Abstract:
An apparatus for simulating a vehicle traveling on a road and towing a trailer, wherein the apparatus includes a scale model towing vehicle and trailer combination positioned on a moving belt of a treadmill. The apparatus has a speed control and a remote control steering mechanism to demonstrate how the vehicle/trailer towing combination will react to vehicle operator inputs under varying conditions, including variations in weight distribution of the trailer load.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/365,231, filed Jul. 21, 2016, entitled “Trailer Sway Simulator,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to tools for educating customers who rent moving trailers. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for simulating a vehicle traveling on a road and towing a trailer, wherein the apparatus includes a scale model towing vehicle and trailer combination positioned on a moving belt of a treadmill. The apparatus has a speed control and a remote control steering mechanism to demonstrate how the vehicle/trailer towing combination will react to vehicle operator inputs under varying conditions, including variations in weight distribution of the trailer load. 
         [0003]    Many of the public have misconceptions about the cause and prevention of towing related accidents and the importance of trailer loading. It is an object of the present invention to provide an educational tool to help dispel these misconceptions by educating persons who use moving trailers as to how a vehicle/trailer combination will react under certain towing conditions. 
         [0004]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a simulator that can physically demonstrate the importance of properly loading a trailer as well as showing the corresponding relationship of speed and avoidance of towing related crashes. 
         [0005]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, there is provided an apparatus for simulating a vehicle traveling on a road and towing a trailer. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a motorized belt with a surface movable at a variable speed in a longitudinal direction and a support frame including a cross member disposed above the motorized belt. A model towing vehicle is positioned on the belt movable surface and includes a vehicle steering assembly for turning the front wheels of the vehicle and a servo motor adapted to control the steering assembly in response to a servo control signal. The model towing vehicle is coupled to the frame cross member via a coupling arm so that the vehicle can move laterally when the motorized belt is in motion in the longitudinal direction. A model trailer is adapted for coupling to the rear end of the model towing vehicle and includes removable weights for simulating weight distribution in a life size trailer. A steering control assembly includes a steering wheel and a servo driver configured to provide the servo control signal in response to the operation of the steering wheel. In this configuration, when the motorized belt moves in the longitudinal direction, an operator can operate the steering control mechanism to steer the model towing vehicle laterally with respect to the motorized belt. 
         [0007]    In an advantageous embodiment, the steering wheel is disposed in a generally vertical orientation to the rear of the model towing vehicle. The apparatus can include a camera for capturing track level images of the operation of the model towing vehicle or the model trailer. The support frame can be mounted to a storage box bottom platform configured to mate with a storage box top section that is configured to fit over and encase the apparatus. 
         [0008]    A trailer sway simulator according to the present invention provides an educational tool that can be used to educate the public on the importance of properly loading a trailer by demonstrating the stability of such a trailer as well as the instability of an improperly loaded trailer. By demonstrating the reaction of vehicle/trailer towing combinations that have different trailer load distributions, it allows the potential driver to see the stability of a properly loaded trailer in comparison to an improperly loaded trailer. By allowing a user to manually steer the model towing vehicle, the simulator can simulate how a specific vehicle/trailer towing combination will react to driver inputs under the modeled conditions. With this visual education tool, customers are less likely to improperly load their trailer, which should result in fewer crashes from vehicles towing trailers. 
         [0009]    A trailer sway simulator according to the present invention can also physically demonstrate the relationship between towing speed and the likelihood of a crash with an improperly loaded trailer as well as the importance generally of reducing vehicle speed, particularly in the case of a trailer sway or whipping situation; it can be used to disprove the misconception held by some people of increasing speed to reduce trailer sway or whipping. 
         [0010]    Because the simulator can be used with model trailers having single or double axle configurations, different axle locations, and different tongue lengths, it can help teach how towing combinations with these different trailer configurations will react differently under the modeled conditions. Moreover, the simulator can be customized to show the impact of misaligned trailer axles or other variable trailer conditions and the effect if such conditions on stability of the towing combination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred methods and embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a trailer sway simulator according to the present invention, showing the model towing vehicle and model trailer positioned on the motorized belt surface of the apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an end perspective view of the trailer sway simulator embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a wiring diagram showing the steering control assembly and model towing vehicle of the trailer sway simulator embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of the model towing vehicle of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the the vehicle connected to the frame cross member via the coupling arm. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the front end of the model towing vehicle of  FIG. 4  showing the connection between the coupling arm and the front end of the vehicle frame. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the model towing vehicle of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the body shell removed and showing the vehicle frame and the components mounted to it. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the top cover of the steering control box of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing components of the control box. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the single-axle model trailer of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an end perspective view of another embodiment of a trailer sway simulator according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the trailer sway simulator of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is another perspective view of the trailer sway simulator of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view showing the steering wheel mounted to the trailer sway simulator of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged top perspective view of the trailer sway simulator of  FIG. 9  showing a camera housing. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged top perspective view of the trailer sway simulator of  FIG. 9  showing how the simulator is mounted to a storage box bottom platform. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Reference will now be made in more detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described more fully with reference to these examples and drawings, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Rather, the description which follows is to be understood as a broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of ordinary skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the invention. 
         [0027]    It will be appreciated that terms such as “upper,” “inner,” “outer,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “bottom,” “below,” “top,” “side,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “downwardly” and “lower” and other positionally descriptive terms used in this specification are used merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the referenced components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention. The term “generally” as used in this specification is defined as “being in general but not necessarily exactly or wholly that which is specified.” For example, “generally perpendicular” is used herein to indicate components that are in general, but not necessarily exactly or wholly, perpendicular. 
         [0028]    In the drawings, the reference numeral  10  designates a trailer sway simulator in accordance with the invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , one embodiment of the sway simulator  10  includes a treadmill assembly  12  having a support frame  13  that supports a belt  14  that can be driven at a selected speed by a suitable drive mechanism (generally an electric motor and gear system) (not shown) of the type that is used in exercise treadmills. The support frame  13  includes a cross member  16  that is disposed above the belt surface  15 . A coupling arm  21  is rotatably attached at one end to the cross member  16  and at the other end to the scale model towing vehicle  20 , with the vehicle positioned on the belt surface  15 . The model towing vehicle  20  includes a frame  22  (see  FIG. 6 ) and a removable body shell  23 . A model trailer  40  is hitched to the rear of the model towing vehicle  20 . 
         [0029]    A control panel  17  permits the user to select the speed at which the belt  14  is driven and includes a display  18  for displaying a speed of belt surface  15  relative to the model towing vehicle  20  based on the selected drive speed of the belt  14 . When the belt drive mechanism is turned on, the belt surface  15  moves in the direction D shown in  FIG. 1 , thereby providing relative movement between the belt surface  15  and the model towing vehicle  20  and trailer  40  to simulate the movement of a towing vehicle/trailer combination over a road surface. As the belt surface  15  moves, the model towing vehicle  20  can be remotely steered by a user with a steering wheel  52  as described in more detail below. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , a vehicle steering assembly  24  is mounted to the towing vehicle frame  22  and can turn a set of front wheels  25  to steer the vehicle. A vehicle servo motor  60  is mechanically coupled to and controls the vehicle steering assembly  24  to turn the vehicle front wheels  25 . Removable weights  26  are mounted to the towing vehicle frame  22  and are selected and placed to simulate the weight distribution of an actual, life-size towing vehicle. The frame  22  has a front connector  28  attached to the frame front end  30  for rotatably connecting to the coupling arm  21  and a tow hitch  32  (see  FIGS. 1 and 8 ) attached to the rear end  34  for coupling to the model trailer  40 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 and 8 , the model trailer  40  includes a frame  42  to which removable weights  44  can be mounted near the trailer front end  46  and rear end  48  to simulate load distribution in an actual, life-size trailer. Although the model trailer  40  shown in the figures has a single-axle configuration, it will be understood upon reading this specification that other configurations (e.g., a double-axle configuration and configurations with different tongue lengths) can be used to model various configurations of actual, life-size trailers. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 and 8 , a user steering control assembly  50  is mounted to the simulator support frame  13  and includes a steering wheel  52  which an operator can use to turn the vehicle front wheels  25  and steer the model towing vehicle  20  when the belt  14  is moving. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , an L-shaped pivot arm  53  is mounted to the shaft of the steering wheel  52 . One end of the pivot arm  53  is mounted to two tension springs  54 , which provide a suitable resisting force when the steering wheel  52  is turned in either direction. The other end of the pivot arm  53  is coupled via a linking mechanism  55  to a servo driver  56 . The linking mechanism  55  translates the rotational motion of the steering wheel to a rotating input knob of the servo driver  56 , which in turn outputs a servo control signal in response to the rotation of the input knob. The servo driver  56  is powered by a power supply  58 . The servo driver  56  is electrically coupled to a vehicle servo motor  60  on the model towing vehicle  20  via control signal wires  57  connecting the output of the server drive  56  to a receiving board  59  on the model towing vehicle  20 . The receiving board  59  receives the control signal from the servo driver  56  and in response to that signal, controls the vehicle servo motor  60  to turn the vehicle front wheels  25 . In this configuration, a user can remotely steer the model towing vehicle  20  with the steering wheel  51 . 
         [0033]    Appendix A and Appendix B provide additional information regarding a suitable servo driver, receiving board and servo that have been used in one embodiment of the sway simulator  10 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 9-14  show another in one embodiment of the trailer sway simulator  10 . As shown in to  FIGS. 9-12 , in this embodiment the steering control assembly  50  and steering wheel  52  are is mounted in a generally vertical orientation on the simulator support frame  13  to the rear of the model towing vehicle  20 . In this configuration, the simulator provides a better simulation of the act of driving and the user can get a better sense of how swerving while driving affects the trailer. The steering control assembly  50  includes a hanger member  64  for removably hanging the steering control assembly  50  from a cross member  66  of the simulator support frame  13 . This allows the lateral position of the steering control assembly  50  to be adjusted as can be seen by comparing the position of the steering control assembly  50  shown in  FIG. 9  versus that shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0035]    The embodiment of  FIGS. 9-14  also includes a camera housing  68  (see  FIG. 13 ) for holding a video camera (not shown) that records the operation of the simulator when it is powered on. In one embodiment, the video camera is installed at track level to provide a “ground level” view of the operation of the simulator. 
         [0036]    In addition, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-14  the simulator support frame  13  is mounted to a storage box bottom platform  70  as can bee seen in  FIGS. 10, 11 and 14 . The storage box bottom platform  70  is configured to receive a storage box top section  72  (see  FIG. 13 ), which can fit over and encase the trailer sway simulator  10 . In this configuration, the trailor sway simulator  10  can be easily and quickly boxed for shipment. 
         [0037]    From the foregoing, it can be seen that the apparatus of the present invention possesses numerous advantages. It can provide a tool for educating the public on the importance of properly loading a trailer by demonstrating the stability of such a trailer as well as the instability of an improperly loaded trailer. It can physically demonstrate the relationship between towing speed and the likelihood of a crash with an improperly loaded trailer as well as the importance of reducing vehicle speed in the case of a trailer sway or whipping situation. It can help teach how towing combinations with different trailer configurations will react differently under the modeled conditions and can be customized to show the effect of variable trailer conditions on the stability of the towing combination. 
         [0038]    Upon reading this disclosure, additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.