B62D13/025

VEHICULAR TRAILERING ASSIST SYSTEM WITH TARGETLESS DETERMINATION OF MISALIGNMENT OF AT LEAST ONE TRAILER CAMERA

A vehicular trailering assist system includes at least one camera disposed at a trailer hitched to a hitch of a vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU determines, during a first stage of a calibration maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, image coordinates of at least one ground feature point. The ECU, responsive to determining image coordinates of the at least one ground feature point, estimates orientation parameters of the camera based at least on the determined image coordinates and intrinsic camera parameters. As the vehicle and trailer travel further along the ground surface during a second stage of the calibration maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, and based on the estimated orientation parameters of the at least one camera, the vehicular trailering assist system determines misalignment of the at least one camera at the trailer.

Sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling

Disclosed is a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, in particular a fifth-wheel coupling, with which a trailer vehicle can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling to a coupling counter element, in particular a fifth-wheel king pin, wherein the coupling element is/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the coupling counter element is/can be secured to the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, mounted on a bearing body such that it can rotate about a follower rotational axis, for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis wherein the follower can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis, and the sensor device has at least one sensor for detecting a respective rotational position of the follower relative to the bearing body in relation to the follower rotational axis. The follower is arranged outside a bearing region of the joint, in which the coupling element and the coupling counter element are engaged with one another in a bearing manner, and the at least one sensor is arranged inside the follower and/or the follower forms a protective housing for the at least one sensor.

Vehicular trailering assist system with targetless calibration of trailer cameras

A vehicular trailering assist system includes at least one camera disposed at a trailer hitched to a hitch of a vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU determines, during a first stage of a calibration maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, image coordinates of at least one ground feature point. The ECU, responsive to determining image coordinates of the at least one ground feature point, estimates orientation parameters of the camera based at least on the determined image coordinates and known intrinsic camera parameters. Responsive to estimating the orientation parameters of the camera, and based on the determined parameters of the camera, the ECU determines location of the at least one camera at the trailer.

METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SELF-POWERED DOLLY VEHICLE DURING EVASIVE MANEUVERING
20230080456 · 2023-03-16 ·

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.

Multiple stored configuration sensors
11465680 · 2022-10-11 ·

The present invention relates to entering data into a trailer backup guidance system. In particular, the present invention relates to storing data in the components of a trailer backup guidance system corresponding to a plurality of trailer and vehicle combinations to better facilitate sharing those components across a plurality of trailers and vehicles.

Mechanically driven and steerable agricultural cart
11254360 · 2022-02-22 · ·

A steerable cart or trailer is towed by another vehicle. A reverse linkage made up of arms that crisscross one another extends between the tow vehicle and the steerable trailer. The linkage arms are parallel a distance from the tow vehicle before crisscrossing with one another towards the trailer. The linkage arms are rotatable at each end. This allows the arms to rotate in a manner in which the trailer will more closely follow the path of the tow vehicle, especially when the tow vehicle is in the process of turning. The trailer will follow in a manner that reduces compaction and provides a simpler overall operation of equipment.

STEERING DOLLY
20220048565 · 2022-02-17 ·

A steering system for steering a heavy haul trailer dolly comprising a turntable mounted on the dolly for connecting to another trailer unit. The dolly comprising a main frame, a wheel group mounted to the main frame, and a pivot frame mounted to the main frame between the turntable and the wheel group. A counter-steering linkage connects the pivot frame and the turntable. Hydraulic cylinders connect the pivot frame and the wheel group. To automatically steer the dolly, the hydraulic cylinders are locked in length. Rotation of the turntable in one direction causes the pivot frame and the wheel group to rotate in the opposite direction. To steer the dolly directly, the hydraulic cylinders are operated to extend and retract, pushing and pulling against the pivot frame and turntable to rotate the wheel group.

TRANSPORT TRAILER LOAD BALANCING SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEMS
20170217490 · 2017-08-03 · ·

A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

SNOW-CLEARING TRAILER WITH SECURE DRAWBAR LOCKING
20220235530 · 2022-07-28 ·

Snow-clearing trailer (1) having a chassis (5) extending longitudinally in a chassis direction (I-I) and having a drawbar (9). Pivoting means (11) allow the selective pivoting movement of the chassis (5) and the drawbar (9) with respect to one another. A drawbar locking bar (12) of fixed length can be attached to the drawbar (9) and to the chassis (5) so as to immobilize the drawbar (9) on the chassis (5) in a transport position.

Detection means (13) generate an attachment signal when the drawbar locking bar (12) is attached to the drawbar (9) and to the chassis (5). The detection means (13) and disabling means are arranged in such a way that when the detection means (13) generate an attachment signal, the disabling means prevent any actuation of the pivoting means (11).

Perimeter Beam Double Stretch Trailer
20210371024 · 2021-12-02 ·

A trailer having a bed portion includes: a deck including a first end and a second end and including a first side and a second side; a front extension moveably engaged with the first end of the deck, where the front extension includes a first beam moveably engaged with the deck on the first side and a second beam moveably engaged with the deck on the second side; and a rear extension moveably engaged with the second end of the deck, where the rear extension includes a first beam moveably engaged with the deck on the first side and a second beam moveably engaged with the deck on the second side. The first beam of the front extension is arranged vertically relative to the first beam of the rear extension, and the second beam of the front extension is arranged vertically relative to the second beam of the rear extension.