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.

The present technology describes systems and methods for a mechanized gladhand and an end effector. The mechanized gladhand may have a collar capable of rotational motion while the mating surface may be in contact with a second surface without rotating. This may reduce reaction loads while maintaining the integrity of the connection. The end effector may include a drive motor, clasping tool, and/or driving installed tool that may be used to couple a tool with the gladhand or may be used in other applications. The end effector may have a compact design to allow precise control. The movement of the end effector with the gladhand may be controlled based on image processing to align the tool with another component.

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.

An auto-coupling system for coupling a trailer and a towing vehicle includes a base plate between a vehicle frame and a fifth wheel of the towing vehicle, an extendable arm rotatably coupled to the base plate at a first point and configured to extend in response to relative movement of the towing vehicle and the trailer, a spring fixedly coupled to the base plate at a second point and coupled to the extendable arm, the spring being configured to exert a retractive force onto the extendable arm, and an alignment assembly rotatably coupled to the extendable arm and configured to move against an outer perimeter of the trailer.

A fifth-wheel coupling arrangement includes a primary coupling device of a fifth wheel coupling arrangement or a trailer, in particular a semi-trailer, wherein the primary coupling device includes a base body, a drive and a connector element, wherein the base body is configured to be fixed to the fifth wheel coupling arrangement or the trailer, and wherein the connector element (is configured to be displaceable relative to the base body by the drive in a displacement direction

A device for transferring a line between a retracted state and an extended state includes a line arranged in an interface region between a semitrailer train and a semitrailer, wherein the line has a first line section and a second line section and wherein the line is longer in the extended state than in the retracted state, and an envelope element via which the first line section and the second line section are connectable for transfer between the retracted state and the extended state by forming a telescopic mechanism.

The invention relates to a driverless transport vehicle for moving a semi-trailer. The driverless transport vehicle comprises a coupling device which is designed to establish a connection with the braking system and/or an electronic system of a semi-trailer. The invention also relates to a method for coupling a driverless transport vehicle to a semi-trailer.

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.

Trailer electrical connector assemblies can facilitate the automatic coupling and decoupling of a trailer. A trailer electrical connector assembly can include a vehicle portion and a trailer portion. The vehicle portion can include a hitch ring that is secured to a hitch ball and guides within which contacts are positioned. The trailer portion can include a sleeve that is positioned around a coupling mechanism of the trailer and a sleeve ring that forms receivers within which contacts are positioned. When the hitch ball is inserted into the trailer's coupling mechanism, the receivers can be automatically coupled with the guides to thereby form an electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer.