Patent Publication Number: US-2016243908-A1

Title: Semi-autonomous trailer hitch

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes trailer hitches. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A wheeled device may include a trailer hitch. 
     SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     One variation may include a product comprising: a semi-autonomous trailer hitch comprising a coupler; a towed device structure, wherein the coupler and the towed device structure are pivotally attached to each other; and at least one sensor on at least one of the coupler or the towed device structure. 
     Another variation may include a method comprising: controlling at least one towed device comprising: providing a towed device with electrically propelled wheels and steering with a semi-autonomous trailer hitch, wherein the semi-autonomous trailer hitch includes at least one sensor; detecting at least one operating condition of a tow vehicle with the at least one sensor; relaying the at least one operating condition to the towed device with electrically propelled wheels and steering; and controlling the towed device with electrically propelled wheels and steering to match the at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle. 
     Another variation may include a method comprising: towing multiple towed devices using a single tow vehicle comprising: providing a first towed device having a first semi-autonomous trailer hitch and at least one second towed device having a second semi-autonomous trailer hitch; attaching the first towed device to a tow vehicle; attaching the at least one second towed device to the first towed device; detecting at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle using the first semi-autonomous trailer hitch; relaying the at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle to the first towed device; controlling the first towed device to match the at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle; detecting at least one operating condition of the first towed device with the second semi-autonomous trailer hitch; relaying the at least one operating condition of the first towed device to the second towed device; and controlling the second towed device to match the at least one operating condition of the first towed device. 
     Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a semi-autonomous trailer hitch according to a number of variations. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a semi-autonomous trailer hitch according to a number of variations. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a semi-autonomous trailer hitch according to a number of variations. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a semi-autonomous trailer hitch according to a number of variations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a number of variations including a semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26 . In a number of variations, a semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may be constructed and arranged for use with any number of towed devices having electrically propelled wheels and electrically operated steering  28  including, but not limited to, an electric trailer. In a number of variations, a semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may be constructed and arranged to detect various operating conditions including, but not limited to, the speed and/or direction, of a tow vehicle  20 . The semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may then send signals to the towed device  28  relaying the one or more operating conditions of the tow vehicle  20  so that the electrically steered and/or propelled device  28  may match the operating condition of the tow vehicle  20 . In a number of variations, the semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may allow for the use of multiple towed devices  28  to be towed using a single tow vehicle  20 . 
     In a number of variations, a semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may include a towed device structure  30  and a towed device coupler  60  which may be pivotally and/or rotatably attached to each other. In a number of variations, the towed device structure  30  may extend from the towed device  28 . In a number of variations, a towed device structure  30  may include a rail  32  and may be constructed and arranged to attach to the towed device coupler  60 , as will be discussed hereafter. The rail  32  may be any number of shapes including, but not limited to, square or rectangular. The rail  32  may include a front wall  34 , a top wall  40 , a bottom wall  42 , a first side wall  44 , and a second side wall  46 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In one variation, the front wall  34  may include a first extension  36  which may extend outward adjacent the first side wall  44  and a second extension  38  which may extend outward adjacent the second side wall  46 . The first and second extensions  36 ,  38  may be constructed and arranged to accommodate a first connector component  48  and a second connector component  50 . 
     In a number of variations, the first connector component  48  and the second connector component  50  may include a first end  52  and a second end  54  and may extend perpendicular from the front wall  34  of the rail  32 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The first end  52  may be constructed and arranged to attach to the towed device coupler  60 , as will be discussed hereafter. In a number of variations, the second ends  54  of the first connector component  48  and the second connector component  50  may be attached to the first extension  36  and the second extension  38 , respectively. In one variation, the towed device structure  30  and the first and second connector components  48 ,  50  may be a single continuous unit. In another variation, the towed device structure  30  and the first and second connector components  48 ,  50  may comprise several pieces which may be attached together. In one variation, the first and second connector components  48 ,  50  may be attached to the towed device structure  30  via one or more mechanical fasteners  56 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In a number of variations, the second ends  52  of the connector components  48 ,  50  may also be constructed and arranged to include one or more load sensors  58  which may communicate to the towed device  28  the force/acceleration created by the tow vehicle  20 , as will be discussed hereafter. 
     In a number of variations, a semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  towed device coupler  60  may include a first end  62  and a second end  66 . In a number of variations, the first end  62  of the coupler  60  may be square or rectangular in shape and may extend outward from the towed device coupler  60  and may be constructed and arranged to extend within a tow bar  22 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or around the tow bar  22  (not illustrated). In a number of variations, the first end  62  may include one or more locking features  64 ,  65  which may be used to lock the semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  to the tow bar  22  on the tow vehicle  20 . Any number of locking features  64 ,  65  may be used, including, but not limited to, a cutout  64  which may accommodate a cinch/latch  24  on the tow bar  22  and/or an opening  65  which may accommodate a mechanical fastener  25 , variations of which are illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The first end  62  may also include a cutout or hollow portion  53 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a number of variations, the second end  66  may be a “C-shaped” and may include a top member  68  and a bottom member  72  which may each be planar and which may each extend parallel to each other, a double axis rotational joint  74  which may extend between the top member  68  and the bottom member  72 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In a number of variations, the top member  68  may include an opening  70 , a variation of which is also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which may allow a wire  96 , which may be connected to a wired angle sensor  94 , to pass through the top member  68  and into the towed device structure  30  to the towed device&#39;s  28  electronics, as will be discussed hereafter. In another variation, the top member  68  may not include an opening, a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a number of variations, the double axis rotational joint  74  may be rotatably attached between the top member  68  and the bottom member  72  so that it may rotate around a vertical axis  90 . In a number of variations, the double axis rotational joint  74  may be “T-shaped” and may include a first arm  76  and a second arm  78  which may extend outward from each other. In a number of variations, each arm  76 ,  78  may be cylindrical in shape and may include a first surface  80 , a second surface  82 , and a lip  84  which may extend therebetween. In a number of variations, the diameter of the second surface  82  may be smaller than the diameter of the first surface  80 . The lip  84  may extend at an angle  86  between the first surface  80  and the second surface  82 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The double axis rotational joint  74  may be attached to the top member  72  and the bottom member  72  in any number of variations including, but not limited to, one or more mechanical fasteners  114 . 
     In a number of variations, the double axis rotational joint  74  may be constructed and arranged so that the towed device structure  28  may be attached to the double axis rotational joint  74  so that it may pivot upward or downward along a horizontal axis  92  and also rotate around a vertical axis  90 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The towed device structure  30  may be attached to the double axis rotational joint  74  in any number of variations including, but not limited to, attaching the first end  52  of the first connector  48  to the first arm  76  of the double axis rotational joint  74  and the first end  52  of the second connector component  50  to the second arm  78  of the double axis rotational joint  74  via one or more mechanical fasteners  112 . 
     In a number of variations, one or more load sensors  58  may be attached to the first and/or second connector components  48 ,  50  which may measure the pressure during a towing event. The pressure or the tow force may be translated by the one or more load sensor(s)  58  into an electrical signal which through calibration may be analogous to the load applied to the tow vehicle  20 . In one variation, two load sensors  58  may be used to create a directional vector. In a number of variations, the one or more load sensors  58  may relay the electrical signal to the towed device&#39;s  28  electrical propulsion system so that the towed device  28  may match the tow vehicle  20  speed and/or acceleration. Any number of load sensors  58  may be used including, but not limited to, wired load cells or wireless load cells. The use of the one or more load sensors  58  on the semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may reduce towing loads transmitted to the tow vehicle  20 . 
     In a number of variations, an angle sensor  94 ,  95  may be attached to the double axis rotational joint  74 . Any number of angle sensors  94 ,  95  may be used including, but not limited to, wired angled sensors and/or wireless angle sensors. In one variation, the angle sensor  94  may be attached to the top surface  88  of the double axis rotational joint  74  so that it extends above the top member  68  of the towed device coupler  60 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In a number of variations, an angle sensor shield  98 , variations of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , may be attached to the towed device coupler  60  and may protect the angle sensor  94  from contaminants. In one variation, the angle sensor shield  98  may include a top wall  100 , a front wall  102 , a rear wall  104 , a first side wall  106 , and a second side wall  108 . The top wall  100  may be parallel to the top member  68 . The front wall  102 , rear wall  104 , first side wall  106 , and second side wall  108  may extend downward from the top wall  100  so that they may each be substantially perpendicular to the top member  68 . The angle sensor shield  98  may be attached to the towed device coupler  60  in any number of variations including, but not limited to, attaching at least one of the front wall  102 , first and second side walls  160 ,  108 , and/or the rear wall  104  to the towed device coupler  60  with one or more mechanical fasteners  110 . In another variation, an angle sensor  95  may be located on the double axis rotational joint  74  within the towed device coupler  60  between the top member  68  and the bottom member  72 , a variation of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a number of variations, the angle sensor  94 ,  95  may send a signal of the direction of the tow vehicle  20  to the towed device  28  so that the towed device  28  may turn and move in the same direction as the tow vehicle  20 . In a number of variations, the angle sensor  94 ,  95  may detect and measure the angle between the towed device  28  and the tow vehicle  20 . The angle detected may then be transmitted into an electrical signal which through calibration may determine a steering change in the towed device  28 . The sensor  94 ,  95  may then relay the electrical signal to the electrical steering system of the towed device  28  so that the towed device  28  may match the direction and/or turn radius of the tow vehicle  20 . The use of an angle sensor  94 ,  95  on the semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26  may improve the steering control and turn radius of the tow vehicle  20  and the towed device(s)  28 . 
     In one variation, wiring  96  from the angle sensor  94  and the one or more load sensors  58  may extend through the towed device structure rail  32  and may be operatively connected to the towed device&#39;s  28  electrical system so that it may send signals to the electrical system so that the electrical system may control the towed device  28  based on the conditions of the tow vehicle  20 . In another variation, one or more wireless sensors may be used which may reduce or eliminate the use of wires in the semi-autonomous trailer hitch  26 . 
     The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention. 
     Variation 1 may include a product comprising: a semi-autonomous trailer hitch comprising: a coupler; a towed device structure, wherein the coupler and the towed device structure are pivotally attached to each other; and at least one sensor on at least one of the coupler or the towed device structure. 
     Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the coupler is constructed and arranged to attach to a tow vehicle and wherein the towed device structure is constructed and arranged to attach to a towed device. 
     Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-2 wherein the at least one sensor is constructed and arranged to detect at least one operating condition of a tow vehicle and to relay the at least one operating condition to the towed device. 
     Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-3 wherein the coupler further comprises a rotational joint which attaches to the towed device structure so that the towed device structure may rotate along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. 
     Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-4 wherein the coupler is C-shaped and includes a first member, a second member, and a joint component which extends rotatably between the first member and the second member, and wherein the towed device structure includes a rail and a first connector component and a second connector component attached to the rail, and wherein the first connector component and the second connector component are pivotally attached to the joint component. 
     Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5 wherein the at least one sensor is an angle sensor attached to the joint component. 
     Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5 wherein the at least one sensor is a first load sensor attached to the first connector component and a second load sensor attached to the second connector component. 
     Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5 wherein the at least one sensor is an angle sensor attached to the joint component and a first load sensor attached to the first connector component and a second load sensor attached to the second connector component. 
     Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-6 and 8 wherein the angle sensor extends above the top member. 
     Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-6 and 8-9 further comprising an angle sensor shield attached to the coupler. 
     Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-6 and 8 wherein the angle sensor extends between the top member and the bottom member. 
     Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11 further comprising a towed device attached to the semi-autonomous trailer hitch. 
     Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in Variation 12 wherein the towed device is an electrically steered and propelled device. 
     Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 12-13 wherein the at least one sensor is electrically connected to an electrical system in the electrically steered and propelled device. 
     Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 12-13 wherein the at least one sensor sends signals to an electrical system in the electrically steered and propelled device wirelessly. 
     Variation 16 may include a method comprising: controlling at least one towed device comprising: providing a towed device with electrically propelled wheels and steering with a semi-autonomous trailer hitch, wherein the semi-autonomous trailer hitch includes at least one sensor; detecting at least one operating condition of a tow vehicle with the at least one sensor; relaying the at least one operating condition to the towed device with electrically propelled wheels and steering; and controlling the towed device with electrically propelled wheels and steering to match the at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle. 
     Variation 17 may include a method as set forth in Variation 16 wherein the at least one operating condition is at least one of the speed or the direction of the tow vehicle. 
     Variation 18 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 16-17 wherein the at least one sensor is at least one of an angle sensor or at least one load sensor. 
     Variation 19 may include a method as set forth in Variation 18 wherein the angle sensor detects the direction of the tow vehicle and the at least one load sensor detects the speed of the tow vehicle. 
     Variation 20 may include a method comprising: towing multiple towed devices using a single tow vehicle comprising: providing a first towed device having a first semi-autonomous trailer hitch and at least one second towed device having a second semi-autonomous trailer hitch; attaching the first towed device to a tow vehicle; attaching the at least one second towed device to the first towed device; detecting at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle using the first semi-autonomous trailer hitch; relaying the at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle to the first towed device; controlling the first towed device to match the at least one operating condition of the tow vehicle; detecting at least one operating condition of the first towed device with the second semi-autonomous trailer hitch; relaying the at least one operating condition of the first towed device to the second towed device; and controlling the second towed device to match the at least one operating condition of the first towed device. 
     The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.