The present invention relates to a drive unit in the form of a caravan mover (10) comprising a motor (12) (drive means) and a head (14) which are linked together by a gear mechanism (16). The head (14) provides a roller (15) which is rotatably mounted on a shaft. The roller (15) is arranged, in use, to be urged or pressed against the tread portion (surface) of a tyre. The drive unit is controlled by a control unit (ECU) which controls the movement of the driven roller (15) between the disengaged position and the engaged position and also controls the rotation (and direction) of the driven roller (15). The caravan mover (10) of the present invention includes an integral power supply such that the unit comprises a single integral system which is easily installed on the caravan and does not require the routing of cables from a remote power supply. The battery (30) comprises securement means in order to quickly and easily secure the battery (30) to the drive unit housing and, in particular, to the housing (20) of the motor (12). The securement of the battery (30) to the motor 6 also automatically and simultaneously aligns and connects terminals of the battery (30) to power receiving terminals of the motor (16). Such a quick and simply securement mechanism provides a battery (30) can be quickly and easily removed, for example, in order to be charged. Accordingly, the drive unit/caravan mover (10) (including the motor, roller, battery, control unit and mounting means) forms a single self-supporting component which is solely secured to the caravan/trailer at a single location by the mounting means.

The present invention relates to a drive unit in the form of a caravan mover (10) comprising a motor (12) (drive means) and a head (14) which are linked together by a gear mechanism (16). The head (14) provides a roller (15) which is rotatably mounted on a shaft. The roller (15) is arranged, in use, to be urged or pressed against the tread portion (surface) of a tyre. The drive unit is controlled by a control unit (ECU) which controls the movement of the driven roller (15) between the disengaged position and the engaged position and also controls the rotation (and direction) of the driven roller (15). The caravan mover (10) of the present invention includes an integral power supply such that the unit comprises a single integral system which is easily installed on the caravan and does not require the routing of cables from a remote power supply. The battery (30) comprises securement means in order to quickly and easily secure the battery (30) to the drive unit housing and, in particular, to the housing (20) of the motor (12). The securement of the battery (30) to the motor 6 also automatically and simultaneously aligns and connects terminals of the battery (30) to power receiving terminals of the motor (16). Such a quick and simply securement mechanism provides a battery (30) can be quickly and easily removed, for example, in order to be charged. Accordingly, the drive unit/caravan mover (10) (including the motor, roller, battery, control unit and mounting means) forms a single self-supporting component which is solely secured to the caravan/trailer at a single location by the mounting means.

A method for reversing an articulated vehicle comprising a tractor and one or more towed vehicle units, the method comprising arranging an electrified trailer (e-trailer) comprising one or more electric machines (EMs) and a steering function as a rearmost towed vehicle unit of the articulated vehicle, obtaining a reversal command indicative of a desired reversal maneuver by the articulated vehicle, configuring the e-trailer in a reverse towing mode of operation, wherein the e-trailer uses the one or more EMs and the steering function to reverse according to the reversal command while towing the tractor and any further trailer units of the articulated vehicle, configuring the tractor and the further trailer units of the articulated vehicle in a passive towed mode of operation, wherein the tractor and the further trailer units are towed by the e-trailer, and reversing the articulated vehicle by issuing the reversal command to the e-trailer.

A method for reversing an articulated vehicle comprising a tractor and one or more towed vehicle units, the method comprising arranging an electrified trailer (e-trailer) comprising one or more electric machines (EMs) and a steering function as a rearmost towed vehicle unit of the articulated vehicle, obtaining a reversal command indicative of a desired reversal maneuver by the articulated vehicle, configuring the e-trailer in a reverse towing mode of operation, wherein the e-trailer uses the one or more EMs and the steering function to reverse according to the reversal command while towing the tractor and any further trailer units of the articulated vehicle, configuring the tractor and the further trailer units of the articulated vehicle in a passive towed mode of operation, wherein the tractor and the further trailer units are towed by the e-trailer, and reversing the articulated vehicle by issuing the reversal command to the e-trailer.

A controller for a trailer is disclosed. An example trailer controller assembly includes a force transducer that measures a force between a trailer and a towing vehicle connected to the trailer indicative of a difference in speeds between the trailer and the towing vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the force transducer. The controller includes a brake controller that controls brakes of the trailer based on an input signal from the force sensor.

A controller for a trailer is disclosed. An example trailer controller assembly includes a force transducer that measures a force between a trailer and a towing vehicle connected to the trailer indicative of a difference in speeds between the trailer and the towing vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the force transducer. The controller includes a brake controller that controls brakes of the trailer based on an input signal from the force sensor.

A traction control system for a trailing vehicle includes an electric machine, a ground engaging apparatus in contact with a ground surface, and a disconnect device connected between the electric machine and the ground engaging apparatus. The traction control system includes one or more speed sensors to determine a differential speed of the disconnect device. The traction control system includes a controller determines when to disengage the disconnect device based in part upon the speed of the ground engaging apparatus exceeding an upper threshold.

A traction control system for a trailing vehicle includes an electric machine, a ground engaging apparatus in contact with a ground surface, and a disconnect device connected between the electric machine and the ground engaging apparatus. The traction control system includes one or more speed sensors to determine a differential speed of the disconnect device. The traction control system includes a controller determines when to disengage the disconnect device based in part upon the speed of the ground engaging apparatus exceeding an upper threshold.

A method for controlling steering of a self-powered steerable dolly vehicle during a maneuver, the method comprising determining an articulation angle associated with a drawbar of the dolly vehicle, determining a longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle, and controlling the steering of the dolly vehicle based on the articulation angle and on the longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle, wherein the controlling comprises initially steering the dolly vehicle in a direction of the articulation angle direction in case the longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle is above a velocity threshold.

A method for controlling steering of a self-powered steerable dolly vehicle during a maneuver, the method comprising determining an articulation angle associated with a drawbar of the dolly vehicle, determining a longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle, and controlling the steering of the dolly vehicle based on the articulation angle and on the longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle, wherein the controlling comprises initially steering the dolly vehicle in a direction of the articulation angle direction in case the longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle is above a velocity threshold.