Hybrid drivetrains for trailers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A trailer comprising:
- a trailer frame;
a single drive motor axle mounted to the frame and including one electric motor, a differential assembly coupled to the motor, a first output shaft coupled to the differential assembly and a second output shaft coupled to the differential assembly, wherein the motor, differential assembly and first and second output shafts are coaxially disposed;
a pair of wheels coupled to the respective first and second output shafts;
an energy storage device mounted to the frame, the energy storage device being operable to selectively provide energy to the motor;
a load sensor operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle; and
a controller operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal, the control signals controlling the operation of the motor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer includes a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to a trailer frame. A motor is operable to provide drive torque to at least one of the wheels. The energy storage device is mounted to the frame and operable to selectively provide energy to the motor. A load sensor is operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle. A controller is operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal. The control signals control operation of the motor.
80 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A trailer comprising:
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a trailer frame; a single drive motor axle mounted to the frame and including one electric motor, a differential assembly coupled to the motor, a first output shaft coupled to the differential assembly and a second output shaft coupled to the differential assembly, wherein the motor, differential assembly and first and second output shafts are coaxially disposed; a pair of wheels coupled to the respective first and second output shafts; an energy storage device mounted to the frame, the energy storage device being operable to selectively provide energy to the motor; a load sensor operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle; and a controller operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal, the control signals controlling the operation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A trailer comprising:
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a trailer frame; a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a motor operable to provide drive torque to at least one of the wheels; an energy storage device mounted to the frame, the energy storage device being operable to selectively provide energy to the motor; a load sensor operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle; and a controller operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal, the control signals controlling the operation of the motor; wherein the motor is also operable in a regenerative braking mode where rotation of the at least one wheel is resisted and energy is transferred to the energy storage device, the regenerative braking mode is entered when the load on the load sensor exceeds a predetermined value indicative of tow vehicle braking. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A trailer comprising:
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a trailer frame; a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a motor operable to provide drive torque to at least one of the wheels, wherein the motor is drivingly coupled to a gear reduction unit and a differential assembly, the differential assembly operable to provide output torque to each of the wheels; an energy storage device mounted to the frame, the energy storage device being operable to selectively provide energy to the motor; a load sensor operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle; and a controller operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal, the control signals controlling the operation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A trailer comprising:
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a coupler adapted to interconnect the trailer and a tow vehicle; a motor/generator in driving communication with a wheel supporting the trailer for movement across a ground surface; a power storage device in communication with the motor/generator; and a controller operable to generate control signals, the control signals being sent to the motor/generator to selectively operate the motor/generator in one of a regenerative braking mode and a torque supplying mode; wherein the motor/generator is operable in a no-load state where neither regenerative braking nor torque supply is being provided by the motor/generator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification