Abstract
A fifth wheel configured to reversibly couple a trailer to a tractor including a coupling plate configured to receive a journal element of the trailer and a bearing block configured to pivotably bear the coupling plate about a pivot axis, in particular about a horizontally extending pivot axis, at least one distance sensor being provided which determines a distance with respect to a reference surface, the at least one distance sensor and/or the reference surface being arranged as part of the bearing block or on the bearing block.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A fifth wheel for reversibly coupling a trailer to a tractor, comprising: a coupling plate configured to receive a journal element of the trailer; and a bearing block configured to pivotably bear the coupling plate about a horizontally extending pivot axis; wherein at least one distance sensor is provided which is configured to determine a distance relative to a reference surface, and wherein the at least one distance sensor and/or the reference surface is part of the bearing block or is arranged on the bearing block.
17. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor includes at least three distance sensors.
18. The fifth wheel according claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor includes a first distance sensor configured to detect a distance in a first direction and a second distance sensor configured to detect a distance in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and the second direction are non-parallel to each other.
19. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor is configured to contactlessly determine a distance to the reference surface with a capacitive and/or inductive distance sensor.
20. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor is arranged to determine a distance between a mounting surface of the at least one distance sensor and an underside of the bearing block facing the mounting surface.
21. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the reference surface is electrically conductive.
22. The fifth wheel according to claim 21, wherein the reference surface comprises metal.
23. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, further comprising: an elastic damping element, wherein the at least one distance sensor or the reference surface is arranged on or in the damping element and/or on or in a clamping element.
24. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor or the reference surface is arranged on or in the coupling plate and/or on or in a bearing insert.
25. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein, in the mounted state, the at least one distance sensor or the reference surface is arranged on or in the vehicle frame of the tractor, or on or in a mounting surface of the tractor unit.
26. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor or the reference surface is arranged in or on a connection region of the bearing block, via which the bearing block is connected to the mounting surface of the vehicle in the mounted state.
27. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor and the reference surface are arranged on an outer side of the bearing block facing the coupling plate.
28. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the bearing block includes a further sensor configured to detect a force.
29. The fifth wheel according to claim 16, wherein the at least one distance sensor is integrated in a holder.
30. A method for determining a load condition and/or a wear condition of a fifth wheel of claim 16 via the at least one distance sensor, wherein the fifth wheel includes the coupling plate and the bearing block.
31. A method for determining a load condition and/or a wear condition of a fifth wheel, comprising: providing a coupling plate configured to receive a journal element of the trailer; and providing a bearing block configured to the pivotable bear of the coupling plate about a horizontally extending pivot axis; providing at least one distance sensor which is configured to determine a distance with respect to a reference surface, the at least one distance sensor and/or the reference surface being part of the bearing block or arranged on the bearing block; and sensing via the at least one distance sensor the distance with respect to the reference surface.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Further advantages and features result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the object according to the invention with reference to the attached figures. It shows:
[0034] FIG. 1 schematically shows a fifth wheel according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a top view;
[0035] FIG. 2 schematically shows the fifth wheel from FIG. 1 in a sectional view;
[0036] FIG. 3 schematically shows a fifth wheel according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view;
[0037] FIG. 4 schematically shows a fifth wheel according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view;
[0038] FIG. 5 schematically shows a fifth wheel according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view; and
[0039] FIG. 6 schematically shows a fifth wheel according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] FIG. 1 schematically shows a fifth wheel 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, such a fifth wheel 1 is used for reversible, i.e. detachable, coupling of a trailer (not shown), in particular a semi-trailer, to a tractor (not shown) to form a semi-trailer truck. In the view shown in FIG. 1, a top view (from above) of the fifth wheel 1 is illustrated. The fifth wheel 1 comprises a coupling plate 20 for receiving a king pin element or a king pin of the trailer. The fifth wheel 1 is preferably connected in a rear section of a tractor to a corresponding mounting plate or mounting surface 25 and allows a trailer or semi-trailer to be connected via its king pin element or king pin. For coupling, the king pin is inserted via an insertion region 54 on an open side OS of the coupling plate 20. The funnel-shaped insertion region 54 guides the king pin into its final position, in which it can be fixed with a lock piece 53. Such a lock piece 53 is preferably preloaded by means of a spring, so that the king pin in its final position can no longer leave the section at the end of the insertion region 54 which is limited by the lock piece 53. By means of an unlocking handle 52, the lock piece 53 can be pivoted or rotated in such a way that the path for the king pin to the open end of the insertion region 54 can be cleared and the king pin can finally leave the fixed position again if required. Furthermore, a locking device 55 is provided to ensure that the unlocking handle 52 is not accidentally opened or operated. In its fixed position, the kingpin is pivotably beard about an essentially vertical direction, so that the trailer and the tractor can be aligned at an angle to each other when cornering.
[0041] In order to permit an angled alignment, i.e. a pitching movement, between the tractor and the trailer with respect to the course of a roadway when driving uphill or downhill, it is provided that the coupling plate 20 is pivotably beard about a pivot axis S, in particular a pivot axis S extending essentially horizontally and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tractor. For the pivotable bearing of the coupling plate 20, the coupling plate 20 is indirectly connected to at least one bearing block 30, preferably to two bearing blocks 30 opposite each other in the transverse direction of the tractor.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates the fifth wheel 1 of FIG. 1 in a sectional view along the A-A line of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing block 30 is shaped like a bracket, whereby leg-like elements of the bearing block 30 have connection regions 45, via which the bearing block 30 can be mounted on a mounting surface 25 of the tractor unit. Seen in the longitudinal direction of the traction engine, the bearing block 30 has a bearing block eye 35 between the connection region 45 of the bearing block 30, which is vertically spaced apart from the mounting surface 25. For the pivotable bearing of the coupling plate 20, the coupling plate 20 is indirectly slidingly beard on an outer side of the bearing block 30 via a bearing insert 21. This means that during a pivoting movement of the coupling plate 20 about the pivot axis S, the coupling plate 20 with the bearing insert 21 is slidingly guided along the outer side of the bearing block 30, in particular along the outer side of the bearing block eye 35, and thus pivoted. For example, the coupling plate 20 is attached to the outer side of the bearing block 35 by means of a clamping element 24, in particular in the form of a bolt, which engages through the bearing block eye 35. A damping element 28, for example in the form of a rubber insert, is preferably provided in the bearing block eye 35 between the clamping element 24 and an inner side of the bearing block eye 35.
[0043] In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 2, the fifth wheel 1 further comprises at least one distance sensor 40, which is arranged, for example, on the mounting surface 25 and determines a distance with respect to a reference surface 41, wherein the reference surface 41 is part of the bearing block 30. In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 2, the distance sensor 40 or the measured distance between the mounting surface 25 and the outer side of the bearing block 30 facing the mounting surface 25 is formed centrally between the connection regions 45 of the bearing block 30. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the distance sensor 40, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the tractor, is arranged offset forwards or backwards compared to a central alignment. In particular, the distance sensor 40 in FIG. 2 measures a distance in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 25. It has been found that by means of a distance measurement it is possible to draw conclusions about a deformation, in particular elastic deformation, of the bearing block 30, which in turn can be used to determine the current load state of the fifth wheel 1. Preferably, the fifth wheel 1 comprises at least three distance sensors, each of which is assigned to a spatial direction, for example, so that conclusions can be drawn about a three-dimensional deformation of the fifth wheel. In particular, a stiffness model of the fifth wheel 1 is assumed for the determination of the load, on the basis of which, together with the determined deformation of the fifth wheel, conclusions can be drawn about the load on the fifth wheel or the current load state of the fifth wheel. For example, the distance sensor 40 is an inductive and/or capacitive distance sensor 40. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the distance sensor 40 is an optical sensor, which measures a distance by means of laser light, for example, or an ultrasonic sensor. Preferably, the distance sensor 40 is a sensor that determines the distance contactlessly.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a fifth wheel 1 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, it is provided that the distance sensor 40 is arranged in the bearing block eye 35, in particular in such a way that a distance between the distance sensor 40 on the inside of the bearing block eye 35 and the clamping element 24 is determined in a substantially vertical direction. Accordingly, a reference surface 41 is formed on a side of the clamping element 24 facing the distance sensor 40. Long-term monitoring of the distance between the inside of the bearing block eye 35 and the clamping element 24 makes it advantageously possible to draw conclusions about the state of wear of the damping element 28. In contrast to the determination of the distance between the mounting surface and an outer side of the bearing block 30 facing the mounting surface, which serves to detect the current load, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 it is intended to implement long-term condition monitoring by means of the at least one distance sensor 40.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a fifth wheel 1 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is provided that the at least one distance sensor 40 is arranged in such a way that a distance between the bearing block 30 and a side of the coupling plate 20 facing the bearing block 30 is determined. For this purpose, the reference surface 41 and/or the distance sensor 40 is arranged on an underside of the coupling plate 20. In particular, it is provided that a substantially vertically extending distance between coupling plate 20 and bearing block 30, in particular bearing block eye 35, is determined. In this way, wear of the bearing insert 21, which is arranged between the coupling plate 20 and the outer side of the bearing block 30, can be concluded in an advantageous manner. Accordingly, the embodiment example of FIG. 4 also provides for long-term monitoring of the distance in order to draw conclusions about potential wear in a corresponding manner.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through a fifth wheel 1 according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is provided that the at least one distance sensor 40 is arranged on the bearing block 30, in particular in the connection region 45 of the bearing block 30, and measures a distance from an underside of the coupling plate 20 measured essentially in the vertical direction. In particular, it is provided that a distance sensor 40 is arranged in each of the two connection regions 45, with which the distance in the vertical direction to the underside of the coupling plate 20 is measured. In this way, it is advantageously possible to draw conclusions about any bending of the coupling plate 20 or about a current angle of inclination of the coupling plate 20 on the basis of the distances detected by the two distance sensors 40, which in turn provides information about the current alignment between the tractor unit and trailer, in particular in relation to the roadway of the tractor unit.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a bearing block 30 for a fifth wheel 1 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 5, it is provided here that the distance is not measured in the vertical direction, but rather essentially at an angle to the mounting surface 25. In particular, it is provided that the distance sensor 40 is arranged in the connection region 45 and the reference surface 41 is arranged in the region of the bearing block eye 35, in particular on its outer side. This also allows information to be obtained or conclusions to be drawn about the current degree of deformation of the bearing block 30.
REFERENCE LIST
[0048] 1 fifth wheel [0049] 20 coupling plate [0050] 21 bearing insert [0051] 24 clamping element [0052] 25 mounting surface [0053] 28 damping element [0054] 30 bearing block [0055] 35 bearing block eye [0056] 40 distance sensor [0057] 41 reference surface [0058] 45 connection region [0059] 52 unlocking handle [0060] 53 lock piece [0061] 54 insertion region [0062] 55 locking device [0063] S pivot axis [0064] OS open side
