초록 ▼

A system for linking two or more vehicles to achieve reduced aerodynamic drag while the vehicles are travelling on the road is disclosed. The disclosed system not only physically connects the vehicles but also allows the driver of the leading vehicle to monitor and control essential functions of the

A system for linking two or more vehicles to achieve reduced aerodynamic drag while the vehicles are travelling on the road is disclosed. The disclosed system not only physically connects the vehicles but also allows the driver of the leading vehicle to monitor and control essential functions of the trailing vehicles. Preferably, the driving mechanisms of the trailing vehicles, such as throttles, brakes, and gears, are fully operational so as not to put excessive burden on the driving mechanisms of the leading vehicle. Methods for linking individual vehicles as well as streamlining the operation of a fleet of vehicles are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for linking a leading motor vehicle and a trailing motor vehicle to reduce the vehicles' collective aerodynamic drag, comprising: a linking assembly that forms a disconnectable mechanical linkage between the two motor vehicles;a control member adapted to allow a driver to simultaneously

1. A system for linking a leading motor vehicle and a trailing motor vehicle to reduce the vehicles' collective aerodynamic drag, comprising: a linking assembly that forms a disconnectable mechanical linkage between the two motor vehicles;a control member adapted to allow a driver to simultaneously control essential driving mechanisms of both the leading and the trailing motor vehicles, the essential driving mechanisms being selected from the group consisting of throttles, brakes, gears, signals, and combinations thereof; anda communication member adapted to monitor the operation of the leading and trailing vehicles and to facilitate communication between drivers of both vehicles, the communication member including a video component allowing the driver positioned within the trailing vehicle to observe road conditions ahead of the leading vehicle, and an audio component allowing the driver positioned in the trailing vehicle and the driver positioned in the leading vehicle to communicate with each other. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the linking assembly comprises: an active member having an arm;a passive member having a receiving area; anda control unit operatively connected to the active member to position the arm, the receiving area of the passive member adapted to releaseably engage the arm of the active member to form a linkage between the leading and trailing motor vehicles. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the active member is provided on the front of the trailing vehicle and the passive member is provided on the back of the leading vehicle. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the active member is provided on the back of the leading vehicle and the passive member is provided on the front of the trailing vehicle. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the active and passive member are formed of rigid material of high mechanical integrity. 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the active and passive members are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, and metal alloys. 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the arm of the active member is extendable to from about 0 to about 20 feet. 8. The system of claim 3, wherein the passive member is an under-ride device already installed on the leading vehicle. 9. The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit comprises a power source operatively associated with the arm of the active member and adapted to extend or retract the arm and to vertically and horizontally position the arm; and a position device operatively associated with the power source. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the position device manually operates the power source and is selected from the group consisting of buttons, switches, joysticks, and combinations thereof. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the position device automatically operates the power source and comprises a signal generator operatively associated with the passive member, and a signal receiver and microprocessor operative connected to the power source. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the position device comprises an optical target with robotic control system. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the control unit further comprises a closed-circuit video camera to monitor the position of the arm relative to the receiving area of the passive member. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the linking assembly is adapted to allow the trailing motor vehicle to connect with the leading motor vehicle when both vehicles are in motion. 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one disengaging switch adapted to disconnect the linkage between the two motor vehicles. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the linking assembly is operable in a probe only configuration where the linking assembly does not form a physical connection between the leading motor vehicle and trailing motor vehicle but only allows the leading motor vehicle and trailing motor vehicle to contact and thus maintain a desired distance therebetween. 17. A system for linking a leading motor vehicle and a trailing motor vehicle to reduce the vehicles' collective aerodynamic drag, comprising: a linking assembly that forms a disconnectable mechanical linkage between the two motor vehicles, the linking assembly comprising an active member having an arm, a passive member having a receiving area, and a control unit operatively connected to the active member to position the arm, the receiving area of the passive member adapted to releaseably engage the arm of the active member to form a linkage between the leading and trailing motor vehicles;a control member adapted to allow a driver to simultaneously control essential driving mechanisms of both the leading and the trailing motor vehicles, the essential driving mechanisms being selected from the group consisting of throttles, brakes, gears, signals, and combinations thereof;at least one sensor adapted to measure the relative acceleration of the leading motor vehicle and the trailing motor vehicle, the relative accelerations being communicated to an adaptive cruise control of the trailing vehicle; anda communication member adapted to monitor the operation of the leading and trailing vehicles and to facilitate communication between drivers of both vehicles, the communication member including a video component allowing the driver positioned within the trailing vehicle to observe road conditions ahead of the leading vehicle, and an audio component allowing the driver positioned in the trailing vehicle and the driver positioned in the leading vehicle to communicate with each other.