Steerable trailer and steering apparatus of combination vehicle
First Claim
1. A steerable trailer, comprising:
- coupling angle detecting means for detecting a coupling angle;
trailer wheel steering angle detecting means for detecting a trailer wheel steering angle;
actuators for steering trailer wheels; and
control means for calculating and memorizing a travel direction of a coupling point at a location in response to signals transmitted from each of said detecting means, said control transmitting output signals to said actuators so as to align a travel direction of a rear end of the trailer with the memorized direction of the coupling point when the rear end of the trailer reaches said location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable trailer is described which includes a coupling detector for detecting a coupling angle, a trailer wheel steering angle detector for detecting a trailer wheel steering angle, and actuators for steering the trailer wheels. A controller is provided for calculating and memorizing a travel direction of a coupling point at a location in response to signals transmitted from each of the detectors. The controller transmits output signals to the actuators to align a travel direction of a rear end of a trailer with the memorized direction of the coupling point when the rear end of the trailer reaches the location. The controller calculates and memorizes the travel direction of the coupling point at plural, discrete locations along the path of travel of the trailer. The steerable trailer may be connected to a tractor to provide a vehicle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A steerable trailer, comprising:
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coupling angle detecting means for detecting a coupling angle; trailer wheel steering angle detecting means for detecting a trailer wheel steering angle; actuators for steering trailer wheels; and control means for calculating and memorizing a travel direction of a coupling point at a location in response to signals transmitted from each of said detecting means, said control transmitting output signals to said actuators so as to align a travel direction of a rear end of the trailer with the memorized direction of the coupling point when the rear end of the trailer reaches said location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18)
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7. A vehicle, comprising:
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a tractor provided with a steering mechanism and a link mechanism for steering a pair of front wheels; a steerable trailer attached to the tractor, wherein the steerable trailer includes; coupling angle detecting means for detecting a coupling angle; trailer wheel steering angle detecting means for detecting a trailer wheel steering angle; actuators for steering trailer wheels; and control means for calculating and memorizing a travel direction of a coupling point at a location in response to signals transmitted from each of said coupling angle detecting means and said trailer wheel steering angle detecting means, said control means transmitting output signals to said actuators so as to align a travel direction of a rear end of the trailer with the memorized direction of the coupling point when the rear end of the trailer reaches said location. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
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Specification