PLUG-IN COUPLING SYSTEM AND COUPLING SYSTEM

Abstract

A plug-in coupling system for connecting a motorized vehicle and a transport unit, including a plug-in device which can be mounted on the transport unit side and has a plug, and a plug socket which can be mounted on the vehicle side and into which the plug can be inserted in an operating state. The plug and the plug socket (9) have at least one transmitter and at least one receiver of a contactless communication system having a short range.

Claims

1. A plug-in coupling system for connecting a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, optionally comprising a plug device with a plug for the towing vehicle and a plug socket into which the plug can be inserted in an operating state, for the towed vehicle or vice versa, wherein the plug and the socket have at least one transmitter and at least one receiver of a contactless communication system with a short range, wherein the towed vehicle's communication system is connected or connectable with one or more of the following components: the chassis, particularly the braking device, wheels, axles, and steering; and associated sensors, particularly pressure sensors, RPM sensors, temperature sensors and maintenance sensors for wear parts of the chassis; the suspension, particularly associated pressure sensors or position sensors; the sensors, particularly load sensors, stability sensors, further maintenance sensors for wear parts, angle sensors for determining the angle between the towing and towed vehicles and visual sensors; lighting and/or a control device or a distribution unit of the towed vehicle, wherein the control device and/or the distribution unit is in turn connected or connectable to one or more of the aforementioned components.

2. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the plug and/or the plug socket have at least one electrical and/or one pneumatic means of connection.

3. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the plug and the socket are designed such that they can be connected along a straight plug axis.

4. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 3, wherein pins and complementary drilled holes are used as electrical and/or pneumatic means of connection, which extend along the plug axis.

5. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system uses one of the following technologies: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Near Field Communication (NFC) Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) optical signal transmission radio technology.

6. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter and/or the at least one receiver is arranged on and/or in at least one pin, particularly a guide pin and/or a blind pin, and/or a plug body of the plug.

7. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter and/or the at least one receiver is arranged on and/or in at least one pin receptacle, particularly a blind drilled hole, and/or one socket body of the plug socket.

8. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 7, wherein there is a gap between the blind pin and the blind drilled hole in the operating state.

9. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 7, wherein the plug body and/or the socket body has a receptacle for the transmitter or the receiver.

10. The plug-in coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the plug and/or the plug socket are at least partially made of plastic.

11. A coupling system for connecting a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, comprising: a coupling unit for the towing vehicle and a coupling unit for the towed vehicle, wherein the coupling unit for the towed vehicle comprises at least one first mechanical coupling device and the coupling unit for the towing vehicle comprises at least one second mechanical coupling device which interacts with the first mechanical coupling device in an operating state, and the coupling unit for the towed vehicle optionally comprises at least one plug-in device having a plug and the coupling unit for the towing vehicle comprises at least one socket that is arranged on the second mechanical coupling device and complements the plug, and into which the plug can be inserted in the operating state, or vice versa, wherein the plug and the socket have at least one transmitter and at least one receiver of a contactless communication system with a short range, wherein the towed vehicle's communication system is connected or connectable with one or more of the following components: the chassis, particularly the braking device, wheels, axles, and steering; and associated sensors, particularly pressure sensors, RPM sensors, temperature sensors and maintenance sensors for wear parts of the chassis; the suspension, particularly associated pressure sensors or position sensors; the sensors, particularly load sensors, stability sensors, further maintenance sensors for wear parts, angle sensors for determining the angle between the towing and towed vehicles and visual sensors; lighting and/or a control device or a distribution unit of the towed vehicle, wherein the control device and/or the distribution unit is in turn connected or connectable to one or more of the aforementioned components.

12. The coupling system according to claim 11, wherein the towing vehicle is a tractor and the towed vehicle a trailer of a tractor-trailer or the towing vehicle is a motor vehicle and the towed vehicle a trailer of an articulated train or the towing vehicle is a swap body truck and the towed vehicle is a swap body.

13. The coupling system according to claim 11, wherein the towing vehicle is a tractor and the towed vehicle a trailer of a tractor-trailer, wherein the coupling unit for the towed vehicle has at least one kingpin as the first mechanical coupling device and the plug-in device is swivel-mounted around the kingpin and wherein the coupling unit for the towing vehicle has as a second mechanical coupling device at least one fifth wheel which interacts with the kingpin in an operating state.

14. The coupling system according to claim 13, wherein the plug socket on the fifth wheel coupling is immovably fixed below an entry opening.

15. The coupling system according to claim 12, wherein at least one control device arranged on the tractor and/or the trailer which is connected to a sensor for detecting the locking state of at least one of the mechanical coupling devices.

16. The coupling unit for a towing vehicle for a coupling system according to claim 11, further including a second mechanical coupling device and a plug socket arranged on the second mechanical coupling device, wherein the plug socket has at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver of a contactless communication system having a short range.

17. The coupling unit for a towed vehicle for a coupling system according to claim 11, with the first mechanical coupling device and the plug device which is arranged on the first mechanical coupling device and has a plug, wherein the plug has at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver of a contactless communication system having a short range, wherein the communication system is connected or connectable to one or more of the following components of the towed vehicle: the chassis, particularly the braking device, wheels, axles, and steering; and associated sensors, particularly pressure sensors, RPM sensors, temperature sensors and maintenance sensors for wear parts of the chassis; the suspension, particularly associated pressure sensors or position sensors; the sensors, particularly load sensors, stability sensors, further maintenance sensors for wear parts, angle sensors for determining the angle between the towing and towed vehicles and visual sensors; lighting and/or a control device or a distribution unit of the towed vehicle, wherein the control device and/or the distribution unit is in turn connected or connectable to one or more of the aforementioned components.

18. The coupling unit for a towing vehicle for a coupling system according to claim 13, with the fifth wheel and a plug socket arranged on the fifth wheel, wherein characterized in that the plug socket has at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver of a contactless communication system with a short range.

19. The coupling unit for a towed vehicle for a coupling system according to claim 13, with the kingpin and the plug-in device which is pivotably mounted about the kingpin and has the plug, wherein the plug has at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver of a contactless communication system having a short range, the communication system being connected or connectable to one or more of the following components on the part of the towed vehicle: the chassis, particularly the braking device, wheels, axles, and steering; and associated sensors, particularly pressure sensors, RPM sensors, temperature sensors and maintenance sensors for wear parts of the chassis; the suspension, particularly associated pressure sensors or position sensors; the sensors, particularly load sensors, stability sensors, further maintenance sensors for wear parts, angle sensors for determining the angle between the towing and towed vehicles and visual sensors; lighting and/or a control device or a distribution unit of the towed vehicle, wherein the control device and/or the distribution unit is in turn connected or connectable to one or more of the aforementioned components.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] To make things easier to understand, the invention is explained with reference to the figures. To that end, the figures show the following:

[0094] FIG. 1: a tractor-trailer with a coupling system according to the invention, according to a first embodiment in a side view;

[0095] FIG. 2: the coupling system according to the invention, according to FIG. 1 in a top view;

[0096] FIG. 3: the coupling system according to the invention, according to FIG. 1 in a side view in a standby state;

[0097] FIG. 4: the coupling system according to the invention, according to FIG. 1 in a side view in an operating state;

[0098] FIG. 5: a plug socket for the coupling system according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a perspective view;

[0099] FIG. 6: a plug for the coupling system according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a perspective view;

[0100] FIG. 7: a schematic section of a plug and a plug socket according to a further embodiment of the plug-in coupling system according to the invention;

[0101] FIG. 8: a schematic section of a plug and a plug socket according to a further embodiment of the plug-in coupling system according to the invention;

[0102] FIG. 9: a schematic section of a plug and a plug socket according to a further embodiment of the plug-in coupling system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0103] FIG. 1 shows a tractor-trailer 11 with a tractor 12 and a trailer 13. The tractor-trailer 11 has a coupling system 14 with a coupling unit 15 on the tractor side with a fifth wheel coupling 1 and a plug socket 9 and a coupling unit 16 on the trailer side with a kingpin 2 and a plug device 4 with a plug 3. Plug 3 and plug socket 9 are complementary to one another. The plug 3 can therefore be coupled to the plug socket 9. The plug device 4 and the plug socket 9 together form a plug-in coupling system 17.

[0104] The towing vehicle 12 has a control unit 10 which is connected to the socket 9 by means of a line 8. This enables data transmission between the plug socket 9 and the control unit 10. The control device 10 is additionally connected to sensors (not shown) that detect whether the operating state has been reached when the trailer 13 and the tractor 12 are coupled.

[0105] The trailer 13 has a control unit 18 that is connected to the plug 3 of the plug-in device 4 by a line 19. The line 19 enables data transmission between plug 3 and control unit 18. The control unit 18 can be connected to various elements of the trailer (such as the signaling system, brake actuators, or sensors).

[0106] In FIG. 1, the tractor 12 and the trailer 13 are in a standby state. In this state, the kingpin 2 is outside the fifth wheel 1 and is not coupled to it. Plug 3 and plug socket 9 are also not coupled to one another in the standby state.

[0107] To couple the coupling units 15 and 16, the tractor 12 drives against the normal direction of travel 6 towards the trailer 13. The kingpin 2 thereby enters an entry opening 7, shown in FIG. 2, of the fifth wheel coupling plate 5 of the coupling unit 15 on the tractor.

[0108] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the coupling process. In FIG. 3, the tractor 12 and trailer 13 are in a standby state similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The tractor and trailer 13 are only partially shown. The trailer has a carrier unit 20 on which the kingpin 2 and the plug-in device 4 are arranged. The kingpin 2 is already partially in the entry opening 7 but not yet coupled to the fifth wheel 1.

[0109] The fifth wheel coupling 1 has a base 21 on which a fifth wheel coupling plate 5 is arranged with the entry opening 7. The plug socket 9 is arranged on a pivotable carrier 22 that is arranged on the fifth wheel coupling plate 5 below the entry opening 7.

[0110] Plug 3 and plug socket 9 are not coupled to one another in FIG. 3. To get from the standby state into the operating state, the tractor 12 is moved counter to the direction of travel 6 as described above. In FIG. 4, the tractor 12 and trailer 13 are in the operating state. The kingpin 2 (not visible there) is coupled to the fifth wheel 1. Plug 3 and socket 9 are also coupled to one another.

[0111] FIG. 5 shows a plug socket 9 for the coupling system 14. The plug socket 9 has an essentially cuboid socket body 23 with a front surface 24. From the front surface 24, the plug socket 9 has a plurality of pin receptacles: two pneumatic drilled holes 25, three blind drilled holes 26, and several line drilled holes 27. The pneumatic drilled holes 25 are connection elements for a pneumatic connection between the tractor 12 and the trailer 13. The blind drilled holes 26 mechanically support the coupling process. The line drilled holes 27 are each connected to a line (not shown) within the socket body 23 and each have at least one contact element (not shown) which enables electrical power and/or data to be transmitted.

[0112] FIG. 6 shows a plug 3 for the coupling system 14. The plug 3 has an essentially cuboid plug body 28 with a front surface 29. The front surfaces 24 and 29 of the plug socket 9 and the plug 3 face each other when used as intended and lie against each other in the operating state.

[0113] The plug 3 has a plurality of pins protruding from the front surface 29: two pneumatic pins 30, three guide pins 31, and several line pins 32. In the operating state, the pneumatic pins 30 establish a pneumatic connection to the pneumatic drilled holes 25. During the coupling process between the tractor 12 and the trailer 13, the guide pins 31 already engage in the blind drilled holes 26 of the plug socket 9 and thereby support the further coupling process.

[0114] The line pins 32 each have at least one contact element. Each contact element is connected to a line that is connected, for example, to the control unit 18 of the trailer. In the operating state, the line pins 32 are arranged in the line drilled holes 27 of the plug socket 9 and the contact elements in the line drilled holes 27 are in conductive contact with the contact elements of the line pins 32. This enables a line between the towing vehicle 12 and the trailer 13.

[0115] The blind drilled holes 26 and the guide pins 31 have several transmitters and receivers (not shown here) of a communication system having a short range. The transmitters and receivers are arranged within the respective material and not on the surface, which is why they are not visible in FIGS. 5 and 6. If the plug 3 and plug socket 9 are in the operating state with their front surfaces 24 and 29 against each other, a sufficiently small distance is established between the transmitters and receivers and data transmission between them is possible. The risk of disrupting data transmission is low. The transmitters and receivers are protected from dirt and mechanical influences. If the range of the transmitters and receivers is chosen so that it is smaller than the distance between neighboring transmitters or neighboring receivers in the plug socket 9 or within the plug 3, the transmitters do not influence one another.

[0116] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show various embodiments of a plug-in coupling system in schematic form and only in part. A plug 3 and a plug socket 9 are shown in each case.

[0117] In FIG. 7, the plug 3 has a blind pin 33 that protrudes perpendicularly from a front surface 29 of the plug 3. A transmitter 34 for a communication system having a short range is arranged in the blind pin 33. The transmitter 34 is connected to a line 35 and is otherwise completely surrounded by the material of the plug 3. The blind pin 33 has no function other than receiving the transmitter 34.

[0118] The socket 9 has a pin receptacle in the form of blind drilled holes 26 for the blind pin 33. An annular receiver 36 of the communication system is arranged around the blind drilled holes 27. The receiver 36 is connected to a line 37 and is otherwise completely surrounded by the material of the plug socket 9. The transmitter 34 and receiver 36 are designed to transmit data to each other.

[0119] Both the transmitter 34 and the receiver 36 are protected from environmental influences by the material of the plug 3 and the plug socket 9, ensuring permanent, interference-free data transmission between the transmitter 34 and the receiver 36.

[0120] In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, the plug 3 again has a blind pin 33. Here, the blind pin 33 has on an end surface 38 a pocket-like receptacle 39 in which a transmitter 34 is arranged. The transmitter 34 is connected with a line 35. In this embodiment, the transmitter 34 is not completely enclosed by the material of the plug 3, but is accessible from the outside.

[0121] The corresponding plug socket 9 has a blind drilled hole 26 for the blind pin 33. A receiver 36, which is connected to a line 37, is arranged at the base 40 of the blind drilled hole 26. The receiver 36, like the transmitter 34, is accessible from the outside. In this embodiment, there is no material of the plug 3 or the socket 9 between the transmitter 34 and the receiver 36, leading to better transmission quality.

[0122] In the embodiment according to FIG. 9, both the plug 3 and the plug socket 9 have a transmitter 34 and a receiver 36.

[0123] The plug 3 again has a blind pin 33, as well as a receptacle 39 on its front surface 29. The transmitter 34 is arranged in the blind pin 33, and the receiver 36 is arranged on the base 40 of the receptacle 39. The transmitter 34 and receiver 36 are each connected with a line 35.

[0124] The plug socket 9 has a blind drilled hole 26 for the blind pin 33. In the plug-in direction behind the blind drilled hole 26, the receiver 36 is arranged, which interacts with the transmitter 34 of the plug 3 to enable data transmission. In addition, a receptacle 39 with a base 40 is arranged in the front surface 24 of the plug socket 9. The transmitter 34, which enables data to be transmitted to the receiver 36 of the plug 3, is arranged on the base 40. The transmitter 34 and the receiver 36 of the plug socket 9 are each connected to a line 35.

[0125] The four examples show only some of many possible arrangements for the transmitter or transmitters and the receiver or receivers within the plug and plug socket of the coupling system according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0126] 1 Fifth wheel coupling

[0127] 2 Kingpin

[0128] 3 Plug

[0129] 4 Connector

[0130] 5 Fifth wheel coupling plate

[0131] 6 Direction of travel of the tractor

[0132] 7 Entry opening

[0133] 8 Line

[0134] 9 Socket

[0135] 10 Control unit

[0136] 11 Tractor-trailer

[0137] 12 Tractor

[0138] 13 Trailer

[0139] 14 Coupling system

[0140] 15 Coupling unit on the tractor

[0141] 16 Coupling unit on the trailer

[0142] 17 Plug-in coupling system

[0143] 18 Control unit

[0144] 19 Line

[0145] 20 Carrier unit

[0146] 21 Base

[0147] 22 Carrier

[0148] 23 Socket body

[0149] 24 Front surface

[0150] 25 Pneumatic drilled hole

[0151] 26 Blind drilled hole

[0152] 27 Line drilled hole

[0153] 28 Plug body

[0154] 29 Front surface

[0155] 30 Pneumatic pin

[0156] 31 Guide pin

[0157] 32 Line pin

[0158] 33 Blind pin

[0159] 34 Transmitter

[0160] 35 Line

[0161] 36 Receiver

[0162] 37 Line

[0163] 38 End surface

[0164] 39 Receptacle

[0165] 40 Base