Device for locating a coupling means arranged on a trailer vehicle

Abstract

Device for locating a coupling means (11, 12) arranged on a trailer vehicle (10) before the coupling process, comprising a coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side in the form of a fifth wheel coupling (23), which is designed with an entry opening (22) open in the rearward direction (R) for the entry of the coupling means (11), a light transmitter (30) attached to a coupling plate (24) of the fifth wheel coupling (23) and a light receiver (40) which detects light (60) of the light transmitter (30) reflected by the coupling means (11), characterized in that the light transmitter (30) is pivotally mounted on the coupling plate (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for locating a coupling means arranged on a trailer vehicle before the coupling process according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A towing vehicle typically has a coupling on the towing vehicle side, and the trailer also has a coupling device compatible with the coupling, via which a mechanical connection to the towing vehicle side can be established. When coupled, the trailer and the towing vehicle are connected to each other in a rotatable but detachable manner. The trailer can, in particular, be a semi-trailer with a coupling device in the form of an attached kingpin. In this case, the towing vehicle has a fifth wheel coupling, into which the kingpin is retracted and then locked.

[0003] The coupling process is often problematic, as the towing vehicle approaches the stationary trailer while reversing, and the towing vehicle-side coupling must precisely engage the trailer's coupling device. A coupling device that appears to be correctly retracted into the coupling but is not fully locked in place is particularly dangerous. In this case, there is a risk that the trailer will detach itself from the towing vehicle in an uncontrolled manner and become independent when traveling at high speed. The driver of the towing vehicle is therefore obliged to ensure that the coupling is in the correct position before setting off. This is difficult because, particularly with fifth wheel couplings, the coupling's locking mechanism is barely visible, and the driver must crawl under the semi-trailer to even be able to assess the locking status.In the state of the art, there have therefore already been efforts to indicate that the coupling means has been correctly retracted into the coupling and locked therein.

[0004] WO 2016 / 186841 A1 proposes using two sensors to monitor the position of the kingpin and the locking mechanism. If the locking is correct, the area beneath a coupling plate is illuminated, thus simplifying visual inspection for the driver and eliminating the need for a flashlight. However, it has proven disadvantageous that incorrect alignment of the towing vehicle coupling and the trailer coupling device can cause significant damage to both the coupling or the towing vehicle, as well as to the coupling device and the trailer, even before the actual coupling process.

[0005] DE 199 50 808 A1 describes a device and method for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle. In the rear area of ​​the towing vehicle, in the area of ​​a coupling mouth, it can be provided, among other things, to arrange a transmitter and three laterally offset receivers in a specially provided bracket on the vehicle in a position above the trailer coupling.

[0006] DD 2 21 693 A1 discloses a device for orienting vehicles when steering at close range relative to reference objects that are largely out of sight. At least one embodiment provides for a light-optical transmitter and a light-optical receiver to be arranged jointly on a vehicle as a functional unit. To deflect the light beam, a concave mirror is to be arranged fixedly relative to the trailer's drawbar. The transmitter and receiver are attached, for example, to the towing vehicle under the towing vehicle's coupling.

[0007] DE 10 2004 029 130 A1 describes an image-based method for coupling a trailer to a motor vehicle. The image sensor can be, for example, a camera that can be sensitive to both the infrared and visible spectrum. In addition to 2D image sensors, imaging sensors that can capture 3D information are also suitable. The known image sensor is preferably integrated into the trailer coupling.

[0008] DE 44 13 694 A1 relates to a coupling aid device in which position signals of the coupling jaw relative to the trailer's drawbar are to be determined by means of a position measuring device. The position measurement is carried out using a bearing line that is stretched between the coupling jaw and the front end of the trailer's drawbar before coupling. The horizontal angle between the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and the stretched bearing line is measured by the position measuring device as the bearing angle. Alternatively, the towing vehicle can have at least one ultrasonic transmitter / receiver on the left and right, spaced from the coupling jaw, for contactless determination of the bearing angle. The ultrasonic transmitters / receivers emit locating beams toward the trailer and receive beams reflected from the trailer. Instead of an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver, light or radar transmitters / receivers can also be used.

[0009] Efforts have already been made to determine the approach of a towing vehicle to a trailer vehicle using methods other than optical or imaging devices. For example, DE 10 2016 218 603 A1 proposes detecting the position of a first or second vehicle to be coupled together. A transmitter / receiver unit is assigned to the first vehicle, and a transponder attached to a known reference point is assigned to the second vehicle. The location of the second vehicle results from a time-of-flight measurement of radio signals initiated by the transmitter / receiver unit, which are then received, processed, and reflected by the transponder. A transponder is a radio communication device that receives incoming signals and automatically responds to or forwards them.

[0010] All known devices have the disadvantage that the light sensor(s) used are too far away for precise detection of the coupling device arranged on the trailer vehicle and are exposed to a high risk of damage by the coupling device if they are approached imprecisely.

[0011] Consequently, the object of the invention was to provide a device with the aid of which a more precise approach of the coupling on the towing vehicle side to the coupling means of the trailer vehicle is possible while at the same time reducing the risk of damage.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. As the towing vehicle approaches the trailer and before contact is made with a coupling device of the trailer, a light emitter mounted on the towing vehicle's coupling is activated. The coupling device of the trailer is located by a light receiver, also located on the towing vehicle, detecting light from the light emitter reflected by the coupling device.

[0013] The installation position of the light sensor on the towing vehicle-side coupling has the advantage that the light emitted by the light sensor is directed as far as possible toward the rear of the towing vehicle and is not obscured by the towing vehicle-side coupling itself or other attachments. The spatial proximity of the light sensor to the towing vehicle-side coupling also allows for the reflected light to be captured for as long as possible. For example, with a fifth wheel coupling, the light sensor is only passed over by the kingpin at a later point in time, meaning the reflected light remains visible for longer than if the light sensor were mounted, for example, at the rear of the towing vehicle.

[0014] On a semi-trailer, the coupling element is arranged in the form of a kingpin on the underside of the trailer floor, covered by the semi-trailer and thus largely shaded. The kingpin itself typically has a shiny metallic surface that reflects the light emitted by the light transmitter particularly well. This reflected light is picked up by the light receiver, and the trailer's coupling element is thus identified.

[0015] The light transmitter is preferably aligned such that the emitted light is directed rearward relative to the towing vehicle's coupling. This results in a particularly high yield of reflected light for the light receiver and particularly accurate identification of the coupling device. The term "rearward direction" refers to a fan beam with an opening angle of 180° opposite the direction of travel. This fan beam can also have a smaller opening angle, for example, a maximum of 90° or, more preferably, a maximum of 60°. Ideally, the fan beam is reduced to a linear light emission along the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.

[0016] The light source can be, in particular, an infrared radiator, a laser pointer, or a strobe light. IR light in a frequency range of 780 nm to 1000 nm, particularly preferably 800 nm to 900 nm, and most preferably 820 nm to 880 nm, is suitable as light with a defined spectrum. The laser pointer can, in particular, be a short-range laser operating in a frequency range of 905 nm to 1000 nm. White light, particularly from a halogen lamp, with a luminous flux of at least 1550 lm and a color temperature of at least 3200 k, can also be used.

[0017] The coupling on the towing vehicle side is a fifth wheel coupling, with the light sensor attached to a coupling plate on the fifth wheel coupling.

[0018] The light sensor is pivotally mounted on the coupling plate. The light sensor is then preferably attached to a pivotally mounted bracket. The pivoting attachment of the light sensor makes it possible to use a mounting position that is only usable before the trailer is coupled, but is within the range of influence of the trailer during and after coupling, meaning that a permanently mounted light sensor could be destroyed by the trailer. With the help of the pivotally mounted bracket, the light sensor moves out of the range of influence of the trailer. The pivoting movement of the bracket and light sensor can be triggered by the trailer, for example if parts of the trailer, such as the semi-trailer plate, hit the pivotally mounted bracket and thereby cause a change in position.A pivoting attachment of the light transmitter allows a largely free choice of the mounting position in the area of ​​the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, whereby the coupling means of the trailer vehicle is illuminated particularly centrally and the reflected light from the light receiver can be seen in spatial proximity to the light transmitter.

[0019] If the light sensor or its pivoting holder is spring-loaded relative to the coupling plate, the light sensor returns to its original upright position after the trailer vehicle has been uncoupled and is ready for a new coupling process.

[0020] Advantageously, the light receiver is located on the towing vehicle's coupling. This places the light receiver and light transmitter in close proximity to each other, maximizing the detectable range of an approaching coupling device. This is because the light receiver and light transmitter are simultaneously passed over by a kingpin, for example, and from this point onward, no further reflected light can be picked up by the light receiver.

[0021] The light receiver is logically aligned to detect the light reflected from the rear. Thus, the light receiver and light emitter are aligned in the same direction of action.

[0022] It has proven particularly useful if the light receiver is a camera or a photocell.

[0023] Preferably, the light transmitter and the light receiver are integrated into a common structural unit. A common structural unit can, in particular, represent a common housing. In this embodiment, the light transmitter and light receiver are mounted on a common support element in the operational position, which in turn is attached to the coupling on the towing vehicle side.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the common structural unit comprises several light emitters arranged circumferentially offset around the light receiver. Advantageously, four light emitters are provided, one of which is arranged on opposite sides of the light receiver. This emits a particularly homogeneous light around the light receiver and generates a relatively strong reflected light.

[0025] The light transmitter and light receiver can be mounted on opposite sides, symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle's coupling. In this case, the light transmitter and light receiver are not integrated into a single unit, but rather installed at different mounting positions. The lateral deviation from the vehicle's longitudinal axis should be the same for the light transmitter and light receivers, so that the light emitted by the light transmitter, which strikes the trailer's coupling at an angle of incidence, is reflected at approximately the same angle and can be detected by the light receiver.

[0026] In principle, if visible light is emitted by the light transmitter and the light receiver is a camera, the device could interact with a display device located in the driver's cab. However, an electronic evaluation unit is advantageously also present, which determines the presence of the coupling device from a central reflection cloud of the reflected light received by the light receiver. The central reflection cloud maps all reflected light points on the surface of the coupling device on the trailer vehicle. Thus, the brightest point detected by the light receiver also represents the position of the coupling device.

[0027] In particular, the electronic evaluation unit can determine the height of the central reflection cloud. This has the advantage that the distance to the coupling agent can be calculated from the height of the central reflection cloud using the electronic evaluation unit.

[0028] It makes sense to use the electronic evaluation unit to perform a contour analysis on both sides of the central reflection cloud and verify the coupling device. This makes it possible to identify the type of coupling device installed on the trailer and its structural properties. For example, it can be determined whether a semi-trailer has a kingpin with a diameter of 2.5', 3.5', or 5'. This information can then be used to perform a compatibility check in the evaluation unit and indicate to the operator whether the trailer can be coupled to the towing vehicle.

[0029] For a better understanding, the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to 5 figures. Fig. 1: a side view of a towing vehicle with light transmitter and light receiver spaced from a trailer vehicle before the coupling process; Fig. 2: a perspective view of a common structural unit with several light emitters arranged around a light receiver; Fig. 3: a rear view of a fifth wheel coupling with several possible mounting positions for a light sensor; Fig. 4: an enlarged section of a cross-section through the mounting positions for a light transmitter according to Pos 1.2 and Pos 2.3.4 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5: a front view of a kingpin illuminated by the light source with a central reflection cloud.

[0030] The Fig. 1 shows a side view of a towing vehicle 20 spaced apart from a trailer 10 in the form of a semitrailer prior to the coupling process. The trailer 10 has a kingpin 12 as a coupling means 11, which protrudes downward relative to a trailer plate 13 of the trailer 10 attached to the underside of the trailer 10. For the coupling process, during which a mechanical connection with the trailer 10 is established, the towing vehicle 20 approaches the trailer 10 in a rearward direction R until the kingpin 12 enters a coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side and is locked there.

[0031] The towing vehicle-side coupling 21 is a fifth wheel coupling 23 comprising a coupling plate 24, two bearing blocks 25 engaging laterally on the coupling plate 24, via which the coupling plate 24 is fastened to the towing vehicle 20, and a mounting plate 26, which is fastened to a vehicle frame (not shown) and supports the two bearing blocks 25. After the coupling process is complete, the trailer plate 13 rests on an upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 and is supported by the towing vehicle 20.

[0032] On the coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side, both a light transmitter 30 and a light receiver 40 are arranged, both of which are oriented in the rearward direction R. By illuminating or flashing the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10, in particular the kingpin 12, by means of a light 32 emitted by the light transmitter 30 and by recording a light 60 reflected by the coupling means 11 by means of the light receiver 40, in particular a camera or photocell, it is possible to determine a distance I of the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10 to the towing vehicle 20.

[0033] As in the embodiment according to Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the light emitter 30 and the light receiver 40 can be combined in a common structural unit. The common structural unit comprises a housing in or to which the light emitter 30 and the light receiver 40 are permanently attached. In the illustrated embodiment, four light emitters 30 are provided, arranged in a ring around the light receiver 40.

[0034] The light receiver 40 has a fan-shaped detection area 41 and an optical center axis 42 extending in the rearward direction R. Optical center axes 38 of the light transmitter(s) 30 also extend in the rearward direction R and are aligned axially parallel to the optical center axis 42 of the light receiver 40.

[0035] Furthermore, an electronic evaluation unit 50 is arranged in the common assembly of light transmitter 30 and light receiver 40, with the aid of which the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10 is identified and, if necessary, a distance to the coupling means 11 is calculated. The evaluation unit 50 can also be mounted separately from the light transmitter 30 and / or the light receiver 40 at another location on the towing vehicle 20, in particular on its towing-vehicle-side coupling 21.

[0036] The Fig. 3 shows an example of a fifth wheel coupling 23 as a coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side in a rear view with two possible mounting positions Pos 1.2 and Pos 2.3.4 for the light transmitter 30, which are described with further details in the following Fig. 4. If the light transmitter 30 and the light receiver 40 are integrated into a common unit, this unit can also be mounted in one of the suggested mounting positions.

[0037] The coupling plate 24 has two integrally formed entry horns 24d extending in the rearward direction R, which laterally delimit an entry opening 22 located therebetween and conically widening in the rearward direction R. As the towing vehicle 20 steadily approaches, the kingpin 12 enters the entry opening 22 and is guided therein until it reaches its final position in a locking area of ​​the coupling plate 24. The entry horns 24d are formed, starting from the flat upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24, with a downwardly sloping, ramp-shaped upper side, on which a low-lying trailer plate 13 can slide to its final height during the coupling process.

[0038] The Fig. 4 shows a mounting position Pos 2.3.4, which in principle would also be possible in the mounting position 1.2 and is also located in the vehicle's longitudinal axis X.

[0039] In the mounting position Pos 2.3.4, the light emitter 30 is attached to a flexible holder 33, which holds the light emitter 30 in a functional position shown above a level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 without the presence of a trailer vehicle 10. Upon approach of parts of the trailer vehicle 10, such as the semi-trailer plate 13 or an excessively high kingpin 12, the corresponding part of the trailer vehicle 10 interacts with the flexible holder 33 in such a way that the light emitter 30 is pushed below the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24.

[0040] In the embodiment shown according to Fig. 4, the flexible holder 33 is attached to the coupling plate 24 by means of a pivot bearing 31 and held in the raised functional position by a spring element 34. A contact arm 36 extends in the rearward direction R, the free end of which projects beyond the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24. The spring element 34 is fastened between the holder 33 and the coupling plate 24 and is in a contracted state in the raised functional position. The light emitter 30 is rigidly connected to a holder attachment 35 aligned at an angle to the contact arm 36, which holds the light emitter 30 above the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24, so that the light 32 emitted by the light emitter 30 radiates beyond the coupling plate 24 in the direction of the kingpin 12.

[0041] During an approach of the towing vehicle 20 to the stationary trailer vehicle 10, in particular the trailer plate 13 passes over the fifth wheel coupling 23, slides over the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 and strikes against the free end of the contact arm 36. As a result, the flexible holder 33, in the illustration of the Fig. 4 rotates clockwise about its pivot bearing 31 and descends below the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24. This reliably prevents damage to the light sensor 30.

[0042] During uncoupling of the trailer vehicle 10, the trailer plate 13 moves in the rearward direction R over the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 and releases the contact arm 36, which then pivots back due to the pretension of the spring element 34, so that the holder fastening 35, in the illustration of the Fig. 4 counterclockwise, and the light transmitter 30 is again above the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24.

[0043] The embodiment with a flexible holder 33 according to Fig. 4 can, in principle, also be implemented on a connecting web 27 bridging the two entry horns 24d below the entry opening 22, corresponding to the mounting position Pos 1.2. During the coupling of a trailer vehicle 10, its kingpin 12 passes over the connecting web 27 with a small vertical clearance, which would destroy a light emitter 30 rigidly mounted thereon. By attaching the light emitter 30 to a flexible holder 33, it is possible to utilize the favorable position of the light emitter 30 in the area of ​​the vehicle's longitudinal axis X and yet pivot the light emitter 30 out of the area of ​​influence of the kingpin 12. In this mounting position Pos 1.2, the kingpin 12 would push the flexible holder 33 out of the upright position.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a front view of a kingpin 12. The kingpin 12 is illuminated by emitted light 32 from the light source 30, and reflected light 60 is visible on its surface. The reflected light 60 is visible as a strip-shaped central reflection cloud 61 over the entire axial height H K of the kingpin 12 can be seen.

[0045] The light receiver 40 is connected to the Fig. 2 by way of example. The electronic evaluation unit 50 identifies, for example, by means of image recognition software located thereon, the central reflection cloud 61, which is significantly brighter than the surroundings, and thereby locates the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10. The electronic evaluation unit 50 determines from a height H M the center reflection cloud 61 the distance I to the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10.

[0046] It is also optionally possible, after locating the kingpin 12, to perform a contour analysis of the image provided by the light receiver 40 and the electronic analysis unit 50 using the electronic analysis unit 50. For a kingpin 12 as the coupling means 11, the contour analysis includes an analysis of the edge distances A on both sides of a center line 62 of the center reflection cloud 61 to the recognizable outer visible edge 63 of the kingpin 12 and a classification of the kingpin 12 according to its dimensioning with a diameter of 2.5', 3.5', or 5'. This classification can be followed by a plausibility check to determine whether the detected coupling means 11 is suitable for being received by the towing vehicle-side coupling 21. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 trailer vehicle 11 Coupling device trailer vehicle 12 kingpins 13 Trailer plate 14 mounting plates 20 towing vehicle 21 towing vehicle coupling 22 Entry opening 23 fifth wheel coupling 24 Clutch plate 24a Top side of clutch plate 24d entry horns coupling plate 25 bearing block 26 Mounting plate 27 Connecting bridge entry opening 30 light emitters 31 swivel bearings 32 emitted light 33 Light sensor holder 34 spring element holder 35 Holder mounting light sensor 36 contact arm 38 optical center axis light emitter 40 light receivers 41 Detection range light receiver 42 optical center axis light receiver 50 electronic evaluation unit 60 reflected light 61 Central reflection cloud 62 Centerline central reflection cloud 63 outer visible edge of kingpin A Edge distance kingpin H KKingpin height H M Height of central reflection cloud I Removal of coupling agent R backward direction X Vehicle longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Device for locating a coupling means (11, 12) arranged on a trailer vehicle (10) before the coupling process, comprising a coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side in the form of a fifth wheel coupling (23), which is designed with an entry opening (22) open in the rearward direction (R) for the entry of the coupling means (11), a light transmitter (30) attached to a coupling plate (24) of the fifth wheel coupling (23) and a light receiver (40) which detects light (60) of the light transmitter (30) reflected by the coupling means (11), characterized by that the light transmitter (30) is pivotally mounted on the coupling plate (24). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the light transmitter (30) is aligned such that the emitted light (32) is radiated in the rearward direction (R) with respect to the towing vehicle-side coupling (21). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the light source (30) is an infrared emitter, a laser pointer or a strobe light. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the light receiver (40) is arranged on the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side. [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the light receiver (40) is aligned such that the light (60) reflected from the rearward direction (R) is detected. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the light receiver (40) is a camera or a photocell. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the light transmitter (30) and the light receiver (40) are integrated into a common structural unit. [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by that the common structural unit has a plurality of light transmitters (30) which are arranged offset in the circumferential direction around the light receiver (40). [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the light transmitter (30) and the light receiver (40) are arranged in the installed position on opposite sides, symmetrically to the vehicle longitudinal axis (X) of the towing vehicle-side coupling (21). [10] Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that an electronic evaluation unit (50) is provided, with which a presence of the coupling agent (11) is determined from a central reflection cloud (61) of the reflected light (60) received by the light receiver (40). [11] Device according to claim 10, characterized by that by means of the electronic evaluation unit (50) a height (H M ) of the central reflection cloud (61) is determined. [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized by that the electronic evaluation unit (50) from the height (H M) of the central reflection cloud (61) the distance (I) to the coupling means (11) is determined. [13] Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that by means of the electronic evaluation unit (50) a contour evaluation on both sides of the central reflection cloud (61) and a verification of the coupling means (11) are carried out.

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