A tractor unit (10) and a trailer unit (14) are connected by a connecting pin (33) on one unit (12, 14) which is in use received in an opening (21) in a connecting surface of the other unit, the connecting pin (33) including a sensor device (70) to sense loads imposed on the connecting pin (33) as t
A tractor unit (10) and a trailer unit (14) are connected by a connecting pin (33) on one unit (12, 14) which is in use received in an opening (21) in a connecting surface of the other unit, the connecting pin (33) including a sensor device (70) to sense loads imposed on the connecting pin (33) as the trailer unit (14) tends to decelerate or accelerate relative to the tractor unit (12), there being a control system, including a controller (65) which receives signals from the sensor device (70) representative of loads imposed on the connecting pin (33), and at least one electrical motive machine (50) is controlled, the machine (50) being capable of being electrically driven by power from an electrical storage device to provide drive to drive at least one ground engaging wheel (45a, 45b) and of generating electrical power for storage by an electrical storage device (58), such as to minimize the loads imposed on the connecting pin (33).
대표청구항▼
1. In combination, a tractor unit and a trailer unit, the tractor unit and the trailer unit being coupled by a connection device which permits of relative angular movement between the tractor unit and the trailer unit about a generally upright axis, the connection device including a connecting pin w
1. In combination, a tractor unit and a trailer unit, the tractor unit and the trailer unit being coupled by a connection device which permits of relative angular movement between the tractor unit and the trailer unit about a generally upright axis, the connection device including a connecting pin which extends from a connecting surface of one of the trailer unit and the tractor unit, and is in use received in an opening in a connecting surface of the other of the tractor unit and the trailer unit, the connecting pin including a sensor device to sense loads imposed on the connecting pin as the trailer unit tends to decelerate or accelerate relative to the tractor unit, there being a control system, including a controller, the controller receiving signals from the sensor device of the connecting pin representative of the loads imposed on the connecting pin, the trailer unit including a pair of ground engaging wheels, one at each side of the trailer unit, at least one electrical motive machine which is capable of being electrically driven by power from an electrical storage device to provide drive to drive at least one of the ground engaging wheels to tend to accelerate the trailer relative to the tractor unit, and of generating electrical power for storage by the electrical storage device, in response to the trailer unit tending to accelerate relative to the tractor unit, and wherein the controller in use, controls the electrical motive machine in response to the signals from the sensor device to reduce the loads imposed on the connecting pin, wherein the connecting pin has a generally circular cross-section and wherein the sensor device includes spaced apart first and second sensor parts, wherein the first and second sensor parts are at spaced apart diametrically opposed locations relative to the circular cross section of the connecting pin and are configured to sense loads at diametrically opposite positions of the connecting pin during relative angular movement between the tractor unit and the trailer unit. 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the connecting pin of the connection device is provided on the trailer unit, and the opening in which the connecting pin is in use received is provided in a connecting surface of the tractor unit. 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the controller of the control system is provided on the trailer unit. 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the electrical storage device is provided on the trailer unit. 5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the control system of the trailer unit is substantially independent of the tractor unit. 6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein, when the tractor unit and the trailer unit are in longitudinal alignment so that drive wheels of the tractor unit are in straight ahead positions in line with the ground engaging wheels of the trailer unit, the first sensor part senses loads at a forwardly facing region of the connecting pin as the trailer unit tends to decelerate relative to the tractor unit, and the second sensor part senses loads at a rearwardly facing region of the connecting pin as the trailer unit tends to accelerate relative to the tractor unit. 7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first and second sensor parts are carried by the connecting pin, and as the trailer unit turns relative to the tractor unit, the sensor device turns with the trailer unit. 8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the sensor device is of the kind which senses local strains by changing electrical resistance. 9. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the electrical motive machine is capable of providing variable drive to the or each ground engaging wheel when in a drive mode in which the electrical motive machine drives at least one of the ground engaging wheel, and is capable of providing a variable resistance braking effect when operated in an electrical generating mode in which the electrical motive machine generates electrical power for storage by the electrical storage device. 10. The combination according to claim 1 wherein to enable drive between the electrical motive machine and the ground engaging wheel or wheels to be isolated, there is provided a clutch apparatus. 11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the clutch apparatus is between the wheel and the electrical motive machine, the clutch apparatus being controllable to engage and disengage drive by the controller. 12. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the controller engages and disengages the clutch apparatus to fulfill control criteria of a control algorithm. 13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein when the level of the electrical power of the electrical power storage device falls below a predetermined threshold, the controller, in accordance with the control algorithm, controls the clutch apparatus and the electrical motive machine such as to increase or maximize the generation of electrical power for storage, so that the electrical power of the electrical power storage device is restored above the predetermined threshold. 14. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the control algorithm is responsive to inputs from a location remote from the combination. 15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the control system has an input to receive information relating to a geographic position of the combination which provides a positional input, and an input to receive route information relating to a proposed route of the combination, and the control system includes a control algorithm which uses the positional and route information in a control regime which seeks to ensure that the electrical storage device does not become depleted of electrical power beyond a predetermined level as the combination travels from a starting location to a destination along the proposed route. 16. The combination according to claim 15 wherein the positional and/or route information includes information relating to the number and severity of up and down inclines, and turns and straights along the proposed route, the control algorithm, from such information, predicting the state of charge of the electrical storage device along the proposed route, and predicting the electrical power which will be required along the proposed route, in order to operate the combination to reduce loads imposed on the connecting pin. 17. The combination according to claim 15 wherein the positional information is provided by a Global Positioning System. 18. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the trailer unit includes a storage area to accommodate the electrical storage device. 19. The combination according to claim 18 where the trailer unit include a decking for carrying a load to be transported, the decking being supported by a chassis. 20. The combination according to claim 19 wherein the chassis includes a pair of longitudinally extending chassis members, the storage area being provided between the pair of longitudinally extending chassis members. 21. The combination according to claim 20 wherein the electrical storage device is supported by a cradle which is readily mountable and dismountable relative to the chassis members. 22. The combination according to claim 20 wherein the storage area is positioned generally centrally across the trailer unit width, and between the wheels and the connecting pin. 23. The combination according to claim 20 wherein the controller of the control system is stored in the storage area. 24. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the ground engaging wheels of the trailer unit are brakable by one or more braking devices, the braking devices being controlled by a brake controller in response to braking commands provided by a driver in a cab of the tractor unit. 25. The combination according to claim 24 wherein the controller of the control system suspends its control of the at least one electrical motive machine when the brakes are applied such as would otherwise provide drive to the at least one ground engaging wheel. 26. The combination according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the ground engaging wheels of the trailer unit is driven by the at least one electrical motive machine, wherein a clutch apparatus is provided between the at least one electromotive machine and the at least one of the ground engaging wheels, and wherein the at least one electrical motive machine and the clutch apparatus are provided as an auxiliary unit which is in use secured to a chassis of the trailer unit by a suspension. 27. The combination according to claim 26 in which both of the pair of ground engaging wheels are driven by the at least one electrical motive machine, with there being a clutch apparatus for each wheel which is controlled by the controller to engage and disengage drive between each wheel and the at least one electrical motive machine. 28. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the connecting pin is received in an opening provided on the tractor unit, to provide a connection device which permits of relative angular movement between the tractor unit and the trailer unit, wherein the connecting pin includes the sensor device, wherein an auxiliary unit which includes the at least one electrical motive machine is mounted on a chassis of the trailer unit, the controller is mounted on the trailer unit, and the electrical storage device is mounted on the chassis of the trailer unit. 29. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the controller controls the electrical motive machine by providing electrical power from the electrical storage device to drive the at least one of the pair of ground engaging wheels or permits the electrical motive machine to generate electrical power for storage in the electrical storage device in accordance with a control algorithm to reduce loads imposed on the connecting pin in use.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
Birkeholm Mogens (Kagsaavej 59 2730 Herlev DKX), Apparatus for braking a train of vehicles.
Couture Pierre (Boucherville CAX) Francoeur Bruno (Loretteville CAX), Motor vehicle drive system for a motor vehicle having an electric motor system, and a method of operating said drive sys.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.