Multiple exemplary systems for preventing jackknifing are disclosed. The systems comprise an electric motor for extending a shaft into a fifth wheel coupling when a tractor trailer is traveling at above a predetermined speed in a forward direction, physically preventing the tractor trailer from jackknifing. In order to avoid dependence on integration with a tractor, sensors on a trailer are used to determine speed without communication with the tractor or any instruments therein, via reception of one or more waves. When the trailer is determined to be traveling at below the predetermined speed in a forward direction, or at any speed in a backward direction, the shaft is retracted to allow the trailer to freely rotate with respect, to the tractor.

A fifth wheel mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket including a coupling portion configured to pivotally couple to a fifth wheel hitch plate, the mounting bracket including an innermost surface and an outermost surface defining a mounting bracket thickness, at least one isolation area having isolation area thickness that is less than the mounting bracket thickness, and at least one strain gauge positioned within the at least one isolation area and configured to measure a strain of the fifth wheel mounting bracket arrangement.

A fifth wheel control arrangement (100) for an articulated vehicle comprising a fifth wheel having a biased hinge joint and an actuator (115) arranged to control a biasing force and/or a damping force of the biased hinge joint. The control arrangement comprises a control unit configured to automatically control the actuator in response to one or more input sensor signals associated with a current state of the articulated vehicle, to obtain a target wheel axle load of the articulated vehicle and/or to stabilize the articulated vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to a method for selecting and identifying a powered dolly vehicle for forming a vehicle combination with a primary vehicle and one or more trailers. The method includes receiving a request from a primary vehicle to select a powered dolly vehicle among a group of powered dolly vehicles based at least in part on a mission-characteristic for a vehicle combination; evaluating the operational characteristic of each one of the powered dolly vehicles based on the mission-characteristic; selecting a powered dolly vehicle among the group of powered dolly vehicles based at least in part on the evaluation; locating the selected powered dolly vehicle in the geographical area based at least in part on the identification information; and communicating the location of the selected powered dolly vehicle to the primary vehicle or operating the powered dolly vehicle to primary vehicle.

Near field connection for secure tractor trailer communication, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for wireless communication between a tractor and a trailer includes a first transceiver (TRX) attached to the tractor, and a second TRX attached to the trailer. An engagement between the tractor and the trailer brings the first TRX within an operational distance to the second TRX.

A safety apparatus for a fifth wheel coupling having locking jaws arranged to detachably couple to a trailer having spring applied air brakes, the fifth wheel coupling comprising a locking component that is moveable between a first position whereat the locking jaws are in a coupled state and a second position whereat the locking jaws are in a decoupled state, the safety apparatus comprising a pneumatic valve arrangement pneumatically coupled to both a constant air pressure supply and an air park brake supply that supplies pressurised air to the spring applied air brakes, and a mechanical actuator mechanically coupled to the locking component and configured to mechanically actuate the pneumatic valve arrangement when the locking component moves from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the pneumatic valve arrangement to block flow in an air park brake supply line for preventing the spring applied air brakes from releasing.

A safety apparatus for a fifth wheel coupling having locking jaws arranged to detachably couple to a trailer having spring applied air brakes, the fifth wheel coupling comprising a locking component that is moveable between a first position whereat the locking jaws are in a coupled state and a second position whereat the locking jaws are in a decoupled state, the safety apparatus comprising a pneumatic valve arrangement pneumatically coupled to both a constant air pressure supply and an air park brake supply that supplies pressurised air to the spring applied air brakes, and a mechanical actuator mechanically coupled to the locking component and configured to mechanically actuate the pneumatic valve arrangement when the locking component moves from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the pneumatic valve arrangement to block flow in an air park brake supply line for preventing the spring applied air brakes from releasing.

A terminal tractor includes a fifth wheel coupling which is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the terminal tractor such that an opening in the fifth wheel coupling may be reoriented depending on the terminal tractor's direction of approach to a semi-trailer.

A device and a method for controlling collision avoidance of a trailer vehicle in platooning include a jackknife induction determination module or operation that determines whether to execute jackknife induction control in a leading vehicle when an emergency braking situation occurs during platooning of the trailer vehicle. The device and method also include a jackknife induction control module or operation that provides an additional braking distance of a following vehicle at the rear of a tractor by inducing pivoting of a trailer while controlling the tractor and trailer of the leading vehicle, respectively, to allow a jackknife phenomenon to occur. Stability of the platooning is improved by reducing a possibility of the occurrence of a collision accident by the following vehicle even during emergency braking.

A heavy-duty vehicle, comprising a steering unit mounted on a vehicle frame of the heavy-duty vehicle, wherein the steering unit is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the steering unit. The heavy-duty vehicle comprises a steering input element connected to the steering unit and configured to cause the steering unit to rotate about the axis of rotation of the steering unit. The steering unit has at least one connecting portion configured to be connected to one or more of a steering device of the heavy-duty vehicle or the steering input element of the heavy-duty vehicle. The steering unit comprises at least one actuating unit configured to change a distance of at least one connecting portion relative to the axis of rotation of the steering unit.