller 64. For example, the lock 68 may include a servo (not shown) in communication with a controller 64 that moves the latch 94 to engage or disengage the receptacle 96 in response to a signal from the controller 64.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 7, the case 36 may include two wheels 48. The wheels 48 may be located on an edge between the bottom wall 82 and the rear wall 86.

[0024] The wheels 48 may be spaced apart from each other at the corners of the case 36. The wheels 48 may be formed of plastic or rubber.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 4, the case 36 may include one or two electric motors 46. The electric motor 46 is electrically connected to the battery 44 and connected to one or both of the wheels 48. The electric motor 46 may be drivingly connected to the wheel or wheels 48. The electric motor 46 may be mounted on the rear wall 86, disposed within the wheel 48, or located in any location that facilitates driving connection to the wheel 48.

[0026] The torque sensors 70 may be connected to the wheels 48. A torque sensor 70 may be connected to each wheel 48. The torque sensors 70 may be configured to detect a torque applied to the wheels 48 relative to the outer side 54. The torque sensors 70 may transmit a signal to the controller 64 based on the detected torque. The torque sensors 70 may be any suitable sensor capable of detecting a torque of a rotating component, such as torque converters or magnetoelastic torque sensors.

[0027] The inclination sensor 72 may be in communication with the controller 64. The inclination sensor 72 may transmit an inclination signal to the controller 64 based on an angle of the case 36 relative to a direction of gravity. The inclination sensor 72, also referred to as an inclinometer, may be any sensor capable of detecting an angle relative to the direction of gravity, such as an accelerometer, a liquid capacitive sensor, an electrolytic sensor, a sensor for detecting gas bubbles in a liquid, or a pendulum.

[0028] The weight sensor 74 may be in communication with the controller 64. The weight sensor 74 may transmit a weight signal to the controller 64 based on a sensed weight of the suitcase 36. The weight sensor 74 may be connected to the wheel 48, and another weight sensor 74 may be attached to the other wheel 48. The weight sensor 74 may be any sensor capable of detecting a force against gravity, such as a spring scale, a load cell, or a strain gauge.

[0029] The position sensor 76 may be in communication with the controller 64. The position sensor 76 may be any sensor capable of determining a spatial position of the suitcase 36, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor.

[0030] The alarm 78 may be in communication with the controller 64. The alarm 78 may be capable of generating a sound in response to a signal from the controller 64.

[0031] With reference to the Fig. 4-7, the light 62 may be in communication with the battery 44. The light 62 may be programmed to illuminate based on a charge level of the battery 44. For example, the light 62 may change color depending on a charge level, for example, green for more than 50% charge, yellow for 25% to 50% charge, and red for less than 25% charge. As another example, the light 62 may include multiple bulbs, and the number of bulbs illuminated may depend on the charge level, such as four bulbs for more than 75% charge, three bulbs for 50% to 75% charge, two bulbs for 25% to 50% charge, and one bulb for less than 25% charge. The light 62 may be any suitable type of user detectable light, such as a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0032] With reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, the second port 60 may be electrically connected to the battery 44. The second port 60 may engage a mobile computing device 98, e.g., a smartphone or a tablet. The second port 60 may, for example, be a connector that meets a standard, such as micro-USB. The second port 60 may be used to charge the mobile computing device 98 with electrical energy from the battery 44.

[0033] With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the case 36 may be removably attached to the docking station 34, for example, via the clips 52 of the docking station 34 in the slots 88 of the case 36. When the case 36 is attached to the docking station 34, the connector 42 engages the docking station 34. Specifically, the leads 90 of the connector 42 are connected to the leads 50 of the docking station 34, thereby creating an electrical pathway between the docking station 34 and the case 36. The battery 44 of the case 36 may recharge using electrical energy from the power source 40 of the vehicle 32. Recharging may occur, for example, while a user drives the vehicle 32 to a destination where the user will use the case 36, e.g., an airport.

[0034] With reference to Fig.8, the controller 64 may be programmed to command the electric motor 46 to rotate the wheel 48 based on at least one of a torque applied to the wheel 48 as determined by the torque sensors 70, a tilt signal from the tilt sensor 72, and a weight signal from the weight sensor 74. When a user applies an external force to the wheels 48, e.g., by pulling the suitcase 36 through an airport, the torque sensor 70 detects torque through the wheels 48 and transmits a torque signal to the controller 64. The controller 64 may increase a speed of the electric motor 46 in response to increased torque. When a user tilts the suitcase 36, the tilt sensor 72 detects the tilt and transmits the tilt signal to the controller 64. The controller 64 may increase a speed of the electric motor 46 in response to a larger value of the tilt signal.If the suitcase 36 is heavier, the weight sensor 74 may transmit the weight signal to the controller 64. The controller 64 may increase a speed of the electric motor 46 in response to a greater weight. For example, the controller 64 may be programmed to adjust the speed of the electric motor 46 based on the torque signal, the tilt signal, and the weight signal, for example, S=k*T*I*(W+c), where S is the speed of the electric motor 46, k is a constant scaling factor, T is torque determined from the torque signal, I is a tilt of the suitcase 36 relative to the vertical determined from the tilt signal, W is a weight determined from the weight signal, and c is a constant adjustment factor for the weight. While in this example, the speed of the electric motor 46 is linear with respect to the torque signal, the tilt signal, and the weight signal, other relationships may be used.

[0035] The controller 64 may be programmed to instruct the transceiver 66 to send a signal indicative of a weight of the suitcase 36 based on the weight signal from the weight sensor 74. The signal may be sent from the transceiver 66 to, for example, the user's mobile computing device 98. The user may choose, for example, to reduce the weight of the suitcase 36 by removing items from the cavity 58 to ensure that the suitcase 36 is below a weight limit set by an airline. Alternatively or additionally, the transceiver 66 or the mobile computing device 98 may transmit the weight of the suitcase 36 to the airline to facilitate an airline check-in process for the suitcase 36.

[0036] Because the lock 68 is movable to the unlocked position by the master key, the user may be able to lock the case 36 while allowing the case 36 to remain accessible to authorities authorized to inspect baggage passing through airports, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA approves locks for which a manufacturer of the lock 68 provides the master key to the TSA.

[0037] The controller 64 may be programmed to instruct the transceiver 66 to transmit a signal indicating a position determined by the position sensor 76. The signal may be sent from the transceiver 66 to, for example, the user's mobile computing device 98. The user may be able to use the position reported by the suitcase 36 to determine, for example, whether the suitcase 36 was transported from a tarmac to a baggage claim area of ​​an airport after a flight, whether the suitcase 36 was routed by an airline to the wrong final destination, etc.

[0038] The controller 64 may be programmed to activate the alarm 78 in response to a signal received by the transceiver 66. The signal may be received by the transceiver 66 from, for example, the user's mobile computing device 98. The user may transmit the signal if, for example, the user wants to locate the suitcase 36 among a large number of other suitcases in the baggage claim area.

[0039] The controller 64 may then be programmed to command the lock 68 to move between the unlocked position and the locked position in response to a signal being received by the transceiver 66. The signal may be received by the transceiver 66 from, for example, the user's mobile computing device 98. The user may transmit the signal to the lock 68 to lock or unlock the case 36 before or after the case 36 is grasped by individuals other than the user.

[0040] In general, the described computing systems and / or devices, e.g., controller 64, may employ any of a variety of computer operating systems, including, but not limited to, versions and / or variants of the Ford SYNC® application, the AppLink / Smart Device Link middleware, the Microsoft® Automotive operating system, the Microsoft Windows® operating system, the Unix operating system (e.g., the Solaris® operating system distributed by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, California), the AIX UNIX operating system distributed by International Business Machines of Armonk, New York, the Linux operating system, the Mac OSX and iOS operating systems distributed by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California, the BlackBerry® OS distributed by Blackberry, Ltd. of Waterloo, Canada, and the Android operating system developed by Google, Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance, or the QNX® CAR Platform for Infotainment offered by QNX Software Systems.Examples of computing devices include, but are not limited to, an on-board vehicle computer, a computer workstation, a server, a desktop, notebook, laptop, or handheld computer, or other computing system and / or device.

[0041] Computing devices generally include computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be executable by one or more computing devices, such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or evaluated by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone or in combination: Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, etc. Some of these applications may be compiled and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java Virtual Machine, the Dalvik Virtual Machine, or the like. Generally, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described in this document. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.

[0042] A computer-readable medium (also called a processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., physical) medium that participates in the provision of data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a computer's processor). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent storage. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory. Such instructions may be transmitted through one or more transmission media, including coaxial cable, copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires comprising a system bus coupled to a computer's processor.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a film disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium, punched cards, punched tape, any other physical medium with hole patterns, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any other memory chip or any other memory cartridge, or any other medium that can be read by a computer.

[0043] Databases, datasets, or other data stores described herein may include various mechanisms for storing, accessing, and retrieving various types of data, including a hierarchical database, a group of files in a file system, an application database in a proprietary format, a relational database management system (RDBMS), etc. Each such data store is generally contained within a computing device employing a computer operating system, such as one of those mentioned above, and is accessed in one or more of a variety of ways over a network. A file system may be accessed by a computer operating system and may include files stored in various formats.An RDBMS generally uses the structured query language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating, storing, manipulating, and executing stored procedures, such as the PL / SQL language mentioned above.

[0044] In some examples, system elements may be implemented as computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.) stored on associated computer-readable media (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). A computer program product may include such instructions stored on computer-readable media for performing the functions described herein.

[0045] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be of a descriptive rather than a limiting nature. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

[1] System (30) comprising: a docking station (34) that can be installed in a charging area (38) of a vehicle (32) and is electrically connectable to a power source (40) of the vehicle (32); and a case (36) containing: a connector (42) adapted to engage the docking station (34); a battery (44) electrically connected to the terminal (42); an electric motor (46) electrically connected to the battery (44); a wheel (48) connected to the electric motor (46); a weight sensor (74) and a controller (64) in communication with the electric motor (46), the wheel (48) and the weight sensor (74), wherein the controller (64) is programmed to instruct the electric motor (46) to rotate the wheel (48) based on at least one weight signal from the weight sensor (74). [2] The system (30) of claim 1, wherein the case (36) includes an outer surface (54) and a flap (56) movable relative to the outer surface (54) between an open position and a closed position. [3] The system (30) of claim 2, wherein the flap (56) is retractable along an outer side (54) in the open position. [4] The system (30) of any of claims 2-3, wherein the case (36) includes a lock (68) movable between a locked position in engagement with the exterior (54) and the flap (56) in the closed position and an unlocked position out of engagement with at least one of the exterior (54) and the flap (56). [5] The system (30) of claim 4, wherein the lock (68) is movable to the unlocked position by both a master key and one of a personal key and combination. [6] The system (30) of any of claims 4-5, wherein the controller (64) is in communication with the lock (68) and the lock (68) is configured to be movable between the unlocked position and the locked position in response to a signal from the controller (64). [7] The system (30) of claim 6, wherein the case (36) includes a transceiver (66) in communication with the controller (64), and the controller (64) is programmed to command the lock (68) to move between the unlocked position and the locked position in response to a signal received by the transceiver (66). [8] The system (30) of claim 1, wherein the controller (64) is programmed to command the electric motor (46) to rotate the wheel (48) based at least on torque being applied to the wheel (48). [9] The system (30) of any one of claims 1 or 8, wherein the case (36) includes a tilt sensor (72) in communication with the controller (64), and the controller (64) is further programmed to command the electric motor (46) to rotate the wheel (48) based on a tilt signal from the tilt sensor (72). [10] The system (30) of claim 1, wherein the suitcase (36) includes a transceiver (66) in communication with the controller (64), and the controller (64) is programmed to instruct the transceiver (66) to transmit a signal indicative of a weight of the suitcase (36) based on a signal from the weight sensor (74). [11] The system (30) of claim 1, wherein the case (36) includes a transceiver (66) in communication with the controller (64). [12] The system (30) of claim 11, wherein the case (36) includes an alarm in communication with the controller (64), and the controller (64) is programmed to activate the alarm in response to receiving a signal from the transceiver (66). [13] The system (30) of any of claims 11-12, wherein the case (36) includes a position sensor (76) in communication with the controller (64), and the controller (64) is programmed to instruct the transceiver (66) to transmit a signal indicative of a position determined by the position sensor (76). [14] The system (30) of any of claims 1-13, wherein the case (36) includes a light (62) in communication with the battery (44), the light (62) being programmed to illuminate based on a state of charge of the battery (44). [15] The system (30) of any of claims 1-14, wherein the case (36) includes a second port (42) electrically connected to the battery (44) and engageable by a mobile computing device (98). [16] The system (30) of any of claims 1-15, further comprising the vehicle (32), including the charging area (38) and the power source (40), wherein the docking station (34) is installed in the charging area (38) and connected to the power source (40).

Images