Tow hitch coupling with safety device

Abstract

Tow hitch coupling (1) comprising a tow hitch coupling plate (10), a locking mechanism (20), an actuating device (30) and a safety device (40), wherein the tow hitch coupling plate (10) has a bearing surface (12) and an entry opening (14) for a kingpin, wherein the bearing surface (12) has a normal (N), wherein the entry opening (14) extends in an entry direction (E), wherein the locking mechanism (20) is designed such that in a closed position it indirectly and / or directly prevents the kingpin from exiting the entry opening (14) in a positive-locking manner, and wherein in an open position it allows the kingpin to exit the entry opening (14), wherein the actuating device (30) comprises an actuating region (32), in particular a handle, and a transmission region (34), wherein the actuating device (30) extends along a longitudinal axis (L), wherein the actuating device (30) is designed to switch the locking mechanism (20) from the closed position to the open position, in particular by displacement of the actuating device (30) in an actuating direction (B), wherein the transmission region (34) is designed to transmit forces and / or torques indirectly or directly to the locking mechanism (20), wherein the safety device (40) comprises a locking member (42), wherein the locking member (42) is mounted in particular in a pivotable manner about a pivot axis (S) such that it can be moved into a locking position and a release position, wherein the locking member (42) in the locking position prevents the locking mechanism (20) from being switched from the closed position to the open position in a positive-locking manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a traction seat connector (Sattelkupplung) with a safety device. Background Technology

[0002] Tow bar couplings are well known in the art and are used to connect a tractor unit to a trailer, particularly a semi-trailer. For this purpose, the kingpin of the trailer is inserted into the inlet of the tow bar coupling and then held there by a locking mechanism, preventing the kingpin from being pulled out of the inlet, thus allowing coupling or traction force to be transmitted between the tractor unit and the trailer. To remove the kingpin from the tow bar coupling again, the locking mechanism is typically opened by operating a handle. It is known that a safety device is provided to prevent accidental or erroneous actuation of this actuating handle. However, these known safety devices are generally prone to error and are easily released accidentally, especially by vibration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a traction seat connector that provides a high degree of safety.

[0004] This task is accomplished by the traction seat connector according to claim 1. Other advantageous embodiments and features are given in the dependent claims, description, and drawings.

[0005] According to the present invention, a traction seat connector includes a traction seat connecting plate, a locking mechanism, an actuating device, and a safety device. The traction seat connecting plate has a support surface and an inlet for a kingpin. The support surface has a normal. The inlet extends in the entry direction. The locking mechanism is designed such that, in the closed position, it indirectly or directly prevents the kingpin from exiting the inlet by a forced locking manner. In the open position, the locking mechanism allows the kingpin to exit the inlet. The actuating device has an actuating region (particularly a handle) and a transmission region. The actuating device extends along a longitudinal axis. The extension line, wherein the actuating device is designed such that the locking mechanism is switched from a closed position to an open position, particularly by displacement of the actuating device in the actuation direction, wherein the transmission area is designed to transmit force and / or torque indirectly or directly to the locking mechanism, wherein the safety device includes a locking member, wherein the locking member is mounted, particularly in a pivotable manner about a pivot axis, such that the locking member can be moved to a locked position and a released position, wherein the locking member, in the locked position, indirectly and / or directly, forcibly locks the locking mechanism from switching from a closed position to an open position. The towing seat coupling according to the invention is mounted or intended for mounting on a first vehicle, particularly a tractor, and transmits coupling force between the first vehicle and the trailer in interaction with the kingpin of the trailer (particularly a semi-trailer). The towing seat coupling includes a coupling plate, wherein the coupling plate particularly has a support surface. This support surface of the towing seat coupling plate is particularly designed for placing the surface of the vehicle to be towed (particularly a semi-trailer) thereon in the coupled state. Advantageously, the support surface is designed to be substantially flat to achieve lower surface pressure. "Substantially flat" should be understood as the maximum distance between the supporting surface and the ideal plane being 5 cm, preferably 2 cm, and particularly preferably 1 cm. The supporting surface has a normal, particularly an average normal. This normal of the supporting surface is designed to be oriented substantially parallel to the vector of gravitational acceleration, especially in the idealized state of installation and coupling. In other words, this may mean that the normal is oriented particularly vertically in the installed and coupled state. The towing coupling plate has an inlet extending in the entry direction. In particular, the entry direction is oriented in the straight-line travel direction of the vehicle in the engaged and installed state of the towing coupling. In particular, the inlet is designed to extend between the two coupling corners of the towing coupling plate. The inlet is constructed and designed so that the kingpin can enter the inlet. The towing coupling has a locking mechanism designed to prevent the kingpin from exiting the inlet in a forced locking manner in the closed position, particularly in the entry direction or in the opposite direction from the coupling position. Specifically, the locking mechanism may have or include a locking pawl that, in the closed position, forcibly locks the master pin out of the coupled position. However, if the locking mechanism is displaced, pivoted, and / or enters the open position, it is possible for the master pin to enter or exit the inlet.In other words, when the locking mechanism is in the closed position, it is used to hold the kingpin in the engaged coupling position in a forced locking manner. However, if the locking mechanism is in the open position, the kingpin can move freely relative to the traction seat coupling plate, allowing the kingpin to fully enter or exit the inlet. To switch the locking mechanism from the closed to the open position or from the open to the closed position, the traction seat coupling has an actuation device. The actuation device includes an actuation region and a transmission region. Advantageously, the actuation region and the transmission region respectively form opposite distal ends of the actuation device. However, alternatively, preferably, the actuation region and the transmission region can also be implemented in a single section. In other words, the actuation device can also be configured such that a certain area of ​​the actuation device is both an actuation region and a transmission region. The actuation device extends along a longitudinal axis. Therefore, the longitudinal axis specifically defines the direction of the length of the actuation device. The actuation region of the actuation device is used to receive actuating force from the user and / or the drive actuator. Therefore, advantageously, the actuation region includes a handle or other engagement member for the user. On the other hand, the transmission area of ​​the actuating device is used to transmit the received actuating force and / or torque to the locking mechanism. To achieve actuation of the actuating device, the actuating device can be displaced, in particular, in the actuation direction. The traction seat coupling according to the invention has a safety device. This safety device can, in particular, prevent the locking mechanism from accidentally changing from the closed position to the open position in a forced locking manner. For forced locking, the safety device includes a locking member, which is mounted such that the locking member can be moved to a locked position and a released position, particularly by means of a mounting that allows it to pivot about a pivot axis. For example, the pivot axis around which the pivotable mounting of the locking member is located can be formed by bolts and / or screws (e.g., assembly screws). Advantageously, the bolts or screws are directly mounted in the traction seat coupling plate to achieve a particularly mechanically resilient mounting. In particular, the locking member is designed such that, when the locking member is in the locked position, it prevents the locking mechanism from changing from the closed position to the open position by direct or indirect forced locking. In this document, "prevents by direct forced locking" means that the locking member itself forms a stop that forms a forced lock. In the case of "indirect forced locking," the locking member is designed to interact with other locking members that can be formed by components of the traction seat coupling plate, so as to prevent the locking mechanism from changing from the closed position to the open position, for example, by forced locking. The locking member can be mounted and / or designed such that it directly contacts the elements of the locking mechanism and / or actuating device in the locked position. A particularly secure traction seat coupling can be achieved by preventing the locking mechanism from changing from the closed position to the open position by means of a safety device or by means of a locking member of a safety device.

[0006] Preferably, the locking member is mounted such that it can only pivot about a pivot axis. This unique rotational movement of the locking member enables a particularly secure locking mechanism.

[0007] Advantageously, the pivot axis extends transversely to the support surface. In this document, "transversely" means that the pivot axis is not located in the plane defined by the support surface. By arranging the pivot axis transversely to the support surface, a particularly compact traction seat coupling device can be achieved.

[0008] Properly, the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the normal to the support surface. In this way, a particularly reliable forced locking can be achieved because this orientation of the pivot axis makes the locking member particularly insensitive to frequently occurring vertical vibrations. In other words, this orientation of the pivot axis allows for a particularly high degree of decoupling of vibrations about the pivot axis relative to the vertical vibrations of the vehicle and / or the towing coupling. Therefore, this decoupling or insensitivity to frequently occurring vertical vibrations significantly improves the safety of the towing coupling. In this document, "substantially parallel to" the normal to the support surface should be understood as a minimum angle of 25° between the pivot axis and the normal, preferably a maximum of 15°, particularly preferably a maximum of 10°, and particularly strongly preferably a maximum of 5°. To achieve a particularly high degree of decoupling of vibrations of the locking member about the pivot axis relative to the vertical vibrations of the towing coupling or the vehicle, the pivot axis is advantageously oriented parallel to the normal to the support surface.

[0009] Preferably, the locking member is mounted on the traction seat connecting plate. Support on the traction seat connecting plate means that the locking member is advantageously supported directly on or mounted directly on the traction seat connecting plate. This can be achieved, for example, by introducing the receiving thread for the member directly into the traction seat connecting plate when the locking member is supported by bolts, screws, or mounting screws. Mounting the locking member on the traction seat connecting plate allows for a particularly space-saving and mechanically flexible installation, thereby also improving safety.

[0010] Appropriately, the safety device includes an actuator, particularly having an energy interface, which is advantageously designed to enable the locking member to be switched from a locked position to a released position. For example, the actuator can be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or an electric motor. The actuator allows the safety device (especially the locking member of the safety device) to be automatically switched from a locked position to a released position, and / or from a released position to a locked position. A particularly high degree of automation can be achieved with the actuator, thereby saving operating costs. In particular, the actuator has an energy interface, so energy can be fed into or input to the actuator. Such an energy interface can be, for example, an electrical interface, a compressed air interface, or a hydraulic interface.

[0011] Advantageously, the safety device (particularly the actuator) has a pretensioning member, which is specifically designed to apply a pretensioning force and / or pretensioning torque to the locking member in the direction of the locked position. This can further improve the operational safety of the traction seat coupling, as the pretensioning member ensures, for example, prevention of accidental actuation and / or at least makes it more difficult in the event of a power failure. Such a pretensioning member can be formed, for example, by a coil spring, torsion spring, and / or air spring bellows. As already explained, the pretensioning member is specifically designed such that the pretensioning force present in the pretensioning member and / or the pretensioning torque stored therein acts on the locking member, thereby pretensioning the locking member to the locked position. In other words, this may mean that the pretensioning member is specifically designed to pretension or compress the locking member in the locked position.

[0012] Advantageously, the safety device includes a manual release mechanism. This manual release mechanism allows the user to safely release the tow seat coupling even in the event of a power failure or malfunction. For example, the manual release mechanism may be or include a handle or a safety line. In other words, the manual release mechanism is used to switch the safety device (particularly its locking member) from a locked position to a released position through user intervention.

[0013] Advantageously, the actuating device has a tapering portion, wherein the tapering portion tapers in the direction of the actuating region, particularly continuously, and wherein the tapering portion is designed to prevent the locking mechanism from changing from the closed position to the open position by means of forced locking, particularly through indirect or direct contact with a portion of the traction seat connecting plate, when the locking member is in the locked position. In this way, a particularly compact and reliable forced locking can be achieved. Therefore, the tapering portion is a region of the actuating device in which the cross-section of the actuating device decreases particularly continuously. In this case, continuous tapering means that, among other things, the tapering portion does not exhibit any abrupt changes in cross-section. For example, the tapering portion can be formed by a ramp-shaped and / or S-shaped region. In particular, the tapering portion is formed in the direction of the actuating region. In other words, this may mean that the tapering portion is formed such that the cross-sectional area in the region of the tapering portion decreases in the direction toward the actuating region. By continuously and gradually thinning the tapering section, a particularly mechanically loadable portion can be obtained, as this significantly reduces and / or at least minimizes the cutting effect. This is especially advantageous because the tapering section has a weakening effect due to its gradual thinning. Furthermore, this also prevents accidental jamming or blockage, thus improving operational safety by continuously forming the tapering section.

[0014] Appropriately, the locking member is designed to be self-locking. This can further enhance the safety of the safety device. In this case, a self-locking design may mean, among other things, that when an actuating force is applied to the actuating device in the actuation direction, a force and / or torque is generated on the locking member in the direction of the locked position. In other words, this may mean that the self-locking locking member is designed and / or arranged such that when the locking member is in the locked position, a force or torque acts on the locking member in the direction of the locked position when attempting to change the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position, and this force or torque compresses or pretensions the locking member in the direction of the locked position.

[0015] Appropriately, the locking component is a locking claw. This type of design allows for particularly low-cost and lightweight structures. The locking claw should be specifically understood as a hook-shaped element, which can, of course, be angular and / or rounded.

[0016] Advantageously, the locking member includes a contact area configured to contact or be able to contact the actuating device when the locking member is in the locked position. In other words, the contact area of ​​the locking member can be an area configured to contact the actuating device when the locking member is in the locked position. This indirect or direct contact between the locking member and the actuating device allows for the realization of particularly compact and space-saving safety devices.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking member is arranged or designed such that the projection of the contact area onto the longitudinal axis is at least partially closer to the actuating area than the projection of the pivot axis of the locking member onto the longitudinal axis. The projection of the pivot axis or contact area onto the longitudinal axis is, in particular, an orthogonal projection onto the longitudinal axis. The position of the locking member in the locked position plays a decisive role in this projection. This arrangement or design of the locking member enables the implementation of a self-locking locking member in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0018] Advantageously, the traction seat coupling is designed such that when the locking mechanism is in the open position, the locking member is prevented from transitioning from the released position to the locked position, particularly through contact with the actuating device, in a forced locking manner. This allows for particularly simple and safe operation of the traction seat coupling, as it particularly prevents accidental malfunctions. For example, this embodiment of the traction seat coupling can be achieved by using a sensor and a component (particularly an electromagnet) that prevents displacement or pivoting of the locking member when the sensor detects that the locking mechanism is in the open position. Alternatively or preferably, this can also be achieved by designing and / or arranging the actuating device and / or locking member such that when the locking mechanism is in the open position, the locking member is prevented from transitioning to the locked position, particularly through the area of ​​the actuating device, in a forced locking manner.

[0019] Appropriately, the traction seat connector includes a disengagement cylinder, which is arranged and designed such that the actuator can be displaced in the actuation direction indirectly and / or directly via the disengagement cylinder. By providing the disengagement cylinder, the locking mechanism can be automatically switched from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. Therefore, by providing such a disengagement cylinder, the automation level of the traction seat connector can be improved, which is particularly beneficial for automatic driving. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the various features of the illustrated embodiments can also be used in other embodiments, unless explicitly excluded.

[0021] Figure 1 A bottom view of the traction seat connector according to the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 A side view of the traction seat connector according to the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A detailed view of the traction seat connector in the safety device area is shown, with the safety device in the locked position.

[0024] Figure 4 A detailed view of the traction seat coupling in the safety device area is shown, with the safety device in the released position. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 A traction seat connector 1 is shown, wherein the traction seat connector 1 has a traction seat connecting plate 10. Figure 1 The traction seat connecting plate 10 is shown below, therefore the support surface of the traction seat connecting plate is... Figure 1 It is invisible in the middle. However, Figure 1 The normal N of the support surface is schematically shown. The traction seat connecting plate 10 has an inlet 14 between the two traction seat corner portions, which extends in the entry direction E. Figure 1 In the diagram, the traction seat coupling 1 is shown as follows: the locking mechanism 20 is in the closed position, thereby preventing the kingpin from disengaging or exiting from the inlet 14 in a forced locking manner in the direction opposite to the entry direction E. The locking mechanism 20 can be switched from the closed position to the open position by the actuating device 30. This can be achieved, for example, by disengaging cylinder 80 or by manual actuation of the actuating device 30. For this purpose, the actuating device 30 has an actuation region 32, for example (e.g., Figure 1(As shown) The actuation region can be formed by a manually engaged eyelet. The actuating device 30 can be displaced in the actuation direction B to change the locking mechanism 20 from a closed position to an open position. To transmit these forces or torques from the actuating device 30 to the locking mechanism 20, the actuating device 30 has a transmission region 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation direction B corresponds to the longitudinal axis L, in which the actuating device 30 extends. At approximately the center between the transmission region 34 and the actuation region 32, the actuating device 30 has a tapering portion 36, in which the cross-section of the actuating device 30 continuously tapers in the direction of the actuation region 32. To achieve forced locking of the locking mechanism 20 or the actuating device 30, the traction seat connector 1 has a safety device 40. This safety device 40 has a locking member 42 mounted to be pivotable about the pivot axis S. Figure 1 In the case shown, the pivot axis S is oriented parallel to the normal N of the support surface 12. To achieve automatic actuation of the locking member 42 of the safety device 40, the safety device 40 has an actuator 44 in the form of a compressed air cylinder. However, in order to also achieve automatic actuation of the locking member 42 from... Figure 1 The safety device 40 also has a manual release device 48 in the form of a manual handle for manual switching from the locked position to the released position.

[0026] Figure 2 A side view of the traction seat connector 1 is shown. The traction seat connector 1 has a traction seat connecting plate 10, which has a support surface 12. The support surface 12 has a normal N.

[0027] Figure 3 A detailed view of the traction seat connector 1 in the area of ​​the safety device 40 is shown. Figure 3 In the released position, locking member 42 is mounted to pivot about pivot axis S relative to the traction seat connecting plate 10 via a pin forming pivot axis S. Locking member 42 is configured as a locking pawl and has a contact area 50. This contact area 50 is designed to directly contact and / or be able to contact the actuating device 30 in the locked position. The actuating device 30 extends in the direction of a longitudinal axis L, which is parallel to or at least substantially parallel to the actuation direction B. Therefore, in principle, Figure 3 The detailed view shown can belong to Figure 1 The traction seat connector 1 and / or shown Figure 2 The traction seat connector 1 is shown.

[0028] Figure 4 It has been shown that Figure 3 The situation described in the text, in which Figure 4 In the middle, locking member 42 is in the locked position. From Figure 4As can be seen, the interaction between the locking member 42 and the tapered portion 36 of the actuating device 30, as well as with the connecting plate 10 of the traction seat, prevents the actuating device 30 from displacing in the actuation direction B by means of forced locking. Therefore, Figure 4 An embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the locking member in the locked position indirectly prevents the locking mechanism 20 from changing from the closed position to the open position by means of forced locking.

[0029] List of reference numerals

[0030] 1 Traction seat connector

[0031] 10 Traction seat connecting plate

[0032] 12 Support Surface

[0033] 14. Entrance

[0034] 20 Locking mechanisms

[0035] 30 Actuation device

[0036] 32 Actuation Zone

[0037] 34 Transmission Area

[0038] 36. Variable detail

[0039] 40 Safety devices

[0040] 42 Locking components

[0041] 44 Actuators

[0042] 46 Pre-tensioned components

[0043] 48 Manual release device

[0044] 50 Contact Area

[0045] 80 Disconnected from cylinder

[0046] B Actuation Direction

[0047] E Entering Direction

[0048] L longitudinal axis

[0049] N Support surface normal

[0050] S Pivot axis

Claims

1. A traction seat connector (1), comprising a traction seat connecting plate (10), a locking mechanism (20), an actuating device (30), and a safety device (40), in, The traction seat connecting plate (10) has a support surface (12) and an inlet (14) for the kingpin. The supporting surface (12) has a normal (N). The inlet (14) extends in the entry direction (E). The locking mechanism (20) is designed such that: in the closed position, the locking mechanism indirectly and / or directly prevents the master pin from exiting the inlet (14) by means of forced locking; and in the open position, the locking mechanism (20) allows the master pin to exit from the inlet (14). The actuation device (30) includes an actuation region (32) and a transmission region (34). The actuating device (30) extends along the longitudinal axis (L). The actuating device (30) is designed to move the locking mechanism (20) from the closed position to the open position by displacement of the actuating device (30) in the actuation direction (B). The transmission area (34) is designed to transmit force and / or torque indirectly or directly to the locking mechanism (20). The safety device (40) includes a locking component (42). The locking member (42) is installed such that it can move to a locked position and a released position. The locking member (42) in the locked position forcibly locks the locking mechanism (20) from the closed position to the open position. The locking component (42) is directly mounted on the traction seat connecting plate (10). The actuating device (30) includes a tapering portion (36). The tapering portion (36) tapers toward the actuation region (32), and The tapering portion (36) is configured such that when the locking member (42) is in the locked position, the tapering portion prevents the locking mechanism (20) from changing from the closed position to the open position by direct contact with a portion of the traction seat connecting plate (10).

2. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The locking member (42) can only pivot about the pivot axis (S) of the locking member.

3. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The safety device (40) includes an actuator (44), The actuator (44) has an energy interface. The actuator (44) is designed to enable the locking member (42) to be switched from the locked position to the released position via the actuator (44).

4. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The safety device (40) includes a pre-tensioning member. The pretensioning member is designed such that a pretensioning force and / or pretensioning torque are applied to the locking member (42) in the direction of the locking position via the pretensioning member.

5. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The safety device (40) includes a manual release device (48).

6. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The locking member (42) is designed to be self-locking.

7. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The locking member (42) is a locking claw.

8. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The locking member (42) includes a contact area (50). The contact area (50) is configured to contact the actuating device (30) directly or indirectly when the locking member (42) is in the locked position.

9. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 8, in, When the locking member (42) is in the locked position, the projection of the contact area (50) on the longitudinal axis (L) is at least partially closer to the actuation area (32) than the projection of the pivot axis (S) of the locking member on the longitudinal axis (L).

10. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The traction seat connector (1) is designed to prevent the locking member (42) from switching from the released position to the locked position when the locking mechanism (20) is in the open position.

11. The traction seat connector (1) according to claim 1, in, The traction seat connector (1) has a disengagement cylinder (80). The disengagement cylinder (80) is arranged and designed such that the actuation device (30) can be displaced in the actuation direction (B) indirectly and / or directly via the disengagement cylinder (80).

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