Patent classifications
B62D53/125
Automated trailer coupling arrangement
An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier member between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the pneumatic and electrical couplers are respectively coupled and the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member, wherein the control arm is configured to move a vertical and horizontal directions as the carrier member is moved between the first and second positions.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED OPERATION AND HANDLING OF AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS AND TRAILERS HAULED THEREBY
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.
Autonomous gladhands coupling systems, devices, and methods
The invention relates to a system (400) comprising a vehicle (402), an arm assembly (408), first and second cable portions (410a, 410b), at least one cable actuator (406), and an air supply line. The vehicle has a pneumatic source of pressurized air. The arm assembly has an end effector releasably coupled to an end of an axially-extendable arm coupled to the vehicle. The end effector has a gladhand coupling portion. The air supply line can be coupled to the end effector and can deliver pressurized air from the pneumatic source to a braking system of the trailer when the gladhand coupling portion is coupled to the gladhand receptacle of a trailer. After coupling to the gladhand receptacle, the end effector can be disconnected from the arm assembly to allow the remainder of the arm assembly to be stowed.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED OPERATION AND HANDLING OF AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS AND TRAILERS HAULED THEREBY
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.
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A TOWING VEHICLE AND A TOWED VEHICLE, AND A METHOD THEREOF
A system for providing communication between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle is provided. The system comprises a first communication device configured to be arranged in a rear end of the towing vehicle, and a second communication device configured to be arranged in a front end of the towed vehicle. The towing vehicle is provided with a first power transmission device arranged to be physically connected to a second power transmission device provided in the towed vehicle. The first and second communication devices are arranged on the first and second power transmission devices, respectively, such that in a power transmission connected state (PCS) the first and second communication devices are placed at a power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) from each other, wherein the power transmission connected state distance (PCSD) is less than a wireless communication range (COM-RAN).
Kingpin arrangement
A kingpin arrangement for an automatic coupling system including a kingpin extending in a kingpin direction, a turntable mounted rotatably about the kingpin direction relative to the kingpin and mounted on a plain-bearing, the turntable having an opening, through which the kingpin extends, and a support structure extending in a radial direction, the support structure including a fastener for indirectly and/or directly fastening and/or for mounting a plug connector, the support structure being fixed indirectly and/or directly to an end of the turntable.
CABLE ROUTING DEVICE
A cable routing device for connecting a line strand to a carrier element which can be moved with respect to the vehicle, wherein the cable routing device has a carrier element, fastened pivotably to the vehicle, and a cable store, in which at least part of the line strand is accommodated. Based on the problem of providing a cable routing device of compact design which is suitable for ensuring low sag of a line strand with a large diameter, the problem is solved by virtue of the fact that a spring element is arranged between the carrier element and the cable store, by which spring element, the line strand is supported loosely.
PLUG-IN COUPLING SYSTEM AND FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY WITH PLUG-IN COUPLING SYSTEM
A plug-in coupling system for a commercial vehicle includes a primary coupling device having a plug console with transmission contacts that point in a plug-in direction, a secondary coupling device having a connection console configured such that the plug console and the connection console are connected to one another so that information and/or energy can be transmitted between the plug console and the connection console, or disconnected from one another where no information and/or energy can be transmitted between the plug console and the connection console, and a locking device is configured to move between a locking position to prevent a transfer from the coupling position to the disconnecting position and a release position to permit a transfer from the coupling position to the disconnecting position.
Driverless transport vehicle and method for coupling a driverless transport vehicle to a semi-trailer
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.
Primary coupling device and method for connecting a primary coupling device
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.