SADDLE COUPLING WITH SAFETY DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fifth wheel coupling with a securing device.

[0002] Fifth wheel couplings are already known from the prior art; they are used to connect a towing vehicle to a trailer, in particular a semi-trailer. For this purpose, a kingpin of the trailer is inserted into the entry opening of the fifth wheel coupling and then held there by a locking mechanism in such a way that the kingpin can no longer be guided out of the entry opening, thus allowing coupling or pulling forces to be transferred between the towing vehicle and the trailer. In order to remove the kingpin from the fifth wheel coupling, the locking mechanism is usually opened using an operating handle. To prevent inadvertent or incorrect operation of this operating handle, it is known to provide a safety device. However, these known safety devices are usually prone to failure and can easily be accidentally released, particularly due to vibrations.

[0003] EP 0 994 012 A1 relates to a fifth wheel coupling with a locking mechanism, wherein a lock is arranged on the hand lever of the locking mechanism.

[0004] DE 195 16 101 A1, DE 38 03 931 A1, DE 198 20 139 A1 and DE 1 256 081 also relate to fifth wheel coupling arrangements with a locking device for the operation of the fifth wheel coupling jaw lock.

[0005] DE 564 371 C relates to a trailer coupling for semi-trailer trucks with a saddle which can be pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis and displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle against the action of a spring, on which a coupling hook is mounted which can be pivoted about a vertical pin and consists of two identical parts arranged one above the other and which is locked in the coupling position by a bolt.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fifth wheel coupling which provides a high degree of safety.

[0007] This object is achieved with a fifth wheel coupling according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and features emerge from the subclaims, the description and the figures.

[0008] According to the invention, a fifth wheel coupling comprises a fifth wheel coupling plate, a locking mechanism, an actuating device and a securing device, wherein the fifth wheel coupling plate has a semitrailer surface and an entry opening for a kingpin, wherein the semitrailer surface has a normal, wherein the entry opening extends in an entry direction, wherein the locking mechanism is designed such that in a closed position it indirectly and / or directly prevents the kingpin from being extended from the entry opening in a form-fitting manner, and wherein the locking mechanism enables the kingpin to be extended from the entry opening in an open position, wherein the actuating device has an actuating region, in particular a handle, and a transmission region, wherein the actuating device extends along a longitudinal axis, wherein the actuating device is designed toto transfer the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position, in particular by displacing the actuating device in an actuating direction, wherein the transmission area is designed to directly or indirectly transfer forces and / or moments to the locking mechanism, wherein the securing device comprises a locking means, wherein the locking means is mounted in such a way, in particular pivotably about a pivot axis, that the locking means can be moved into a locked position and into a release position, wherein the locking means in the locked position indirectly and / or directly positively prevents a transfer of the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position. The fifth wheel coupling according to the invention is intended to be mounted on a first vehicle, in particular a towing vehicle, and in interaction with a kingpin of a trailer, in particular a semi-trailer,To transmit coupling forces between the first vehicle and the trailer. The fifth wheel coupling comprises a coupling plate, which, among other things, has a semi-trailer surface. This semi-trailer surface of the fifth wheel coupling plate is, in particular, the surface designed so that the vehicle to be towed, in particular the semi-trailer, rests on it when coupled.

[0009] Advantageously, the trailer surface is designed to be substantially flat in order to achieve low surface pressure. "Substantially flat" means that the trailer surface is spaced from an ideal plane by a maximum of 5 cm, preferably a maximum of 2 cm, particularly preferably 1 cm. The trailer surface has a normal, in particular an averaged one. This normal of the trailer surface is designed in particular such that, in an installed and coupled idealized state, it is aligned substantially parallel to the gravitational acceleration vector. In other words, this can mean that, in an installed and coupled state, the normal is oriented, in particular, vertically. The fifth wheel coupling plate has an entry opening that extends in the entry direction.The retraction direction is oriented in particular such that, when the fifth wheel coupling is coupled and mounted, it points in the direction of straight-ahead travel of the vehicle. The retraction opening is designed in particular such that it extends between two coupling horns of the fifth wheel coupling plate. The retraction opening is shaped and configured such that a kingpin can be retracted into it. The fifth wheel coupling has a locking mechanism which is designed such that, in a closed position, it positively prevents the kingpin from extending out of the retraction opening, in particular in the direction of retraction or counter to the retraction direction, from a coupling position. The locking mechanism can in particular have or comprise a lock claw which, in the closed position, positively prevents the kingpin from extending out of the coupling position.However, if the locking mechanism is moved, pivoted, and / or brought into an open position, the kingpin can be extended or retracted into or out of the retraction opening. In other words, the locking mechanism serves to positively hold the kingpin in the engaged coupling position when it is in the closed position. However, if the locking mechanism is in the open position, the kingpin is so freely movable relative to the fifth wheel plate that the kingpin can be fully extended or retracted into the retraction opening. To transfer the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, the fifth wheel coupling has an actuating device. The actuating device comprises an actuating section and a transmission section.Advantageously, the actuating region and the transmission region each form opposite distal ends of the actuating device. Alternatively, the actuating region and the transmission region can also be realized in a single region. In other words, the actuating device can also be designed such that a certain region of the actuating device is both the actuating region and the transmission region. The actuating device extends along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is therefore in particular the direction in which the length of the actuating device is determined. The actuating region of the actuating device serves to receive actuating forces from a user and / or an actuating actuator. Advantageously, the actuating region therefore has a handle or other means of intervention for a user.The transmission area of ​​the actuating device, on the other hand, serves to transmit the received actuating forces and / or moments to the locking mechanism. In order to achieve actuation of the actuating device, it is particularly designed such that it can be displaced in an actuating direction. The fifth wheel coupling according to the invention has a safety device. This safety device is particularly designed such that it can positively prevent an unintentional transfer of the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position. For positive locking, the safety device comprises a locking means, wherein the locking means is mounted in such a way that the locking means can be moved both into a locked position and into a released position, in particular by a pivotable mounting about a pivot axis. The pivot axis, about which the locking means can be pivotably mounted, can, for example,by a bolt and / or a screw, for example, a fitting screw. Advantageously, this bolt or screw is mounted directly in the fifth wheel coupling plate to achieve a particularly mechanically resilient mounting. The locking means is particularly designed such that, when the locking means is in the locked position, it directly or indirectly prevents the locking mechanism from moving from the closed position to the open position in a form-fitting manner. "Direct form-fitting prevention" is understood to mean that the locking means itself forms a stop, which creates a form-fitting locking action.In the case of "indirect positive locking," the locking means is designed such that, in conjunction with other locking means, which may be formed, for example, by parts of the fifth wheel coupling plate, it positively prevents the locking mechanism from moving from the closed position to the open position. The locking means can be mounted and / or designed such that it directly contacts elements of the locking mechanism and / or the actuating device in the locked position. By positively preventing the locking mechanism from moving from the closed position to the open position by means of the locking device or the locking means of the locking device, a particularly secure fifth wheel coupling can be achieved.

[0010] According to the invention, the locking device is mounted so that it can pivot exclusively in rotation about the pivot axis. The locking device's exclusive rotational mobility allows for particularly secure locking.

[0011] Advantageously, the pivot axis extends transversely to the trailer surface. "Transversely" in this context means that the pivot axis is not located in the plane defined by the trailer surface. By positioning the pivot axis transversely to the trailer surface, a particularly compact fifth wheel coupling arrangement can be achieved.

[0012] According to the invention, the pivot axis is essentially parallel to the normal of the trailer surface. This allows for a particularly secure, positive locking mechanism, because this orientation of the pivot axis makes the locking device 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 the vibrations about the pivot axis in relation to the vertical vibrations of the vehicle and / or the fifth wheel coupling arrangement. This decoupling or insensitivity to the frequently occurring vertical vibrations therefore leads to a particularly significant increase in the safety of the fifth wheel coupling.In this context, "essentially parallel" to the normal of the trailer surface means that the smaller angle between the pivot axis and the normal is a maximum of 25°, preferably a maximum of 15°; particularly preferably a maximum of 10°, and most preferably a maximum of 5°. To achieve a particularly high degree of decoupling of the locking device's vibrations about the pivot axis from the vertical vibrations of the fifth wheel or the vehicle, the pivot axis is advantageously oriented parallel to the normal of the trailer surface.

[0013] According to the invention, the locking device is mounted on the fifth wheel coupling plate. Mounting on the fifth wheel coupling plate means that the locking device is advantageously supported directly on the fifth wheel coupling plate or is mounted directly on it. For example, this can be achieved by mounting the locking device using a bolt, screw, or fitting screw, with the receiving thread for this device being incorporated directly into the fifth wheel coupling plate. Mounting the locking device on the fifth wheel coupling plate allows for a particularly space-saving and mechanically resilient mounting, thus also increasing safety.

[0014] The safety device expediently comprises an actuator, wherein the actuator in particular has a power connection, wherein the actuator is advantageously designed such that the locking means can be transferred from the locked position to the release position by the actuator. The actuator can be, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor. The actuator makes it possible to automatically transfer the safety device, in particular the locking means of the safety device, from the locked position to the release position and / or from the release position to the locked position. The actuator can achieve a particularly high degree of automation, thus saving operating costs. The actuator in particular has a power connection so that energy can be conducted to or into the actuator.Such an energy connection can be, for example, an electrical connection, a compressed air connection or a hydraulic connection.

[0015] Advantageously, the securing device, in particular the actuator, has a pretensioning means, wherein the pretensioning means is designed in particular such that a pretensioning force and / or a pretensioning moment is exerted on the locking means in the direction of the locking position by the pretensioning means. This can further increase the operational reliability of the fifth wheel coupling, because the pretensioning means prevents and / or at least makes it more difficult to actuate it in the event of a power failure, for example. Such a pretensioning means can be formed, for example, by a coil spring, a torsion spring and / or an air bellows. As already explained, the pretensioning means is designed in particular such that the pretensioning force present in the pretensioning means and / or the pretensioning moment stored there acts on the locking means in such a way that the locking means is pretensioned into the locking position.In other words, this may mean that the pretensioning means is designed in particular in such a way that it pretensions or presses the locking means into the locking position.

[0016] The safety device advantageously comprises a manual release device. This allows the user to safely release the fifth wheel coupling even in the event of a power failure or malfunction. A manual release device can be or include, for example, a handrail or a safety lanyard. In other words, the manual release device serves to transfer the safety device, in particular its locking means, from the locked position to the released position through user intervention.

[0017] Advantageously, the actuating device has a tapered section, wherein the tapered section tapers, in particular continuously, in the direction of the actuating region, and wherein the tapered section is designed to positively prevent a transfer of the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position when the locking means is in the locked position, in particular through indirect or direct contact with a part of the fifth wheel coupling plate. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly compact yet secure positive locking mechanism. The tapered section is a region of the actuating device in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the actuating device decreases, in particular continuously. A continuous taper is understood to mean, among other things, that the tapered section does not have any sudden cross-sectional changes.For example, this tapered section can be formed by a ramp-shaped and / or S-shaped region. This taper occurs in particular in the direction of the actuation region. In other words, this can mean that the tapered section is designed such that the cross-sectional area in the region of the tapered section becomes smaller towards the actuation region. By continuously tapering the tapered section, a particularly mechanically resilient section can be achieved because this reduces and / or at least keeps the notch effect low, which is particularly advantageous due to the weakening of the tapered section by the taper there. Furthermore, this can also prevent unwanted snagging or blocking, so that operational reliability can also be increased by a continuous formation of the tapered section.

[0018] The locking means is expediently designed to be self-locking. This can further increase the safety of the securing device. A self-locking design can be understood to mean, among other things, that when an actuating force is exerted on the actuating device in the actuating direction, a force and / or a moment on the locking means results in the direction of the locked position. In other words, this can mean that a self-locking locking means is designed and / or arranged in such a way that when an attempt is made to move the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position, a force or a moment acts on the locking means which presses or preloads it towards the locked position when the locking means is in the locked position.

[0019] The locking means is expediently a locking claw. This type of design allows for a particularly cost-effective and lightweight construction. A locking claw is understood to be a hook-shaped element, which can be square and / or rounded.

[0020] Advantageously, the locking means has a contact area, wherein the contact area is designed to contact, or be able to contact, the actuating device indirectly and / or directly when the locking means is in the locked position. In other words, the contact area of ​​the locking means can be the area designed to contact the actuating device when the locking means is in the locked position. This indirect or direct contact between the locking means and the actuating device makes it possible to achieve a particularly compact and space-saving securing device.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking means is arranged or configured such that the projection of the contact area onto the longitudinal axis is at least partially closer to the actuation area than the projection of the pivot axis of the locking means onto the longitudinal axis. The projection of the pivot axis or the contact area onto the longitudinal axis is achieved in particular by an orthogonal projection onto the longitudinal axis. The position in which the locking means is in the locked position is decisive for this projection. This type of arrangement or configuration of the locking means allows a self-locking locking means to be achieved in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0022] Advantageously, the fifth wheel coupling is designed such that a transfer of the locking means, in particular in a form-fitting manner, from the release position to the locked position is prevented when the locking mechanism is in the open position, in particular through contact with the actuating device. This allows for particularly simple and safe operation of the fifth wheel coupling, as this can prevent, in particular, unintentional incorrect operation. Such a design of the fifth wheel coupling can be achieved, for example, through the use of sensors and means, wherein the means, in particular electromagnets, prevent a displacement or pivoting of the locking means when the sensors detect that the locking mechanism is in the open position.Alternatively or additionally, this can also be achieved in that the actuating device and / or the locking means are designed and / or arranged in such a way that, in particular by a region of the actuating device, a transfer of the locking means into the locking position is prevented in a form-fitting manner when the locking mechanism is in the open position.

[0023] The fifth wheel coupling expediently has a release cylinder, wherein the release cylinder is arranged and configured such that the actuating device can be displaced directly and / or indirectly in the actuating direction by the release cylinder. By providing a release cylinder, an automatic transfer of the locking mechanism from the closed position to the open position or vice versa can be achieved. Therefore, by providing such a release cylinder, the degree of automation of the fifth wheel coupling can be increased, which is particularly advantageous with regard to autonomous driving.

[0024] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Individual features of the illustrated embodiments may also be used in other embodiments, unless expressly excluded. They show: Figure 1: A view of a fifth wheel coupling according to the invention from below; Figure 2: A side view of a fifth wheel coupling according to the invention; Figure 3: A detailed view of a fifth wheel coupling in the area of ​​the securing device, with the securing device in the locked position; and Figure 4: A detailed view of a fifth wheel coupling in the area of ​​the securing device, with the securing device in the released position.

[0025] In the Figure 1 a fifth wheel coupling 1 is shown, wherein the fifth wheel coupling 1 has a fifth wheel coupling plate 10. The fifth wheel coupling plate 10 is in the Figure 1 shown from below, so that the trailer surface of the fifth wheel plate is in the Figure 1 is not recognizable. In the Figure 1However, the normal N of the trailer surface is shown schematically. The fifth wheel plate 10 has an entry opening 14 between two fifth wheel horns, which extends in the entry direction E. In the Figure 1 The fifth wheel coupling 1 is shown in such a way that the locking mechanism 20 is in the closed position, so that disengagement or moving out of the kingpin against the retraction direction E from the retraction opening 14 is prevented by the locking mechanism 20. The locking mechanism 20 can be transferred from the closed position to the open position via the actuating device 30. This can be achieved, for example, by the release cylinder 80 or by manual actuation of the actuating device 30. For this purpose, the actuating device 30 has an actuating area 32, which, for example - as in the Figure 1- can be formed by a manual engagement eyelet. The actuating device 30 is displaceable in the actuating direction B in order to transfer the locking mechanism 20 from the closed position to the open position. In order to transmit these forces or moments from the actuating device 30 to the locking mechanism 20, the actuating device 30 has a transmission area 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating direction B corresponds to the longitudinal axis L in which the actuating device 30 extends. Approximately centrally between the transmission area 34 and the actuating area 32, the actuating device 30 has a tapered section 36, wherein in the tapered section 36 the cross section of the actuating device 30 tapers continuously in the direction of the actuating area 32. In order to ensure a positive locking of the locking mechanism 20 orIn order to achieve the actuation device 30, the fifth wheel coupling 1 has a securing device 40. This securing device 40 has a locking means 42 which is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis S. In the situation shown in Figure 1, the pivot axis S is oriented parallel to the normal N of the trailer surface 12. In order to achieve automatic actuation of the locking means 42 of the securing device 40, the securing device 40 has an actuator 44 in the form of a compressed air cylinder. However, in order to also enable manual transfer of the locking means 42 from the position shown in . Figure 1 In order to achieve the locking position shown in the figure into the release position, the safety device 40 also has a manual release device 48 in the form of a hand bracket.

[0026] In the Figure 2A side view of a fifth wheel coupling 1 is shown. The fifth wheel coupling 1 has a fifth wheel coupling plate 10, which in turn has a trailer surface 12. This trailer surface 12 has a normal N.

[0027] In the Figure 3 A detailed view of the fifth wheel coupling 1 in the area of ​​the securing device 40 is shown. Figure 3the locking means 42 is in the release position. The locking means 42 is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis S relative to the fifth wheel coupling plate 10 via a bolt forming the pivot axis S. The locking means 42 is designed as a locking claw and has a contact area 50. This contact area 50 is designed to contact and / or be able to contact parts of the actuating device 30 in the locked position. The actuating device 30 extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, wherein this longitudinal axis L is parallel or at least substantially parallel to the actuating direction B. In principle, the Figure 3 The detailed view shown here corresponds to that shown in Figure 1 and / or to that shown in the Figure 2 shown fifth wheel coupling 1.

[0028] In the Figure 4 is already in the Figure 3 The situation described is shown, where in the Figure 4the locking means 42 is in the locking position. As the Figure 4 can be removed, a displacement of the actuating device 30 in the actuating direction B is prevented by the interaction of the locking means 42 with the tapered section 36 of the actuating device 30 and with the fifth wheel coupling plate 10. Therefore, in the Figure 4 an embodiment of the invention is shown in which the locking means in the locking position indirectly prevents a transfer of the locking mechanism 20 from the closed position to the open position. List of reference symbols:

[0029] 1- Fifth wheel 10- Fifth wheel plate 12- Trailer surface 14- Entry opening 20- Locking mechanism 30- Actuating device 32- Actuating area 34- Transmission area 36- Tapered section 40- Securing device 42- Locking means 44- Actuator 46- Pre-tensioning means 48- Hand release device 50- Contact area 80- Release cylinder B- Actuating direction E- Entry direction L- Longitudinal axis N- Normal of the trailer surface S- Pivoting axis

Claims

1. Fifth wheel coupling (1) comprising a fifth wheel coupling plate (10), a locking mechanism (20), an actuating device (30) and a securing device (40), wherein the fifth wheel coupling plate (10) has a semitrailer surface (12) and a retraction opening (14) for a king pin, wherein the semitrailer surface (12) has a normal (N), wherein the retraction opening (14) extends in a retraction direction (E), wherein the locking mechanism (20) is designed such that, in a closed position, it indirectly and / or directly positively prevents the kingpin from extending out of the retraction opening (14), and wherein the locking mechanism (20), in an open position, enables the kingpin to be extended out of the retraction opening (14), wherein the actuating device (30) has an actuating area (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 transfer the locking mechanism (20) from the closed position to the open position, in particular by displacing the actuating device (30) in an actuating direction (B), wherein the transmission area (34) is designed to directly or indirectly transmit forces and / or torques to the locking mechanism (20), wherein the securing device (40) comprises a locking means (42), wherein the locking means (42) is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (S) such that the locking means (42) can be moved into a locking position and into a release position, wherein the locking means (42) in the locking position positively prevents a transfer of the locking mechanism (20) from the closed position to the open position, characterized in that the pivot axis (S) is essentially parallel to the normal (N), and wherein the locking means (42) is mounted on the fifth wheel coupling plate (10), wherein the locking means (42) is designed in such a way that it is self-locking, characterized in that the locking means (42) is mounted so as to be exclusively rotationally pivotable about the pivot axis (S).

2. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing device (40) comprises an actuator (44), wherein the actuator (44) in particular comprises an energy connection, wherein the actuator (44) is advantageously designed such that the locking means (42) can be transferred from the locking position to the release position by the actuator (44).

3. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing device (40), in particular the actuator (44), comprises a biasing means (46), wherein the biasing means (46) is designed in particular such that a biasing force and / or a biasing torque is exerted by the biasing means (46) on the locking means (42) in the direction of the locking position.

4. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing device (40) comprises a manual release device (48).

5. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating device (30) has a tapered section (36), wherein the tapered section (36) tapers, in particular continuously, in the direction of the actuating area (32), and wherein the tapered section (36) is designed to positively prevent a transfer of the locking mechanism (20) from the closed position to the open position, when the locking means (42) is in the locking position, in particular by direct and / or indirect contact with a part of the fifth wheel coupling plate (10).

6. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (42) is a locking claw.

7. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (42) has a contact area (50), wherein the contact area (50) is adapted to contact, when the locking means (42) is in the locking position, the actuating device (30) indirectly or directly.

8. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to claim 7, wherein the projection of the contact area (50) onto the longitudinal axis (L) is at least partially closer to the actuating area (32) than the projection of the pivot axis (S) onto the longitudinal axis (L), when the locking means (42) is in the locking position.

9. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fifth wheel coupling (1) is designed in such a way that a transfer of the locking means (42), in particular form-fit from the release position to the locking position is prevented, when the locking mechanism (20) is in the open position.

10. Fifth wheel coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fifth wheel coupling (1) has a disengaging cylinder (80), wherein the disengaging cylinder (80) is arranged and designed such that the actuating device (30) can be displaced in the actuating direction (B) by the disengaging cylinder (80) indirectly and / or directly.