King pin assembly

Abstract

To provide a king pin assembly that easily ensures reliable coupling at the time of wear and at the time of retrofitting or repairing.SOLUTION: A king pin assembly includes: a king pin 2; a pivot bearing 3; and a holder 4 pivotally coupled to the pivot bearing for directly or indirectly holding coupling means and capable of circling. The king pin includes a king pin flange 6 to be assembled on a semi-trailer. The pivot bearing includes: a bearing ring 7 located and fixed relative to the king pin or a bearing ring segment located and fixed; and a bearing ring 8 rotatable relative to the bearing ring or the bearing ring segment or a rotatable bearing ring segment. The holder is located and fixed on the rotatable bearing ring. A support element axially separated from the rotatable bearing ring and directly abutting on the king pin is coupled to the holder. The support element is adjustable in length in a radial direction R with respect to a rotation axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] 1. A kingpin assembly for a semi-trailer of a combination vehicle, comprising a kingpin defining a rotation axis, a pivot bearing arranged about the rotation axis, and a holder connected to the pivot bearing and rotatable about the rotation axis for indirectly or directly holding, in particular, electrical and / or electromagnetic and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic coupling means, wherein the kingpin has a kingpin flange for indirectly or directly assembling the kingpin to the semi-trailer, wherein the pivot bearing has a bearing ring or a bearing ring segment fixed in position relative to the kingpin and a bearing ring or a rotatable bearing ring segment rotatable relative to the bearing ring or the bearing ring segment, and wherein the holder is fixed in position to the rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segment.

[0002] Such kingpin assemblies are known, for example, from EP 3 891 051 A, EP 1 918 179 A and DE 10 2004 024 333 A1.

[0003] The towing vehicle and the semi-trailer, also simply called trailer, form a combination vehicle, also called trailer truck. A fifth wheel plate is arranged on the towing vehicle, into which a kingpin on the underside of the semi-trailer engages and is locked. For coupling the trailer, the fifth wheel plate is usually formed with an entry opening that tapers in the shape of a wedge in the direction of travel and has a free structural space with a structural space depth that ensures the unhindered entry and exit of the kingpin into the fifth wheel plate. During coupling, the trailer slides over the surface of the fifth wheel plate with the trailer plate, on which the kingpin is indirectly or directly mounted in a fixed position, so that a vertical position determination is achieved. The lateral guidance is ensured via the kingpin, which is forcibly guided in the entry opening until it reaches the locked position during coupling. The entry opening is determined downwards by the length of the kingpin. In other words, components located below the access opening, such as reinforcing ribs, cannot be captured by the kingpin when coupling and uncoupling the trailer.

[0004] Terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "up" and "down" are used herein with respect to the direction of gravity unless otherwise specified. Terms such as "axial", "radial" and "tangential" are used herein with respect to the axis of rotation defined by the kingpin unless otherwise specified.

[0005] The electrical and / or electromagnetic and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic coupling means are part of a plug-in coupling system for connecting the lines between the towing vehicle and the trailer, as described, for example, in DE 10 2004 024 333 A1. Plug-in coupling systems are known in different configurations. They include at least a plug and a socket, and usually also further components, which are used for the automatic coupling and uncoupling of the plug and the socket when coupling or uncoupling the semi-trailer to the towing vehicle. The term "coupling means" in this sense therefore includes at least one plug or socket. For safety reasons, the flow-guiding end of the plug-in coupling system is usually configured as a socket on the towing vehicle, whereas a corresponding plug is arranged on the semi-trailer. In particular, the socket is arranged in a fixed position on the fifth wheel, below the entry opening, and is therefore in a protected area that cannot be hit by the kingpin when entering.

[0006] The term "holder" is understood to mean, on the one hand, in a multi-part design, an assembly socket for a support frame, in which the connecting means is held on the support frame and thus indirectly on the holder (= assembly socket), and, on the other hand, in an integral design, the support frame itself is called the holder, and therefore the connecting means is held directly or indirectly on the holder (= support frame).

[0007] The coupling means, i.e. usually the plug, is generally arranged on the underside of the support frame or in a cavity in the support frame, which has a wedge- or V-shaped shape when viewed in a horizontal plane, which is designed to be complementary to the wedge-shaped entry opening so that the support frame is always aligned in the same horizontal position relative to the fifth wheel when entered, thereby allowing a secure coupling of the plug and the socket.

[0008] Furthermore, the plug can be arranged, as is known, on a base plate provided on the support element, which is supported in a vertically resilient manner against the support frame. When the trailer is coupled up to the final production of the plug-socket connection, the spring-loaded base plate or the plug is guided against an insertion aid in the area of ​​the entry opening, so that automatic positioning is also achieved in the vertical direction and thus, for example, the required height compensation is ensured.

[0009] Thus, from DE 10 2004 024 333 A1 it is known, inter alia, to form the support frame of the plug-in device as a V-shaped frame structure, the sides of which are adapted to the angle of the entry opening. Towards the bottom, side surfaces extend from the support frame on both sides, which merge into a common support web at the end on the kingpin side. The support web rests against the lower collar of the kingpin and transfers the resulting tilting moment to the kingpin. This defines the vertical position of the support frame relative to the kingpin and the trailer plate, which ensures that the coupling process can take place reliably with the above-mentioned vertical and horizontal guidance.

[0010] However, due to wear, and in particular in the case of retrofitted or replaced kingpin assemblies, due to manufacturing tolerances, changes in the relative arrangement of the coupling element and the kingpin occur, which changes jeopardize a secure connection despite the above-mentioned height compensation. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a kingpin assembly which easily ensures a secure connection even in the event of wear and in the event of retrofitting or repair.

[0011] This problem is solved by a kingpin assembly according to claim 1.

[0012] According to the invention, the kingpin assembly as mentioned at the outset is improved in that a support element is connected to the holder, which is axially spaced from the rotatable bearing ring or rotatable bearing ring segment and bears directly against the kingpin, and which support element is radially adjustable in length with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0013] The rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segment together with the fixed bearing ring or the fixed bearing ring segment form an axial-radial pivot bearing, i.e. an upper suspension for the holder and / or the support frame, which has a rotational degree of freedom exclusively for the holder or the support frame. The position of the holder is defined radially and axially relative to the kingpin and thus to the trailer plate by the pivot bearing. However, due to its radial construction length and unfavorable levers, the support frame can tilt downwards at its free end on the plug side, especially in the event of wear. This can only be partially countered by a reinforcement of the bearing structure and the support frame, since, among other things, the lightest possible construction form of these components must be taken into account. Therefore, a support element is provided, which acts against the tilting by forming a lower support for the holder and thus the support frame on the kingpin, axially spaced apart from the plane of the pivot bearing, which is defined by the plane of the aligned axial sliding surfaces of the bearing ring / bearing ring segment. This defines the vertical position of the plug relative to the kingpin and trailer plate, as described above. However, according to the invention, the support is not provided directly by an integral component of the support frame, but via a separate support element which is radially length adjustable and thus provides adjustability for the inclination of the holder and the support frame. This allows fine adjustment of the vertical position of the plug relative to the socket, which can for example compensate for manufacturing tolerances, wear, etc., so that the coupling can be performed reliably as usual.

[0014] It should be mentioned here that for the pivot bearing, fixed and rotatable bearing rings with a circumference of 360° can be used, respectively just "bearing ring segments" or a combination consisting of a bearing ring and a "bearing ring segment" can be used. To ensure the freedom of rotational movement and to be fixed in all remaining dimensions, a bearing ring segment is basically sufficient, since the five-ring in any case only allows a rotational movement over a maximum pitch circle of about 260°. However, complete ring-shaped fixed and rotatable bearing rings have the advantage of being more rigid, which ensures a more accurate position definition, especially in the event of a tilting moment, and is therefore always preferred.

[0015] The support element preferably has a sliding surface which contacts the kingpin. The fact that the support element is a separate component allows for simple optimization of the function of the support element as a sliding element. This is particularly preferably achieved by the sliding surface being formed by a surface of a friction-reducing material. The sliding element in this sense can be manufactured primarily from a friction-reducing material, in which case it is a solid material or has a coating made of such a material. A friction-reducing material means a material which contains tribologically effective fillers, so-called dry lubricants, such as preferably graphite, PTFE, MoS2, h-BN, lead, tin, etc., and thus has a lower coefficient of friction in interaction with the kingpin compared to the aluminum or steel materials without fillers that are usually used for the support frame. Such solid materials or base materials for the coating can be, for example, plastics, bronze or aluminum.

[0016] It is therefore also preferred that the support element, at least along the sliding surface, has a plastic matrix, in particular made of a thermoplastic plastic, in particular polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).

[0017] The kingpin preferably has a cylindrical circumference with a radius r arranged coaxially about the axis of rotation or at least one segment of this cylindrical circumference, on which the support element rests. Here too, due to the limited rotation angle of the fifth wheel, a cylindrical segment is sufficient, but usually the kingpin has one cross section over its entire axial extension or, due to its necessary constrictions, has several circular cross sections, in this sense it can be said to have at least one cylindrical circumference on which the support element can be supported. Due to the necessary constrictions for the locking with the fifth wheel, the kingpin can alternatively be supported on the upper side of the kingpin, in a so-called upper collar, or on the lower side of the kingpin, in a so-called lower collar.

[0018] The sliding surface is preferably geometrically configured in such a way that the support element is centered relative to the kingpin in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This is advantageously achieved in that the sliding surface forms a V-shaped profile in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation or the sliding surface is configured as a concavely curved surface with a radius r', where r' is between r-5 mm and r+5 mm, more preferably between r-1 mm and r+5 mm, particularly preferably between r and r+5 mm. In both cases, the position of the sliding surface is defined tangentially with respect to the axis of rotation or the cylindrical surface of the kingpin.

[0019] The support element is preferably connected to the holder by a connecting element, the length of which is adjustable in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. The connecting element, as part of the support element, provides for the adjustability of the support element in the radial direction. Particularly preferably, the support element is connected to the support frame by a threaded rod (as connecting element) extending in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. In alternative embodiments, instead of a threaded rod, a pin or rod which connects to the clamping member or clamping screw, a strip with a slot and a connecting screw, a toggle lever assembly or an element with teeth or pawls, for example a rack and a corresponding counter member which engages in the corresponding teeth, are provided.

[0020] The holder preferably has a lateral brace on which the length-adjustable connecting element and / or threaded rod are supported, the lateral brace extending approximately tangentially in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and at a sufficient distance to the kingpin to allow for length adjustment of the support element.

[0021] The fixed bearing ring or fixed bearing ring segments are preferably attached directly to the kingpin flange, which allows for easy exchangeability or retrofitting of the kingpin assembly without the need for structural modifications in the semi-trailer itself: for example, the old kingpin can be unscrewed from the trailer plate and a new kingpin can be assembled in place with the same hole pattern in the kingpin flange, together with the pivot bearings and holders.

[0022] The fixed bearing ring or the fixed bearing ring segments are preferably arranged radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation, and the rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segments are arranged radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation, which also contributes to an optimal rotational guidance and at the same time easy exchangeability or retrofitability of the kingpin assembly, as will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] In the case of an integral construction, i.e. in the case where the holder is configured as a support frame oriented radially outward with respect to the rotation axis, spacer elements are arranged on this support frame which protrude upwardly from the holder or support frame in the direction of the rotation axis and which are configured to support the holder or support frame indirectly or directly on the semi-trailer.

[0024] If a support frame is assembled on the multi-part arrangement, i.e. the holder, oriented radially outward with respect to the rotation axis, spacer elements are arranged on this support frame which protrude from the support frame in the direction of the rotation axis and which are likewise configured to support the support frame indirectly or directly on the semi-trailer.

[0025] In both cases, the length-adjustable support element is preferably adjusted so that the support frame or holder abuts against the trailer plate with a spacer member, whereby the tendency of the holder or support frame to vibrate is reduced and the position of the free end of the holder or support frame, on which the coupling means is arranged, is even more precisely specified. In order to avoid mechanical distortions when rotating the holder about the kingpin, the support element is advantageously adjusted according to the lowest point of the area of ​​the trailer plate that can be scraped by the holder when rotating.

[0026] The rotatable bearing ring or the rotatable bearing ring segment preferably has a cylindrical wall segment extending in the direction of the rotation axis, on which the holder is fixed, which is suitable for forming a vertical connection from the plane of the axial rotation support to the holder and at the same time for forming a transverse brace for supporting a length-adjustable connecting element and / or a threaded rod.

[0027] The cylindrical wall segment preferably has a tangential width of <2.1xr so that in a one-piece construction form it takes part in guiding the connecting means during coupling as the radially innermost part of the V-shaped support element or, in a two-part construction form, as the inner extension of the holder.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the support element is configured to be elastically deformable at least in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis and / or has a spring element acting in this radial direction, so that the support element bears against the kingpin under an adjustable preload. The spring element can be, for example, a compression coil spring, a disc spring stack or an elastically deformable plastic body. This configuration makes it possible to adjust a deliberate preload, which in conjunction with the length adjustment of the support element ensures that the support element bears against the kingpin and the support frame against the trailer plate with a constant pressing pressure. This reduces possible distortions of the support frame and at the same time better damps the vibrations of the support frame.

[0029] These and other features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of a kingpin assembly according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the kingpin assembly. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the kingpin assembly together with the support frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the kingpin assembly. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the kingpin assembly. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a kingpin assembly according to the present invention.

[0031] 1 to 5 show a kingpin assembly 1 for a semi-trailer of an articulated vehicle, which comprises a kingpin 2 defining a rotation axis A, a pivot bearing 3 arranged about the rotation axis A, and a holder 4 connected to the pivot bearing 3 and rotatable about the rotation axis A. The holder 4 is formed in this multi-part embodiment as an assembly socket for a support frame 20 and has a cylindrical wall segment 16 and two retaining arms 21 which are fork-shaped and protrude from the cylindrical wall segment 16 in substantially radial direction.

[0032] The support frame 20 is fixedly positioned on both holding arms 21 of the holder 4, as shown in Fig. 3. It is thus a multi-part construction in which the holder 4 is configured as an assembly socket for the support frame 20. The support frame 20 has a protective cover 22 on its upper side. Under the protective cover 22, in the support frame 20, a connecting means (not shown) is located at a free end 23 of the support frame 20 and is indirectly attached to the support frame 20 via a base plate. In certain sections, the support frame 20 is formed as a V-shaped frame structure, the sides of which are adapted to the angle of the corresponding access opening for the support frame.

[0033] The kingpin 2 has a kingpin flange 6 for mounting it to the semi-trailer, more precisely to a disk 18 welded to a trailer plate 24. The mounting is effected by means of screws 25 arranged circularly along the flange 6, as is known in the prior art. The disk 18 has a recess 26 towards the top, in which the kingpin flange 6 and partly the pivot bearing 3 are received. The depth of the recess 26, including the thickness of the trailer plate 24, is dimensioned so that the pivot bearing 3 does not protrude from the underside of the trailer plate 24, except for the cylindrical wall segment 16 which is integrally molded in one piece with the holder 4.

[0034] The kingpin otherwise comprises, as known per se, an upper collar 27, a waist 28 and a lower collar 29 viewed from above. The upper collar 27, the waist 28 and the lower collar 29 all have a cylindrical basic shape. At the upper collar 27, the kingpin has a given radius r. The waist 28 is the section on which the lock of the fifth wheel acts.

[0035] The pivot bearing 3 has a bearing ring 7 that is fixed in position relative to the kingpin 2, and a bearing ring 8 that is rotatable relative to the bearing ring 7. The fixed bearing ring 7 is attached directly to the kingpin flange by a screw member 30.

[0036] The double screw connection between the flange 6 and the fixed bearing ring 7 allows the kingpin assembly 1 to be replaced in a simple manner either entirely or only in the area of ​​the pivot bearing 3. In particular in the case of retrofitting, no structural modifications need to be made to the semi-trailer, since the kingpin assembly 1 according to the invention can simply be installed in place of the old kingpin assembly. For this, not only the same screw connection but also the small construction space required for the pivot bearing 3 including the holder 4 is available. For this, it is further advantageous if the fixed bearing ring 7 is arranged radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation A and the rotatable bearing ring 8 is arranged radially outward, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0037] The rotatable bearing ring 8 together with the fixed bearing ring 7 forms an axial-radial-pivot bearing. In the axial direction, support is achieved by the mating axial sliding surfaces of the bearing rings 7, 8. The sliding surfaces define a "plane of rotation" or "plane of the pivot bearing" 32 (see FIG. 4). In the radial direction, the bearing rings abut against one another along a cylindrical surface 34, thereby restricting the freedom of movement of the holder 4 to a purely rotational movement. The rotatable bearing ring 8 has an annular stepped reinforcing edge 36 along its outer circumferential surface.

[0038] The holder 4 is fixed in position on a rotatable bearing ring 8. In the embodiment shown, the holder 4 is molded integrally with its cylindrical wall segment 16 on the bearing ring 8, which thereby forms a vertical connection from the plane 32 of the axial rotational support for the holder 4.

[0039] The position of the holder 4 is therefore defined radially and axially relative to the kingpin 2 and the trailer plate 24 by the pivot bearing 3 .

[0040] In order that the support frame 20 does not tilt or tilts downwards as little as possible due to its radial construction length, the kingpin assembly 1 has a support element 9, which is connected to the holder 4 by means of a length-adjustable connecting element 12 in the radial direction R with respect to the rotation axis A. The connecting element 12 is arranged axially spaced below the plane 32 of the pivot bearing 3 and is supported there directly on a cylindrical peripheral surface 11 of the upper collar 27 of the kingpin 2, which is arranged coaxially about the rotation axis A. Whereas the waist 28 for locking with the fifth wheel must remain exposed over its entire circumference, in an alternative configuration the support element 9 can also be supported on the lower collar 29, which results in an overall larger lever and thus a more rigid support.

[0041] The connecting element 12 is configured in this embodiment as a threaded rod 13. This threaded rod 13 is screwed radially inwardly into a cylindrical wall segment 16, which in this embodiment forms a transverse brace 14, and is thereby supported in the cylindrical wall segment 16. Alternatively, it can also be fixed in position in the cylindrical wall segment 16, for example by a material- or force-locking connection. On the other side, the threaded rod 12 is screwed into a metal block 40 of the support element 9 and secured by a nut 42. As part of the support element 9, the threaded rod 12 serves for the adjustability of the support element 9 in the radial direction R. If the support element is extended, for example in the radial direction, by unscrewing the threaded rod, the free end of the holder 4 is raised, whereas by screwing it in, the free end of the holder is lowered. The holder can be precisely adapted, for example to the degree of wear of the kingpin, the constructional tolerances of the support frame, the plug or the trailer plate, so that the plug can be brought exactly to its target position in the vertical direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the support element 9 has a sliding surface 10 in direct contact with the cylindrical surface 11 of the kingpin 2, the sliding surface 10 being formed in a plastic block 44 which is itself glued to the metal block 40 of the support element 9 or attached in another way to the support element 9. This plastic block 44 has a plastic matrix in which tribologically effective filler particles may be present dispersedly in order to reduce the coefficient of friction in interaction with the surface of the kingpin 2.

[0043] The sliding surface 10 is configured as a concavely curved surface having a radius r', so that the support element 9 is oriented relative to the kingpin in a tangential direction with respect to the rotation axis A of the kingpin 2 or to the cylindrical surface 11.

[0044] 6 shows diagrammatically a kingpin assembly according to the invention with a radially outwardly directed support frame 20 on which a spacer member 46 is arranged, protruding upwardly from the support frame 20 in the direction of the rotation axis A, which spacer member 46 supports the support frame 20 on the trailer plate 24 of the semi-trailer.

[0045] Located on the inside of the support frame 20 are coupling means 48 , shown in dashed lines, which are attached to the free end 23 of the support frame 20 .

[0046] The support element 9 has in this embodiment a spring element 50 which acts in a radial direction R with respect to the axis of rotation A. The spring element 50 is shown diagrammatically and may for example be a compression coil spring, a disc spring stack or an elastically deformable plastic body. Together with the length adjustment of the support element 9 it makes it possible to adjust a deliberate preload which always ensures that the support element 9 abuts with a constant pressing pressure against the kingpin 2 and, via the spacer members 46, the support frame 20 against the trailer plate 24. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Kingpin Assembly 2. Kingpin 3 Pivot bearing 4 Holder 6 Kingpin flange 7 Fixed bearing ring 8 Rotatable bearing ring 9 Supporting Elements 10 Sliding surface 11 Cylinder surface 12 Bonding Elements 13 Threaded Rod 14 Lateral brace 16 Cylindrical wall segments 18 Discs 20 Support frame 21 Holding Arm 22 Protective cover 23 (of supporting frame) free end 24 Trailer plate 25 Screw 26 Recess 27 Upper Color 28 Waist 29 Lower Color 30 Screws 32 Rotation plane / plane of pivot bearing 34 Cylindrical Surface 36 Edge 40 Metal Block 42 Nut 44 Plastic Block 46 Spacer member 48 Coupling means 50 Spring elements

Claims

1. Kingpin assembly (1) for a semi-trailer articulated vehicle, The kingpin (2) defines the axis of rotation (A), A pivot bearing (3) is arranged around the aforementioned axis of rotation (A), In particular, a holder (4) coupled to the pivot bearing (3) and rotatable about the axis of rotation (A) for indirectly or directly holding an electrical and / or electromagnetic and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic coupling means It includes, The kingpin (2) has a kingpin flange (6) for indirectly or directly assembling the kingpin (2) to the semi-trailer. The pivot bearing (3) has a bearing ring (7) or a bearing ring segment fixed in position relative to the kingpin (2), and a bearing ring (8) or a bearing ring segment that is rotatable relative to the bearing ring (7) or the bearing ring segment. The holder (4) is fixed in position to the rotatable bearing ring (8) or the rotatable bearing ring segment. A support element (9) is coupled to the holder (4), which is axially spaced apart from the rotatable bearing ring (8) or the rotatable bearing ring segment and directly contacts the kingpin (2), wherein the length of the support element (9) is adjustable radially (R) with respect to the axis of rotation (A). Kingpin assembly (1).

2. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support element (9) has a sliding surface (10) that is in contact with the kingpin (2).

3. The kingpin assembly according to claim 2, wherein the sliding surface (10) is formed of a surface of a friction-reducing material.

4. The kingpin assembly according to claim 2, wherein the support element (9) has a plastic matrix made of a thermoplastic plastic, particularly polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyoxymethylene (POM), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), at least along the sliding surface.

5. The kingpin assembly according to claim 2, wherein the kingpin (2) has a cylindrical circumferential surface (11) having a radius r, or at least one segment of the cylindrical circumferential surface (11), which is coaxially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation (A), and the support element (9) is in contact with the cylindrical circumferential surface.

6. The kingpin assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sliding surface (10) is geometrically configured to center the support element in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation relative to the kingpin.

7. The kingpin assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sliding surface (10) forms a V-shaped contour in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A).

8. The kingpin assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sliding surface (10) is formed as a concave curved surface having a radius r', and the radius r' is between r-5 mm and r+5 mm.

9. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support element (9) is coupled to the holder (4) by a coupling element (12) whose length is adjustable radially (R) with respect to the axis of rotation (A).

10. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support element (9) is coupled to the holder (4) by a threaded rod (13) extending radially (R) with respect to the axis of rotation (A).

11. The kingpin assembly according to claim 10, wherein the holder has a lateral brace (14) on which the length-adjustable coupling element (12) and / or the threaded rod (13) are supported.

12. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixed-position bearing ring (7) or the fixed-position bearing ring segment is directly attached to the kingpin flange (6).

13. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixed-position bearing ring (7) or fixed-position bearing ring segment is positioned radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation (A), and the rotatable bearing ring (8) or rotatable bearing ring segment is positioned radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation (A).

14. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a support frame (20) is assembled to the holder (4) radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation (A), a spacer member (46) is arranged on the support frame (20) projecting in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), and the spacer member (46) is configured to indirectly or directly support the support frame (20) in the semi-trailer.

15. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder (4) is configured as a support frame (20) oriented radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation (A), and a spacer member (46) is disposed on the support frame (20) protruding in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), and the spacer member (46) is configured to indirectly or directly support the holder (4) on the semi-trailer.

16. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotatable bearing ring (8) or the rotatable bearing ring segment has a cylindrical wall segment (16) extending in the direction of the axis of rotation (A), and the holder (4) is fixed in position to the cylindrical wall segment (16).

17. The kingpin assembly according to claim 16, wherein the cylindrical wall segment (16) has a tangential width of <2.1 × r.

18. The kingpin assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support element is formed to be elastically deformable at least radially (R) with respect to the axis of rotation (A) and / or has a spring element acting in the radial direction (R), so that the support element abuts the kingpin (2) under an adjustable preload.

Images