US 11,987,084 B2
Hitches including latch actuators and sensors, and vehicles incorporating the same
Kevin Gilliland, Coldwater, OH (US); Adam Wietholter, Marysville, OH (US); and Michael Grover, Chickasaw, OH (US)
Assigned to CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, New Bremen, OH (US)
Filed by Crown Equipment Corporation, New Bremen, OH (US)
Filed on Sep. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/477,710.
Prior Publication US 2023/0086678 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B60D 1/36 (2006.01); B60D 1/04 (2006.01); B60D 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC B60D 1/36 (2013.01) [B60D 1/04 (2013.01); B60D 1/28 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch system, and a drive mechanism, wherein:
the hitch system comprises a hitch and a hitch controller;
the hitch comprises a latch, one or more latch sensors, a cart hook sensor, an actuator, and a receiving member;
the latch is positionable between an open position and a closed position;
the actuator is positionable between a retracted position, an intermediate position, and an extended position, and is configured to position the latch into the open position when the actuator is in the extended position, position the latch into the closed position when the actuator is in the retracted position, and permit movement of the latch between the open position and the closed position when the actuator is in the intermediate position;
the receiving member is configured to lead a cart hook to engage the latch when in the closed position;
the one or more latch sensors are configured to detect a position of the latch;
the cart hook sensor is configured to detect a presence of the cart hook received within the receiving member; and
the hitch controller is configured to position the actuator between the retracted position, the intermediate position, and the extended position in response to signals received from the one or more latch sensors and the cart hook sensor.