US 12,257,922 B2
Methods and apparatus for an active convertor dolly
Brian Layfield, Oakville (CA); Amir Khajepour, Oakville (CA); Brian Fan, Oakville (CA); and John Loewen, Oakville (CA)
Assigned to Electrans Technologies Ltd., Oakville (CA)
Filed by Electrans Technologies Ltd., Oakville (CA)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/598,755.
Application 18/598,755 is a continuation of application No. 17/693,775, filed on Mar. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,951,868.
Application 17/693,775 is a continuation of application No. 16/618,709, granted, now 11,279,255, issued on Mar. 22, 2022, previously published as PCT/CA2018/050633, filed on May 30, 2018.
Application 16/618,709 is a continuation of application No. 15/608,098, filed on May 30, 2017, granted, now 10,449,954, issued on Oct. 22, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0227619 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B62D 53/08 (2006.01); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60K 7/00 (2006.01); B60L 3/00 (2019.01); B60L 7/18 (2006.01); B60L 15/20 (2006.01); B60L 15/32 (2006.01); B60L 50/16 (2019.01); B60L 50/60 (2019.01); B60L 50/64 (2019.01); B60L 58/12 (2019.01); B60L 58/13 (2019.01); B60L 58/15 (2019.01); B60L 58/26 (2019.01); B60W 10/08 (2006.01); B60W 10/18 (2012.01); B60W 30/02 (2012.01); B60W 30/18 (2012.01); B62D 1/16 (2006.01); B62D 59/04 (2006.01)
CPC B60L 58/12 (2019.02) [B60K 1/04 (2013.01); B60K 7/0007 (2013.01); B60L 3/0015 (2013.01); B60L 7/18 (2013.01); B60L 15/20 (2013.01); B60L 15/2009 (2013.01); B60L 15/2036 (2013.01); B60L 15/32 (2013.01); B60L 50/16 (2019.02); B60L 50/60 (2019.02); B60L 50/64 (2019.02); B60L 58/13 (2019.02); B60L 58/15 (2019.02); B60L 58/26 (2019.02); B60W 10/08 (2013.01); B60W 10/18 (2013.01); B60W 30/02 (2013.01); B60W 30/18036 (2013.01); B62D 1/16 (2013.01); B62D 53/0864 (2013.01); B62D 59/04 (2013.01); B60K 2001/0405 (2013.01); B60K 2007/0038 (2013.01); B60K 2007/0092 (2013.01); B60L 2200/28 (2013.01); B60L 2200/36 (2013.01); B60L 2220/46 (2013.01); B60L 2240/12 (2013.01); B60L 2240/423 (2013.01); B60L 2240/44 (2013.01); B60L 2240/461 (2013.01); B60L 2240/54 (2013.01); B60L 2240/80 (2013.01); B60L 2250/10 (2013.01); B60W 2510/083 (2013.01); B60W 2510/244 (2013.01); B60W 2520/10 (2013.01); B60W 2540/10 (2013.01); B60W 2710/083 (2013.01); B60W 2710/244 (2013.01); B60W 2720/10 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/14 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/147 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An active converter dolly, comprising:
a frame, comprising:
a connecting portion for connecting to a towing vehicle;
a trailer connector for connecting to a trailer;
wherein, while the towing vehicle is connected to the connecting portion, and the trailer is connected to the trailer connector, a towing configuration is established;
a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame;
a motor operably coupled to the wheel;
a sensor system; and
a controller configured to receive: (i) towing vehicle information of the towing vehicle, and (ii) data from the sensor system;
wherein:
the wheel, the motor, the sensor system, and the controller are co-operatively configured such that, while the towing vehicle information of the towing vehicle and the data from the sensor system are received by the controller:
the motor is operable, via the controller, for applying a motive rotational force to the wheel, based on:
the towing vehicle information; and
the data from the sensor system.