A connection device for connecting of electrical and pneumatic lines between a tractor and a trailer having a first end, a second end, and at least two lines connecting the two ends, wherein at least a first pneumatic plug element and at least a first electrical plug element is arranged at the first end and wherein a first plug-in unit is arranged at the second end, having at least a first pneumatic connecting element and at least a first electrical connecting element.

A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. A pair of locking jaws are pivotally connected to the top plate and pivotal between a closed configuration where the pair of locking jaws block passage of a kingpin out of the throat and the locking jaws are held primarily in compression and an open configuration where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat. Each of the pair of locking jaws has an engagement surface adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration. A locking member is movably attached to the top plate and a mechanism urges the locking member into engagement with the pair of locking jaws when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration.

A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. A pair of locking jaws are pivotally connected to the top plate and pivotal between a closed configuration where the pair of locking jaws block passage of a kingpin out of the throat and the locking jaws are held primarily in compression and an open configuration where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat. Each of the pair of locking jaws has an engagement surface adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration. A locking member is movably attached to the top plate and a mechanism urges the locking member into engagement with the pair of locking jaws when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

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 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 fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position.

A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position.

A system for automatically coupling the air and electrical lines of a tractor to a trailer. The tractor has a fifth wheel coupling that is configured to be coupled to a kingpin of the trailer. The height of the fifth wheel coupling is adjustable. A trailer coupling head is mounted to the trailer and carries air line and electrical connectors. A fifth wheel coupling height control system is configured to automatically control the height of the fifth wheel coupling when it is coupled to the kingpin of the trailer, to control the height of the trailer coupling head. A tractor coupling head carries air line and electrical connectors that are configured to be operably coupled to the mating connectors of the trailer coupling head. A tractor coupling head carrier removably carries the tractor coupling head. A tractor coupling head carrier control system moves the tractor coupling head carrier toward and away from the trailer coupling head along a longitudinal axis. A clamping mechanism carried by the tractor coupling head establishes at least two alternative clamping states, one clamping state where the tractor coupling head is clamped to and carried by the tractor coupling head carrier such that the tractor coupling head is moved as the tractor coupling head carrier is moved, and a second clamping state where the tractor coupling head is clamped to the trailer coupling head such that the tractor coupling head carrier is free to move relative to the tractor coupling head.