A stabilizer for a attachment device of a vehicle includes a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element, guided adjustably relative to one another along a longitudinal axis to vary the length of the stabilizer. A first connecting element on the first adjusting element can support the stabilizer against the vehicle. A second connecting element can support the stabilizer against an element of the attachment device, being held on the second adjusting element in an axially adjustable manner for adjusting the length of the second adjusting element and fixable on the second adjusting element at least in an extending position and in a shortening position. In a maximally retracted position of the first adjusting element and the second adjusting element relative to each other, and in the extending position of the second connecting element, the first adjusting element is axially supported against the second connecting element or the second adjusting element. In the maximally retracted position of the first adjusting element and the second adjusting element relative to each other, and in the shortening position of the second connecting element, the first adjusting element is axially supported against the second connecting element.

A stabilizer for an attachment device of a vehicle comprises a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element which are guided adjustably relative to one another along a longitudinal axis in order to vary the length of the stabilizer, a first connecting element on the first adjusting element for supporting the stabilizer against the vehicle, and a second connecting element on the second adjusting element for supporting the stabilizer against an element of the attachment device, the second connecting element being connected to the second adjusting element such that it can be rotated about the longitudinal axis via a screw connection for adjusting the length of the second adjusting element. The stabilizer further has a locking device, which is connected to the second adjusting element and the second connecting element, the second adjusting element and the second connecting element being connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner in a locking position of the locking device.

A stabilizer for an attachment device of a vehicle comprises a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element which are guided adjustably relative to one another along a longitudinal axis in order to vary the length of the stabilizer, a first connecting element on the first adjusting element for supporting the stabilizer against the vehicle, and a second connecting element on the second adjusting element for supporting the stabilizer against an element of the attachment device, the second connecting element being connected to the second adjusting element such that it can be rotated about the longitudinal axis via a screw connection for adjusting the length of the second adjusting element. The stabilizer further has a locking device, which is connected to the second adjusting element and the second connecting element, the second adjusting element and the second connecting element being connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner in a locking position of the locking device.

The invention relates to a detection system (4) for ascertaining an articulation angle (K) between two sub-vehicles (2.i, i=1,2, . . . N, Z, A), which are connected together in an articulated manner, of a vehicle combination, comprising: a detection device (6), wherein the detection device (6) is arranged on one of the sub-vehicles (2.i; Z) of the vehicle combination, and a detection region (6a) of the detection device (6) is oriented towards a sub-region (8a) of another sub-vehicle (2.i; A) connected to the sub-vehicle (2.i; Z) in an articulated manner such that detection signals can be generated and output by the detection device (6), said detection signals characterizing the sub-region (8a) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A), and a processing unit (7) which is designed to receive the detection signals and ascertain the articulation angle between the two sub-vehicles (2.i; Z, A) using the detection signals. According to the invention, the detection system (4) has a projection device (5) which is designed to image a specified pattern (M) on the sub-region (8a) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A) in order to generate a pattern image (MA) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A). The pattern image (MA) can be extracted from the detection signals (S) by the processing unit (7), and the processing unit (7) is designed to ascertain the articulation angle (K) using the extracted pattern image (MA).

The invention relates to a detection system (4) for ascertaining an articulation angle (K) between two sub-vehicles (2.i, i=1,2, . . . N, Z, A), which are connected together in an articulated manner, of a vehicle combination, comprising: a detection device (6), wherein the detection device (6) is arranged on one of the sub-vehicles (2.i; Z) of the vehicle combination, and a detection region (6a) of the detection device (6) is oriented towards a sub-region (8a) of another sub-vehicle (2.i; A) connected to the sub-vehicle (2.i; Z) in an articulated manner such that detection signals can be generated and output by the detection device (6), said detection signals characterizing the sub-region (8a) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A), and a processing unit (7) which is designed to receive the detection signals and ascertain the articulation angle between the two sub-vehicles (2.i; Z, A) using the detection signals. According to the invention, the detection system (4) has a projection device (5) which is designed to image a specified pattern (M) on the sub-region (8a) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A) in order to generate a pattern image (MA) on the other sub-vehicle (2.i; A). The pattern image (MA) can be extracted from the detection signals (S) by the processing unit (7), and the processing unit (7) is designed to ascertain the articulation angle (K) using the extracted pattern image (MA).

A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.

A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.

A system for estimating a hitch angle includes a control module with memory for storing programmatic control logic, a processor for executing the control logic, and one or more input/output (I/O) ports. Wheel speed sensors on a trailer communicate with the processor via the I/O ports. A trailering application defines a portion of the control logic and has at least first, and second control logics. The first control logic estimates the hitch angle from a first term, a second term and physical parameters of the vehicle and trailer. The second control logic provides the estimated hitch angle to one or more of a driver and to on-board control systems of the vehicle and trailer.

The invention relates to a method of reducing or preventing lateral oscillations of at least one connected vehicle unit of a vehicle combination, the method comprising providing one or more parameters associated with a setup of the vehicle combination; determining, based on the one or more parameters, one or more critical frequencies having critical rearward amplification of a motion variable between the leading vehicle unit and the at least one connected vehicle unit; monitoring a steering input to the leading vehicle unit; determining whether the steering input excites any of the one or more critical frequencies; and automatically triggering a countermeasure for reducing or preventing lateral oscillations of the at least one connected vehicle unit upon determining that the steering input excites any of the one or more critical frequencies.

The disclosure is directed at an apparatus, method and computer readable medium for a self-powered towed vehicle in a road train or tractor-trailer vehicle configuration to detect and respond to forward jack-knifing risk conditions. The apparatus may detect jack-knifing risk conditions based on sensors and information including sensors to detect an angle of misalignment between the towed vehicle and the vehicle directly in front of it in the road train. The apparatus may respond to the presence of a jack-knifing risk condition by reducing or eliminating the motive rotational force applied to the wheels of the towed vehicle.