Kingpin arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a kingpin arrangement (1) for a semi-trailer of a truck-trailer combination, said kingpin arrangement comprising a kingpin (2) that defines an axis of rotation (A), wherein the kingpin (2) has a kingpin flange (3) for connecting the kingpin (2) directly or indirectly to the semi-trailer. Said arrangement also has: an angle measuring device (15) that is at least partially sunk into the kingpin (2) and comprises a shaft (17) mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (A); and a driver (18) that is connected to the shaft (17) and can be pivoted about the axis of rotation (A).

Description

[0001] Kingpin arrangement

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention relates to a kingpin arrangement for a semi-trailer of a truck, comprising a kingpin defining a rotation axis, wherein the kingpin has a kingpin flange for connecting the kingpin directly or indirectly to the semi-trailer.

[0004] Such a kingpin arrangement is known, for example, from the documents DE 20 2022 106 659 U, EP 3 891 051 A1, EP 1 918 179 A1 and DE10 2004 024 333 A1.

[0005] The towing vehicle and the semi-trailer, also simply called the semi-trailer, form the truck / trailer combination. A fifth wheel coupling plate is arranged on the towing vehicle, which engages and locks the kingpin located on the underside of the semi-trailer. The fifth wheel coupling plate is usually designed with a wedge-shaped entry opening tapered in the direction of travel for coupling the semi-trailer. The entry opening has a free installation space with a depth that ensures trouble-free insertion and removal of the kingpin into the fifth wheel coupling plate. During coupling, the semi-trailer slides with its semi-trailer plate, to which the kingpin is directly or indirectly mounted, on the surface of the fifth wheel coupling plate, thereby determining the vertical position.Lateral guidance is ensured by the kingpin, which is positively guided in the entry opening during coupling until it reaches its locking position. The entry opening is determined downwards by the length of the kingpin. In other words, components located below the entry opening, such as reinforcement ribs, cannot be caught by the kingpin when coupling and uncoupling the trailer.

[0006] Terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "top," and "bottom" refer herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, to the direction of gravity. Accordingly, a "bottom" is the side facing downward relative to the direction of gravity (e.g., of the kingpin), and the top is the side facing upward relative to the direction of gravity. Terms such as "axial," "radial," and "tangential" refer herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, to the axis of rotation defined by the kingpin.

[0007] When the towing vehicle and semi-trailer are coupled, it is desirable to know the angular position of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle as accurately as possible and to communicate this information to a control device on the towing vehicle and / or the semi-trailer. This information is relevant, for example, for steerable axles on the trailer or for optimizing driver assistance systems, both when reversing and driving forward. There are numerous approaches to determining the so-called articulation angle between the towing vehicle and the semi-trailer. Reference is made, for example, to the documents CN 1 12 298 383 A, EP 3 162 665 A1, EP 3 210 857 B1, DE 202012 008 717 U1, DE 19964 059 A1, US 5 152 544 A, WO 2020 / 248 035 A1, US 2013 / 082 453 A1, US 2015 / 084 311 A1, GB 2 470610 A, DE 10 2018 123 642 A1. Most known systems use a magnet and a magnetic field sensor.The sensor is usually attached directly or indirectly to the fifth wheel coupling plate, and the magnet to the kingpin. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the measurement result can depend not only on the articulation angle, but also on a misalignment between the sensor and magnet after coupling, and on play between the kingpin and the fifth wheel coupling plate when coupled. These two influencing factors therefore result in the output of incorrect angle values.

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a kingpin assembly that creates the conditions for simple and accurate articulation angle determination. This object is achieved by a kingpin assembly according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, the kingpin arrangement has an angle measuring device which is at least partially recessed into the kingpin and has a shaft which is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation and a driver which is connected so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (A) and which is connected so as to be rotatable with the shaft.

[0010] In contrast to an angle sensor with an external angle encoder, an angle measuring device is understood to be a unit integrated in a housing consisting of an angle encoder and a coordinated angle sensor that can rotate about the axis of rotation relative to the angle encoder. The shaft is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to either the angle encoder or the angle sensor in order to transmit rotary movement and is rotatably mounted in the housing. The counterpart of the unit, i.e. the angle sensor or the angle encoder, is in turn connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the housing, so that either the shaft can rotate together with the angle encoder relative to the angle sensor and the housing, or conversely the shaft can rotate together with the angle sensor relative to the angle encoder and the housing. Accordingly, the driver drives the angle encoder or the angle sensor via the shaft, and the counterpart is held in a rotationally fixed manner to the kingpin via the housing.

[0011] This inventive solution differs from all known solutions in that both the angle sensor and the angle encoder are assigned to the kingpin assembly and thus to the semitrailer. The relative position of the angle sensor and angle encoder is therefore always the same, apart from the articulation angle to be measured, regardless of the condition of the fifth wheel coupling plate and its spatial position relative to the kingpin after the towing vehicle has been coupled to the semitrailer. The inventive solution also has the significant advantage of being very easy to retrofit, since only the semitrailer requires modification.

[0012] A driver is understood here as a means which, on the one hand, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft of the angle measuring device and, on the other hand, is designed to be supported directly or indirectly on a component of the towing vehicle, such as the fifth wheel coupling plate, its bearing blocks, its support frame or a connecting unit (plug socket) or its holder, and thereby transmits a relative rotation of this component about the axis of rotation to the shaft. The driver is designed, for example, to interact with the fifth wheel coupling plate in the coupled state in such a way that the relative rotation between the kingpin and the fifth wheel coupling plate is transmitted to the shaft with as little play as possible. For this purpose, an indirect or direct form-fitting contact between the driver and the fifth wheel coupling plate or an element fixed to it can be considered.

[0013] For this purpose, the driver particularly preferably comprises a centering element which is designed to center the driver with respect to the entry opening of a fifth wheel coupling plate of a towing vehicle.

[0014] In this design, the centering element serves to support itself on the fifth wheel coupling plate and thereby transmit a relative rotation of the same around the rotation axis of the kingpin to the shaft.

[0015] Preferably, the shaft extends outward on an underside of the kingpin facing away from the kingpin flange and is connected to the driver. The shaft is referred to as "extended" if it protrudes from the underside of the housing of the angle measuring device and / or the kingpin in such a way that radial access to the shaft is possible, for example, to connect the driver radially to the shaft.

[0016] Preferably, the kingpin on the underside projects downwards over the driver and the shaft with at least one projection in the axial direction.

[0017] The projection serves to protect the shaft and the driver, particularly when the kingpin is moved in and out of the entry opening of the fifth wheel plate, against collision with components of the towing vehicle, in particular the fifth wheel plate, its bearing blocks or substructure.

[0018] The angle measuring device is advantageously a non-contact angle measuring device. This preferably comprises a non-contact angle sensor, in particular a magnetic field or Hall sensor, a capacitive sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0019] Non-contact sensors have a number of advantages, in particular they are not susceptible to wear, have virtually no slippage and provide an immediate electronic signal that can be made available for further processing.

[0020] The angle sensor can accordingly advantageously be configured to generate a magnetization pattern, in particular it can comprise one or more magnets or magnetic sections or magnetic coatings, an optically detectable marking pattern, in particular a paint application or a discoloration.

[0021] The angle sensor preferably comprises or generates a pattern that varies in the circumferential direction and / or radial direction.

[0022] Due to the variation, an evaluation electronics is able to assign the sensor signal to an angular position even when there is no relative movement between the angle sensor and the angle encoder, i.e. when the kingpin is not rotating relative to the fifth wheel coupling plate.

[0023] The pattern particularly preferably defines a central position.

[0024] According to a particularly advantageous development, the angle measuring device comprises a magnetic angle sensor and an angle encoder that generates a magnetization pattern. As an alternative to a non-contact angle measuring device, a potentiometric angle measuring device can also be provided.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the kingpin arrangement comprises a weld-in plate connected or connectable to the semi-trailer, which is adapted for connection to the kingpin flange.

[0026] The weld-in plate is a well-known, plate-shaped attachment that is usually welded to the semi-trailer's bedplate and features a mounting surface that matches the kingpin flange and mounting holes for attaching the kingpin. The weld-in plate allows for non-destructive removal and replacement of the kingpin.

[0027] In a first alternative embodiment, the angle measuring device is preferably countersunk into the kingpin on the upper side associated with the kingpin flange and the shaft is rotatably mounted or received in a bore axially penetrating the kingpin.

[0028] This design has the advantage that the angle measuring device is enclosed between the kingpin and the weld-on plate, providing excellent mechanical protection. Damage to the device during coupling is virtually impossible. Furthermore, the shaft is guided over a longer length in the kingpin, so that any radial loads are not transferred, or only to a limited extent, to the shaft bearings in the angle measuring device.

[0029] It is particularly preferred that the angle measuring device is sunk into the kingpin on the upper side so far that the angle measuring device has a distance d > 1 mm, preferably > 2 mm, from the bottom of the welding plate when the kingpin is connected to the welding plate, and very particularly preferred that the angle measuring device is sunk into the kingpin flush with the upper side.

[0030] This ensures that the angle measuring device fits completely into the space between the kingpin and the welding plate and is protected from damage before and during installation.

[0031] In a second alternative embodiment, the angle measuring device is preferably recessed into the kingpin on the underside facing away from the kingpin flange. This design has the advantage that the bore axially penetrating the kingpin is eliminated. Furthermore, the angle measuring device is easily accessible from the outside on this side, so the kingpin does not have to be removed first for replacement or repair. Finally, the cable routing to the angle measuring device is also simplified.

[0032] Preferably, the kingpin arrangement has a pivot bearing arranged around the axis of rotation, which has a bearing ring or a fixed bearing ring segment that is fixed relative to the kingpin and a bearing ring or a rotatable bearing ring segment that is rotatable relative thereto, wherein the driver is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner directly or indirectly to the rotatable bearing ring or rotatable bearing ring segment.

[0033] Such a pivot bearing is already known, for example, from the documents DE 202022 106659 U, EP 3 891 051 A1, EP 1 918 179 A1 and DE102004 024 333 A1 mentioned above. The invention provides for the use of this pivot bearing to guide the driver, which is otherwise only connected to the shaft of the angle measuring device, and thus to relieve the bearing of the shaft in the housing of the angle measuring device when radially acting loads occur and to ensure a defined rotary movement of the angle sensor and angle encoder relative to one another. By "directly or indirectly" "fixed" to the rotatable bearing ring or rotatable bearing ring segment, we mean that the driver is connected to the bearing ring or rotatable bearing ring segment, if necessary, via other components and, apart from usual elasticities, without any degrees of freedom of movement.

[0034] The pivot bearing is preferably arranged at a radial distance from the kingpin. Accordingly, the driver is preferably supported at a radial distance from the shaft and particularly preferably at its free end on the rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segment.

[0035] It should be noted that both fixed bearing rings and rotating bearing rings with a 360° circumference, as well as just “bearing ring segments” or a combination of a bearing ring on the one hand and a “bearing ring segment” on the other, can be used for the pivot bearing. Bearing ring segments are generally sufficient to guarantee the degree of freedom of rotation and to determine the position in all other dimensions, especially since the fifth wheel coupling only allows rotation over a maximum pitch circle of approximately 260°. Completely ring-shaped fixed and rotating bearing rings, however, have the advantage of greater rigidity, which in turn ensures more precise position definition, particularly when tilting moments occur, and are therefore generally preferred. The kingpin arrangement preferably also has a kingpin which is attached to the rotating bearing ring orsupport frame fixed to the rotatable bearing ring segment, wherein the driver is fixed to the support frame and thus indirectly to the rotatable bearing ring or rotatable bearing ring segment.

[0036] The support frame is preferably further configured to accommodate a connecting means for connection to a corresponding connecting unit of a towing vehicle, in particular an electrical and / or electromagnetic and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic connecting means.

[0037] The electrical and / or electromagnetic and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic connecting means is part of a plug-in coupling system for connecting lines between the towing vehicle and the semi-trailer, as described, for example, in DE10 2004 024 333 A1. Plug-in coupling systems are known in various designs. The plug-in coupling system contains at least a plug and a socket and usually also other components that serve to automatically connect and disconnect the plug and socket when coupling or uncoupling the semi-trailer and the towing vehicle. The term "connecting means" in this sense therefore includes at least a plug or a socket. For safety reasons, the current-carrying end of the plug-in coupling system is usually designed as a socket on the towing vehicle, while the corresponding plug is arranged on the semi-trailer.In particular, the connector socket on the fifth wheel coupling is fixed below the entry opening and is thus located in a protected area where it cannot collide with the kingpin during entry. The connecting element, usually the connector, is usually located on the underside of the support frame or in a cavity within the support frame.

[0038] Furthermore, the plug can be mounted on a base plate on the support frame, which is spring-loaded relative to the support frame in the vertical direction. From the coupling of the trailer until the final connection between the plug and socket is established, the spring-loaded base plate or the plug is guided under pressure to an insertion aid in the area of ​​the entry opening, which automatically positions the plug vertically and thus ensures any necessary height compensation.

[0039] The support frame preferably has a wedge- or V-shaped configuration, viewed in projection onto a horizontal plane, which is at least partially complementary to the wedge-shaped insertion opening of the fifth wheel coupling plate. As a result, the support frame aligns itself precisely with the fifth wheel coupling during insertion, which, on the one hand, enables the secure connection of the plug and socket, and, on the other hand, ensures centering of the driver fixed to the support frame with respect to the insertion opening in the fifth wheel coupling plate through an indirect positive fit. In other words, the support frame forms the centering element, which centers the driver with respect to the insertion opening of a fifth wheel coupling plate of a towing vehicle.

[0040] The support frame preferably has a support element that is axially spaced from the rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segment and directly adjacent to the kingpin.

[0041] The rotating bearing ring or the rotating bearing ring segment, together with the stationary bearing ring or the stationary bearing ring segment, forms an axial-radial pivot bearing, i.e., an upper suspension for the support frame with only one rotational degree of freedom for the frame. The position of the support frame is determined radially and axially relative to the kingpin and thus to the trailer plate by the pivot bearing. However, due to its radial length and an unfavorable lever at its free, plug-side end, the support frame can tilt downward, particularly when wear occurs. This can only be partially counteracted by stiffening the bearing structure and the support frame, especially since care should be taken to ensure that these components are as lightweight as possible.Therefore, the support element is provided to counteract the tilt by forming a lower support for the support frame on the kingpin, axially spaced from the plane of the pivot bearing—this is defined by the plane of the mutually resting sliding surfaces of the bearing rings / bearing ring segments. The support element rests on the kingpin, and particularly preferably on the upper or lower collar of the kingpin, and transmits any tilting moments to the kingpin. This defines the vertical position of the support frame and the plug relative to the kingpin and the trailer plate, ensuring that the coupling process can be carried out safely in the manner described above through vertical and horizontal guidance.

[0042] Furthermore, the support element is preferably adjustable in length in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation.

[0043] Due to wear and tear, and particularly in the case of retrofitted or replaced kingpin assemblies, variations in the relative arrangement of the connecting elements and the kingpin can arise due to manufacturing tolerances, which endanger secure coupling despite the support described above. The support element, which is radially adjustable in length, provides an adjustment option for the inclination of the support frame. This enables fine adjustment of the vertical position of the plug relative to the plug socket, which can be used to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, wear and tear, for example, so that coupling can be carried out safely in the usual way. The support element preferably has a sliding surface in contact with the kingpin. Because the support element is a separate component, it can be easily optimized with regard to its function as a sliding element.This is particularly preferably done by forming the sliding surface from the surface of a friction-reduced material. In this sense, the sliding element can be made predominantly from the friction-reduced material, in which case one would speak of a solid material, or it can have a coating made of such a material. A friction-reduced material refers to a material that contains tribologically active fillers, so-called dry lubricants such as, preferably, graphite, PTFE, M0S2, h-BN, lead, tin or the like, and therefore has a low coefficient of friction in its interaction with the kingpin compared to the aluminum or steel material without fillers usually used for the support frame. Possible matrix materials for such solid materials or coatings include, for example, plastic, bronze or aluminum.

[0044] Likewise preferably, the support element therefore has a plastic matrix at least along the sliding surface, in particular made of thermoplastic plastic, in particular of polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0045] The kingpin preferably has a cylindrical outer surface arranged coaxially around the axis of rotation with the radius r, or at least a segment thereof, against which the support element rests. Here again, it should be noted that due to the limited angle of rotation of the fifth wheel coupling, one cylinder segment is sufficient, but the kingpin generally has one circular cross-section over its entire axial extent, or several circular cross-sections due to its obligatory constriction, and in this sense has at least one cylindrical outer surface against which the support element can be supported. Since the obligatory constriction is provided for locking with the fifth wheel coupling, the kingpin can be supported either above this, on the so-called upper collar, or below it, on the so-called lower collar.

[0046] The sliding surface is preferably geometrically designed such that the support element is centered relative to the kingpin in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This is advantageously achieved either by the sliding surface forming a V-shaped contour in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, or by the sliding surface being designed as a concavely curved surface with a radius r', wherein the radius r' is between r - 5 mm and r + 5 mm, more preferably between r - 1 mm and r + 5 mm, and particularly preferably between r and r + 5 mm. In both cases, the position of the sliding surface is defined in the tangential direction relative to the axis of rotation or the cylindrical surface of the kingpin. The support element is preferably connected to the support frame by means of a connecting element whose length is adjustable in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. As part of the support element, the connecting element ensures its adjustability in the radial direction.Particularly preferably, the support element is connected to the support frame by means of a threaded rod (as a connecting element) extending radially relative to the rotational axis. Alternative embodiments, instead of the threaded rod, provide pins or rods in conjunction with clamping pieces or clamping screws, strips with elongated holes and connecting screws, a toggle lever arrangement, or toothed or interlocked elements such as a rack and corresponding counterparts engaging with the toothing.

[0047] The support frame preferably has a cross brace on which the length-adjustable connecting element and / or the threaded rod is supported. The cross brace extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and substantially tangentially at a sufficient distance from the kingpin to allow for length adjustment of the support element.

[0048] The fixed bearing ring or fixed bearing ring segment is preferably attached directly to the kingpin flange. This allows for easy replacement or retrofitting of the kingpin assembly without having to make any structural changes to the semi-trailer itself. For example, an old kingpin can be unscrewed from the trailer plate and a new kingpin with the same hole pattern can be installed in its place in the kingpin flange, including the pivot bearing and support frame.

[0049] The stationary bearing ring or the stationary bearing ring segment is preferably arranged radially inward relative to the rotation axis, and the rotating bearing ring or the rotating bearing ring segment is arranged radially outward. This also contributes to easy replacement or retrofitting of the kingpin arrangement while simultaneously ensuring optimal rotational guidance, as will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

[0050] Preferably, a spacer is arranged on the support frame, which spacer projects upwards from the support frame in the direction of the axis of rotation and is designed to support the support frame directly or indirectly on the semi-trailer.

[0051] The length-adjustable support element is preferably adjusted so that the support frame rests against the trailer plate with the spacer, thereby reducing the tendency of the support frame to vibrate and allowing the position of the free end of the support frame, where the connecting element is located, to be determined even more precisely. To avoid mechanical stresses when the support frame rotates around the kingpin, the support element is advantageously aligned with the lowest point of the area of ​​the trailer plate that the support frame can cover during rotation.

[0052] The rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segment advantageously has a cylinder wall segment extending in the direction of the axis of rotation, to which the support frame is fixed. The cylinder wall segment forms the vertical connection from the plane of the axial pivot bearing to the support frame and is also suitable for forming the cross strut for supporting the length-adjustable connecting element and / or the threaded rod.

[0053] The cylinder wall segment preferably has a width in the tangential direction of < (2.1 xr) and is thus involved in guiding the connecting means during coupling as the radially innermost part of the V-shaped support element.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the support element is designed to be elastically deformable at least in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation and / or has a spring element acting in this direction, so that the support element bears against the kingpin with an adjustable preload. The spring element can be, for example, a spiral compression spring, a disc spring assembly, or an elastically deformable plastic body. This design, in conjunction with the length adjustment of the support element, allows a targeted preload to be set, which always ensures that the support element bears against the kingpin and the support frame bears against the trailer plate with constant contact pressure. This reduces any distortion of the support frame and, at the same time, dampens vibrations of the support frame even more effectively.

[0055] These and other features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. They show:

[0056] Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a first embodiment of the kingpin arrangement;

[0057] Figure 2 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the kingpin arrangement;

[0058] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the kingpin arrangement;

[0059] Figure 4 the kingpin arrangement from below with supporting frame and

[0060] Figure 5 shows the kingpin assembly in an exploded view. Figure 1 shows a kingpin assembly 1 for a semi-trailer of a truck with a kingpin 2 defining a rotation axis A. The kingpin 2 has a kingpin flange 3 for connecting the kingpin 2 to a weld-in plate 4. The kingpin flange rests with its generally face-turned mounting surface 5 against a likewise face-turned mounting surface 6 of the weld-in plate 4 and is fixed thereto by means of a plurality of screws 7 arranged in a circle around the rotation axis A.

[0061] The weld-in plate 4 is in turn welded to a trailer plate 9 of the semi-trailer (not shown). The welded connection is symbolized by two circumferential weld seams 10 and 11. The first circumferential weld seam 10 can be seen along the maximum circumference of the weld-in plate 4, and the second circumferential weld seam 11 can be seen along the inner circumferential surface of a through hole 12 in the trailer plate 9, through which the kingpin 2 projects downwards into the free space below the trailer plate 9.

[0062] The kingpin 2 has an annular bulge 14 around the rotation axis A on its upper surface 13 facing the flange 3. This bulge is an artifact of the usually forged kingpin. The bulge 14 forms the highest elevation of the upper surface 13 of the kingpin 2 in the illustrated installation position.

[0063] The kingpin assembly 1 has an angle measuring device 15 that is at least partially recessed into the kingpin 2 from above. More precisely, the angle measuring device 15 is flush with the top side 13 of the kingpin 2, i.e., the bead 14, and is spaced a distance d from the bottom 16 of the weld-in plate 4 facing the kingpin 2. This provides mechanical protection for the angle measuring device 15 before and during assembly of the kingpin to the weld-in plate 4. Furthermore, it is ensured that the angle measuring device 15 fits entirely within the installation space between the kingpin 2 and the weld-in plate 4, and that no complex modification of the weld-in plate 4, which is firmly connected to the semi-trailer, is necessary.

[0064] The angle measuring device 15 has a shaft 17 rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation A and a driver 18 connected to the shaft 17 and pivotable about the axis of rotation A. The shaft 17 is rotatably mounted or received in a bore axially penetrating the kingpin 2. The shaft 17 extends out of the kingpin 2 on an underside 19 thereof facing away from the kingpin flange 3 and is connected there in a rotationally fixed manner to the driver 18. The driver 18 extends radially away from the shaft 17 and connects it directly or indirectly to a component of the towing vehicle in a manner not shown in detail here. In the example shown here, the shaft 17 and the driver 18 are designed as hollow profiles in which a signal line 20 is guided outwards in a protected manner from the angle measuring device 15.

[0065] The kingpin has a projection 21 on its underside 19 that projects downwards in the axial direction over the driver 18 and the shaft 17, thus protecting the shaft 17 and the driver 18 from collision with components of the towing vehicle when entering or exiting the entry opening. The projection 21 is located on the front side of the kingpin 2, relative to the direction of travel 22, and spans a circular segment over an angle of approximately 100° in the circumferential direction. The kingpin is offset upwards over an angle of approximately 260° to provide a correspondingly large pivoting range for the driver, which generally corresponds to the maximum articulation angle of the semi-trailer relative to the towing vehicle on both sides.

[0066] The kingpin otherwise comprises, in a conventional manner, an upper collar 22, a constriction 23, and a lower collar 24, viewed from top to bottom. The constriction 23 is the section where the locking mechanism of the fifth wheel coupling engages. The upper collar 22, the constriction 23, and the lower collar 24 all have a circular-cylindrical basic shape.

[0067] Figure 2 shows a kingpin arrangement 1' which is largely identical in construction, the elements of which differ from those of the example according to Figure 1 only in the following features.

[0068] Although in this example, the angle measuring device 15 is also recessed into the kingpin 2 on the upper side 13 to such an extent that the angle measuring device 15 occupies a distance d > 1 mm, preferably > 2 mm, from the bottom 16 of the weld-in plate 4, it is not flush with the upper side 13 here, but protrudes slightly beyond it. If the installation space between the kingpin flange 3 and the bottom 16 of the weld-in plate 7 permits, a shallower recess in the kingpin is sufficient, which weakens the kingpin less.

[0069] In this example, the shaft 17 is designed as a hollow profile, but the driver 18 is not. For this reason, the signal cable 20 is only guided out of the kingpin, protected within the shaft, but from there runs along the outside of the driver 18. A solid driver has the advantage of greater strength, in particular greater flexural rigidity, and can therefore transmit the same bending force with a smaller cross-section, which takes into account the limited installation space at this point. A further difference is that the kingpin arrangement 1' has a pivot bearing 25 arranged about the rotation axis A and a support frame 26 connected to the pivot bearing 25 and pivotable about the rotation axis A. The support frame 26 is shown again in its entirety in a bottom view in Figure 4, and the structure of the pivot bearing 25 is shown in detail in Figure 5.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4, the support frame 26 has a mounting base with a cylinder wall segment 27 and two fork-shaped holding arms 28 projecting substantially radially from the cylinder wall segment 27. On its upper side, the support frame 26 has a protective cover 29. A connecting means, generally in the form of a plug (not shown), is located beneath the protective cover 29 within the support frame 26 at its free end 30 and indirectly attached to it via a base plate. The support frame 26 is designed in sections as a V-shaped frame construction, the sides of which are adapted to the angle of the corresponding insertion opening.

[0071] The weld-in plate 4 has a recess extending upwards toward the base 16, in which the kingpin flange 3 and, in part, the pivot bearing 25 are received. The depth of the recess plus the thickness of the trailer plate 9 are dimensioned such that the pivot bearing 25, with the exception of the integrally formed cylinder wall segment 27 of the support frame 26, does not protrude beyond the underside of the trailer plate 9.

[0072] As shown in Figure 5, the pivot bearing 25 comprises a bearing ring 31 that is fixed relative to the kingpin 2 and a bearing ring 32 that is rotatable relative thereto. The fixed bearing ring 31 is fastened directly to the kingpin flange 3 by means of screws 33. By screwing the flange 3 to the weld-in plate 7 and by screwing the fixed bearing ring 31 to the flange 3, the kingpin arrangement 1 as a whole or just parts of the pivot bearing 25 can be easily replaced. In particular, during retrofitting, no structural changes are required to the semi-trailer because the kingpin arrangement 1 according to the invention can simply be installed in place of an old one. This is ensured not only by the identical screw connection, but also by the small installation space required for the pivot bearing 25 including the support frame 26.For this purpose, it is advantageous if, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the fixed bearing ring 31 is arranged radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation A and the rotatable bearing ring 32 is arranged radially outward.

[0073] The rotating bearing ring 32, together with the stationary bearing ring 31, forms an axial-radial pivot bearing. In the axial direction, the bearing is achieved by the mutually engaging axial sliding surfaces of the bearing rings 31 and 32. The sliding surfaces define the "rotation plane." In the radial direction, the bearing rings abut one another along circular cylindrical surfaces, thus limiting the degree of freedom of movement of the support frame 26 to a purely rotary movement. Along its outer circumferential surface, the rotating bearing ring 32 has a circumferentially stepped stiffening edge 34.

[0074] The support frame 26 is fixed to the rotatable bearing ring 31. In the illustrated embodiment, it is integrally formed therewith with its cylinder wall segment 27. The cylinder wall segment 27 thus forms the vertical connection from the rotation plane to the support frame 4 (see Figures 2 and 3). The position of the support frame 26 is thus determined radially and axially relative to the kingpin 2 and the trailer plate 9 by the pivot bearing 25.

[0075] To ensure that the support frame 26 does not tilt downwards, or tilts downwards as little as possible, due to its radial length, the kingpin arrangement 1 has a support element 35. This is connected to the support frame 26 by means of a connecting element 36 whose length is adjustable in the radial direction R relative to the axis of rotation A. It is arranged at an axial distance below the plane of rotation and is supported there directly on a circumferential or cylindrical surface 37 of the upper collar 22 of the kingpin 2, which is arranged coaxially around the axis of rotation A. While the constriction 23 must remain completely free for locking with the fifth wheel coupling, in an alternative embodiment the support element 35 can also be supported on the lower collar 24, which results in an overall larger lever and thus a more secure support.

[0076] In this example, the connecting element 36 is designed as a threaded rod which is screwed into the cylinder wall segment 27 on the radially outer side and is supported thereon in this way. Alternatively, it can also be fixed to the latter, for example by a materially bonded or force-locking connection. On the other side, the threaded rod is screwed into a Meta II block of the support element 35 and locked with a nut. As part of the support element 35, the threaded rod ensures its adjustability in the radial direction R. If the support element 35 is extended, for example in the radial direction, by unscrewing the threaded rod, the support frame 26 is raised at its free end 30, at which the connecting means or plug (not shown) is located, and conversely lowered by screwing it in.The support frame 26 can thus be precisely adapted, for example, to the degree of wear of the kingpin, structural tolerances of the support frame, plug or trailer plate, so that the plug can be brought vertically exactly into its desired position.

[0077] The support element 35 further comprises a sliding surface 38 in direct contact with the cylindrical surface of the kingpin 2. This sliding surface is formed on a plastic block, which in turn is glued or otherwise attached to the metal block of the support element 35. The plastic block has a plastic matrix in which tribologically effective filler particles can be dispersed in order to reduce the coefficient of friction in interaction with the surface of the kingpin 2.

[0078] The sliding surface 38 is designed as a concavely curved surface with a radius r, whereby the support element 35 is aligned relative to the kingpin 2 in a tangential direction with respect to the axis of rotation A or the cylinder surface 37 of the kingpin 2.

[0079] In this embodiment, the driver 18 is fixed to the support frame 26, and more precisely to the cylinder wall segment 27. Since the cylinder wall segment 27 is integrally formed on the rotatable bearing ring 25, the driver 18 is thus also directly fixed to the rotatable bearing ring 25. The driver 18 is thus held at its end facing away from the shaft 17 and guided on a precise circular path around the rotation axis A. This supports the radial bearing of the shaft 17 in the angle measuring device 15 and in the bore of the kingpin 2.

[0080] In this example, the angle measurement signal from the angle measuring device 15 is routed via the signal line 20 from the end of the driver 18 in a radial direction to the connector (not shown), which can be transmitted to a coupled towing vehicle via the connector. However, the signal line 20 can also, or additionally, lead directly to a processor within the semi-trailer, which processes the signal, for example, for controlling steerable axles or driver assistance systems.

[0081] The kingpin arrangement 1" of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3 has essentially the same structural design as that of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2. The differences lie in the positioning of the angle measuring device 15, which is countersunk into the kingpin 2 on the underside 19 facing away from the kingpin flange. As a result, the axial bore through the kingpin is omitted and the shaft 17 is significantly shorter. Otherwise, the driver 18 is also connected to the shaft 17 and runs in the same way as in the exemplary embodiment in Figure 2 up to its end fixed to the cylinder wall segment 27. In this arrangement, the guidance of the driver 18 at its end facing away from the shaft 17 is even more important because the comparatively short shaft 17 is only mounted or supported in the angle measuring device 15 and no longer additionally in a bore in the kingpin 2.The signal line 20 runs completely outside the shaft 17 and along the driver 18. List of reference symbols.

[0082] 1, 1', 1" kingpin arrangement

[0083] 2 kingpins

[0084] 3 Kingpin flange

[0085] 4 welding plates

[0086] 5 Mounting surface of the kingpin flange

[0087] 6 Mounting surface of the welding plate

[0088] 7 screw

[0089] 9 trailer plate

[0090] 10 first weld

[0091] 11 second weld

[0092] 12 through holes

[0093] 13 Top of the kingpin

[0094] 14 bulge

[0095] 15 Angle measuring device

[0096] 16 Bottom of the welding plate

[0097] 17 Wave

[0098] 18 carriers

[0099] 19 Underside of the kingpin

[0100] 20 signal line

[0101] 21 lead

[0102] 22 upper waistband

[0103] 23 Constriction

[0104] 24 lower waistband

[0105] 25 pivot bearings

[0106] 26 supporting frames

[0107] 27 Cylinder wall segment

[0108] 28 Holding arm

[0109] 29 Protective cover

[0110] 30 free end (of the supporting frame)

[0111] 31 fixed bearing ring

[0112] 32 rotating bearing ring

[0113] 33 Screw

[0114] 34 Stiffening edge

[0115] 35 Support element

[0116] 36 Connecting element 37 Cylinder surface

[0117] 38 Sliding surface

[0118] A axis of rotation d distance r radius

[0119] R radial direction

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Kingpin arrangement (1) for a semi-trailer of a truck, comprising a kingpin (2) defining a rotation axis (A), wherein the kingpin (2) has a kingpin flange (3) for connecting the kingpin (2) directly or indirectly to the semi-trailer, characterized by an angle measuring device (15) at least partially countersunk into the kingpin (2) with a shaft (17) mounted so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis (A) and by a driver (18) connected to the shaft (17) and pivotable about the rotation axis (A).

2. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (17) is led out on an underside (19) of the kingpin (2) facing away from the kingpin flange (3) and is connected to the driver (18).

3. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kingpin (2) projects downwards over the driver (18) and the shaft (17) in the axial direction (R) with at least one projection (21) on an underside (19) facing away from the kingpin flange (3).

4. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver (18) comprises a centering element which is designed to center the driver (18) with respect to the entry opening of a fifth wheel coupling plate of a towing vehicle.

5. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle measuring device (15) comprises a magnetic angle sensor and an angle encoder generating a magnetization pattern.

6. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the magnetization pattern defines a center position.

7. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a weld-in plate (7) connected or connectable to the semi-trailer, which is designed for connection to the kingpin flange (3).

8. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle measuring device (15) is countersunk into the kingpin (2) on the upper side (13) assigned to the kingpin flange (3) and in that the shaft (17) is rotatably mounted or received in a bore axially penetrating the kingpin (2).

9. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to claim 7 and 8, characterized in that the angle measuring device (15) on the upper side (13) is sunk into the kingpin (2) to such an extent that the angle measuring device (15) occupies a distance d > 1 mm from the bottom (16) of the welding plate (7) when the kingpin (2) is connected to the welding plate (7).

10. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the angle measuring device (15) is recessed into the kingpin (2) flush with the upper side (13).

11. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the angle measuring device (15) is countersunk into the kingpin (2) on the underside (19) facing away from the kingpin flange (3).

12. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pivot bearing (25) arranged around the axis of rotation (A), which has a bearing ring (31) or a fixed bearing ring segment fixed relative to the kingpin (2) and a bearing ring (32) or a rotatable bearing ring segment rotatable relative thereto, wherein the driver (18) is fixed directly or indirectly to the rotatable bearing ring (32) or rotatable bearing ring segment, 13. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to claim 12, characterized by a support frame (26) fixed to the rotatable bearing ring (32) or rotatable bearing ring segment, wherein the driver (18) is fixed to the support frame (26).

14. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the support frame (26) is designed to accommodate a connecting means for connection to a corresponding connecting unit of a towing vehicle, in particular an electrical and / or electromagnetic and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic connecting means 15. Kingpin arrangement (1) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the support frame (26) has a support element (35) which is axially spaced from the rotatable bearing ring (32) or the rotatable bearing ring segment and directly abuts the kingpin (2).

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