Hybrid dinghy pusher

Abstract

A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.

1 . A hybrid dinghy pusher for a towing vehicle comprising:
 a hybrid vehicle comprising an electrical motor, wherein the electric motor selectively propels the hybrid vehicle and selectively generates electricity, wherein the hybrid vehicle is configured for selective coupling to the towing vehicle, and wherein, when not coupled to the towing vehicle, the hybrid vehicle can be driven alone;   a tow bar configured for coupling the hybrid vehicle to the towing vehicle; and   a means for controlling activation of the electric motor of the hybrid vehicle to selectively provide operational assistance to the towing vehicle via the coupled tow bar.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle comprises:
 at least one sensor, each sensor configured for sensing at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and   at least one controller configured to perform the steps of:
 processing sensed data from the at least one sensor; 
 determining what operational assistance is to be provided by the hybrid vehicle to the towing vehicle; and 
 actuating the hybrid vehicle in response to the determination of operational assistance. 
   
     
     
         3 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the step of actuating the hybrid vehicle comprises at least one of:
 actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle to selectively propel the hybrid vehicle;   actuating the electrical motor to provide selective braking resistance to the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle; and   actuating a braking system of the hybrid vehicle to provide selective braking resistance to the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 3 , wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises selectively propelling the hybrid vehicle to reduce the towing load on the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 3 , wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises selectively propelling the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of:
 a speedometer;   an accelerometer;   an angle of incline sensor;   a tangential force sensor; and   a sensor for monitoring the alignment of the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle.   
     
     
         7 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a speedometer. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an angle of incline sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a tangential force sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor for monitoring the alignment of the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one controller comprises a hybrid vehicle controller. 
     
     
         13 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one controller further comprises a towing vehicle controller configured to at least receive operating conditions of the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one controller comprises a towing vehicle controller configured to at least receive operating conditions of the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor and the at least one controller are electrically coupled. 
     
     
         16 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor and the at least one controller are electrically coupled wirelessly. 
     
     
         17 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 1 , wherein the hybrid vehicle further comprises an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing operational assistance to a towing vehicle comprising the steps of:
 providing a hybrid vehicle comprising an electrical motor, wherein the electric motor selectively propels the hybrid vehicle and selectively generates electricity, wherein the hybrid vehicle is configured for selective coupling to the towing vehicle, and wherein, when not coupled to the towing vehicle, the hybrid vehicle can be driven alone;   providing a tow bar configured for coupling the hybrid vehicle to the towing vehicle; and   controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle to provide operational assistance to the towing vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle comprises:
 at least one sensor, each sensor configured for sensing at least one operating condition of the towing vehicle; and   at least one controller configured to perform the steps of:
 processing sensed data from the at least one sensor; 
 calculating what operational assistance is to be provided by the hybrid vehicle to the towing vehicle; and 
 actuating the hybrid vehicle in response to the determination of operational assistance. 
   
     
     
         20 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 19 , wherein the step of actuating the hybrid vehicle comprises at least one of:
 actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle to selectively propel the hybrid vehicle;   actuating the electrical motor to provide selective braking to the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle; and   actuating a braking system of the hybrid vehicle to provide selective braking to the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle.   
     
     
         21 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 20 , wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises propelling the hybrid vehicle to reduce the towing load on the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         22 . The hybrid dinghy pusher of  claim 20 , wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises selectively propelling the hybrid vehicle and the towing vehicle. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the means for controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle comprises a towing vehicle controller configured to at least receive operating conditions of the towing vehicle and transmit the operating conditions to a hybrid vehicle controller.