Coupling system for traction vehicle

Abstract

The invention describes a coupling system for a traction vehicle, the coupling system having a measuring element (10), the coupling system comprising a saddle coupling plate (23), according to the invention, a displacement region (21), which is located on the longitudinal axis (x) of the saddle coupling plate and which widens in a conical shape, for introducing a trailer-side coupling means, and a locking region (22), which is coupled to the displacement region, are formed on the saddle coupling plate, and at least two bearing seats (31), which act laterally on the saddle coupling plate (23), are provided, the measuring element (10) is arranged in a bearing region (40) of the coupling system in such a way that operating forces (Fx, Fy) acting on the longitudinal axis (x) and / or the transverse axis (y) are ascertained by means of the measuring element. The aim of the invention is to develop a coupling system, the measuring elements of which are significantly less affected by wear. This problem is solved according to the invention in that a bearing shell tile (44a) and a measuring shell tile (44b) are arranged between at least one of the bearing seats (31) and the saddle coupling plate (23), the bearing region (40) being formed by the measuring shell tile (44b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling system with a measuring element for a towing vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] This type of coupling system is used to connect the trailer vehicle to the tractor vehicle in a releasable manner. The tractor vehicle is a saddle tractor, and the trailer vehicle is a saddle semitrailer, which form a saddle towing combination when coupled together. A saddle coupling plate is installed on the saddle tractor, and in order to couple the saddle semitrailer, a coupling device in the form of a saddle kingpin protruding from the lower side of the saddle semitrailer is moved into the saddle coupling to be in saddle coupling.

[0003] In the past, efforts have been made to equip coupling systems with measuring elements in order to be able to perform force measurements, for example. WO 2006 / 029731 A1 describes a moving device for a saddle coupling, which, in addition to a positioning sensor, also includes a load sensor, by which the load in the direction of the normal force can be determined. A bearing shell is arranged between the bearing seat and the supporting section of the saddle coupling plate, and the load sensor is either installed inside the bearing shell or between the bearing seat and the bearing shell. Here, the measuring element is located directly above the tilting axis of the saddle coupling plate extending through the two bearing seats. Then, together with the positioning sensor, the respective axle load of each single axle of the predetermined axle configuration for the towing vehicle can be determined. With the known measuring elements, only the load applied by the saddle semitrailer in the direction of the normal force can be measured.

[0004] DE 600 36 184 T2 proposes a saddle coupling assembly for force measurement, in which a force measuring unit is placed in an assembly box of a saddle coupling plate for accommodating a support seat. The force measuring unit comprises a body having a surface formed in the form of a semi-cylinder on the lower side, which is supported on a fastening bow shaped complementary thereto. The sensor for force measurement is placed laterally in a recess in the body. The main disadvantage of this known assembly is that the body is subject to high wear and tear, and even after a short operating time, measurement errors due to wear occur. In addition, when the body is replaced, the sensor and its wiring must always be replaced, which means significant time and cost expenditure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to develop a coupling system whose measuring element is significantly less susceptible to wear and does not need to be replaced even after a long operating time.

[0006] This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The bearing area of ​​the coupling system is understood to be an area of ​​the individual measuring shell in which the measuring element is inserted, which is directly located in the force flow of the operating force. The measuring element used for this purpose can be, in particular, a strain gauge (DMS), a resistance sensor, a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric element, a force pin, a pressure-sensitive film or a measuring pin. The measuring pin is a sensor that is sensitive to force in the transverse direction, which is typically cylindrical and is always or at least inserted with a precise fit or under pretension in a complementary shaped recess in the bearing area to be measured, or at least when there is an expected operating load. The pretensioning of the measuring pin is achieved, for example, by means of a clamping device integrated into the measuring pin.

[0007] The bearing area is formed by a measuring shell, which is inserted between the bearing shell arranged between the bearing seat and the saddle coupling plate and the saddle coupling plate. The bearing shell is used as a wearing part and suppresses the transmission of vibrations from the bearing seat to the saddle coupling plate. In most saddle coupling plates, the bearing shell is placed in a receiving pocket formed on the saddle coupling plate. In addition, due to the functional and design structural separation of the bearing shell and the measuring shell, the traditional bearing shell can still be used and can be replaced after exceeding the wear limit. The measuring shell additionally inserted in addition to the bearing shell between the bearing seat and the saddle coupling plate also carries one or more measuring elements, and the measuring elements are not worn or only worn to a low degree, so that the measuring elements can always remain in their predetermined positioning and do not need to be replaced. Typically, the measuring shell and the bearing shell are flat against each other and support each other. Both the measuring shell and the bearing shell cover the bearing seat or overlap with the bearing seat.

[0008] The driving dynamics operating forces (in the x, y and z directions) and the resulting spatial force vectors at the interface between the tractor and the trailer vehicle are of particular interest, from which the traction forces during driving and possible torsional moments about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle as well as transverse forces transverse to the driving direction can be inferred. With the aid of these operating forces, it can be inferred in particular whether the trailer vehicle is currently operating in towed mode or in push mode, for example when driving downhill. Similarly, by detecting the operating forces, it is possible to infer unstable driving conditions when turning too fast, for example. At the interface between the tractor and the trailer vehicle, it is also possible to distinguish between the operating forces occurring during driving and the test loads in special driving conditions (for example, accident conditions in which the trailer vehicle overturns).

[0009] The bearing seat serves to support the saddle coupling plate relative to the tractor vehicle and to allow a tilting movement of the saddle coupling plate about its tilting axis, which extends in the direction of the transverse axis. The tilting axis typically intersects the locking region of the saddle coupling plate. All forces transmitted to the saddle coupling plate are distributed to the two bearing seats, so that measurements in this region provide particularly error-free measurement results. In addition, the bearing seat and the saddle coupling plate are standardized components, so that when changing to the coupling system according to the invention, both the bearing seat and the saddle coupling plate can continue to be used and only the measuring shell shell needs to be used as an additional component.

[0010] Preferably, the bearing shell and / or the measuring shell has a U-shape with one side open, in which the bearing seat is accommodated. The open side of the U-shape overlaps with the bearing seat, in particular with the head area of ​​the bearing seat. The outer side(s) of the U-shaped measuring shell rests on the saddle coupling plate and thus participates in the transmission of operating forces in the longitudinal axis and / or the transverse axis.

[0011] Advantageously, the free ends of the U-shaped bearing shell and / or measuring shell overlap the head region of the bearing seat on both sides in the longitudinal axis and / or in the transverse axis. This results in the advantage that the bearing shell and the measuring shell are supported in a form-fitting manner with respect to one another. Furthermore, measuring elements can also be accommodated in the free ends of the U-shaped measuring shells, which in particular detect forces occurring in the longitudinal axis if one or more measuring elements are arranged in the free ends overlapping the bearing seat in the longitudinal axis, and which detect forces occurring in the transverse axis if one or more measuring elements are arranged in the free ends overlapping the bearing seat in the transverse axis.

[0012] Preferably, a receiving pocket is formed on the underside of the saddle coupling plate, into which the bearing shell and / or the measuring shell is inserted. The receiving pocket is formed in particular as a downwardly open recess on the saddle coupling plate, into which the bearing seat at least partially projects. The bearing shell and / or the measuring shell is dimensioned such that it is received by the receiving pocket and is held in a form-fitting manner in three spatial directions.

[0013] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bearing seat is in contact with the bearing shell and the measuring shell is in contact with the saddle coupling plate. In this respect, the measuring shell has no contact with the associated bearing seat. The wear-inducing relative movement occurs only between the bearing seat and the associated bearing shell placed thereon. The measuring shell and the bearing shell are in contact with each other on one side with their facing sides.

[0014] Suitably, the bearing shell and the measuring shell directly support each other. Especially in the section arranged above the bearing seat, the bearing shell and the measuring shell are arranged one above the other in the normal force direction, and thus both are involved in the transmission of the operating force.

[0015] Advantageously, the deformation of the support region is detected by at least one measuring element. The deformation of the support region is in particular an elongation or a compression.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a receiving opening is formed in the support region, into which the measuring element is inserted. The receiving opening is a hole or, generally, an opening in the material of the support region.

[0017] The measuring element inserted into the receiving opening can be mechanically pressed, glued or injection-molded into the receiving opening and thus connected in a force-fitting manner to the bearing area to be measured. The receiving opening protects the measuring element and also enables its positioning in inaccessible but mechanically highly loaded areas which are subject to particularly large deformations and thus enable the detection of precise measured values.

[0018] The measuring element is expediently inserted completely into the receiving opening and external influences are thus excluded.

[0019] It has proven to be meaningful that the measuring element is flush with the first wall section surrounding the receiving opening of the first bearing area and realizes the force splitting via the measuring element by contacting the second wall section of the second bearing area. This embodiment is particularly provided for measuring between structurally independent bearing areas adjacent to each other by means of their wall sections stacked one above the other. The measuring element is sunk into the receiving opening to which it belongs to such an extent that, in addition to the measuring element, a part of the force flow transmitted by the second bearing area is directly transmitted from the second wall section of the second bearing area to the first wall section of the first bearing area, while only another part, usually a smaller part of the force flow, is transmitted from the second wall section of the second bearing area to the measuring element and from there to the first bearing area. This force splitting protects the measuring element from overloads that exceed the predetermined measuring range of the measuring element, because any overload will be transmitted from the first wall section to the second wall section and bypass the measuring element. In addition, this embodiment also leads to more accurate measurement results, because the measuring element needs to have a smaller expanded measuring range and only needs to be coordinated to a relatively small measuring range.

[0020] The measuring element can be arranged to detect a resultant force F whose direction of action forms an angle α of at most 45° with respect to the direction of action of the operating force to be determined. 合成 The measuring element will therefore detect particularly large changes in the operating force to be expected in the respective force direction.

[0021] Preferably, at least one measuring element is installed under mechanical preload. Due to the preload, it is possible to detect an increase in the operating force and a decrease in the operating force with the measuring element, because due to the preload, the measuring element has a corresponding offset of its zero point. In normal towing operation, the measuring element installed under preload will detect an increase in the operating force. However, in downhill driving with the trailer vehicle, the measuring element will display lower measured values ​​than when the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle are stationary, for example. Alternatively, two measuring elements can also be installed, the effect of which is exerted in such a way that the operating force in one direction of action along a direction-dependent vector is detected by the first measuring element, while the operating force in the opposite direction of action is detected by the second measuring element.

[0022] Advantageously, a plurality of measuring elements are provided, of which at least one measuring element is arranged in front of the tilting axis of the saddle coupling plate on the longitudinal axis and at least one measuring element is arranged behind the tilting axis of the saddle coupling plate. The operating forces in the longitudinal axis are thereby detected particularly effectively. In the case of positive acceleration of the tractor vehicle, the measuring elements that are located in front of the longitudinal axis in the direction of travel are unloaded, while the measuring elements that are located in the rear of the longitudinal axis in the direction of travel are loaded. However, in the case of negative acceleration of the tractor vehicle, the measuring elements in front of the longitudinal axis will show higher measured values, while the measuring elements behind the longitudinal axis will show lower measured values.

[0023] If a plurality of measuring elements are provided, then additionally or alternatively, at least one measuring element is arranged on a first side of the longitudinal axis and at least one measuring element is arranged on a second, opposite side of the longitudinal axis. In this configuration, at least two measuring elements are arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction, thereby detecting particularly accurately the operating forces in the direction of the transverse axis. When driving around a bend, the saddle coupling plate is twisted because the saddle semitrailer swings in the direction of the outside of the bend. At this time, the first side located inside the bend is lifted, while the second side located outside the bend is loaded downward. These deformations of the saddle coupling plate on the height axis will be particularly well detected by the measuring elements arranged on different sides of the longitudinal axis and used to interpret the bend.

[0024] It is particularly useful to arrange at least two measuring elements on a first side of the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from each other in the transverse axis in addition or alternatively. In this embodiment, the two measuring elements are also offset from each other in the transverse direction, but are located on one side of the longitudinal axis. Firstly, this arrangement enables the installation of measuring elements even in the case of limited installation conditions, in particular when the second side of the longitudinal axis is occupied by an actuating lever, a closure mechanism or, for example, a lubrication system and there is not enough structural space for the measurement elements. In addition, this configuration can also more accurately interpret the twisting of the saddle coupling plate when cornering.

[0025] Preferably, at least one measuring element is connected to an electronic evaluation unit, by means of which the operating force and the resulting acceleration are calculated from the signals provided by the measuring element.

[0026] One or more measuring elements can be connected to the electronic evaluation unit by means of wires or wirelessly. The electronic evaluation unit can also be connected to a vehicle control unit and receive driving data from the vehicle control unit and / or exchange data with the vehicle control unit. It is also possible for the electronic evaluation unit to influence vehicle control, in particular engine performance and brake performance, based on the operating forces determined therein.

[0027] The measuring element can be supplied with energy either autonomously with its own battery or via the supply voltage from the vehicle electrical system or an evaluation unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] For better understanding, the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to three drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 : shows a side view of a coupling system with a saddle-type coupling plate and a measuring element on a measuring shell;

[0030] Figure 2 : shows a cross section through the receiving pocket of the saddle coupling plate, in which a plurality of measuring elements are arranged;

[0031] Figure 3 : shows a perspective view of a bearing seat, which has a bearing shell and a measuring shell, in which a plurality of measuring elements are integrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1The side view of the coupling system is shown, which has a coupling body 20 in the form of a saddle-type coupling plate 23, which is fastened to a mounting plate 45 by means of a coupling support element 30 in the form of two bearing seats 31 arranged one behind the other in the plane of the drawing. For this purpose, each bearing seat 31 is formed with a screw-on flange 31a at its front and rear ends in the longitudinal axis x. The mounting plate 45 is placed from above on the frame 34 and connected to it in a fixed position relative to the frame.

[0033] The mounting plate 45 is formed as an integral, integral trapezoidal plate and has a section placed on the frame 34 in sections and a section spaced apart from the frame 34. In the illustrated embodiment, each bearing seat 31 is configured with a lower edge extending straight between the screwing flanges 31a, which contacts only the section of the mounting plate 45 spaced apart from the frame 34.

[0034] The saddle coupling plate 23 is delimited at the edge by an outer contour 23a and has an insertion area 21 at the end, via which the coupling device on the trailer side is inserted into the saddle coupling plate 23 in the direction of the longitudinal axis x and, after reaching its end position, is held in a centrally located locking area 22 in a manner that allows it to be pivoted about a height axis z. The bearing seat 31 acts on the underside 23b of the saddle coupling plate 23.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, the support region 40 is formed by a measuring element 10 arranged in a measuring shell 44b. The measuring element 10 is connected, for example, to an electronic evaluation unit 11 which determines the operating force F measured in real time on the longitudinal axis x from the measured values ​​of the measuring element 10. x and the operating force F on the transverse axis y y , and if necessary the operating force F in the direction of the height axis z z .

[0036] In particular, it is also possible that the electronic evaluation unit 11 communicates with a vehicle control unit (not shown) and operates the force F x 、F y 、F z provided to the vehicle controller.

[0037] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 The flip axis y SK A cross section through one side of the saddle coupling plate 23 shows below it a bearing seat 31. The head region 32 of the bearing seat 31 projects into a downwardly open receiving pocket 24 of the saddle coupling plate 23, which is formed on the underside 23b of the saddle coupling plate 23. A substantially vertically oriented wall 33 of the bearing seat 31 extends between the head region 32 and the screw-on flange 31a.

[0038] The measuring shell 44b and the supporting shell 44a are inserted into the receiving pocket 24, and the supporting shell is placed on the head area 32 of the bearing seat 31. Both the measuring shell 44b and the supporting shell 44a are designed in a U-shaped shape and therefore also transmit the operating force F in the direction of the transverse axis y. y .

[0039] In the measuring shell 44b, in the first wall section 42 facing the receiving pocket 24, receiving openings 41 for four measuring elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are formed, which form a first bearing region 40a. The measuring elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d terminate outwardly with the first wall section 42 and, together with the first wall section 42, rest on the receiving pocket 24 of the saddle coupling plate 23. The receiving pocket 24 has a second wall section 43 facing the measuring shell 44b, which forms a second bearing region 40b. The first wall section 42 of the measuring shell 44b and the measuring elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d rest on the second wall section 43 of the receiving pocket 24, so that when the force is transmitted from the saddle coupling plate 23 to the measuring shell 44b, a force splitting occurs, which extends via the measuring elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d.

[0040] Figure 3 The perspective view shows a bearing block 31, in whose head region 32 a bearing shell 44a and a measuring shell 44b covering it on the outside are arranged, forming the bearing region 40. A plurality of force measuring cells 10 are integrated into the measuring shell 44b.

[0041] The measuring element 10 integrated into the measuring shell 44b is arranged on a side of the measuring shell 44b facing away from the support shell 44a and thus with respect to the receiving pocket 24 (see Figure 2 ) does not experience significant relative movement and is therefore virtually wear-free. In principle, the measuring element 10 can also be fully integrated into the measuring housing shell 44b to obtain better protection.

[0042] In principle, the bearing shell 44a and the measuring shell 44b are always provided with complementary shapes and are in contact with each other. In order to remove the bearing shell 44a, especially in the case of severe wear, it is only necessary to lift the saddle coupling plate 23 from the bearing seat 31 and then replace the bearing shell 44a. The measuring shell 44b can still remain in the receiving pocket 24 of the saddle coupling plate 23 and can be easily placed on the newly inserted bearing shell 44a.

[0043] In the measuring shell 44 b , a plurality of measuring elements 10 are arranged offset relative to one another in the direction of the transverse axis y, so that tilting moments occurring about the longitudinal axis x can already be measured at one of the two bearing seats 31 .

[0044] Furthermore, in the measuring housing shell 44 b , a plurality of measuring elements 10 are also arranged offset relative to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis x, wherein the measuring elements 10 located behind the bearing seat 31 in the drawing plane are concealed and are therefore not visible.

[0045] Due to the offset arrangement of the measuring element 10 on the longitudinal axis x, positive or negative accelerations on the longitudinal axis x and the resulting tilting moments about the transverse axis y can be detected particularly well.

[0046] Reference numerals list

[0047] 10 Measuring elements

[0048] 10a First measuring element

[0049] 10b Second measuring element

[0050] 10c Third measuring element

[0051] 10d Fourth measuring element

[0052] 11 Electronic Assessment Unit

[0053] 20 Coupler body

[0054] 21 Move into area

[0055] 22 Locked Area

[0056] 23 Saddle coupling plate

[0057] 23a Outer contour of saddle coupling plate

[0058] 23b Underside of saddle coupling plate

[0059] 24 storage pockets

[0060] 30 Coupler support element

[0061] 31 Support seat

[0062] 31a Screw-on flange of support seat

[0063] 32 Head area of ​​the support seat

[0064] 33 Wall of support seat

[0065] 34 frame

[0066] 40 Support area

[0067] 40a First support area

[0068] 40b Second support area

[0069] 41 Receiving opening for measuring element

[0070] 42 first wall section

[0071] 43 Second wall section

[0072] 44a Support shell

[0073] 44b Measuring shell

[0074] 45 Assembly plate

[0075] F x Force in the longitudinal axis

[0076] F y Force on the transverse axis

[0077] F z Force on the height axis

[0078] x longitudinal axis

[0079] y horizontal axis

[0080] y SK Flip axis of saddle coupling plate

[0081] z height axis

Claims

1. A coupling system for a towing vehicle, the coupling system comprising a measuring element (10), wherein: The coupling system comprises a coupling body (20) in the form of a saddle coupling plate (23), on which is constructed a conically widened insertion area (21) located on the longitudinal axis (x) of the saddle coupling plate for introducing a coupling device on the trailer side, and a locking area (22) connected to the insertion area for retaining the coupling device on the coupling body (20), and at least one coupler support element (30) in the form of two support seats (31) acting laterally on the saddle coupling plate (23), the saddle coupling plate (23) being able to rotate about a tilting axis (y) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (x) by means of the support seats. SK ) is supported on the tractor vehicle in a pivoting manner, wherein the measuring element (10) is arranged in a bearing region (40) of the coupling system so that the operating force (F) acting on the longitudinal axis (x) and / or the transverse axis (y) can be determined by means of the measuring element. x 、F y ), It is characterized in that A bearing shell (44a) and a measuring shell (44b) are arranged between at least one of the bearing seats (31) and the saddle coupling plate (23), wherein the bearing region (40) is formed by the measuring shell (44b).

2. The coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing shell (44a) and / or the measuring shell (44b) has a U-shape which is open on one side, and the bearing seat (31) is accommodated in the U-shape.

3. The coupling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The free ends of the U-shaped bearing shell (44a) and / or measuring shell (44b) overlap the head region (32) of the bearing seat (31) on both sides in the longitudinal axis (x) and / or transverse axis (y).

4. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A receiving pocket (24) is integrally formed on the underside of the saddle coupling plate (23), into which the bearing shell (44a) and / or the measuring shell (44b) is inserted.

5. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The bearing shell (44a) is in contact with the bearing seat (31), and the measuring shell (44b) is in contact with the saddle coupling plate (23).

6. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The bearing shell (44a) and the measuring shell (44b) support each other directly.

7. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The deformation of the bearing region (40) is detected by at least one measuring element (10).

8. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: A receiving opening (41) is formed in the bearing region (40), into which the measuring element (10) is inserted.

9. The coupling system according to claim 8, characterized in that The measuring element (10) is completely inserted into the receiving opening (41).

10. The coupling system according to claim 8, characterized in that The measuring element (10) is flush with a first wall section (42) of a first bearing region (40a) surrounding the receiving opening (41), and a force distribution via the measuring element (10) is achieved by contact with a second wall section (43) of a second bearing region (40b).

11. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: At least one measuring element (10) is mounted under mechanical preload.

12. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: A plurality of measuring elements (10, 10a, 10b) are provided, wherein at least one measuring element (10a) is arranged on the longitudinal axis (x) and on the tilting axis (y). SK ), and at least one measuring element (10b) is arranged before the tilting axis (y SK )after.

13. The coupling system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: At least two measuring elements (10, 10a, 10d) are arranged on one side of the longitudinal axis (x) and are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the transverse axis (y).

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