YAW ANGLE MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A yaw angle measuring device for a separable coupling for fifth wheel couplings includes a sensor element and a measuring arrangement, wherein the sensor element is configured to be arranged on a first coupling partner and the measuring arrangement is configured to be arranged on a second coupling partner, wherein the first coupling partner is configured to be mounted by the coupling arrangement such that the first coupling partner is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the second coupling partner, wherein the sensor element generates a measuring signal in the measuring arrangement which serves to determine the yaw angle about the axis of rotation.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A yaw angle measuring device for a separable vehicle coupling, comprising: a sensor element; and a measuring arrangement; wherein the sensor element is configured to be arranged on a first coupling partner and the measuring arrangement is configured to be arranged on a second coupling partner; wherein the first coupling partner is configured to be mounted by the coupling arrangement such that the first coupling partner is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the second coupling partner; wherein the sensor element generates a measuring signal in the measuring arrangement which serves to determine the yaw angle about the axis of rotation; wherein the sensor element is in direct contact with the measuring arrangement; and wherein this direct contact generates the measuring signal in the measuring arrangement.

17. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first coupling partner and the second coupling partner have force-transmitting surfaces, wherein the force-transmitting surfaces are configured to transmit forces from the first coupling partner to the second coupling partner in an exit direction and/or in a transverse direction, and wherein the sensor element and the measuring arrangement are arranged outside the force-transmitting surfaces.

18. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sensor element and the measuring arrangement are arranged above and/or below the force-transmitting surfaces.

19. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the measuring arrangement extends in a range of at least +/89 about the axis of rotation.

20. The yaw angle measuring device of claim 19, wherein the range is +/45.

21. The yaw angle measuring device of claim 20, wherein the range is +/15.

22. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sensor element is configured to be connected to the first coupling partner in a rotationally fixed manner.

23. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the measuring arrangement is configured to be connected to the second coupling partner in a rotationally fixed manner.

24. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sensor element has a projection which projects in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation and in a direction of the second coupling partner.

25. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the projection extends from an outer surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation, at least in some regions.

26. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first coupling partner includes a kingpin, and wherein the sensor element is part of the kingpin or is formed by a sleeve which encompasses the kingpin at least in some regions.

27. The yaw angle measuring device of claim 26, wherein the sleeve completely encompasses the kingpin.

28. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the measuring arrangement includes a deformation component and a detection arrangement, wherein the deformation component is configured to come into direct contact with part of the sensor element, and wherein the detection arrangement determines the location of the contact.

29. The yaw angle measuring device of claim 28, wherein the deformation is configured to come into direct contact with the projection.

30. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the detection arrangement includes piezo elements.

31. The yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the measuring arrangement has a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein the sensor element is configured to be brought into engagement with the electrical contacts such that the sensor element connects two of these electrical contacts directly or indirectly in a conductive manner.

32. The yaw angle measuring device of claim 31, wherein the electrical contacts extend parallel to the axis of rotation.

33. A separable vehicle coupling that includes the yaw angle measuring device of claim 16.

34. A fifth wheel coupling that includes the yaw angle measuring device of claim 16.

35. A utility vehicle comprising a yaw angle measuring device as claimed in claim 16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The further advantages and features of the present invention are revealed in the description below with reference to the accompanying figures. Individual features disclosed in the embodiments shown can also be used in other embodiments unless this is expressly ruled out. The figures show:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a partial, cross-section top plan view of a coupling arrangement which possesses a yaw angle measuring device according to the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-section side elevation view of a further embodiment of a yaw angle measuring device according to the invention; and

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a second coupling partner, which possesses a measuring arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In FIG. 1, a section through a coupling arrangement 10 is shown, which possesses a yaw angle measuring device 1. The coupling arrangement 10 comprises, amongst other things, a first coupling partner 12 in the form of a kingpin, which extends along the axis of rotation R, and a second coupling partner 14 in the form of a fifth wheel coupling. In this case, the first coupling partner 12 has been inserted into the second coupling partner 14 along the entry direction E. To prevent a displacement of the first coupling partner 12 in the direction of the exit direction A, the second coupling partner 14 possesses a force-transmitting surface 19. In this case, the yaw angle measuring device 1 serves to determine the relative yaw angle between the first coupling partner 12 and the second coupling partner 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor element 20 of the yaw angle measuring device 1 possesses a projection 22 which is arranged directly on an outer surface 24 of the first coupling partner 12. In this case, the sensor element 20 is constructed in one piece with the first coupling partner 12. In this case, the projection 22 is in direct contact with a deformation component 32 in the form of a ring segment, which is therefore arranged between the first coupling partner 12 and a wear ring 13. A detection arrangement 34 is likewise arranged between the wear ring 13 and the first coupling partner 12. In this case, the detection arrangement 34 extends in the form of a half ring from a positive transverse direction Q over the entry direction E to the negative transverse direction Q, wherein the transverse direction Q is perpendicular to the entry direction E, the axis of rotation R and the exit direction A.

[0023] A partial sectional view is shown in FIG. 2, in which a yaw angle measuring device 1 is present, wherein the illustrated partial section could match the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first coupling partner 12 is in turn formed as a kingpin, which possesses force-transmitting surfaces 18. In this case, the yaw angle measuring device 1 is formed in part by a measuring arrangement 30 in the second coupling partner 14, which has a deformation component 32 and a detection arrangement 34. In this case, the deformation component 32 surround the detection arrangements 34, so that the first coupling partner 12 only establishes contact with the deformation component 32.

[0024] A perspective view of a second coupling partner 14 in the form of a fifth wheel coupling is illustrated in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment of the second coupling partner 14, the measuring arrangement 30 can be seen at the outer end in the entry direction E of the entry opening. In this case, the second coupling partner 14 possesses a coupling lock 40, which serves to be able to hold the first coupling partner (12) (not illustrated) with form fit and to thereby lock the coupling. In principle, the embodiment of the measuring arrangement 30 illustrated in FIG. 3 would, in this case, match the sections in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0025] 1 Yaw angle measuring device [0026] 10 Coupling arrangement [0027] 12 First coupling partner [0028] 13 Wear ring [0029] 14 Second coupling partner [0030] 18 Force-transmitting surfaces of the first coupling partner (12) [0031] 19 Force-transmitting surfaces of the second coupling partner (14) [0032] 20 Sensor element [0033] 22 Projection [0034] 24 Outer surface [0035] 30 Measuring arrangement [0036] 32 Deformation component [0037] 34 Detection arrangement [0038] 40 Coupling lock [0039] A Exit direction [0040] E Entry direction [0041] Q Transverse direction [0042] R Axis of rotation [0043] Yaw angle