Coupling system

Abstract

A coupling system includes a coupling plug and a coupling receptacle, wherein the coupling plug and the coupling receptacle engage with one another in such a way that the first coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the first receiving part, the second coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the second receiving part and the third coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the third receiving part, and wherein the contact surfaces of the coupling parts and the receiving parts are substantially rotationally symmetrical about the first axis.

Claims

1. A coupling plug for a kingpin, comprising: a first coupling part; a second coupling part; and a third coupling part; wherein the second coupling part is arranged at least partially within the first coupling part and the third coupling part is arranged at least partially within the second coupling part; wherein the first, second and third coupling parts extend coaxially to a first axis in an area of overlap of the first, second and third coupling parts; wherein a first pressure chamber is formed between the first coupling part and the second coupling part; wherein a second pressure chamber is formed between the second coupling part and the third coupling part; wherein the third coupling part is hollow and forms a third pressure chamber; wherein in a first plug area of the coupling plug at least the first and third coupling parts are configured for fluid-tight connection to a fluid pressure system of a trailer; wherein in a second plug area of the coupling plug at least the first and the third coupling part are configured for connection to a coupling receptacle; and wherein the second pressure chamber in an area of the first plug area is closed in a fluid-tight manner or opens into the environment or is connected to a leakage monitor.

2. The coupling plug according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling part is secured against rotation about the first axis relative to the trailer.

3. The coupling plug according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third coupling parts has a sliding contact of an electrical system in the area of the second plug area.

4. The coupling plug according to claim 3, wherein the sliding contact is connected to an electrical conductor which is insulated from the respective first, second and/or third coupling part.

5. The coupling plug according to claim 4, wherein a sliding contact projects out of the coupling plug in the first plug area.

6. The coupling plug according to claim 3, wherein the sliding contact extends with an arc angle of at least 180° about the first axis on an inner or outer wall of the respective first, second and/or third coupling part.

7. The coupling plug according claim 3, wherein the sliding contact is one of a plurality of sliding contacts provided on one or a plurality of the first, second and third coupling parts, and wherein each of the sliding contacts of the plurality of sliding contacts is connected to an electrical conductor.

8. The coupling plug according to claim 3, wherein the sliding contacts is arranged and fixed on the second coupling part only.

9. The coupling plug according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first, second and/or third coupling parts comprises an electrically non-conductive material, wherein the sliding contact is applied to this at least one first, second and/or third coupling part.

10. The coupling plug according to claim 9, wherein at least two adjacent coupling parts of the first, second and/or third coupling parts comprise an electrically non-conductive material, and wherein the sliding contact is applied to each of these first, second and/or third coupling parts.

11. The coupling plug according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling part is materially connected to or constructed in one piece with a kingpin.

12. The coupling plug according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure chamber opens into the environment.

13. The coupling plug of claim 12, wherein a protective element is provided at an outlet into the environment of the second pressure chamber.

14. The coupling plug according to claim 1, further comprising: a light signal transmission system, wherein a first light signal transmitter and/or receiver is fixed to at least one of the first, second and/or third coupling parts, which is configured to communicate without contact with a second light signal transmitter and/or receiver on a coupling receptacle.

15. A coupling receptacle for a fifth wheel coupling, comprising: a first receiving part; a second receiving part; and a third receiving part; wherein the second receiving part is arranged in regions within the first receiving part and the third receiving part is arranged in regions within the second receiving part; wherein the first, second and third receiving parts extend coaxially to a second axis in the area of overlap of the first, second and/or third receiving part; wherein a first receiving pressure chamber is formed between the first receiving part and the second receiving part; wherein a second receiving pressure chamber is formed between the second receiving part and the third receiving part; wherein the third receiving part is hollow and forms a third receiving pressure chamber; wherein in a first receiving section of the coupling receptacle at least the first and third receiving parts are configured for fluid-tight connection to a fluid pressure system of a towing vehicle; wherein in a second receiving section of the coupling receptacle at least the first and third receiving parts are configured for connection to a coupling plug; and wherein the second receiving pressure chamber in an area of the first receiving section is closed in a fluid-tight manner or opens into the environment or is connected to a leakage monitor; and wherein the second receiving pressure chamber is connected to a leakage monitoring system.

16. A coupling system, comprising: a coupling plug for a kingpin, comprising: a first coupling part; a second coupling part; and a third coupling part; wherein the second coupling part is arranged at least partially within the first coupling part, and the third coupling part is arranged at least partially within the second coupling part; wherein the first, second and third coupling parts extend coaxially to a first axis in an area of overlap of the first, second and third coupling parts; wherein a first pressure chamber is formed between the first coupling part and the second coupling part; wherein a second pressure chamber is formed between the second coupling part and the third coupling part; wherein the third coupling part is hollow and forms a third pressure chamber; wherein in a first plug area of the coupling plug at least the first and third coupling parts are configured for fluid-tight connection to a fluid pressure system of a trailer; wherein in a second plug area of the coupling plug at least the first and the third coupling part are configured for connection to a coupling receptacle; and wherein the second pressure chamber in an area of the first plug area is closed in a fluid-tight manner or opens into the environment or is connected to a leakage monitor; and a coupling receptacle for a fifth wheel coupling, comprising: a first receiving part; a second receiving part; and a third receiving part; wherein the second receiving part is arranged in regions within the first receiving part and the third receiving part is arranged in regions within the second receiving part; wherein the first, second and third receiving parts extend coaxially to a second axis in the area of overlap of the first, second and/or third receiving part; wherein a first receiving pressure chamber is formed between the first receiving part and the second receiving part; wherein a second receiving pressure chamber is formed between the second receiving part and the third receiving part; wherein the third receiving part is hollow and forms a third receiving pressure chamber; wherein in a first receiving section of the coupling receptacle at least the first and third receiving parts are configured for fluid-tight connection to a fluid pressure system of a towing vehicle; wherein in a second receiving section of the coupling receptacle at least the first and third receiving parts are configured for connection to a coupling plug; and wherein the second receiving pressure chamber in an area of the first receiving section is closed in a fluid-tight manner or opens into the environment or is connected to a leakage monitor; wherein the coupling plug and the coupling receptacle engage with one another such that the first coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the first receiving part, the second coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the second receiving part and the third coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the third receiving part; and wherein the contact surfaces of the first, second and/or third coupling parts and the first, second and/or receiving parts are substantially rotationally symmetrical about the first axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features of the present invention result from the following description with regard to the attached figures. It is understood that individual features, which are represented in only one of the embodiments, can also be used in other embodiments, unless this has been explicitly excluded or is prohibited by technical circumstances. In particular, features such as sliding contacts and electrical conductors, which are only shown for the coupling plug, can of course also be provided on correspondingly preferred embodiments of the coupling receptacle.

(2) It is shown in:

(3) FIG. 1 is a first schematic side elevation view of a utility vehicle equipped with a coupling receptacle in accordance with the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of a coupling plug and a coupling receptacle within the meaning of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a part of a coupling plug;

(6) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a coupling plug according to the invention; and

(7) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a coupling system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) The schematic view of a utility vehicle with a towing vehicle Z and a trailer H shown in FIG. 1 has a fifth wheel coupling with a kingpin 8. A coupling plug 10 is provided in or at least on the kingpin 8. Correspondingly, the fifth wheel coupling of the towing vehicle Z has a coupling receptacle 20. The coupling plug 10 and the coupling receptacle 20 thus define a coupling system according to the present invention. By means of the coupling system it is possible to transmit fluid pressure, in particular pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure, and, where applicable, also electrical energy or electrical control signals in the area of the pivot point between the towing vehicle Z and the trailer H. Therefore, it is not necessary to lay further lines or cables between the towing vehicle Z and the trailer H, which have to be deformed and guided and thus wear out when the trailer pivots relative to the towing vehicle. Furthermore, the installation space that would be taken up by these cables is also saved, so that the connection area between the towing vehicle Z and the trailer H is much more compact than is known from the state of the art to date.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a kingpin 8, in which a coupling plug 10 is inserted. Furthermore, it is shown schematically that on the fifth wheel coupling not shown, a coupling receptacle 20 is arranged in such a way that the first axis R of the coupling plug 10 is collinear with the second axis S of the coupling receptacle 20. In this position relative to one another, in the present case the coupling receptacle 20 can preferably be displaced along the first or second axis R, S in the direction of the coupling plug 10 in order to come into engagement with the second plug area A.sub.2 with a second receiving area B.sub.2. In particular, the coupling receptacle 20 and the coupling plug 10 overlap each other in the assembled state in such a way that a fluid-tight connection is produced between the individual parts of the coupling plug 10 and the coupling receptacle 20. Furthermore, it is shown that both the coupling receptacle 20 and the coupling plug 10 each have a first area A1 and B1, whereby in this first area the connection of the coupling plug 10 and the coupling receptacle 20 with the line system on the trailer H or the towing vehicle Z can be established.

(10) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the upper area of a coupling plug 10, showing that the first coupling part 2 and the second coupling part 3 border a first pressure chamber D.sub.1, and the second coupling part 4 and the third coupling part 6 border a second pressure chamber D.sub.2, and the third coupling part 6 encloses a third pressure chamber D.sub.3. The first pressure chamber D.sub.1 opens into the tube shown schematically and extending horizontally out of the coupling plug 10, which serves to supply or remove fluid pressure. The third pressure chamber D.sub.3 opens into the tube attached to the upper side or a corresponding hose, which is also designed for the supply and/or removal of fluid pressure. The second pressure chamber D.sub.2 opens into the tube located on the left side of the coupling plug 10, which opens into the environment. A protective element 42 is provided at the outlet area of this curved tube, which is designed in particular as a filter or grid to prevent dirt or corrosive fluids from entering the second pressure chamber D.sub.2. All connection geometries for connecting the pressure chambers D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3 with the trailer H are essentially located in the area of a first plug area A.sub.1, which, in relation to the entire coupling plug 10, is preferably provided on the upper side, i.e. preferably on the side facing towards the trailer H. On the underside of coupling plug 10 not shown in FIG. 3, preferably the second plug area A.sub.2 is located, in which the coupling plug 10 can be connected with a coupling receptacle 20 see FIG. 2 and FIG. 1.

(11) FIG. 4 shows a cut view of a preferred embodiment of the coupling plug 10 according to the invention. Thereby, in addition to the pressure chambers D.sub.1 to D.sub.3 described above, a preferably provided electrical system 7 is also arranged on the coupling plug 10. The electrical system 7 preferably has sliding contacts 71 and electrical conductors 72 leading to these sliding contacts 71. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the electrical system is essentially arranged and fixed on the second coupling part 4. However, it is also conceivable that the individual sliding contacts 71 are distributed to different coupling parts 2, 4, 6. In addition, FIG. 4 shows that the second pressure area D.sub.2, in contrast to the one in the previous shown embodiments, does not lead into the environment, but into a leakage monitor 30. The leakage monitor 30 can, for example, have a pressure sensor which emits a warning signal to the driver of the utility vehicle when the pressure in the second pressure area D.sub.2 increases. The leakage monitor 30 can be located both at the coupling plug 10 and in the correspondingly designed coupling receptacle 20. Preferably, a leakage monitor 30 is provided both in the coupling receptacle 20, which is fixed to the towing vehicle Z, and in the coupling plug 10, which is fixed to the trailer H. It goes without saying that the electrical system 7 shown in FIG. 4 is also correspondingly present on the coupling receptacle 20, which is not shown in this figure, whereby sliding contacts 71 corresponding to the sliding contacts 71 on the coupling plug 10 are also formed on the coupling receptacle 20.

(12) FIG. 5 shows a coupling system according to the present invention, in which preferably in addition to the electrical system 7 a light signal transmission system 9 is also provided. The light signal transmission system has a first light signal transmitter/receiver 92, which is fixed to the coupling plug 10 and in particular preferably to the third coupling part 6. Correspondingly, a second light signal transmitter/receiver 94 is arranged on the coupling receptacle 20, which communicates with the light signal transmitter/receiver 92 arranged on the coupling plug 10. Light signal transmitters have the advantage that higher data rates can be transmitted with them than with simple electrical, analog lines and that no wear and tear processes due to solid friction, as occurs in the electrical system 7, take place. In addition, FIG. 5 shows the coupling system in a plugged-together state, with the coupling plug 10 and the coupling receptacle 20 being plugged into each other along the first axis R and the second axis S which runs collinearly in this position. For sealing between the first coupling part 2 and the first receiving part 22, at least one seal 5 is provided in their overlap area. Such a seal 5 is also provided in the overlap area between the third coupling part 6 and the third receiving part 26. In the plugged-together state, the first pressure chamber D1 and the first receiving pressure chamber E.sub.1 form a common volume for the transmission of fluid pressure. Likewise, the second pressure chamber D.sub.2 and the second receiving pressure chamber E.sub.2 form a common volume in which leakage fluid collects and is discharged to the environment or is measured in a leakage monitor. The third pressure chamber D.sub.3 and the third pressure chamber E.sub.3 also form a common volume in which fluid pressure can be transmitted. The second coupling part 4 is shown broken up in the second plug area A.sub.2 on the right-hand side in FIG. 5, thus providing a clear view of the sliding contacts 71 and electrical conductor 72, which are fixed to the second receiving part 24. The sliding contacts 72 on the second receiving part 24 extend advantageously along the inner wall of the second receiving part 24 and form an arc angle of approx. 180° around the second axis S. Corresponding sliding contacts are provided on the second coupling part 4, which are each arranged in a certain position parallel to the first axis R and each come into contact with one sliding contact 72 on the second receiving part 24. It is understood that such sliding contacts 72 with electrical conductors 71 can also be arranged on the first and third receiving part 22, 26. The outer diameter of the first coupling part 2 is advantageously smaller than the outer diameter of the first receiving part 22, because in this way the coupling plug can be inserted into the smallest possible recess n of a kingpin 8.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(13) TABLE-US-00001  2 first coupling part  4 second coupling part  5 seal  6 third coupling part  7 electrical system  8 kingpin  9 light signal transmission system 10 coupling plug 20 coupling receptacle 22 first receiving part 24 second receiving part 26 third receiving part 30 leakage monitor 42 protective element 71 sliding contact 72 electrical conductor 92 light signal transmitter/receiver 94 light signal transmitter/receiver A.sub.1 first plug area A.sub.2 second plug area B.sub.1 first receiving area B.sub.2 second receiving area D.sub.1 first pressure chamber D.sub.2 second pressure chamber D.sub.3 third pressure chamber E.sub.1 first receiving pressure chamber E.sub.2 second receiving pressure chamber E.sub.3 third receiving pressure chamber H trailer R first axis S second axis Z towing vehicle