US-12623733-B2 - Load balancing systems and methods, and self-balancing trailers

US12623733B2US 12623733 B2US12623733 B2US 12623733B2US-12623733-B2

Abstract

Load balancing systems and methods, and trailers with components for load balancing across the trailers or portions (e.g., axles, springs, frame portions) thereof are provided herein. Some trailers comprise a frame, a suspension system configured to support the frame on a set of axles comprising a first axle, and wherein the first axle is movably coupled to the frame. Some trailers comprise a frame, a piping system coupled to the frame, and a set of tanks coupled to one another via the piping system. The piping system can comprise a set of pumps configured to pump fluid between the tanks for load balancing.

Inventors

Lance M. King
Zach RADKEY-PECHACEK
Nathan Swanson
Timothy WULFF

Assignees

STREAM IT, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230421

Claims (11)

1 . A trailer, comprising: a frame; a suspension system configured to support the frame on a set of axles comprising a first axle and a second axle; wherein the first axle and second axle are movably coupled to the frame; one or more sensors coupled to the frame and are configured to detect sensor data associated with the trailer, wherein the sensor data comprise one or more of weight data, weight distribution data, load distribution data, or force distribution data; and a controller, wherein the controller comprises: one or more processors; and a memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: obtain the sensor data from the one or more sensors; identify at least one of an unbalanced load and a change in a load associated with the trailer based at least in part on the sensor data; and cause an actuator to move at least the first axle side-to-side relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensor data; and an upper sized and dimensioned to support cargo, and wherein the first axle is configured to move based at least in part on a distribution of a weight of the cargo on the first and second axles, wherein the upper is movably coupled to the frame, wherein the one or more processors cause a second actuator to move the upper relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensor data.
2 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the first axel is configured to move at least 1 foot in a first direction relative to the frame.
3 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the first axel is configured to move at least 2 feet in a first direction relative to the frame.
4 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the first axle and the second axle are coupled to the frame such that a distance between a mid-point of the first axle and a mid-point of the second axle can be modified by at least 1 foot.
5 . The trailer of claim 4 , wherein the distance can be modified while the trailer is coupled to a moving tow vehicle.
6 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the suspension system comprises a first spring, wherein the first axle is movably coupled to the frame via the first spring, wherein a first portion of the first spring is coupled to the first axle via a first bracket, and wherein a second portion of the first spring is coupled to a second bracket that is movably coupled to the frame.
7 . The trailer of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the frame and the first axle, wherein the actuator is configured to move the first axle relative to the frame.
8 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the first axle is coupled to first and second wheels, and wherein the first and second wheels are steerable.
9 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the first and second moving axles are configured to move forward or backward relative to the frame based at least in part on a change in a load distribution.
10 . A load balancing system, comprising: a trailer, comprising: a frame, a suspension system configured to support the frame on a set of axles comprising a first axle; an upper that is movably coupled to the frame; and wherein the first axle is movably coupled to the frame; one or more sensors coupled to the trailer, and configured to detect sensor data associated with the trailer, wherein the sensor data comprise one or more of weight data, weight distribution data, load distribution data, or force distribution data; and a controller, wherein the controller comprises: one or more processors; and a memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: obtain the sensor data from the one or more sensors; identify at least one of an unbalanced load and a change in a load associated with the trailer based at least in part on the sensor data; cause a first actuator to move the first axle relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensor date; and cause a second actuator to move the upper relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensor data.
11 . A trailer, comprising: a frame; a suspension system configured to support the frame on a set of wheels comprising a first, second and third wheel; wherein at least the first wheel is movably coupled to the frame; one or more sensors configured to detect sensor data associated with the trailer, wherein the sensor data comprise one or more of weight data, weight distribution data, or force distribution data; and a controller, wherein the controller comprises: one or more processors; and a memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: obtain the sensor data from the one or more sensors; identify at least one of an unbalanced weight load and a change in a load associated with the trailer based at least in part on the sensor data; and cause an actuator to diagonally move at least the first wheel relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensor data.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 63/334,049, filed on Apr. 22, 2022, and 63/334,055, filed on Apr. 22, 2022. These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein, including publications, patent applications, and patents, are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of the term in the reference does not apply. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is load balancing systems and methods, and self-balancing trailers. BACKGROUND An unbalanced/uneven load on a trailer can cause extra movement, making it more difficult to control the trailer and tow vehicle the trailer is attached to, putting extra strain on the trailer and/or tow vehicle suspension components and axles, and/or causing fish-tailing/loss of control resulting in accidents. SUMMARY It is critically important to properly balance the load of the trailer, or the load will become unstable and begin to sway which can roll both the trailer and the vehicle towing it (the tow vehicle). Various systems and methods for balancing a load of a trailer are provided herein. In an aspect of the disclosure, a trailer is provided, comprising a frame, a suspension system configured to support the frame on a set of axles comprising a first axle, and wherein the first axle is movably coupled to the frame. In some embodiments, the set of axles further comprises a second axle coupled to the frame. In some embodiments, the second axle is movably coupled to the frame. In some embodiments, the first axle is configured to move at least 1 foot, at least 2 feet, at least 3 feet, at least 4 feet, or even at least 5 feet or more in any suitable direction (e.g., forward, rearward, sideways to left or right, diagonally) is a straight or curved manner relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first axle and second axle are coupled to the frame such that a distance between a mid-point of the first axle and a mid-point of the second axle can be modified by at least 1 foot, at least 2 feet, at least 3 feet, at least 4 feet, or even at least 5 feet or more in any suitable direction. In some embodiments, the distance can be modified while the trailer is coupled to a moving tow vehicle. In some embodiments, the distance can be modified while the trailer is parked. In some embodiments, the suspension system comprises a first spring (e.g., a leaf spring, a coil spring, a coil over spring, a lowering spring), wherein the first axle is movably coupled to the frame via the first spring, wherein a first portion of the first spring is coupled to the first axle via a first bracket, and wherein the second portion of the first spring is coupled to a second bracket that is movably coupled to the frame, for example to a track coupled to the frame. In some embodiments, the trailer further comprises an upper sized and dimensioned to support cargo (e.g., a nonautomotive vehicle, transport container, a housing, a vehicle designed to serve as a temporary dwelling or place of business that are configured to be towed by a vehicle, a flat bed), and wherein the first axle is configured to move based at least in part on a distribution of a weight of the cargo on the first and second axles. In some embodiments, an actuator is coupled to the frame and the first axle, and configured to move the first axle relative to the frame. In some embodiments, a second is coupled to the frame and the second axle, and configured to move the second axle relative to the frame. Any suitable actuator for moving one component relative to another component is contemplated, including, for example, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, electric actuators, and linear actuators, which are now known or later discovered. In some embodiments, the first axle is coupled to first and second wheels, and wherein the first and second wheels are steerable. In some embodiments, the first and second axles are moving axles (relative to the frame) and are configured to move relative to the frame based at least in part on a change in a load distribution. In some embodiments, one or more actuators of the vehicle can be actuated via any suitable power source, electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic sources, to achieve physical movement, for example, to adjust a position of an axle relative to a frame. Some contemplated actuators can operate using at least one of a motor and a mechanical drive mechanism. In an aspect of the disclosure, a load balancing system is provided, comprising a trailer, one or more sensors coupled to the trailer and configured to detect sensor data, and a controller comprising (a) one or more processors, and (b) a memory storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause th