A fifth wheel hitch assembly is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch system may comprise a jaw fixed about a pivot pin and a biasing member biasing the jaw to a closed position. The fifth wheel hitch assembly may also include a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw, where the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw.

A system for pivoting a coupling component for an outrigger, for a coupling between a tractor unit and a semi-trailer includes a rotation configured to pivot the coupling component between a primary position and a secondary position, and at least one line, which is guided into the coupling component via the rotation device, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one line forms a loop in the primary position in a defined area, and the loop is reduced in size when pivoted to the secondary position.

The invention relates to a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling (60) or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling (60), with which a trailer vehicle (A), in particular a semitrailer, can be coupled to a towing vehicle (Z), in particular a truck, wherein the towing vehicle coupling (60) has a coupling element (61) for detachably coupling a coupling counter element (81), which are or can be secured to the towing vehicle (Z) and the trailer vehicle (A), and in the coupled state forming a joint (95), they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device (610) has a follower (620), which is mounted such that it can rotate relative to the coupling element (61) about a follower rotational axis (M), and which can rotate about the follower rotational axis (M) by rotationally following the coupling counter element (81) during rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element (81) relative to the coupling element (61) about the at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the follower (620) has at least one frictional connection surface (681) for frictional contact with the coupling counter element (81), and wherein the sensor device (610) has at least one sensor for detecting a respective rotational position of the follower (620) relative to the coupling element (61) in relation to the follower rotational axis (M). It is provided that a plurality of particles (683) for contacting the coupling counter element (81) is arranged on the at least one frictional connection surface (681) and/or that the coupling has a counter follower element (990) which is arranged or can be arranged on the coupling counter element (81) and which has a follower surface (690) having a plurality of particles (683) for contacting the frictional connection surface (681).

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.

A method for estimating an effective length of a first vehicle segment of a vehicle combination, the vehicle combination comprising a towing vehicle which is connected to the first vehicle segment via a first articulation joint and a perception sensor mounted on one of the towing vehicle and the first vehicle segment and arranged to obtain an image of the other one of the towing vehicle and the first vehicle segment; the method comprising identifying that the vehicle combination is provided in a first steady vehicle state, identifying that a turning and driving manoeuvre is initiated, identifying when the vehicle combination reaches a second steady vehicle state, determining a time period required for driving the vehicle combination from the first steady vehicle state to the second steady vehicle state, and estimating the effective length by use of the time period, the specific angular change, and the specific speed.

An adjustable capture plate for a fifth wheel hitch is disclosed. An example capture plate includes a skid plate couplable to a fifth wheel hitch, and a clamping system including, a base coupled to the skid plate, a pressure plate slidably coupled to the base, and a crank arm coupled to the pressure plate via a link, wherein rotation of the crank arm about an anchor pin of the base corresponds to linear travel of the pressure plate along the base, the pressure plate movable between a first position in which the pressure plate engages a pin box of a trailer and a second position in which the pressure plate is positioned away from the pin box.

A trailer controller for mounting on a trailer, wherein the trailer controller has at least one position-determining unit which is designed to detect a current position of at least two regions predefined on a trailer, in order to determine a current position and an alignment. In addition, the invention relates to a trailer having a trailer controller and a coupling system, as well as to a method for carrying out a coupling process between a tractor unit and a trailer with a coupling system.

Disclosed is a sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, in particular a fifth-wheel coupling, with which a trailer vehicle can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling to a coupling counter element, in particular a fifth-wheel king pin, wherein the coupling element is/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the coupling counter element is/can be secured to the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, mounted on a bearing body such that it can rotate about a follower rotational axis, for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis wherein the follower can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis, and the sensor device has at least one sensor for detecting a respective rotational position of the follower relative to the bearing body in relation to the follower rotational axis. The follower is arranged outside a bearing region of the joint, in which the coupling element and the coupling counter element are engaged with one another in a bearing manner, and the at least one sensor is arranged inside the follower and/or the follower forms a protective housing for the at least one sensor.

A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a first image sensor in connection with a portion of the vehicle and positioned forward of a forward hitch disposed in a cargo bed of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to capture first image data with the first image sensor. The first image data depicts a coupler of a trailer. The controller is further configured to identify a trailer type of the trailer based on the first image data. The trailer type is configured to connect to the forward hitch. The controller is further configured to acquire position data identifying a coupler position of the coupler in the first image data, derive a vehicle path aligning the forward hitch with the coupler, and control a maneuvering system driving the vehicle along the vehicle path.

A fifth wheel coupling including a coupling plate and a camera, wherein the coupling plate is supported on a towing vehicle by bearing elements, a centrally arranged locking region for receiving a king pin, a support surface at least partially laterally surrounding the locking region for supporting a trailer, as well as an insertion opening running radially from the locking region, which is bordered in a conically widened section on both sides by insertion flanges. The camera is mounted in a position in the region of the fifth wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage, with the camera being arranged on one of the insertion flanges.