A steering control apparatus, a steering control method, and a steering control system according to the present invention output an instruction for generating a periodic yaw moment opposite in phase from an rolling motion occurring on a hitch vehicle including a vehicle and a trailer to a rear-wheel steering apparatus configured to control a steering angle of a rear wheel of the vehicle.

In a steering control device, method, and system, a command is calculated for generating a periodical yaw moment having a phase opposite to oscillating motion based on information on oscillating motion which occurs in a vehicle combination composed of a vehicle and a trailer, and based on the calculated command, a first steering angle command for controlling a steering angle of the front wheels of the vehicle is output to a front wheel steering control unit and a second steering angle command for controlling a steering angle of the rear wheels of the vehicle is output to a rear wheel steering control unit, so that the oscillating motion can be suppressed.

In a steering control device, method, and system, a command is calculated for generating a periodical yaw moment having a phase opposite to oscillating motion based on information on oscillating motion which occurs in a vehicle combination composed of a vehicle and a trailer, and based on the calculated command, a first steering angle command for controlling a steering angle of the front wheels of the vehicle is output to a front wheel steering control unit and a second steering angle command for controlling a steering angle of the rear wheels of the vehicle is output to a rear wheel steering control unit, so that the oscillating motion can be suppressed.

The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer—such as a Class 8 semi-trailer—and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).

The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer—such as a Class 8 semi-trailer—and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).

A control apparatus controls the hydraulic connection between self steering wheels on a trailing vehicle, for example a grain cart, and the hydraulic system of a utility vehicle, for example a tractor, towing the trailing vehicle. An auxiliary circuit on the trailing vehicle forms a continuous loop receiving in series one or more wheel actuators associated with the self steering wheels. A valve arrangement is operable in a locked state or unlocked state in which the continuous loop is isolated from the tractor to prevent or allow a flow of fluid in the continuous loop regardless of the state of the tractor hydraulics. In a manual state, the flow in the loop is dependent upon the tractor hydraulics. In an automatic mode, a controller automatically operates the valve arrangement between the locked and unlocked states dependent upon one or more sensed operating conditions of the trailing vehicle.

The disclosure is directed at an apparatus and method for shifting or moving trailers. In one aspect, the apparatus is a converter dolly with at least one set of powered wheels, which can be equipped with a remote control steering device. In another aspect, the apparatus is a remotely controlled terminal tractor configured to be coupled to a trailer. In some aspects, the remote control of the apparatus is directed by an autonomous algorithm resident remotely or on the apparatus itself. In another aspect, a frame of an apparatus for towing a trailer includes an articulated frame with a first frame counterpart pivotably connected to a second frame counterpart.

The disclosure is directed at an apparatus and method for shifting or moving trailers. In one aspect, the apparatus is a converter dolly with at least one set of powered wheels, which can be equipped with a remote control steering device. In another aspect, the apparatus is a remotely controlled terminal tractor configured to be coupled to a trailer. In some aspects, the remote control of the apparatus is directed by an autonomous algorithm resident remotely or on the apparatus itself. In another aspect, a frame of an apparatus for towing a trailer includes an articulated frame with a first frame counterpart pivotably connected to a second frame counterpart.

A method estimates an articulation angle between a towing vehicle and a trailer with respect to a pivot. The method determines a distance between an instantaneous center of velocity of the towing vehicle and a center of at least one axle of the towing vehicle representative for a rotation of the towing vehicle about the instantaneous center of velocity of the towing vehicle and/or a distance between an instantaneous center of velocity of the trailer and a center of at least one axle of the trailer representative for a rotation of the trailer about the instantaneous center of velocity of the trailer. The method determines at least one instantaneous speed representative for a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the towing vehicle and/or the trailer, wherein the at least one instantaneous speed refers to the at least one determined distance, and estimates the articulation angle based on the at least one determined instantaneous speed and the at least one determined distance.

A method estimates an articulation angle between a towing vehicle and a trailer with respect to a pivot. The method determines a distance between an instantaneous center of velocity of the towing vehicle and a center of at least one axle of the towing vehicle representative for a rotation of the towing vehicle about the instantaneous center of velocity of the towing vehicle and/or a distance between an instantaneous center of velocity of the trailer and a center of at least one axle of the trailer representative for a rotation of the trailer about the instantaneous center of velocity of the trailer. The method determines at least one instantaneous speed representative for a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the towing vehicle and/or the trailer, wherein the at least one instantaneous speed refers to the at least one determined distance, and estimates the articulation angle based on the at least one determined instantaneous speed and the at least one determined distance.