SEMI-AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE PROVIDING CARGO SPACE

• US 20120193154A1
• Filed: 01/29/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: WELLBORN, CARL W., SZCZERBA, JOSEPH F., AASE, JAN H., DECALUWE, MARY ELLEN, RAINBOLT, JIM K., REPA, BRIAN S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,496,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/14.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/145 Semi-trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 59/04 driven from propulsion unit on trailer
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/028 using a RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A semi-autonomous vehicle includes a chassis having a repository on a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system, a steering system, a braking system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system of the semi-autonomous vehicle is operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the extra-vehicle sensory system and the extra-vehicle communications system. A non-load-bearing coupling mechanism of the semi-autonomous vehicle includes a connector, a flexible mechanical link element and a communications link.

Claims

1. A semi-autonomous vehicle, comprising:

a chassis including a repository on a plurality of wheels;

a propulsion system, a steering system, a braking system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system;

a control system operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the extra-vehicle sensory system and the extra-vehicle communications system; and

a non-load-bearing coupling mechanism comprising a connector, a flexible mechanical link element and a communications link.

2. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism is configured to couple to a parent vehicle.

3. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 2, wherein the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism is coupled to the parent vehicle when the connector of the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism mechanically connects to a connector of the parent vehicle, the extra-vehicle communications system communicates with a communications system of the parent vehicle, and the extra-vehicle sensory system detects a target device mounted on the parent vehicle.

4. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to control speed, acceleration, and direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle.

5. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 4, wherein the control system configured to control speed, acceleration, and direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle such that the semi-autonomous vehicle remains at a prescribed following distance behind a parent vehicle and in a common lane with the parent vehicle when the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism.

6. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 3, wherein the control system includes a safety chain control system monitoring structural and signal integrity of the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism.

7. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 6, wherein the safety chain control system monitoring structural and signal integrity of the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism is configured to detect a fault associated with one of the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism when mechanically connected to the connector of the parent vehicle, the extra-vehicle communications system signally when connected to the communications system of the parent vehicle, and the extra-vehicle sensory system when detecting the target device mounted on the parent vehicle.

8. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system is configured to transfer torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels comprises an electrically-powered motor coupled to said at least one of the plurality of wheels.

9. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 8, wherein the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism further comprises a high-voltage DC electrical power bus electrically coupled to a high-voltage electrical energy storage system, wherein the high-voltage DC electrical power bus is configured to electrically couple to a high-voltage electrical energy storage system of a parent vehicle.

10. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system is configured to transfer torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels and comprises an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to said at least one of the plurality of wheels.

11. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system is configured to transfer torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels includes a fuel cell electrically coupled to an electrically-powered motor coupled to said at least one of the plurality of wheels.

12. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the extra-vehicle communications system comprises a wireless communications system configured to communicate with a communication system of a parent vehicle.

13. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the extra-vehicle sensory system comprises a front sensor configured to detect a target device mounted on a parent vehicle.

14. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 13, wherein the extra-vehicle sensory system is configured to determine a linear range, a relative speed, and a trajectory of the parent vehicle correlated to the detected target device mounted on the parent vehicle.

15. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flexible mechanical link element comprises a high tensile strength cable.

16. A semi-autonomous vehicle configured to follow a parent vehicle, consisting essentially of:

a chassis including a repository supported on a plurality of wheels;

a propulsion system, a steering system, a braking system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system;

a control system operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the extra-vehicle sensory system and the extra-vehicle communications system; and

a non-load-bearing coupling mechanism couplable to the parent vehicle and comprising a connector, a flexible mechanical link element and a communications link.

17. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 16, wherein the control system controls speed, acceleration, and direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle such that the semi-autonomous vehicle remains at a prescribed following distance behind the parent vehicle and a common lane with the parent vehicle when the non-load-bearing coupling mechanism is coupled to the parent vehicle.

18. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 17, wherein the parent vehicle comprises an autonomous vehicle.

19. The semi-autonomous vehicle of claim 17, wherein the parent vehicle comprises a semi-autonomous vehicle.

20. A semi-autonomous vehicle configured to operate with a parent vehicle, comprising:

a chassis including a repository supported on a plurality of wheels;

a propulsion system configured to transfer torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels;

a steering system configured to control a direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle;

a braking system configured to apply a braking force to at least one of the plurality of wheels;

a high-voltage electrical energy storage system;

an extra-vehicle communications system;

an extra-vehicle sensory system including a front sensor configured to detect a target device mounted on the parent vehicle;

a control system operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the high-voltage electrical energy storage system, the extra-vehicle sensory system, and the extra-vehicle communications system; and

a coupling device configured to couple to the parent vehicle consisting essentially of a flexible mechanical link element, a high-speed data communications link, and a high-voltage DC electrical power bus electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical energy storage system.