Alignment system for bringing a vehicle into proximity with a target object spaced therefrom - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide an alignment system for approaching a vehicle to a target object spatially spaced therefrom.SOLUTION: An alignment system according to the invention comprises: object detection means (20) attached to a vehicle and a coupling element (30), which in an end position detachably holds the target object, the object detection means (20) being aligned in the direction of a target object (40) and the data from the object detection means (20) being used to generate an image in which the target object together with a guide marker can be seen during the approach of the vehicle. An object of the invention was to develop a technically simpler solution for displaying a guide marker. According to the invention the underlying object is solved in that the guide marker is applied to at least one component (11) of the vehicle arranged in an entry area (31) of the coupling element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to an alignment system for approaching a vehicle to a target object spatially spaced therefrom according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 . [Background technology]

[0002] The object detection means may in particular be a camera, with the help of which the driver is provided in his cab with an image of the rear traffic area together with the target object parked there, when the vehicle approaches the target object, with the help of which the tow vehicle can be steered more precisely towards the target object.

[0003] Document EP 2 987 663 A1 describes a driver assistance system for commercial vehicle combinations as tractor-trailer combinations consisting of a towing vehicle and a semitrailer or articulated combinations consisting of a towing vehicle and a trailer. A video camera is attached to the towing vehicle, the video image of which is displayed on a screen arranged in the driver's field of vision. The video camera is mounted in front of the towing vehicle or in the coupler receiving section on the towing vehicle in the direction of travel so that both the area of ​​the coupler receiving section and the rear area with the coupling elements of the semitrailer or trailer are visible in the video image. In addition, guide markers are superimposed on the video image as a direction finding aid, with the help of which the coupling process should be carried out safely, quickly and conveniently. However, it has proven to be time-consuming to have to specifically program the guide markers to be displayed depending on the geometrical conditions of the towing vehicle and the coupler receiving section as well as the coupling elements.

[0004] Another prior art is represented by DE 10 2019 201 572 A1, which has a guidance system for mounting a work implement to a tractor. A camera is mounted on the tractor with a reference guide whose edge is located just in front of the lens. The lens of the camera is configured so that both the edge and the implement connection are visible in the image, so that the rear distance to the implement can be better estimated.

[0005] Document DE 10 2004 008 928 A1 discloses a method for coupling a trailer using means of a vehicle height control device. A reversing camera is mounted above a trailer hitch arranged at the rear of the vehicle, which captures the trailer hitch and the rear driving space as well as any trailers that may be parked there. With the help of the reversing camera, the vehicle can be steered backwards to approach the trailer, which is then lowered using the vehicle height control device so that the trailer-side counterpart of the coupler does not have to be raised for mechanical coupling.

[0006] Document DE 20 2009 018 636 U1 proposes a targeting device as a coupling aid for vehicles and trailers. The targeting device can be placed on the ball head of the trailer hitch and comprises a rod with a rearwardly emitting laser light source attached at its end. The rod with a target body with a marking attached at its end is also attached to the trailer drawbar by means of a magnetic base. When the vehicle is approaching from behind, the impact point of the laser on the target body's marking is visible and can be used for improved maneuvering in the direction of the trailer. Just before mechanically connecting the coupling halves, the aiming device must be disassembled.

[0007] Document WO 2009 / 006 529 A1 relates to an electronic trailer hitch system, which preferably has a stereo camera mounted on a trailer hitch and has at least two image sensors and a processor for processing image data from the image sensors. With the help of the evaluated image data, the towing vehicle will autonomously approach the trailer vehicle.

[0008] A common drawback of prior art steering aids is that they are difficult to install and require additional handling by the driver during use.

[0009] For this reason, the object of the present invention was to develop a technically simpler solution for displaying guide markers.

[0010] This object is solved with the features of claim 1. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object detection means is understood to mean, for example, a camera capable of operating in the non-visible range, for example in the infrared range, and / or in the visible spectrum. In addition to 2D image sensors, imaging sensors capable of capturing 3D information are also suitable. These include, in particular, laser scanners, radar sensors and ultrasonic sensors. In order to be better protected against external influences, the object detection means can be provided with a housing and preferably form a common structural unit therewith.

[0012] The object detection means is immovably fixed to and aligned with the guide marker. The approach area is the section in front of the coupling element through which the target object passes while approaching the coupling element. As the target object approaches the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, it changes its position relative to the guide marker.

[0013] The approach area is in particular arranged to the side of the coupling element, spaced apart from the object detection means, which results in a series of the object detection means, preferably the coupling element, and the guide marker on a longitudinal axis in the direction of the target object.

[0014] The images provided by the object detection means can be displayed on a display device in the driver's cab and can be used by the driver as a visual maneuvering aid for coupling the trailer vehicle. However, it is also possible that without displaying images, the data provided by the object detection means is fed into the towing vehicle's electronic data system, so that the towing vehicle performs an autonomous or semi-autonomous coupling of the trailer vehicle based on this data. The semi-autonomous coupling is intended to be an assistance system for the driver to provide support during maneuvering.

[0015] Advantageously, the guide marker is physically permanent: for this reason it has proven particularly favorable if the guide marker is painted, glued, embossed, milled and / or designed to protrude from the component in a relief-like manner on the component.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the guide marker comprises at least one directional element rigidly or movably mounted on the component. The rigid directional element may have one or more upstanding pedestals, recesses or bumps. If two of these directional elements are arranged in the direction of the end position of the target object and / or in alignment with the object detection means, a bearing line is generated along which the vehicle can approach the target object.

[0017] A further preferred embodiment consists in that the guide marker is projected onto the component by a light source. In this embodiment, the guide marker is only present temporarily. It appears or disappears by switching the light source on or off. This is advantageous in that the guide marker only needs to be switched on just before the combining element and the target object are brought together. No painting or gluing operations are required on the vehicle components. The light source can be a lamp with a screen, designed in the form of a guide marker, a projector or a laser pointer. Complex guide markings can be generated using holographic optics.

[0018] It is reasonable for the guide marker to be formed of at least one boundary line running towards the end position of the target object and / or towards the object detection means. The boundary line delimits the intended travel path of the target object, in particular in the direction of the transverse axis. For a correct connection of the coupling element with the target object, the target object must always be kept between the boundary line(s) during the approach of the vehicle.

[0019] The boundary line(s) can be conically widening or tapering in the distal direction. A conically widening boundary line in the distal direction has the advantage that the target object can be easily located within the boundary line initially and is more accurately located as it approaches. On the other hand, a conically tapering boundary line in the distal direction is advantageous because the target object is also perceived as smaller at a greater distance from the object detection means due to the constant focal length and as larger at a shorter distance with the boundary line in the image plane.

[0020] Advantageously, the guide markers are formed according to the contour of the target object or are obtained taking into account the perspective distortion. The contour of the target object illustrated as the guide marker preferably coincides with the target object as it passes through or at least specifies a size framework within which the target object must be located in order to make accurate contact with the coupling element.

[0021] The guide marker advantageously extends in the xy plane (horizontal), yz plane (perpendicular to the direction of movement), and / or xz plane (transverse to the direction of movement), or has at least a section extending across at least two of these planes.

[0022] There may be an electronic control unit with which the distance to the target object is determined from the ratio of the known size of the guide marker to the known size of the target object. In this embodiment, the distance on the vertical axis may be derived from the size ratio of the guide marker to the target object.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the coupling element is a fifth wheel and the target object is a kingpin attached to the second vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle is a towing vehicle and the second vehicle is a semi-trailer.

[0024] The component is formed in particular from opposing flanks of a coupling horn arranged on the sides of the entry area. These flanks form a conically tapered entry area, which guides the kingpin in case of slight lateral misalignments. Guide markers applied to the flanks of the coupling horn enable the vehicle to be driven precisely by the kingpin.

[0025] It is also possible that the component is formed from a cross-bridge arranged under the entry area. The cross-bridge can run completely under the entry area of ​​the fifth wheel and connect to both sides of the underside of the coupling plate, which significantly increases the strength of the fifth wheel. In principle, it would also be possible to connect the cross-bridge to only one side of the coupling plate and use it as a holder for a guide marker.

[0026] A further alternative configuration can consist in the component being formed of a connector console of an automated plug-in coupling system for supply lines arranged under the entry area. The connector console is located under the entry area of ​​the fifth wheel so that the kingpin can overcome the connector console. The connector console has a housing, the top of which is suitable as a vehicle component for applying the guide markers.

[0027] However, the coupling element can also be a container lock and the target object a corner fitting formed on a container or swap body. With the help of guide markers arranged on the vehicle components, the vehicle can be maneuvered particularly precisely onto the container or swap body, so that the corner fitting is hit by the associated container lock.

[0028] It is also possible for the coupling element to be a guide roller and the target object to be a guide frame formed on the swap body. The guide roller engages with a guide frame formed on the underside of the container or swap body as the vehicle approaches in the rearward direction. This guide frame should run into the guide marker as the vehicle approaches. The component carrying the guide marker is therefore typically formed from a vehicle frame portion or chassis component of the vehicle.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the coupling element can be a tool holder arranged on the distal end of the front loader and the target object can be a pick-up tool of a working device to be fastened to the front loader. The tool is, for example, a shovel or a fork. The tool can be removed from the front loader and replaced by another, typically via a quick-change system. Since the space around the distal end of the front loader is almost invisible from the driver's seat, the vehicle can be driven to the tool by the object detection means until the pick-up tool moves into the guide marker. In this embodiment, the component can be formed from the tool holder.

[0030] For a better understanding, the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the fifteen drawings shown below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a joining element in the form of a fifth wheel with guide markers arranged on the flanks of the joining horn. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a coupling element in the form of a fifth wheel with guide markers located on the cross bridge. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a coupling element in the form of a fifth wheel having guide markers located in the transition area between the cross bridge and the flank of the coupling horn. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a coupling element in the form of a fifth wheel with guide markers located on the connector console. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the locking portion of the fifth wheel with dashed guide markers disposed on the cross bridge. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of a locking portion of a fifth wheel having a trapezoidal guide marker disposed on a cross bridge. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the fifth wheel locking section with guide markers positioned on a cross bridge having the contour of a target object. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the locking portion of the fifth wheel with guide markers projected from a light source onto the cross bridge. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an enlarged top view of the locking part of the fifth wheel with a guide marker arranged on the cross bridge in the form of two boundary lines diverging conically in the direction of the object detection means. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an enlarged top view of the locking section of the fifth wheel with a guide marker arranged on the cross bridge in the form of two boundary lines conically merging in the direction of the object detection means. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a coupling element in the form of a fifth wheel with guide markers arranged on the cross bridge in the form of directional elements according to a first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a coupling element in the form of a fifth wheel with guide markers arranged on the cross bridge in the form of directional elements according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle with guide markers on the vehicle frame and chassis components prior to receiving a swap body. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a side view of a front loader having a work device. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of a front loader having object detection means, without a working device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] 1 shows a top view of a coupling element 30 in the form of a fifth wheel 32 fastened by a mounting plate 16 to a vehicle frame part 13 of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is a towing vehicle, in particular for semi-trailers.

[0033] The vehicle 10 approaches a second vehicle 60, in particular a semi-trailer, rearward in the longitudinal axis y, which corresponds to the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 when driving straight ahead. The second vehicle 60 is shown diagrammatically as a dotted line and already overlaps the vehicle 10 with its fifth wheel 32. On the underside, the second vehicle 60 has a target object 40 in the form of a kingpin 41 protruding downwards.

[0034] The fifth wheel 32 is formed with two coupling horns 33 on its side facing the kingpin 41, the mutually opposing flanks 34 of which span a V-shaped entry area 31 in the contour of the fifth wheel 32. In the rearward direction, the entry area 31 continues as an extension of the flanks 34. The entry area 31 terminates with a longitudinal axis y at a locking portion 32a of the fifth wheel 32, in which the kingpin 41 is releasably connected to the fifth wheel 32 after reaching its end position.

[0035] To couple the second vehicle 60, the vehicle 10 must approach the second vehicle 60 so that the kingpin 41 enters the entry area 31 of the fifth wheel 32 in the longitudinal axis y with as little deviation as possible in the transverse axis x. This approach is facilitated by object detection means 20 used, for example, in the longitudinal axis y of the locking part 32a, within whose field of view the second vehicle 60 with the kingpin 41 is already visible when the vehicle 10 is roughly aligned.

[0036] In addition, the components 11 arranged in the approach area 31 have guide markers 50 applied to them so as to be also detected by the object detection means 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the guide markers 50 are permanently applied to the two opposing flanks 34 of the coupling horn 33 as a high-contrast paint finish compared to the fifth wheel 32. In particular, the guide markers 50 may occupy the entire surface of the respective flanks 34. For accurate coupling of the kingpin 41, the driver only needs to keep the kingpin 41 within the guide markers 50, i.e. between the high-contrast surfaces of the flanks 34, during reversing.

[0037] 2 shows another illustrative embodiment, in which the component 11 carrying the guide marker 50 is formed of a cross bridge 35 arranged on the fifth wheel 32. The cross bridge 35 is located below the height of the entry area 31 in the vertical axis z (compare Figs. 14, 15) during the transition from the entry area 31 to the locking portion 32a, so that the kingpin 41 moving into the fifth wheel 32 can overcome the cross bridge 35 without collision. The cross bridge 35 can engage the fifth wheel 32 on both sides of the entry area 31 to reinforce it.

[0038] The guide marker 50 is applied to the cross bridge 35 as a continuous line running along the longitudinal axis y. Both the cross bridge 35 and the guide marker 50 applied to it are within the field of view of the object detection means 20. During the approach of the vehicle 10 (see Figure 1), it is desirable for the kingpin 41 detected by the object detection means 20 to be kept as central as possible with respect to the guide marker 50 by appropriate steering maneuvers.

[0039] 3 shows a further illustrative embodiment, in which a guide marker 50 is also applied to the cross bridge 35 as component 11. However, the guide marker 50 comprises two boundary lines 53 which diverge conically in the rearward direction along the longitudinal axis y and are bounded laterally outwardly by the flanks 34 of the coupling horn 33. Both boundary lines 53 are within the field of view of the object detection means 20. For correct coupling of the kingpin 41, the kingpin 41 must be positioned between the two boundary lines 53 during the approach of the vehicle 10.

[0040] 4 shows an alternative illustrative embodiment with a connector console 36 of an automatic plug-in coupling system for supply lines arranged under the entry area 31. During coupling, the approaching kingpin 41 first passes without contact over the connector console 36 and then connects the connector console 36 to a plug bracket on the trailer side, not shown here. The component 11 carrying the guide marker 50 is the connector console 36. The guide marker 50 is applied to the upper side of the connector console 36, which is oriented upwards in the vertical axis z and thus within the field of view of the object detection means 20.

[0041] The guide marker 50 is formed as a continuous line aligned with the longitudinal axis y and runs completely above the connector console 36. The approaching kingpin 41 should be kept as centered as possible above the line of the guide marker 50 by steering the vehicle 10.

[0042] 5 shows an enlarged section of the locking portion 32a of the fifth wheel 32 along with the cross bridge 35. The guide markers 50 are similar to the embodiment of FIG.

[0043] However, differently, instead of a continuous line on the vertical axis y, a dashed or dotted line has been chosen as the guide marker 50 .

[0044] 6, which is the same view as FIG. 5, shows another embodiment of a guide marker 50 applied to the cross bridge 35 in a trapezoidal shape. The two diverging sides of the guide marker 50 are each aligned essentially equidistant to the flanks 34 of the coupling horn 33 and form a boundary line 53 in the direction of the transverse axis x relative to the kingpin 41. During the approach of the vehicle 10 to the kingpin 41, the kingpin 41 should preferably be held between the opposing boundary lines 53.

[0045] Figure 7 shows the same view as Figures 5 and 6. A guide marker 50 is again applied to the cross bridge 35 and is thereby visible to the object detection means 20. However, the guide marker 50 has a simplified outline of the target object 40, which in this illustrative embodiment has a simplified outline of the kingpin 41. As the vehicle 10 approaches the kingpin 41, the kingpin 41 should be aligned as closely as possible to the identically shaped guide marker 50 as it passes the cross bridge 35.

[0046] The embodiment according to Fig. 8 shows a temporarily visible guide marker 50, which is projected by visible light from a light source 52 located higher on the vertical axis z onto the crossbridge 35 selected as component 11. After the kingpin 41 has been successfully coupled, the light source 52 can be switched off so that the guide marker 50 is no longer visible.

[0047] Figure 9 shows a guide marker 50 applied to the cross bridge 35 as component 11, the guide marker 50 being formed from two boundary lines 53 tapering in the direction of the locking portion 32a, between which the kingpin 41 is intended to be positioned during joining. In Figure 10, the guide marker 50 formed from the two boundary lines 53 merge conically in the direction of the locking portion 32a.

[0048] 11 relates to a further alternative embodiment having a guide marker 50 formed on the crossbridge 35 in the form of a directional element 51. The directional element 51 comprises two walls extending along a transverse axis x and upright relative to the crossbridge 35, and a recess formed therein along a longitudinal axis y. Both the walls and the recess are visible to the object detection means 20 when approaching the kingpin 41. While the vehicle 10 is approaching, the vehicle 10 should be maneuvered such that the kingpin 41 is visible behind the recess in the image generated by the object detection means 20.

[0049] 12 illustrates a second embodiment of a guide marker 50 with two directional elements 51. The guide marker 50 is formed in the cross bridge 35 and is formed from two directional elements 51 aligned with each other in the longitudinal axis y, the directional elements 51 being, for example, recess(es) and / or protuberance(s). During approach, the target object 40 in the form of a kingpin 41 is aimed according to the notch and bead sight principle in the extension of the two directional elements 51.

[0050] FIG. 13 shows a vehicle 10 for transporting a container or swap body 42 parked behind it. The vehicle 10 has as coupling elements 30 a number of container locks 37 which, when the container or swap body 42 is correctly picked up, enter into a corner fitting 43 provided therein and releasably hold the container or swap body 42 during transport. The target objects 40 in such a vehicle 10 can be the corner fittings 43 of the container or swap body 42. To be able to approach these as accurately as possible, the object detection means 20 detects an entry area 31 which is installed in spatial proximity to at least one of the container locks 37 and is oriented towards the nearest corner fitting 43 at the rear of the vehicle 10. Between the object detection means 20 and the target object 40, a guide marker 50 is applied on a component 11 in the form of a chassis component 14, which can also be a mudguard or another covering part. When the vehicle 10 is reversing towards a stationary container or swap body 42, a maneuver should be performed so that a target object 40 in the form of one of the corner fittings 43 is positioned extending within the contour of the guide marker 50.

[0051] The target object 40 can also be a guide frame 44, instead of one or more of the corner fittings 43, running parallel to the longitudinal axis y under the container or swap body 42. While the container or swap body 42 is being picked up, this guide frame 44 actively engages with a coupling element 30 of the vehicle 10 in the form of a guide roller 38. The guide roller 38 is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis z and is located in the guide frame 44 when the container or swap body 42 is loaded. For accurate access of the guide frame 44, the object detection means 20 is mounted on the vehicle frame part 13 in spatial proximity to at least one of the guide rollers 38 and its field of view is aligned in the direction of the container or swap body 42. A guide marker 50 attached to the vehicle frame part 13 is also located in the field of view of the object detection means 20.

[0052] The display device 15 is positioned in the vehicle 10 within the driver's field of view and displays a visible image of the target object 40 , in particular the corner fitting 43 and / or the guide frame 44 , relative to the guide markers 50 .

[0053] 14 and 15 show an alignment system on a front loader 39, whose coupling element 30 is a tool holder 39a for releasably attaching a working device 46, such as a shovel. As a target object 40, the working device 46 has a pick-up tool 45 that is complementary to the tool holder 39a and in which the tool holder 39a can be precisely manipulated.

[0054] The operation is simplified by a guide marker 50 attached to the tool holder 39a which is in the field of view of the object detection means 20 arranged on the front loader 39. During the approach to the working device 46, only the pick-up tool 45 needs to come into the contour of the guide marker 50. The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below. [1] An alignment system for approaching a vehicle (10) to a target object (40) spatially spaced therefrom, comprising object detection means (20) attached to the vehicle (10) and a coupling element (30), the coupling element (30) releasably holding the target object (40) at an end position, the object detection means (20) being aligned in the direction of the target object (40), and data from the object detection means (20) being used to generate an image in which the target object (40) is visible, together with a guide marker (50), during the approach of the vehicle (10). An alignment system, characterized in that the guide marker (50) is applied to at least one component (11) of the vehicle (10) arranged in an entry area (31) of the coupling element (30). [2] The alignment system described in [1], wherein the guide marker (50) is physically permanent. [3] The alignment system described in [1] or [2], characterized in that the guide marker (50) on the component (11) is painted, glued, embossed, milled, and / or formed on the component (11) as a protruding relief. [4] The alignment system described in [1] or [2], characterized in that the guide marker (50) has at least one directional element (51) rigidly or movably mounted on the component (11). [5] The alignment system described in [1], characterized in that the guide marker (50) is projected onto the component (11) by a light source (52). [6] An alignment system described in any one of [1] to [5], characterized in that the guide marker (50) is formed from at least one boundary line (53) running toward the end position of the target object (40) and / or toward the object detection means (20). [7] The alignment system described in [6], characterized in that the boundary line(s) (53) are formed to be conically wide or tapered in the distal direction. [8] An alignment system described in any one of [1] to [5], characterized in that the guide marker (50) is formed according to the contour (54) of the target object (40) or is obtained taking into account perspective distortion. [9] An alignment system described in any one of [1] to [8], characterized in that the guide marker (50) extends in the xy plane (horizontal), the yz plane (perpendicular to the direction of movement), and / or the xz plane (transverse to the direction of movement), or has at least a section extending across at least two of these planes.

[10] An alignment system described in any one of [1] to [9], characterized in that it has an electronic control unit (12) that determines the distance to the target object (40) from the ratio between the known size of the guide marker (50) and the known size of the target object (40).

[11] The alignment system described in any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that the connecting element (30) is a fifth wheel (32) and the target object (40) is a kingpin (41) attached to a second vehicle (60).

[12] The alignment system according to

[11] , characterized in that the component (11) is formed from opposing flanks (34) of a coupling horn (33) arranged on the side of the entry area (31).

[13] The alignment system according to

[11] , characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a cross bridge (35) arranged below the entry area (31).

[14] The alignment system according to

[11] , characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a connector console (36) of an automated plug-in coupling system for supply lines arranged under the entry area (31).

[15] An alignment system described in any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that the coupling element (30) is a container lock (37) and the target object (40) is a corner fitting (43) formed on a container (42) or a swap body.

[16] An alignment system described in any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that the connecting element (30) is a guide roller (38) and the target object (40) is a guide frame (44) formed on a swap body (42).

[17] The alignment system according to

[15] or

[16] , characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a vehicle frame portion (13) or a chassis component (14) of the vehicle (10).

[18] An alignment system as described in any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that the coupling element (30) is a tool holder (39a) arranged on a distal end of a front loader (39), and the target object (40) is a pick-up tool (45) of a working device (46) that has to be mounted on the front loader (39).

[19] The alignment system according to

[18] , characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a section of a distal end of the front loader (39) aligned with the tool holder (39a). [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Vehicles 11. Components 12 Control unit 13 Vehicle frame part 14 Chassis Components 15 Display Devices 16 Mounting plate 20 Object detection means 30 Joint Elements 31 Entry Area 32 The 5th Wheel 32a Lock section 33 Combined Horn 34 Flank of Combined Horn 35 Cross Bridge 36 Connector Console 37 Container Lock 38 Guide roller 39 Front loader 39a Tool holder 40 Target object 41 Kingpin 42 Container / Swap Body 43 Container / swap body corner fittings 44 Guide Frame 45 Pick-up equipment 46 Work Devices 50 Guide Marker 51 Directional Elements 52 Light source 53 Border 54 Contour of target object 60 Second Car x-axis y vertical axis z vertical axis

Claims

1. An alignment system for approaching a vehicle (10) to a target object (40) spatially spaced therefrom, comprising object detection means (20) attached to the vehicle (10) and a coupling element (30), the coupling element (30) releasably holding the target object (40) at an end position, the object detection means (20) being aligned in the direction of the target object (40), data from the object detection means (20) being used to generate an image in which the target object (40) together with a guide marker (50) is visible during the approach of the vehicle (10), 13. An alignment system, characterized in that the guide marker (50) is applied to at least one component (11) of the vehicle (10) arranged in an entry area (31) of the coupling element (30).

2. The alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the guide marker (50) is physically permanent.

3. 3. The alignment system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide marker (50) on the component (11) is painted, glued, embossed, milled and / or formed on the component (11) as a raised relief.

4. 3. Alignment system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide marker (50) comprises at least one directional element (51) rigidly or movably mounted on the component (11).

5. The alignment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide marker (50) is projected onto the component (11) by a light source (52).

6. The alignment system of claim 1, characterized in that the guide marker (50) is formed from at least one boundary line (53) running towards the end position of the target object (40) and / or towards the object detection means (20).

7. The alignment system of claim 6, wherein the boundary line(s) (53) are conically widened or tapered in a distal direction.

8. The alignment system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guide markers (50) are formed according to a contour (54) of the target object (40) or are obtained taking into account perspective distortion.

9. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the guide marker (50) has at least a section extending in the x-y plane (horizontal), the y-z plane (perpendicular to the direction of movement), and / or the x-z plane (transverse to the direction of movement) or across at least two of these planes.

10. The alignment system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic control unit (12) for determining a distance to the target object (40) from a ratio of a known size of the guide marker (50) to a known size of the target object (40).

11. 2. The alignment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (30) is a fifth wheel (32) and the target object (40) is a kingpin (41) attached to a second vehicle (60).

12. 12. Alignment system according to claim 11, characterized in that the component (11) is formed from opposing flanks (34) of a coupling horn (33) arranged on the side of the entry area (31).

13. 12. The alignment system according to claim 11, characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a cross-bridge (35) arranged below the entry area (31).

14. 12. The alignment system according to claim 11, characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a connector console (36) of an automated plug-in coupling system for supply lines arranged under the entry area (31).

15. 2. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the coupling element (30) is a container lock (37) and the target object (40) is a corner fitting (43) formed on a container (42) or a swap body.

16. 2. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the coupling element (30) is a guide roller (38) and the target object (40) is a guide frame (44) formed on a swap body (42).

17. 17. Alignment system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a vehicle frame part (13) or a chassis component (14) of the vehicle (10).

18. 2. The alignment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (30) is a tool holder (39a) arranged on a distal end of a front loader (39) and the target object (40) is a pick-up tool (45) of a working device (46) that has to be mounted on the front loader (39).

19. 19. Alignment system according to claim 18, characterized in that the component (11) is formed from a section of a distal end of the front loader (39) aligned with the tool holder (39a).

Images