A connector apparatus configured to connect a first vehicle with a second vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus may include a first portion connected to the first vehicle and a second portion connected to the second vehicle. The second portion may be engaged with the first portion and configured to move horizontally relative to a first portion longitudinal axis when the second vehicle accelerates or decelerates. The apparatus may further include a sensor unit connected with the first portion and the second portion. The sensor unit may be configured to determine a distance and a direction of a second portion horizontal movement when the second portion moves relative to the first portion longitudinal axis, and generate a signal based on the distance and the direction. The sensor unit may further transmit the signal to a first vehicle microprocessor that may control a first vehicle operation based on the signal.

A brake controller is applied to a vehicle that includes a tractor and a trailer. The brake controller includes a first braking unit that controls a first brake device, a second braking unit that controls a second brake device, a distance sensor that detects a distance between the vehicle and an object, an execution unit that controls the first braking unit and the second braking unit in accordance with the distance detected by the distance sensor and executes an automatic brake control, and a prohibition unit that prohibits the execution unit from executing the automatic brake control. The brake controller prohibits execution of the automatic brake control under the condition that the tractor and the trailer are coupled to each other and the second braking unit includes a failure.

A mining machine frame having a primary tow plate is disclosed, as well as a tow retrieval system for mounting to the primary tow plate of a mining machine frame. The tow retrieval system may include a brake release mounting plate configured for attachment to the primary tow plate of the mining machine frame. The tow retrieval system may also include a towing attachment also configured for attachment to the primary tow plate of the mining machine frame. The towing attachment may be further configured to receive a retrieval instrument during a towing operation.

An electronic docking vehicle includes a vehicle body including a docking subject mechanism that docks with a first surrounding vehicle and a docking object mechanism with which a docking subject mechanism of second surrounding vehicle docks. A vehicle manipulating mechanism is provided in the vehicle body and includes a driving force generator providing a driving force to driving wheels. A steering manipulator controls a steering angle of the driving wheels. A braking manipulator generates a braking force in the driving wheels. A controller is configured to allow one vehicle to combine with the surrounding vehicle through the docking subject mechanism or the docking object mechanism.

A method is disclosed for slowing a transfer trailer that is used for transporting heavy work machines on a sloping base, the transfer trailer having a chassis with axles and wheels mounted on the axles. The transfer trailer is towable by a transfer vehicle. The method includes the steps of providing the transfer trailer with a brake mounted on the chassis and an operating device, the brake having a brake surface operable to press directly on the base for continuous dragging against the base, operating the operating device to allow pressure to be applied to the brake surface to press directly on the base for continuous dragging against the base to slow the transfer trailer, and measuring at least one control variable relating to the control of the speed of the transfer trailer during the braking and obtaining measurement data.

A towing arrangement for a battery-powered mining machine. The battery machine includes a machine side and a battery unit connected removably to the machine side. The towing arrangement includes a hydraulic cylinder arranged to the machine side to release the brakes of the mining machine when activated, a towing element arranged to move in relation to the battery unit when a towing force is affecting to the towing element, and a mechanical connection located between the towing element and the hydraulic cylinder. The mechanical connection is arranged to activate the hydraulic cylinder for releasing the brakes when a towing force is affected to the towing element. The mechanical connection includes at least one lever.

A mining machine frame having a primary tow plate is disclosed, as well as a tow retrieval system for mounting to the primary tow plate of a mining machine frame. The tow retrieval system may include a brake release mounting plate configured for attachment to the primary tow plate of the mining machine frame. The tow retrieval system may also include a towing attachment also configured for attachment to the primary tow plate of the mining machine frame. The towing attachment may be further configured to receive a retrieval instrument during a towing operation.

A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake unit to brake the trailer. An actuation unit comprises a mount secured to a front end of the trailer. A brake interface is operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer. The brake interface is displaceable toward a deactivation state in which the brake interface releases the brake unit from braking the trailer. A probe is operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer, the probe being displaceable between a hitching state in which the probe is adapted to contact the hitch of a vehicle, and a blocking state in which the probe blocks a hitch coupler of the trailer to prevent hitching of the trailer to a vehicle A biasing unit biases the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the blocking state. A mechanism operatively connects the brake interface to the probe, the mechanism retaining the brake interface in the deactivated state when the probe is in the hitching state, the mechanism releasing the brake interface from the deactivated state when the probe moves to the blocking state. A method for deactivating a safety brake is also provided.

A tow hitch that detects movement between a towing vehicle and a load and adjusts the braking forces of the load brakes proportionately to the movement, is disclosed. Said tow hitch comprising a load tow member selectively engaged with a vehicle tow member, a one or more sensors connected to the load tow member, and at least one of the one or more sensors is disposed between the vehicle tow member and the load tow member when the load tow member is engaged with the vehicle tow member. The at least one of the one or more sensors is in electronic communication with the load brakes, whereby the at least one of the one or more sensors senses movement between a load member and a vehicle member when the load tow member is engaged with the vehicle tow member and adjusts the braking forces of the load brakes.

A door access device for a semi-trailer includes: a lock device to control access to the semi-trailer and a controller for the lock device. The lock device includes a door lock at a door of the semi-trailer, the lock device to be electrically actuated to lock and unlock the door. The controller programmed to: determine that a semi-tractor has established an electrical connection with the semi-trailer; determine whether the semi-tractor is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer; and, in response to a determination that the semi-trailer is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer, actuate the lock device to unlock the door.