Trailer and simulator
First Claim
1. A trailer simulator for towing behind a prime mover for testing performance parameters of a vehicle, the trailer simulator comprising:
- a trailer chassis, including an attachment for towing and at least two wheels, each wheel further comprising at least one brake;
at least one brake controller for controlling the at least one brake;
at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of steering and braking;
a computer for receiving inputs from the at least one sensor and sending outputs to the at least one brake controller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A simulator for a trailer incorporates sensors on both the trailer and a tow vehicle towing the trailer to measure operating parameters of both the trailer and the tow vehicle or prime mover. A computer mounted in the trailer or in the tow vehicle gathers input data from the sensors, including a variety of measurements of force, displacement, and temperature for the tow vehicle, the trailer, and their components. The computer may also be used to apply braking forces to the wheels of the trailer. Using the simulator, a variety of components on the trailer may be tested, their performance measured, and a better trailer may be designed. A trailer may also incorporate such a system for better control of the trailer and the combination vehicle of which it is a part.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A trailer simulator for towing behind a prime mover for testing performance parameters of a vehicle, the trailer simulator comprising:
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a trailer chassis, including an attachment for towing and at least two wheels, each wheel further comprising at least one brake;
at least one brake controller for controlling the at least one brake;
at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of steering and braking;
a computer for receiving inputs from the at least one sensor and sending outputs to the at least one brake controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A trailer for towing behind a prime mover, the trailer comprising:
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a trailer chassis, including an attachment for towing and at least one left wheel and at least one right wheel, each wheel further comprising at least one brake;
at least one brake controller for controlling the at least one brake;
at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of steering and braking;
a computer for receiving inputs from the at least one sensor and sending outputs to the at least one brake controller, wherein the computer controls application of the left brake and the right brake independently. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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17. A method of operating a combination vehicle having a prime mover, a trailer, and at least two wheels with separately-controlled brakes on the trailer, the method comprising:
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driving the combination vehicle;
detecting operating parameters of the combination vehicle; and
applying a braking force to said wheels with separately controlled brakes in response to the operating parameters, to control a force on the trailer selected from the group consisting of a braking force, a yaw torque force, and a rollover force.
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Specification