SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DOCKING VEHICLES FOR TOWING

Organization Name

the boeing company

Inventor(s)

Emily Georgia Rayner of Newport (AU)

Benjamin Stanislaw Zielinski of Port Melbourne (AU)

Naram Abraham Faris of Port Melbourne (AU)

Timothy Trewern of Port Melbourne (AU)

Timothy Edward Mew of Brisbane City (AU)

Alana Jade Overmeyer of Port Melbourne (AU)

Jason Cochrane of Tecoma (AU)

Michael Hamilton of Brisbane (AU)

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DOCKING VEHICLES FOR TOWING - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240278608 titled 'SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DOCKING VEHICLES FOR TOWING

The abstract describes systems and methods for docking vehicles for towing, including a docking assembly with a compliance mechanism that allows for rotation about an axis.

The docking assembly includes a mounting interface for the vehicle, an interface component rotatably coupled to the mounting interface, and a compliance mechanism.
The compliance mechanism has three modes: locked, biased to a central position, and freely rotatable.
This innovation allows for secure coupling of vehicles for towing while providing flexibility and ease of rotation.

Potential Applications: - Towing and transportation industries - Vehicle recovery and roadside assistance services - Military and emergency vehicle operations

Problems Solved: - Secure and efficient vehicle towing - Simplified vehicle recovery processes - Enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces

Benefits: - Improved safety during towing operations - Reduced risk of damage to vehicles - Increased efficiency in vehicle recovery tasks

Commercial Applications: Title: "Innovative Vehicle Docking System for Towing Operations" This technology can be utilized by towing companies, vehicle recovery services, and military operations to streamline towing processes and enhance operational efficiency.

Prior Art: Readers can explore prior patents related to vehicle docking systems, towing mechanisms, and compliance mechanisms to gain a deeper understanding of the technological landscape in this field.

Frequently Updated Research: Stay informed about advancements in vehicle docking systems, towing technologies, and compliance mechanisms to ensure the latest innovations are incorporated into your operations.

Questions about Vehicle Docking Systems: 1. How does the compliance mechanism in the docking assembly enhance towing operations? - The compliance mechanism allows for secure coupling of vehicles while providing flexibility and ease of rotation, improving overall towing efficiency. 2. What are the potential safety benefits of using a docking assembly with a compliance mechanism for vehicle towing? - The compliance mechanism helps reduce the risk of damage to vehicles during towing operations and enhances safety for both vehicles involved.

Original Abstract Submitted

systems and methods for docking vehicles for towing are disclosed herein. an example docking assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting interface to be coupled to the vehicle, an interface component rotatably coupled to the mounting interface at a joint defining an axis, the interface component to be coupled to a corresponding interface component on another vehicle, and a compliance mechanism. the compliance mechanism is operable between: a first mode in which the interface component is locked from rotating about the axis; a second mode in which the interface component is rotatable about the axis and biased to a central position; and a third mode in which the interface component is freely rotatable about the axis.