Device for transferring a line between a retracted state and an extended state and corresponding system, corresponding use and corresponding method

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device for transferring a line between a retracted state and an extended state, comprising: 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; wherein the line comprises a gas pressure line where the first line section is guided in a gas-tight manner in the envelope element, and/or comprises an electrical line where a connector bushing element is in and maintains electrical contact with an electrically conductive part of the first line section in both a retracted state and an extended state.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the envelope element is supported in a holding device so as to be translationally displaceable.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the envelope element is connected to the holding device via a spring element, and wherein the spring element is pretensioned in the extended state of the line.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the envelope element is connected via a cable element to a pivotally mounted coupling component.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the coupling component includes an outrigger.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the cable element comprises a steel wire as a central fibre.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the envelope element is connected to the coupling component such that when the coupling component is pivoted, the first line section and the second line section are displaced translationally relative to one another.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first line section is fixed by a holding device and is fixed relative to the holding device.

9. The device according to claim 4, the envelope element is one of a plurality of envelope elements each provided for a single line and connected to each other.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the envelope element is connected via a cable element to a pivotally mounted coupling component.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the coupling component includes an outrigger.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the cable element comprises a steel wire as a central fibre.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the envelope element is connected to the coupling component such that when the coupling component is pivoted, the first line section and the second line section are displaced translationally relative to one another.

14. The device according to claim 10, the envelope element is one of a plurality of envelope elements each provided for a single line and connected to each other.

15. A method for transferring the line between the retracted state and the extended state, that includes providing the device according to claim 1, and further including transferring the line between the retracted and extended states via the envelope element such that the first and second line sections are telescoped with respect to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the subject of the invention with reference to the attached figures. Individual features of the individual embodiments can be combined within the scope of the invention. It is shown in

(2) FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional top plan view of a device for extending a line in the interface region between a semitrailer train and a semitrailer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1b is a side elevation view of the device;

(4) FIG. 1c is a top plan view of the device; and

(5) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) In FIGS. 1a-1c, a device 1 for extending a line in the interface region between a semitrailer train and a semitrailer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in a sectional view (top), a side view (middle) and a top view (bottom). An interface region between the articulated vehicle and the semitrailer is understood in particular to be the region in which the semitrailer is tied to the semitrailer train, preferably tied automatically. For example, the semi-trailer is connected to the semitrailer train via a kingpin on the trailer side, which engages in a fifth wheel coupling on the semitrailer train side. In addition to the mechanical coupling, it is also necessary that trailer-side and semitrailer train-side lines or supply lines, such as a gas pressure line 5 or air pressure line or an electrical line 4, can be connected to each other via a corresponding plug or connection mechanism in the interface region. It is provided on the trailer side that a coupling component or a outrigger is pivotably mounted, in particular pivotably mounted to the kingpin. The coupling component serves to guide the lines. For this purpose, the lines are connected to the coupling component on the inside or outside. Due to the slewing motion it is necessary that the cables do not restrict the freedom of movement of the coupling component or are not permanently damaged by the slewing motion.

(7) To avoid such a restriction of the freedom of movement of the coupling component, a device 1 for extending a line is preferably provided. The line comprises a first line section 31 and a second line section 32, which are telescopically connected to each other via an envelope element 10. Here, for example, the envelope element 10 can be part of the second line section 32 or be connected to the second line section 32 in a non-positive, positive and/or material-locking manner. Preferably, the first cable section 31 is translationally mounted in the envelope element 10 for transferring the line between a retracted state and an extended state, whereby a length of the line in the extended state is greater than a length in a retracted state. By means of the telescopically acting envelope element 10, the line can be transferred, in particular reversibly, between the retracted state and the extended state.

(8) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, a large number of envelope elements 10 are provided, each of which is intended to extend a single line. The system illustrated here comprises four electrical lines 4 and two air pressure lines 5. Preferably, the envelope elements 10 are connected to each other, in particular by means of a collar 11 running along the front of the envelope element. Preferably, the envelope element 10 is designed in the form of a tube, and the collar 11 is directed radially outwards, for example. Furthermore, it is provided that the device 1 comprises a holding device 30 and a further holding device 40, whereby the holding device 30 is arranged in a fixed position relative to the further holding device 40. In the embodiment shown, the further holding device 40 is provided for fixing the first pipe section 41 and the holding device 30 for supporting the envelope element(s) 10. If several lines are provided, several holding devices 30 are combined in one carrier 34. It is provided that a ratio between a longitudinal extension LE of the envelope element 10 and a distance A between the holding device 30 and the further holding device 40 assumes a value between 0.6 and 0.9, preferably between 0.65 and 0.85 and particularly preferably between 0.68 and 0.78. In particular, it is provided that the envelope element(s) 10 are mounted in the holding device 30 so as to be translatable or longitudinally displaceable. For example, the holding device 30 comprises a recess whose cross-section is adapted to the outer surface of the envelope element 10 so that the envelope element 10 can be displaced in the recess along its longitudinal extension.

(9) Furthermore, it is intended that the envelope element 10 is connected to the holding device 30 via a spring element 18. In particular, the envelope element 3 is supported by the holding device 30 via the spring element 18. Here, the spring element 18 rests with its one end, for example, on the retaining device 30 and with an opposite end on the collar 11 of the envelope element 10. Preferably, the spring element 18 is a spiral spring which is wound around the sleeve element 10 in the assembled state. In particular, it is intended that the envelope element 10 is operatively connected to the coupling component. Preferably, the envelope element 10 is connected to the coupling component via a cable element in such a way that when the coupling component is swivelled, the cable element pulls on the envelope element 10, thus causing an extension of the line. In doing so, the envelope element 10 is moved away from the further holding device 40. At the same time, the spring element 18 is pretensioned. By means of this pretensioning, it is advantageously possible to transfer coupling component 1 to an initial position at the end of the clewing motion, in which the spring element 18 is no longer pretensioned and the line is in the retracted state.

(10) To ensure that the lines can maintain their functionality in both the extended and retracted state, the gas pressure lines 5 are designed to be inserted into each other gas-tight. For this purpose, the first line section 31 is formed coaxially to the inside of the envelope element 1 at least at its end which engages in the envelope element 1 in the assembled state.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the device from FIG. 1, in particular in the area for the electrical line 4, where it is intended that the first line section 31 and the second line section 32 are in electrical contact via one or more connector bushing elements 41. In this case, the conductive parts 42 of the first line section 31 are in contact with connector bushing elements 41 of the second line section 32 and are moved along an inner surface of the bushing element 41 during the transfer between the retracted state and the extended state without breaking contact with this inner surface.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(12) 1 device

(13) 4 electric line

(14) 5 gas pressure line

(15) 10 envelope element

(16) 11 collar

(17) 18 spring element

(18) 30 holding device

(19) 31 first line section

(20) 32 second line section

(21) 34 carrier

(22) 40 further holding device

(23) 41 connector bushing element

(24) 42 electrically conductive part

(25) LE longitudinal extension

(26) A distance