US 11,712,977 B2
Battery-electric-vehicle assisted towing concept
Norman K. Bucknor, Troy, MI (US); Madhusudan Raghavan, West Bloomfield, MI (US); and Venkata Prasad Atluri, Novi, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/77,649.
Prior Publication US 2022/0126714 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B60L 53/30 (2019.01); B60L 53/53 (2019.01); B60L 53/66 (2019.01)
CPC B60L 53/30 (2019.02) [B60L 53/53 (2019.02); B60L 53/66 (2019.02); B60L 2200/28 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
7. A system to extend a towing range and maneuverability of an automobile vehicle during a towing operation, comprising:
a battery-electric-vehicle (BEV) having a vehicle energy pack providing operational energy to the BEV;
a powered trailer releasably connected to the BEV;
a trailer module provided with the powered trailer, the trailer module communicating between the powered trailer and the BEV; and
a propulsion unit provided with the powered trailer and in communication with trailer module and with the BEV using the trailer module, the propulsion unit enhancing launch of the BEV and providing an acceleration assist to the BEV,
wherein the propulsion unit is configured as a first motor and a second motor positioned opposite the powered trailer from the first motor, the propulsion unit incorporating a battery pack, the battery pack providing battery pack energy to supplement the operational energy of the vehicle energy pack, the first motor and the second motor energized by the battery pack to provide a propulsion force to the powered trailer, at least one motor arranged to draw operational power from the vehicle energy pack of the vehicle and from the battery pack of the powered trailer,
wherein energy of the battery pack is transferred to the vehicle energy pack and is transferred to at least one motor providing propulsion power for the BEV.