Motor-driven trailer and towing bar system

Abstract

A motor-driven trailer (10) and towbar (20) system for connecting the trailer (10) to a vehicle (32), in particular a bicycle, the towbar (20) having a vehicle end (20a) for coupling to the vehicle (32) and a trailer end (20b) coupled to a trailer hitch (15) of the trailer (10), the towbar (20) being coupled to the trailer (10) such that the towbar (20) can pivot along a pivot path (P) relative to the trailer (10) between a lowered position (L) and a raised position (R), the system comprising at least one first sensor element (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towbar (20) along the pivot path (P); and a control unit (TCU) in communication with the at least one first sensor element (22, 24), wherein the control unit (TCU) is adapted to place the system in an operating mode when a motor (12) of the trailer (10) supports movement of the trailer (10) and in a parking mode when the trailer (10) is braked to prevent movement of the trailer (10) depending on the position of the tow bar (20) along the turning path (P), wherein the system is in the parking mode when the tow bar (20) is in the raised position (R) and in the operating mode when the tow bar (20) is in the lowered position (L).

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system of a motor-driven trailer and a towing bar for connecting a trailer to a vehicle, particularly a bicycle.

Background Art

[0002] Motor-driven trailers usually move autonomously by a motor powered by a battery. Such motor-driven trailers can be designed to automatically follow the vehicle to which they are connected via a towing bar, and in particular, accelerate when the towing vehicle accelerates and brake when the towing vehicle brakes. Thus, the distance between the motor-driven trailer and the vehicle can be measured and maintained within a predetermined range by accelerating or decelerating the trailer. Such towing bars and trailers are known, for example, from European Patent No. 3416860 and UK Patent Application Publication No. 2560883.

[0003] Even when the motor-driven trailer is not coupled to a vehicle, it can be advantageous to make the motor-driven trailer movable. The trailer may, for example, be pushed or pulled by a person holding the towing bar. Generally, during the use of such a motor-driven trailer in a manual pushing mode, the trailer can follow the person by maintaining a certain distance between the trailer and the person, as described above.

[0004] Separate from the use of the trailer, it is important to ensure that the trailer does not move unintentionally, particularly when parked.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a motor-driven trailer and towing bar system that can be used particularly safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention solves the problem as described in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, specification, and drawings.

[0008] In the present invention, a system of a motor-driven trailer and towing bar for connecting a trailer to a vehicle, particularly a bicycle, the towing bar comprises a vehicle-side end for coupling to a vehicle and a trailer-side end coupled to a trailer coupling portion of the trailer, the towing bar is connected to the trailer such that the towing bar can rotate along a turning path between a lowered position and an raised position, the system comprises at least one first sensor element for detecting the position of the towing bar along the turning path and a control unit communicating with at least one first sensor element, the control unit is adapted to configure the system to operate mode when the trailer motor supports the movement of the trailer and to park mode when the trailer brakes are applied to prevent the movement of the trailer, the system is in park mode when the towing bar is in the raised position and in operate mode when the towing bar is in the lowered position.

[0009] In the system of the present invention, the tow bar is pivotable relative to the trailer. The tow bar can pivot upward from the lowered position to the raised position, or downward from the raised position to the lowered position. The lowered position may be, for example, essentially the horizontal position of the tow bar, and the raised position may be, for example, essentially the vertical position of the tow bar. The lowered position and / or raised position may be defined by a specific angular position of the tow bar relative to the trailer, but may also be understood as an angular range of the tow bar relative to the trailer. For example, an angular range of + / - 10 to 20° around the horizontal position of the tow bar may be understood as the lowered position. If the tow bar is not in the raised position, it may be considered that the tow bar is in the lowered position, and therefore the system is in operating mode.

[0010] According to the present invention, the tow bar comprises at least one first sensor element adapted to detect the position of the tow bar along a turning path relative to the trailer, and in particular to detect the angular position of the tow bar. The data measured by the sensor element is received by a control unit, which puts the system into different modes depending on the position of the tow bar. The control unit may be part of the trailer and / or the tow bar. Preferably, the control unit is part of a trailer control unit that controls further functions of the trailer, in particular the movement of the trailer depending on the distance between the trailer and a vehicle coupled to the trailer by the tow bar or the person holding the tow bar. According to the present invention, the control unit can put the system into either an operating mode or a parking mode depending on the position of the tow bar. In the operating mode, the motors of a motor-driven trailer operate to support the movement of the trailer in the manner described above. In particular, the trailer may be moved so that the distance between the trailer and the vehicle or the person pushing or pulling the trailer is kept constant. Therefore, as the distance between the vehicle or person and the trailer increases, the motor may accelerate the trailer, and as the distance between the vehicle or person and the trailer decreases, the motor may move the trailer in the opposite direction and / or apply the brakes. In this mode of operation, the towing bar is in the lowered position and is either coupled to the vehicle or held by a person.

[0011] On the other hand, in the raised position, the trailer is put into parking mode by the control unit, and the trailer's brakes are applied to prevent further movement of the trailer. In parking mode, the motor may be stopped so as not to support any movement of the trailer. In this way, when the tow bar is in the raised position, the movement of the trailer is safely prevented. Because the brakes are applied or the motor is stopped, unwanted movement cannot occur, thus providing an even higher level of safety when using this motor-driven trailer.

[0012] According to the embodiment, the system is further adapted to detect the direction of movement of the tow bar along the turning path, and the control unit is adapted to apply the brakes to the trailer when the tow bar moves upward toward the raised position. In particular, at least one first sensor and / or control unit may be adapted to detect the direction of movement of the tow bar. According to this embodiment, it is detected not only whether the tow bar is in the lowered or raised position, but also whether the movement is upward or downward along the turning path. The brakes to the trailer are applied not only when the tow bar reaches the raised position, but also when the tow bar has already left the lowered position and is moving upward toward the raised position. According to each embodiment, the control unit is adapted to increase the braking force of the brakes as the tow bar approaches the raised position. Thus, the closer the tow bar is to the raised position, the greater the braking force can be. This embodiment allows for a quick reaction when the tow bar moves upward toward the lowered position, enabling the trailer to come to a gentle stop. The upward or downward direction of movement of the tow bar can be detected by the sensor providing different outputs for these two directions of movement. In this regard, additional sensors may be provided, as explained below.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the control unit is further adapted to put the system into an emergency mode that applies full braking force to the trailer brakes to achieve emergency braking, and the system enters emergency mode when the tow bar moves downward from the lowered position along the turning path. According to this embodiment, the control unit is adapted to put the system into an additional mode, emergency mode. This is done when the tow bar moves downward, rather than upward, from the lowered position. As soon as the tow bar leaves the lowered position during its downward movement, the trailer brakes are applied at full force. The application of full braking force achieves emergency braking, and the motor-driven trailer stops as quickly as possible. When the tow bar moves downward from the lowered position, the operating mode ends, which usually means that an accident has occurred. For example, a cyclist riding a bicycle towed to the trailer by the tow bar may have an accident, or a person pulling the tow bar may let go of it. In this case, it is important to stop the trailer to avoid a collision with the user. According to each embodiment, the system enters emergency mode when the tow bar moves downward from the lowered position along the turning path at a speed exceeding a set speed limit. According to this embodiment, the emergency brake is applied only when the tow bar moves downward at a minimum speed or higher. The speed limit may be set so that the emergency brake is applied only when the tow bar falls over, rather than when the user gently lowers it.

[0014] According to the embodiment, the first sensor element comprises one or more of a proximity sensor, an angle sensor, an angle encoder, a switch, and in particular a magnetic switch. Generally, the first sensor element may include a first sensor and an object, the sensor may be located on the tow bar and the object on the trailer, or the sensor may be located on the trailer and the object on the tow bar. The proximity sensor may detect the distance between the sensor and the object and / or changes in distance. The angle sensor or angle encoder may provide an angular position as an output. However, the first sensor element may be a switch that is activated when the tow bar reaches the raised position. When the switch is activated, the control unit activates the parking mode, thereby activating the brakes. According to the present invention, when the switch is not activated, the tow bar may be considered not to be in the raised position and to be in the lowered position, and therefore the system is in operating mode.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first sensor element includes a proximity sensor and an object, the proximity sensor detecting the distance between the proximity sensor and the object. The proximity sensor may be located at the trailer-side end of the tow bar, or the object facing the proximity sensor may be located at the trailer coupling of the trailer. Alternatively, the object may be located at the trailer-side end of the tow bar, or the proximity sensor facing the object may be located at the trailer coupling of the trailer. The proximity sensor detects the distance between the proximity sensor and the object and / or changes in distance. Depending on the distance or changes in distance, it may be possible to derive whether the tow bar is in the raised position or the lowered position, and thereby whether an operating mode or a parking mode can be applied. The direction of movement of the tow bar can also be detected by such a sensor element. Furthermore, such a sensor enables the application of the emergency mode described above, namely, whether the tow bar is moving downward from the lowered position and its speed.

[0016] According to the embodiment, at least two first sensor elements are provided for detecting the position of the tow bar along the turning path. Both of the two first sensor elements may be designed and adapted as described above. Providing two first sensor elements provides a higher level of safety through redundancy. In the event that one sensor element fails, the other sensor element may still function. Providing at least two first sensor elements also makes it possible to determine the direction of movement of the tow bar. According to each embodiment, at least two first sensor elements provide different sensor outputs when the tow bar moves along the turning path. In particular, at least two first sensor elements provide different sensor outputs when the tow bar moves upward or downward along the turning path.

[0017] According to the embodiment, the trailer further comprises at least one second sensor element for detecting whether a coupling has been established between the vehicle-side end of the towing bar and the vehicle. The at least one second sensor element is preferably located at the vehicle-side end of the towing bar. The at least one second sensor element can detect whether the towing bar is coupled to the vehicle. For example, the second sensor element can detect whether the towing bar is coupled to a trailer hitch or trailer coupling on a car or bicycle. Depending on whether such a coupling is detected, the control unit puts the system into a different mode.

[0018] According to each embodiment, the control unit is adapted to put the system into push mode if at least one second sensor element does not detect coupling to a vehicle, and in push mode, the control unit limits the maximum speed of the trailer to a first speed limit. Thus, when the trailer is not coupled to a vehicle, the trailer can be used as a handcart, pulled by a person holding a tow bar. Limiting the maximum speed of the trailer in push mode improves safety. Furthermore, according to each further embodiment, the control unit can be adapted to put the system into vehicle mode if at least one second sensor element detects coupling to a vehicle, and in vehicle mode, the control unit limits the maximum speed of the trailer to a second speed limit. The second speed limit may be faster than the first speed limit. Thus, depending on whether coupling to a vehicle is detected or not, the system may be limited to different speed limits. In particular, the first speed limit, as a slower speed limit, is set so that the trailer moves at a relatively low speed. For example, the first speed limit may be walking speed. This increases safety. To maintain the set speed limit, the control unit may limit the support provided by the motor and / or apply the brakes. The second speed limit may be the trailer's maximum speed.

[0019] According to the embodiment, at least one second sensor element detects whether the safety pins of the vehicle coupling of the vehicle are inserted into the respective receptacles on the vehicle-side ends of the towing bar. At least one second sensor that has detected the safety pins may recognize that the trailer is coupled to the vehicle. The control unit may also be adapted to control the motors and thereby control the movement of the trailer in a different way, in particular by putting the system into vehicle mode, even if such coupling is not detected but coupling to the vehicle is detected. For example, to achieve more agile movement, the control algorithm executed by the control unit for controlling the movement of the trailer may be changed to vehicle mode. Automatic activation of vehicle mode would eliminate the need for the user to manually switch the system to vehicle mode, for example by pressing a button (which the user may forget). The second sensor element may also detect whether the safety pins are properly installed, for example, whether the safety pins are fully inserted into the receptacles.

[0020] According to the embodiment, the control unit is further adapted to put the system into an emergency mode that applies full braking force to the trailer brakes in order to achieve emergency braking, and the system enters emergency mode when the coupling between the tow bar and the vehicle is disconnected. This emergency mode is activated when the coupling between the tow bar and the vehicle, which had been established, is disconnected for any reason. In particular, such an unwanted disconnection of the coupling may be determined when at least one second sensor element detects that the safety pin has detached from each receptacle while the trailer is in motion. This could occur, for example, if the driver of the vehicle has an accident, or if a cyclist falls to the ground.

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1]A system of a motor-driven trailer and a towing bar according to the present invention is shown in a side view, with the towing bar shown in the lowered position as well as the raised position. [Figure 2] The trailer of FIG. 1 is shown by the movement range in which the towing bar is in the lowered position. [Figure 3a] The connection between the trailer connection part of the trailer and the trailer-side end of the towing bar is shown. [Figure 3b] The connection between the trailer connection part of the trailer and the trailer-side end of the towing bar is shown. [Figure 4a] The vehicle-side end of the towing bar and the connection of the vehicle-side end of the towing bar to the vehicle are shown. [Figure 4b] The vehicle-side end of the towing bar and the connection of the vehicle-side end of the towing bar to the vehicle are shown. [Figure 5] A system operating in the push mode is shown. [Figure 6] A system coupled to a bicycle operating in the vehicle mode is shown. [Figure 7] The inputs and outputs of the control unit are schematically shown.

[0023] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Figure 1 shows a system of a motor-driven trailer 10 and a tow bar 20 for connecting the trailer 10 to a vehicle. The trailer 10 is equipped with a motor 12 powered by a battery 14. In this embodiment, the motor 12 is located on the front axle that drives the front wheels. However, the motor may generally be located anywhere on the trailer and can also be adapted to drive the rear wheels. The trailer 10 is equipped with a trailer control unit, which is not shown in Figure 1. The trailer control unit, hereafter referred to as the TCU, can control the movement of the trailer 10. The trailer 10 is motor-driven so that it can sense and maintain a constant distance between the trailer 10 and the tow bar 20, and therefore between the trailer and the vehicle or the person pulling or pushing the trailer with the tow bar 20. This allows the trailer 10 to follow the vehicle or person as if it were weightless. To achieve this, a control box 16 is provided, as detailed in European Patent No. 3416860, which enables the measurement of the distance, and in particular can measure and maintain a constant variable distance between the towing bar and the trailer 10.

[0025] The tow bar 20 comprises a vehicle-side end 20a for connecting to a bicycle as a vehicle, and a trailer-side end 20b connected to the trailer 10 via a control box 16. The tow bar 20 is connected to the trailer 10 so that it can pivot along a turning path P between a lowered position L and an raised position R. When the tow bar 20 is in the lowered position L, the system may be connected to a bicycle or towed by a person holding the tow bar 20. In the raised position R, the system is not in use and is in parking mode, as described below.

[0026] The lowered position L and the raised position R can be understood as angular values ​​along the turning path. However, as shown in Figure 2, they can also be understood as angular ranges along the turning path P, and the range of movement of the tow rod 20 along the turning path P can be understood as the lowered position of the tow rod 20. In this embodiment, the tow rod 20 is in the lowered position as long as it is within an angular range of movement of approximately 30° around the horizontal position of the tow rod 20. The lowered position includes positions P1 and P2 in particular. Position P3 indicates that the tow rod 20 is higher than the lowered position in the direction of the raised position.

[0027] The system according to the present invention comprises two first sensor elements 22 and 24, as shown in Figure 3. The sensor elements 22 and 24 are positioned at the joint between the towing rod 20 and the trailer 10. Both of the first sensor elements 22 and 24 include proximity sensors 22a and 24a positioned at the trailer-side end 20b of the towing rod 20, and objects 22b and 24b positioned at the trailer coupling portion 15 of the trailer 10, respectively. The towing rod 20 is rotatable around axis A relative to the trailer coupling portion 15 of the trailer 10. In Figure 3a, this coupling portion is shown in cross-sectional view, so only the first sensor element 24 is visible. In Figure 3b, this coupling portion is shown in top view, so both the first sensor elements 22 and 24 are visible. Proximity sensor 22a detects the distance between proximity sensor 22a and object 22b, and proximity sensor 24a detects the distance between proximity sensor 24a and object 24b. As shown in Figure 3, the objects 22b and 24b have different shapes. Because the objects 22b and 24b have different shapes, the proximity sensors 22a and 24a measure different distances to each angular position of the tow rod 20 along the swivel path P around axis A. Therefore, the two first sensor elements 22 and 24 provide different sensor outputs as the tow rod 20 moves along the swivel path P. The objects 22b and 24b may also be ferromagnetic elements, and the proximity sensors 22a and 24a may measure the magnetic properties of these ferromagnetic objects 22b and 24b. The two first sensor elements 22 and 24 may determine the angular position of the tow rod 20 along the swivel path P.

[0028] According to the present invention, the system comprises a control unit which may be part of a TCU, and the TCU is adapted to put the system into different modes depending on the position of the tow bar 20 along the turning path P. In particular, the control unit is adapted to put the system into an operating mode when the motor 12 of the trailer 10 is supporting the movement of the trailer 10, and into a parking mode when the trailer brakes are applied and the movement of the trailer 10 is prevented. When the tow bar 20 is in the lowered position L, the control unit puts the system into operating mode, and when the tow bar 20 is in the raised position R, the control unit puts the system into parking mode. The position of the tow bar 20 is detected by two first sensor elements 22, 24. The sensor elements are also adapted to provide the direction of movement of the tow bar 20 along the turning path P by different sensor outputs. Thanks to this, the control unit can apply the brakes to the trailer 10 not only when the tow bar 20 has reached the raised position R, but also when the tow bar 20 has already moved upward. In particular, the braking force may increase as the towing rod 20 approaches the raised position R.

[0029] Therefore, the system according to the present invention allows for a distinction between an operating mode and a braking mode. In the operating mode, the trailer may be coupled to a vehicle by a towing bar, or it may be pulled by a person, and the motor of the trailer in the operating mode is operating to support the movement of the trailer. However, in the parking mode, the trailer is stopped by applying the brakes. In addition, in the parking mode, the motor of the trailer may be stopped so as not to support the movement of the trailer any further. Therefore, in the parking mode, the trailer is safely stopped.

[0030] Figure 4 schematically shows the connection of the tow bar 20, i.e., the connection of the trailer 10 and the bicycle. In particular, the vehicle-side end 20a of the tow bar 20 is provided with a first receptacle 26 that receives the trailer hitch 34 of the bicycle coupling part 30, which is connected to the bar of the bicycle 32. The vehicle-side end 20a of the tow bar 20 is provided with a second sensor element 28 for detecting whether the connection between the vehicle-side end 20a of the tow bar 20 and the bicycle 32 has been established. The second sensor element 28 detects whether the safety pin 36 is inserted into each of the second receptacles 27.

[0031] When the second sensor element 28 detects the pin 36 and thereby detects coupling to the bicycle 32, the control unit switches the system to vehicle mode, in which case the control unit limits the trailer's maximum speed to a second speed limit. If the second sensor element 28 does not detect the pin 36, it is assumed that a secure coupling with the bicycle has not been established, and the control unit switches the system to push mode, in which case the control unit limits the trailer's maximum speed to a first speed limit. The second speed limit is faster than the first speed limit. Therefore, by using such a second sensor element, the system can distinguish between push mode, when a person wishes to pull the trailer by holding the tow bar, and vehicle mode, when the trailer is pulled by a bicycle. Setting a lower speed limit for push mode improves safety, especially since the trailer can only move at its maximum speed when the safety pin is received in the second receptacle. In this way, the user is shown whether or not the safety pin is inserted. The safety pin 36 is secured to the coupling portion 30 by the leash 38. However, the second sensor element 28 may also, or alternatively, detect whether the trailer hitch 34 is inserted into the first receptacle 26.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit can be adapted to put the system into an emergency mode in which the trailer's brakes are applied with full braking force to enable emergency braking. The control unit can put the system into emergency mode, for example, if the tow bar 20 moves downward from the lowered position L along the turning path P, especially if such downward movement occurs at a speed exceeding a set speed limit. As a result, if the tow bar falls unintentionally, the trailer will stop. The system can also be set into emergency mode if the connection between the tow bar 20 and the bicycle is severed, for example, if the second sensor element 28 no longer detects the safety pin 36, thereby activating the emergency brakes.

[0033] Figure 5 shows the system in push mode when being pulled by a person 40. As previously mentioned, the control unit can put the system into push mode, thereby limiting the trailer's speed by, for example, applying the brakes and / or limiting the support provided by the trailer's motor. Emergency braking is applied if the user 40 loses strength, or if a child is pulling the trailer and the tow bar 20 falls or goes below the lowered position, respectively.

[0034] Figure 6 shows the system connected to the bicycle 32. Here, the tow bar 20 is in the lowered position as detected by the first sensor elements 22 and 24, so the system is in operating mode. The second sensor element 28 detects the connection between the tow bar and the bicycle 32, and the system enters vehicle mode, which sets a faster speed limit. In particular, in vehicle mode, the maximum speed of the trailer may be set as the speed limit. Also, in vehicle mode, the control unit may be adapted to make the motor control more responsive.

[0035] Figure 7 schematically shows the inputs received by the TCU. The control unit according to the present invention may be part of the TCU, as previously mentioned. The TCU 100 receives inputs regarding the position of the tow bar from both of the first sensor elements 22 and 24. The TCU 100 also receives inputs from the second sensor element 28 indicating the coupling between the tow bar and the bicycle, and inputs regarding the distance between the vehicle or user and the trailer from the control box 16. The battery 14 serves as the power source for the TCU 100. The TCU controls the motor 12 based on these inputs and also controls the application of the brakes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 10 Trailers 12 motors 14 batteries 15 Trailer coupling section 16 Control Box 20 Towbar 20a Vehicle-side end of the towing bar 20b Trailer-side end of the towing bar 22, 24 First sensor element 22a, 24a proximity sensors 22b, 24b Objects 26. The first receptacle 27. The second receptacle 28. Second sensor element 30 Bicycle connection part 32 Bicycles 34 Trailer Hitch 36 Safety pins 38 Leash 40 people / user 100 TCU (Trailer Control Unit) A-axis L lowering position P turning path P1, P2, P3 position R Ascending position

Claims

1. A system of a motor-driven trailer (10) and a towing bar (20) for connecting a trailer (10) to a vehicle (32), particularly a bicycle, The towing rod (20) comprises a vehicle-side end (20a) for connecting to the vehicle (32) and a trailer-side end (20b) connected to the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10). The towing rod (20) is connected to the trailer (10) such that the towing rod (20) can rotate along a turning path (P) between a lowered position (L) and an raised position (R). The system comprises at least one first sensor element (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towing rod (20) along the turning path (P), and a control unit (TCU) that communicates with the at least one first sensor element (22, 24). The control unit (TCU) is configured to adapt the system to the position of the towing bar (20) along the turning path (P) to an operating mode when the motor (12) of the trailer (10) supports the movement of the trailer (10), and to a parking mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied to prevent the movement of the trailer (10). The system enters the parking mode when the towing rod (20) is in the raised position (R), and enters the operation mode when the towing rod (20) is in the lowered position (L). The trailer (10) further comprises at least one second sensor element (28) for detecting whether the connection between the vehicle-side end (20a) of the towing rod (20) and the vehicle (32) is established. The control unit (TCU) is configured to put the system into push mode if the at least one second sensor element (28) does not detect coupling to the vehicle (32), and in push mode, the control unit (TCU) limits the maximum speed of the trailer (10) to a first limiting speed.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (TCU) is configured to put the system into vehicle mode when the at least one second sensor element (28) detects coupling to the vehicle (32), and in vehicle mode, the control unit (TCU) limits the maximum speed of the trailer (10) to a second speed limit.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the second speed limit is faster than the first speed limit.

4. A system of a motor-driven trailer (10) and a towing bar (20) for connecting a trailer (10) to a vehicle (32), particularly a bicycle, The towing rod (20) comprises a vehicle-side end (20a) for connecting to the vehicle (32) and a trailer-side end (20b) connected to the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10). The towing rod (20) is connected to the trailer (10) such that the towing rod (20) can rotate along a turning path (P) between a lowered position (L) and an raised position (R). The system comprises at least one first sensor element (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towing rod (20) along the turning path (P), and a control unit (TCU) that communicates with the at least one first sensor element (22, 24). The control unit (TCU) is configured to adapt the system to the position of the towing bar (20) along the turning path (P) to an operating mode when the motor (12) of the trailer (10) supports the movement of the trailer (10), and to a parking mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied to prevent the movement of the trailer (10). The system enters the parking mode when the towing rod (20) is in the raised position (R), and enters the operation mode when the towing rod (20) is in the lowered position (L). The trailer (10) further comprises at least one second sensor element (28) for detecting whether the connection between the vehicle-side end (20a) of the towing rod (20) and the vehicle (32) is established. The control unit (TCU) is configured to switch the system to vehicle mode when the at least one second sensor element (28) detects coupling to the vehicle (32), and in vehicle mode, the control unit (TCU) limits the maximum speed of the trailer (10) to a second speed limit.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one second sensor element (28) detects whether the safety pin (36) of the vehicle coupling portion (30) of the vehicle (32) is inserted into the respective receptacles (27) of the vehicle-side end (20a) of the towing rod (20).

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (TCU) is further adapted to put the system into emergency mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied with full braking force to achieve emergency braking, and the system enters emergency mode when the connection between the towing bar (20) and the vehicle (32) is disconnected.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the system is further adapted to detect the direction of movement of the towing bar (20) along the turning path (P), and the control unit (TCU) is adapted to apply the brakes to the trailer (10) when the towing bar (20) moves upward toward the raised position (R).

8. A system of a motor-driven trailer (10) and a towing bar (20) for connecting a trailer (10) to a vehicle (32), particularly a bicycle, The towing rod (20) comprises a vehicle-side end (20a) for connecting to the vehicle (32) and a trailer-side end (20b) connected to the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10). The towing rod (20) is connected to the trailer (10) such that the towing rod (20) can rotate along a turning path (P) between a lowered position (L) and an raised position (R). The system comprises at least one first sensor element (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towing rod (20) along the turning path (P), and a control unit (TCU) that communicates with the at least one first sensor element (22, 24). The control unit (TCU) is configured to adapt the system to the position of the towing bar (20) along the turning path (P) to an operating mode when the motor (12) of the trailer (10) supports the movement of the trailer (10), and to a parking mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied to prevent the movement of the trailer (10). The system enters the parking mode when the towing rod (20) is in the raised position (R), and enters the operation mode when the towing rod (20) is in the lowered position (L). The system is further adapted to detect the direction of movement of the tow bar (20) along the turning path (P), and the control unit (TCU) is adapted to apply the brakes to the trailer (10) when the tow bar (20) moves upward toward the raised position (R).

9. The system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit (TCU) is adapted to increase the braking force of the brake as the towing rod (20) approaches the raised position (R).

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control unit (TCU) is further adapted to put the system into emergency mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied with full braking force to achieve emergency braking, and the system enters emergency mode when the towing bar (20) moves downward from the lowered position (L) along the turning path (P).

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the system enters the emergency mode when the towing rod (20) moves downward from the lowered position (L) along the turning path (P) at a moving speed exceeding a set speed limit.

12. A system of a motor-driven trailer (10) and a towing bar (20) for connecting a trailer (10) to a vehicle (32), particularly a bicycle, The towing rod (20) comprises a vehicle-side end (20a) for connecting to the vehicle (32) and a trailer-side end (20b) connected to the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10). The towing rod (20) is connected to the trailer (10) such that the towing rod (20) can rotate along a turning path (P) between a lowered position (L) and an raised position (R). The system comprises at least one first sensor element (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towing rod (20) along the turning path (P), and a control unit (TCU) that communicates with the at least one first sensor element (22, 24). The control unit (TCU) is configured to adapt the system to the position of the towing bar (20) along the turning path (P) to an operating mode when the motor (12) of the trailer (10) supports the movement of the trailer (10), and to a parking mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied to prevent the movement of the trailer (10). The system enters the parking mode when the towing rod (20) is in the raised position (R), and enters the operation mode when the towing rod (20) is in the lowered position (L). The control unit (TCU) is further adapted to put the system into emergency mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied with full braking force to achieve emergency braking, and the system enters emergency mode when the towing bar (20) moves downward from the lowered position (L) along the turning path (P). The system enters emergency mode when the towing rod (20) moves downward from the lowered position (L) along the turning path (P) at a speed exceeding a set speed limit.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first sensor elements (22, 24) comprises one or more of a proximity sensor, an angle sensor, an angle encoder, a switch, and in particular a magnetic switch.

14. The first sensor element (22, 24) includes proximity sensors (22a, 24a) and objects (22b, 24b), the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) detect the distance between the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) and the objects (22b, 24b), the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) are positioned at the trailer-side end (20b) of the towing rod (20), and the objects (22b, 24b) are located on the trailer (10). The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the object (22b, 24b) is positioned opposite the proximity sensor (22a, 24a) at the trailer coupling portion (15), or the object (22b, 24b) is positioned at the trailer-side end (20b) of the towing rod (20), and the proximity sensor (22a, 24a) is positioned opposite the object (22b, 24b) at the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10).

15. A system of a motor-driven trailer (10) and a towing bar (20) for connecting a trailer (10) to a vehicle (32), particularly a bicycle, The towing rod (20) comprises a vehicle-side end (20a) for connecting to the vehicle (32) and a trailer-side end (20b) connected to the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10). The towing rod (20) is connected to the trailer (10) such that the towing rod (20) can rotate along a turning path (P) between a lowered position (L) and an raised position (R). The system comprises at least one first sensor element (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towing rod (20) along the turning path (P), and a control unit (TCU) that communicates with the at least one first sensor element (22, 24). The control unit (TCU) is configured to adapt the system to the position of the towing bar (20) along the turning path (P) to an operating mode when the motor (12) of the trailer (10) supports the movement of the trailer (10), and to a parking mode when the brakes of the trailer (10) are applied to prevent the movement of the trailer (10). The system enters the parking mode when the towing rod (20) is in the raised position (R), and enters the operation mode when the towing rod (20) is in the lowered position (L). The first sensor element (22, 24) includes proximity sensors (22a, 24a) and objects (22b, 24b), the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) detect the distance between the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) and the objects (22b, 24b), the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) are positioned at the trailer-side end (20b) of the towing rod (20), and the objects (22b, 24b) are the A system in which the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) are positioned opposite the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) at the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10), or the object (22b, 24b) is positioned at the trailer-side end (20b) of the towing rod (20), and the proximity sensors (22a, 24a) are positioned opposite the object (22b, 24b) at the trailer coupling portion (15) of the trailer (10).

16. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising at least two first sensor elements (22, 24) for detecting the position of the towing rod (20) along the turning path (P).

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the at least two first sensor elements (22, 24) provide different sensor outputs as the towing rod (20) moves along the turning path (P).

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