DEVICE FOR LOCATING A COUPLING MECHANISM ATTACHED TO A TRAILER

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, during which the towing vehicle approaches the stationary trailer while reversing, and the towing vehicle-side coupling must precisely engage the trailer's coupling device, is often problematic. A coupling device that appears to be correctly engaged but is not fully locked in the coupling is particularly dangerous. In this case, there is a risk that the trailer will detach itself from the towing vehicle uncontrollably 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 device has been correctly retracted and locked into the coupling or to specify the correct approach of the towing vehicle from the outset using technical aids.

[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] DD 221 693 A1 discloses a device for orienting vehicles when driving at close range relative to reference objects that are largely out of sight. At least one embodiment proposes arranging a light-optical transmitter and a light-optical receiver together as a functional unit on a vehicle. To deflect the light beam, a concave mirror is to be arranged fixedly relative to the trailer's drawbar. In practice, however, it has been found that even a slight misalignment of the concave mirror renders the known device ineffective.

[0006] DE 199 50 808 A1 describes a device and a method for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle. In the rear area of ​​the towing vehicle, a transmitter and three laterally offset receivers can be arranged in close proximity to the coupling mouth. The measurement signal is to be reflected by a reflective element and returned to the transmitter, where the receiver(s) is / are also located. An ultrasonic transmitter or other types of transmitter signals, such as radio signals or laser beams, are mentioned as possible transmitters. However, an approach to coupling the towing vehicle and trailer based on the transmitter signals used in the older device has not yet worked satisfactorily. Document WO 2019 / 231474 A1 also discloses a device of this type.

[0007] The object of the invention was therefore to provide a device that enables a more precise approach of the towing vehicle's coupling to the trailer's coupling device. A further sub-objective was to develop a corresponding approach method for the towing vehicle to the trailer.

[0008] 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 transmitter in the form of a strobe light mounted on the towing vehicle's coupling is activated. The trailer's coupling device is located by a light receiver, also located on the towing vehicle, detecting the light of the strobe light reflected by the coupling device.

[0009] The strobe light is a flash device that emits flashes of light at predetermined intervals. This makes movement appear choppy, as a sequence of still images, particularly in relatively dark ambient conditions. Due to this effect, the position of the coupling agent can be determined particularly precisely using the strobe light as the light source. The emitted flashes of light have, in particular, a constant flash frequency. However, it is also possible to generate a group of flashes of light at a first frequency, followed by one or more groups with a different frequency. The strobe light preferably generates a flash frequency of 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz, more preferably 5 Hz to 100 Hz, and most preferably 10 Hz to 50 Hz.

[0010] The installation position of the strobe light on the towing vehicle's coupling has the advantage that the light emitted by the strobe light is directed as far as possible toward the rear of the towing vehicle and is not obscured by the towing vehicle's coupling itself or other attachments. The spatial proximity of the strobe light to the towing vehicle's coupling also allows for the reflected light to be captured for as long as possible. For example, with a fifth wheel coupling, the strobe light is only passed over by the kingpin at a later point in time, meaning the reflected light remains visible for longer than if it were mounted, for example, at the rear of the towing vehicle.

[0011] Particularly in the case of 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 strobe light particularly well. This reflected light is picked up by the light receiver and thus detects the trailer's coupling element.

[0012] The strobe light is preferably aligned so that the emitted light is directed rearward relative to the towing vehicle's coupling. This provides the light receiver with a particularly high yield of reflected light and a 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.

[0013] In addition to visible light, the strobe light can also emit light in the infrared spectrum or be a laser. 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 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.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the coupling on the towing vehicle side is a fifth wheel coupling, wherein the strobe light is attached to a coupling plate, to one of two bearing blocks or to a mounting plate of the fifth wheel coupling.

[0015] It can also be provided that the strobe light is pivotably mounted on the coupling plate. The strobe light is then preferably attached to a pivoting bracket. The pivoting attachment of the strobe light allows the use of a mounting position that is only usable before coupling the trailer, but is within the trailer's range of influence during and after coupling, meaning that a permanently mounted strobe light could be destroyed by the trailer. With the help of the pivoting bracket, the strobe light moves out of the trailer's range of influence.The pivoting movement of the bracket and strobe light can be triggered by the trailer vehicle, for example, when parts of the trailer vehicle, such as the semi-trailer plate, collide with the pivoting bracket, thereby causing a change in position. A pivoting mounting of the strobe light allows for a largely free choice of mounting position along the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, thereby illuminating the trailer's coupling mechanism particularly centrally, and the reflected light from the light receiver can be seen in close proximity to the strobe light.

[0016] If the strobe light or its pivoting holder is spring-loaded relative to the coupling plate, the strobe light will return to its original upright position after the trailer has been uncoupled and will be ready for another coupling process.

[0017] Advantageously, the light receiver is arranged on the towing vehicle-side coupling and, particularly preferably, is also attached thereto. This places the light receiver and strobe light in close proximity to each other, maximizing the detectable range of an approaching coupling device. This is because the light receiver and strobe light 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.

[0018] The light receiver is logically positioned to capture the light reflected from the rear. This ensures that the light receiver and the strobe light are aligned in the same direction.

[0019] It has proven particularly useful if the light receiver is a camera or a photocell.

[0020] Preferably, the strobe light 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 strobe light and the 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.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if the common assembly comprises several strobe lights, which are preferably arranged circumferentially offset around the light receiver. Advantageously, four strobe lights are provided, evenly distributed around the light receiver. This emits a particularly homogeneous light around the light receiver and generates a relatively strong reflected light.

[0022] The strobe light and the light receiver can be mounted on opposite sides, symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle's coupling. In this case, the strobe light and the 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 strobe light and the light receiver, so that the light emitted by the strobe light, 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.

[0023] In principle, if visible light is emitted by the strobe light 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] For a better understanding, the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to 12 figures. Fig. 1: a side view of a towing vehicle with strobe light and light receiver spaced from a trailer vehicle before coupling; Fig. 2: a perspective view of a common structural unit with several strobe lights arranged around a light receiver; Fig. 3: a rear view of a fifth wheel coupling with several possible mounting positions for a strobe light; Fig. 4: an enlarged section of a cross-section through the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 1.1.1 and item 1.1.2 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5: an enlarged section of a cross-section through the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 1.2 and item 2.3.4 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 6: an enlarged section of a cross-section through the mounting positions for a strobe light according to Pos 2 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 7: an enlarged section of a perspective top view of the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 2.1.1 and item 2.2 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 8: an enlarged section of a perspective top view of the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 2.1.2 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 9: an enlarged section of a perspective top view of the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 2.3.1 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 10: an enlarged section of a perspective bottom view of the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 2.3.2 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 11: an enlarged section of a perspective bottom view of the mounting positions for a strobe light according to item 2.3.3 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 12: a front view of a kingpin illuminated by the strobe light with a central reflection cloud.

[0027] The Fig. 1 shows a side view of a towing vehicle 20 spaced apart from a trailer 10 in the form of a semi-trailer 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, in 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 reaches a coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side and is locked there.

[0028] 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.

[0029] On the coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side, both a light transmitter 30 in the form of a strobe light 30 and a light receiver 40 are arranged, both of which are directed in the rearward direction R. By flashing the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10, in particular the kingpin 12, by means of a light 32 emitted by the strobe light 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.

[0030] As in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 As shown, the strobe light 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 strobe light 30 and the light receiver 40 are permanently attached. In the illustrated embodiment, four strobe lights 30 are provided, arranged in a ring around the light receiver 40.

[0031] 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 strobe light(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.

[0032] Furthermore, an electronic evaluation unit 50 is arranged in the joint assembly of the strobe light 30 and the 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 strobe light 30 and / or the light receiver 40 at another location on the towing vehicle 20, in particular on the towing vehicle-side coupling 21.

[0033] The Fig. 3 represents an example of a fifth wheel coupling 23 as a towing vehicle-side coupling 21 in a rear view with several possible mounting positions Pos 1.1.1, Pos 1.1.2, Pos 1.2, Pos 2.3.4, Pos 2, Pos 2.1.1, Pos 2.2, Pos 2.1.2, Pos 2.3.1, Pos 2.3.2, Pos 2.3.3 for the at least one strobe light 30, each of which is described with further details in the following Fig. 4 bis Fig. 11 explained. If the strobe light 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.

[0034] 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 24e 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 position during the coupling process.

[0035] The Fig. 4 illustrates, in an enlarged cross-section, the mounting positions Pos 1.1.1 and Pos 1.1.2 for the strobe light 30. In Pos 1.1.1, the strobe light 30 is inserted into a wear ring 28, which is designed with a light passage opening 37 for this purpose. The wear ring 28 surrounds the locking area 24e in a horseshoe shape and is only open in the rearward direction R, so that the kingpin 12 can be retracted from the retraction opening 22 into the locking area 24e.

[0036] The strobe light 30 is arranged within the wear ring 28, offset from the locking area 24e, and the light passage opening 37 is formed between the strobe light 30 and the locking area 24e. This prevents the kingpin 12 from colliding with the strobe light 30, particularly during braking maneuvers, as wear of the wear ring 28 increases and the associated loss of material occurs. Furthermore, the offset mounting of the strobe light 30 within the wear ring 28 reduces contamination of the strobe light 30.

[0037] The attachment of the strobe light 30 within the wear ring 28 is located in a vehicle longitudinal axis X, so that a kingpin 12 can be detected particularly favorably in the rearward extension behind the towing vehicle 20.

[0038] In Fig. 4 An alternative or supplementary mounting position (item 1.1.2) for a strobe light 30 is also indicated, in which the strobe light 30 is also installed in the longitudinal axis X in the coupling plate 24, but below a locking hook 29 of the locking mechanism. In the vertical direction, the locking hook 29 and the strobe light 30 at least partially overlap when the locking hook 29 is in the open position. The light 32 emitted by the strobe light 30 radiates through and / or below the insertion opening 22 of the coupling plate 24 in the direction of the kingpin 12.

[0039] The Fig. 5 shows an alternative or additional mounting position Pos 2.3.4, which in principle would also be possible in mounting position 1.2 and is also located in the vehicle's longitudinal axis X.

[0040] In the mounting position Pos 2.3.4, the strobe light 30 is attached to a flexible holder 33, which holds the strobe light 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 strobe light 30 is pushed below the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24.

[0041] In the embodiment shown according to Fig. 5 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 strobe light 30 is rigidly connected to a holder attachment 35 aligned at an angle to the contact arm 34, which holds the strobe light 30 above the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24, so that the light 32 emitted by the strobe light 30 radiates beyond the coupling plate 24 in the direction of the kingpin 12.

[0042] 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 hits the free end of the contact arm 34. As a result, the flexible holder 33, in the illustration of the Fig. 5 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 strobe light 30.

[0043] 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 34, 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. 5 counterclockwise, and the strobe light 30 is again above the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24.

[0044] The embodiment with a flexible holder 33 according to Fig. 5 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 (item 1.2). During the coupling of a trailer 10, its kingpin 12 passes over the connecting web 27 at a small vertical distance, which would destroy a strobe light 30 rigidly mounted thereon. By attaching the strobe light 30 to a flexible holder 33, it is possible to utilize the favorable position of the strobe light 30 in the area of ​​the vehicle's longitudinal axis X and yet pivot the strobe light 30 out of the area of ​​influence of the kingpin 12. In this mounting position (item 1.2), the kingpin 12 would push the flexible holder 33 out of the upright position.

[0045] The design figure according to Fig. 6 With the mounting position Pos 2, provides an alternative or additional rigid attachment of the strobe light 30 within the connecting web 27. The strobe light 30 is also located in this mounting position Pos 2 in the vehicle's longitudinal axis X and is at least partially projected over in the rearward direction R by the connecting web 27, so that the strobe light 30 is always protected from the kingpin 12 and other colliding parts of the trailer vehicle 10, even in the event of a faulty coupling of the trailer vehicle 10. The kingpin 12 retracting into the coupling plate 24 sweeps over the connecting web 27 in the retraction direction XK.

[0046] The Fig. 7 represents an alternative or supplementary mounting position, item 2.1.1, which in principle can also be used in the mounting position, item 2.2. In both mounting positions, item 2.1.1 and item 2.2, the strobe light 30 is attached to the mounting plate 26 by means of a rigid holder 33, either indirectly (item 2.1.1) or directly. The rigid holder 33 is designed as an angle with a horizontal leg and an upright leg, wherein the horizontal leg is penetrated by a fastening screw 39 and the vertical leg carries the strobe light 30. In the illustration of item 2.1.1 according to Fig. 7 One of the bearing blocks 25 is also secured to the mounting plate 26 with the fastening screw 39. This mounting of the strobe light 30 is necessarily arranged laterally offset from the vehicle's longitudinal axis X.

[0047] If the holder 30 is mounted directly on the mounting plate 26 together with the strobe light 30, an alignment along the vehicle's longitudinal axis X according to item 2.2 can also preferably be provided. In this mounting position, item 2.2, there is sufficient free space in the vertical direction so that a kingpin 12 of the trailer vehicle 10 entering the coupling plate 24 during coupling moves over the holder 30 and the strobe light 30 mounted along the vehicle's longitudinal axis X.

[0048] In the Fig. 8 A supplementary or alternative mounting position is illustrated in item 2.1.2, in which the strobe light 30 is rigidly integrated into one of the bearing blocks 25. For this purpose, the bearing block 25 has a light passage opening 37 formed in the rearward direction R, through which the light 32 emitted by the strobe light 30 can pass. The strobe light 30 is located on an inner side of the bearing block 25 facing the vehicle's longitudinal axis X and is thus particularly well protected against damage and external influences.

[0049] The Fig. 9 Figure 2.3.1 shows a supplementary or alternative mounting position, in which a rigid holder 33, together with the strobe light 30, is attached laterally to the coupling plate 24. The holder 33 and the strobe light 30 are arranged below a vertical level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 and the entry horns 24d. Mounting the holder 33 and the strobe light 30 laterally next to the entry horns 24d is particularly preferred, since from there the light 32 emitted by the strobe light 30 strikes the trailer vehicle 10 in the rearward direction R without obstruction.

[0050] The Fig. 10 represents a supplementary or alternative mounting position Pos 2.3.2, in which the strobe light 30 is fastened by means of a rigid holder 33 on the underside 24b of the coupling plate 24, in particular under one of the entry horns 24d. The light 32 emitted by the strobe light 30 emerges in the rearward direction R from a light passage opening 37, which is aligned with the strobe light 30 in the coupling plate 24, in particular in the respective entry horn 24d. Due to the perspective bottom view of the Fig. 10 the light passage opening 37 formed in the downwardly sloping, ramp-shaped upper side of the entry horn 24d is not visible (see Fig. 3 ). Each entry horn 24d is arranged laterally offset to the vehicle's longitudinal axis X, so that a strobe light 30 inserted therein also has a laterally offset position to the vehicle's longitudinal axis X in the mounting position Pos 2.3.2.

[0051] The Fig. 11 The mounting position shown in item 2.3.3 largely corresponds to item 2.3.2 and differs only in that the strobe light 30 is not inserted into a rigid holder 33, but into a stiffening rib 24c arranged on the underside 24b of the coupling plate 24, in particular in the area of ​​the entry horns 24d.

[0052] The Fig. 12 shows a front view of a kingpin 12 of a coupling device 11 arranged on a trailer vehicle. The kingpin 12 is illuminated by the emitted light 32 of the strobe light 30, and correspondingly reflected light 60 is temporarily visible on its surface. The reflected light 60 is recognizable as a strip-shaped central reflection cloud 61 over the entire axial height HK of the kingpin 12.

[0053] The light receiver 40 is connected to the Fig. 2 The electronic evaluation unit 50 is connected to the exemplary electronic evaluation unit 50. The electronic evaluation unit 50 identifies, for example, the central reflection cloud 61, which is significantly brighter than the surroundings, using image recognition software located thereon, and thereby locates the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10. The electronic evaluation unit 50 determines the distance I to the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10 from a height HM of the central reflection cloud 61.

[0054] It is also optionally possible, after locating the coupling means 11, for example, the kingpin 12, to perform a contour evaluation of the image provided by the light receiver 40 and the electronic evaluation unit 50 using the electronic evaluation unit 50. For a kingpin 12 as the coupling means 11, the contour evaluation comprises an evaluation 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 located coupling means 11 is suitable for being received by the towing vehicle-side coupling 21. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

[0055] 10Trailer vehicle 11Trailer coupling device 12King pin 13Semi-trailer plate 14Mounting plate 20Towing vehicle 21Towing vehicle-side coupling 22Inlet opening 23Fifth wheel coupling 24Coupling plate 24aTop of coupling plate 24bBottom of coupling plate 24cStiffening rib of coupling plate 24dInlet horns of coupling plate 24eLocking area of ​​coupling plate 25Bearing block 26Mounting plate 27Connecting web of insertion opening 28Wear ring 29Locking hook 30Light source / strobe light 31Pivot bearing 32Emitted light 33Strobe light holder 34Spring element holder 35Strobe light holder fastening 36Contact arm 37Light aperture 38Optical center axis of strobe light 39Holder fastening screw 40Light receiver 41Detection range light receiver 42Optical center axis light receiver 50electronic evaluation unit 60reflected light 61central reflection cloud 62central line of the central reflection cloud 63outer viewing edge kingpin AKedge distance kingpin HK Height kingpin HM Height center reflection cloud IDistance coupling means RRearward direction XVehicle longitudinal axis XK Kingpin entry direction

Claims

1. A device for locating a coupling means (11, 12) arranged on a trailer vehicle (10) before the coupling operation, comprising a coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side that is designed with an insertion opening (22) which is open in the rearward direction (R) and is intended for the entry of the coupling means (11), a light transmitter (30) fitted to the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side, and a light receiver (40) which captures light (60) from the light transmitter (30) that is reflected by the coupling means (11), wherein the light transmitter is a stroboscopic light (30), wherein an electronic evaluation unit (50) is provided, characterized in that with means of the electronic evaluation unit (50) from a mean reflection cloud (61) of the reflected light (60), which images all reflective points of light on the surface of the coupling means (11, 12) on the trailer vehicle (10), received by the light receiver (40), a presence of the coupling means (11) and a height (HM) of the mean reflection cloud (61) and from the height (HM) of the mean reflection cloud (61) a distance (1) to the coupling means (11) is determined.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stroboscopic light (30) is aligned in such a way that the emitted light (32) is emitted in the rearward direction (R) with respect to the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side is a fifth wheel coupling (23), wherein the stroboscopic light (30) is attached to a coupling plate (24), one of two bearing blocks (25) or a mounting plate (26) of the fifth wheel coupling (23).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the stroboscopic light (30) is pivotally attached to the coupling plate (24).

5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light receiver (40) is arranged on the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side.

6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light receiver (40) is aligned in such a way that the reflected light (60) from the rearward direction (R) is captured.

7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light receiver (40) is a camera or a photocell.

8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the stroboscopic light (30) and the light receiver (40) are integrated into a common structural unit.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the common structural unit comprises a plurality of stroboscopic lights (30) which are arranged offset in the circumferential direction around the light receiver (40).

10. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the stroboscopic light (30) and the light receiver (40) are arranged in the installed position on opposite sides, symmetrically to the vehicle's longitudinal axis (X) of the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side.

11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a contour evaluation on both sides of the mean reflection cloud (61) and a verification of the coupling means (11) are carried out by means of the electronic evaluation unit (50).