Intelligent tow bar
First Claim
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1. A tow bar for connecting a first autonomous vehicle to a second autonomous vehicle in a tandem arrangement, the tow bar comprising:
- a first section, said first section capable of being coupled to the first autonomous vehicle and to a strain module;
a second section, said second section capable of being coupled to said strain module and to a roll sensor;
a third section, said third section capable of being coupled to said roll sensor and to a first angular sensor;
a fourth section, said fourth section capable of being coupled to said first angular sensor and to a second angular sensor; and
a terminal section, said terminal section capable of being coupled to said second angular sensor and to the second autonomous vehicle.
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Abstract
A tow bar for connecting and controlling two autonomous vehicles with respect to one another. The tow bar including a plurality of sections with at least one sensor, mounted or coupled onto each, for measuring and determining the orientation of one autonomous vehicle in relation to the other autonomous vehicle. A signal may be transmitted to either or to both of the autonomous vehicles to control propulsion and/or steering and/or braking of the vehicles when an adjustment is required to maintain stability of the tandem vehicles.
49 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A tow bar for connecting a first autonomous vehicle to a second autonomous vehicle in a tandem arrangement, the tow bar comprising:
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a first section, said first section capable of being coupled to the first autonomous vehicle and to a strain module;
a second section, said second section capable of being coupled to said strain module and to a roll sensor;
a third section, said third section capable of being coupled to said roll sensor and to a first angular sensor;
a fourth section, said fourth section capable of being coupled to said first angular sensor and to a second angular sensor; and
a terminal section, said terminal section capable of being coupled to said second angular sensor and to the second autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for maintaining a tandem arrangement of a first autonomous vehicle and a second autonomous vehicle, the method comprising:
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measuring at least one angle, the at least one angle characterizing an orientation of the first autonomous vehicle relative to the second autonomous vehicle;
measuring a force between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle;
determining a propulsion, a braking, and a steering of the second autonomous vehicle on the basis of the at least one measured angle and the measured force, the propulsion, the braking, and the steering consistent with maintenance of the tandem arrangement; and
effecting the propulsion, the braking, and the steering of the second autonomous vehicle so as to maintain the tandem arrangement of the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for maintaining a tandem arrangement of a first autonomous vehicle and a second autonomous vehicle, the method comprising:
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means for measuring at least one angle, said at least one angle characterizing an orientation of the first autonomous vehicle relative to the second autonomous vehicle;
means for measuring a force between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle;
means for determining a propulsion, a braking, and a steering of the second autonomous vehicle on the basis of said at least one measured angle and said measured force, said propulsion, said braking, and said steering consistent with maintenance of the tandem arrangement; and
means for effecting said propulsion, said braking, and said steering of the second autonomous vehicle so as to maintain the tandem arrangement of the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A multi-vehicle control system, the system comprising:
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a first vehicle;
a second vehicle; and
a tow bar interconnecting said first vehicle with said second vehicle, said tow bar comprising a plurality of sections and at least one sensor, said sensor coupled to at least one of said sections and for measuring an orientation of said first vehicle in relation to said second vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification