DEVICE FOR POSITIONING A COUPLING MEANS ARRANGEMENT ON A TRAILER VEHICLE - Patent application

Abstract

The device for positioning the coupling means (11, 12) arranged on the trailer vehicle (10) before the coupling operation comprises a towing vehicle coupling (21) designed with an insertion opening (22) opening in the rear direction (R) and intended for the insertion of the coupling means (11), an optical transmitter (30) mounted on the towing vehicle coupling (21) and an optical receiver (40) for capturing the light (60) from the optical transmitter (30) reflected by the coupling means (11). The present invention addressed the problem of providing a device that can be used to enable the towing vehicle coupling (21) to approach the coupling means (11) of the trailer vehicle (10) more accurately. This problem is solved in that the optical transmitter is a strobe light source (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a device for positioning coupling means arranged on a trailer vehicle before a coupling operation according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 . [Background technology]

[0002] The towing vehicle is usually attached to the towing vehicle hitch, and the trailer vehicle also has a coupling means that matches the coupling, via which a mechanical connection to the towing vehicle hitch can be established. When coupled, the trailer vehicle and the towing vehicle are rotatably but detachably connected to each other. The trailer vehicle may in particular be a semi-trailer fitted with a coupling means in the form of a kingpin. In this case, the towing vehicle has a fifth wheel coupling into which the kingpin is inserted and locked.

[0003] The coupling operation is often problematic because the towing vehicle must approach a stationary trailer vehicle while reversing and the towing vehicle's coupling must accurately pick up the trailer vehicle's coupling. A coupling that appears to be correctly inserted into the coupling but is not fully locked into the coupling is particularly dangerous. In this case, there is a risk that the trailer vehicle will uncontrollably separate from the towing vehicle and become independent at high speeds. Therefore, the towing vehicle driver is forced to check that the coupling is in the correct state before setting off. This is difficult because the coupling's locking mechanism, especially in the fifth-wheel coupling, is nearly invisible, requiring the driver to crawl under the semi-trailer to be able to evaluate the locking state. Therefore, the prior art has already made efforts to use technical aids to indicate that the coupling is correctly inserted into the coupling and locked into the coupling, or to identify the correct approach of the towing vehicle from the beginning.

[0004] WO 2016 / 186841 A1 proposes using two sensors to monitor the position of the kingpin and locking mechanism and, in the case of correct locking, illuminate the area under the coupling plate, so that visual inspection is easier for the driver and a flashlight is not required. However, it has been found to be a disadvantage in that inaccurate alignment of the coupling on the towing vehicle side with the coupling means on the trailer side can cause significant damage to both the coupling or towing vehicle, the coupling means and the trailer vehicle before the actual coupling operation.

[0005] Document DD221693A1 discloses a device for orienting a vehicle when steering close to a reference object that is largely outside the field of view. In one embodiment, it is proposed to arrange at least an optical transmitter and an optical receiver together in the vehicle as a single functional unit. To deflect the light beam, a concave mirror should be fixedly arranged on the trailer's drawbar. However, in practice, it has been found that even a slight misalignment of the concave mirror prevents the known device from functioning properly.

[0006] DE 19950808 A1 describes a device and method for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, in which, inter alia, a transmitter and three laterally offset receivers can be arranged in the rear area of ​​the towing vehicle close to the hitch.

[0007] The measurement signal must be reflected by a reflecting element and sent back to the transmitter, which also has one or more receivers. Possible transmitters include ultrasonic transmitters, or other types of transmitter signals, such as radio signals or laser beams. However, approaches to linking towing and trailer vehicles based on transmitter signals used in older systems have not yet proven satisfactory.

[0008] The present invention therefore addressed the problem of providing a device that can be used to enable the coupling on the towing vehicle to more accurately approach the coupling means of the trailer vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The basic object of the invention is solved with the features of claim 1. While the towing vehicle is approaching the trailer vehicle, a light transmitter in the form of a strobe light source attached to the coupling on the towing vehicle side is activated before contact with the coupling means of the trailer. The coupling means of the trailer vehicle is detected by a light receiver also arranged on the towing vehicle, which detects light reflected from the coupling means by the strobe light source.

[0010] A strobe light source is a flash device that emits flashes at predetermined time intervals. As a result, especially in relatively dark ambient conditions, movement appears as a sequence of still images in a staggered manner. This effect allows the use of a strobe light source as a light source to perform particularly accurate positioning of the connecting means. In particular, the emitted light flashes have a constant flash frequency. However, it is also possible to generate a group of light flashes at a first frequency, followed by one or more groups, each with a different frequency. The strobe light source preferably generates a flash frequency of 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz, particularly preferably 5 Hz to 100 Hz, and very particularly preferably 10 Hz to 50 Hz.

[0011] The location of the strobe light on the tow vehicle hitch has the advantage that the light emitted by the strobe light is emitted as far as possible at the rear of the tow vehicle and is not obscured by the tow vehicle hitch itself or other attachments. The proximity of the strobe light to the tow vehicle hitch also makes it possible to detect the reflected light for as long as possible, since the strobe light only passes the kingpin with a delay, for example in the case of a fifth wheel coupling, and therefore the reflected light remains visible for longer than if it were mounted at the rear of the tow vehicle, for example.

[0012] In the case of semi-trailers in particular, the coupling means is arranged in the form of a kingpin on the underside of the semi-trailer floor, which is covered by the semi-trailer and therefore largely shaded. The kingpin itself typically has a shiny metal surface that reflects the light emitted by the strobe light source particularly well. This reflected light is picked up by the optical receiver, and thus the coupling means of the trailer vehicle is detected.

[0013] Preferably, the strobe light source is positioned so that the emitted light is emitted in a direction rearward relative to the coupling on the towing vehicle side. This results in a particularly high yield of reflected light for the optical receiver and particularly accurate identification of the coupling means. The term "rearward" refers to a fan with an opening angle of 180° relative to the direction of travel. This fan can also have a smaller opening angle, for example, up to 90°, or particularly preferably up to 60°. Ideally, the fan is reduced to a linear light emission in the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.

[0014] In addition to visible light, the strobe light source can also emit light in the infrared spectrum or can be a laser. Suitable light of a defined spectrum is IR light in the frequency range of 780 nm to 1000 nm, particularly preferably 800 nm to 900 nm, and very particularly preferably 820 nm to 880 nm. The laser can be a short-distance laser operating in the frequency range of 905 nm to 1000 nm. White light, especially white light from a halogen lamp, can also be used, having a luminous flux of at least 1550 lm and a color temperature of at least 3200 K.

[0015] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the tow vehicle side coupling is a fifth wheel coupling, wherein the strobe light source is mounted to the coupling plate, one of the two bearing blocks, or the mounting plate of the fifth wheel coupling.

[0016] The strobe light source can also be provided pivotally mounted on the coupling plate. The strobe light source is preferably mounted on a pivotally mounted holder. The pivotable mounting of the strobe light source allows for the use of a mounting position that can only be used before the trailer vehicle is coupled, but that is within the trailer vehicle's area of ​​influence during and after coupling, so that a permanently mounted strobe light source would be destroyed by the trailer vehicle. With the help of the pivoting holder, the strobe light source leaves the trailer vehicle's area of ​​influence. The pivoting movement of the holder together with the strobe light source can be caused by the trailer vehicle, for example, by parts of the trailer vehicle, such as the trailer plate, colliding with the pivotally mounted holder, thereby causing a change in position. The pivotable mounting of the strobe light source allows for a great deal of freedom in choosing the mounting position in the area of ​​the vehicle longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, so that the coupling means of the trailer vehicle are illuminated particularly centrally, and the reflected light is detected spatially close to the strobe light source by the optical receiver.

[0017] If the strobe light source or its pivotally mounted holder is spring loaded against the coupling plate, the strobe light source will assume its original upright position after uncoupling the trailer vehicle and will be ready for a new coupling operation.

[0018] The optical receiver is advantageously located on the towing vehicle hitch, and particularly preferably is also mounted on the towing vehicle hitch, meaning that the optical receiver and strobe light source are close to each other, maximizing the detection range of the approaching hitch when, for example, the kingpin passes the optical receiver and strobe light source simultaneously, from which point reflected light can no longer be picked up by the optical receiver.

[0019] It makes sense for the optical receiver to be aligned so that light reflected from the rear direction is detected, which means that the optical receiver and the strobe light source are aligned in the same effective direction.

[0020] This has proven particularly useful when the optical receiver is a camera or photocell.

[0021] The strobe light source and the light receiver are preferably integrated into a common structural unit, which may in particular represent a common housing, and in any case, in this embodiment, the strobe light source and the light receiver are mounted in their operating position on a common support element attached to the hitch on the towing vehicle side.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if the common structural unit comprises a plurality of strobe light sources, preferably arranged offset in the circumferential direction around the optical receiver. Advantageously, there are four strobe light sources, which are arranged evenly distributed in the circumferential direction around the optical receiver, resulting in a particularly uniform light emission around the optical receiver and a relatively strong reflected light.

[0023] In the mounting position, the strobe light source and the optical receiver may be arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the vehicle longitudinal axis of the trailer vehicle coupling. In this case, the strobe and the optical receiver are not a common unit but are installed at different mounting positions. The lateral offset from the vehicle longitudinal axis should be the same for the strobe light source and the optical receiver, so that the light emitted by the strobe light source strikes the trailer vehicle coupling means at an incident angle and is emitted at approximately the same reflection angle as the reflected light, which can be detected by the optical receiver.

[0024] In principle, if the visible light is emitted by a strobe light source and the optical receiver is a camera, the device can interact with a display device located in the driver's cab. However, an electronic evaluation unit is advantageously provided, whereby the presence of the coupling means is determined from an average reflection cloud of the reflected light received by the optical receiver. The average reflection cloud images all the reflection points of light on the surface of the coupling means onto the trailer vehicle. Therefore, the brightest point detected by the optical receiver also represents the position of the coupling means.

[0025] The electronic evaluation unit can in particular determine the average reflected cloud height, which has the advantage that the distance to the connecting means can be calculated from the average reflected cloud height using the electronic evaluation unit.

[0026] It makes sense to use an electronic evaluation unit to evaluate the contours on both sides of the average reflectance cloud and verify the coupling means. This makes it possible to identify the type of coupling device installed on the trailer and its structural condition. For example, it can recognize whether a semi-trailer is equipped with a kingpin with a diameter of 2.5', 3.5', or 5'. This information can be used in the evaluation unit to perform a compatibility check and indicate to the operator whether the trailer vehicle can be coupled to the towing vehicle.

[0027] For a better understanding, the invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of 12 figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tow vehicle with a strobe light source and a photoreceiver spaced from the trailer vehicle prior to the coupling process. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a common structural unit having several strobe light sources arranged around an optical receiver. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the fifth wheel coupling with several possible mounting locations for the strobe light source. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of a section through the mounting positions for the strobe light sources according to Pos 1.1.1 and Pos 1.1.2 of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of a section through the mounting positions for the strobe light sources according to Pos 1.2 and Pos 2.3.4 of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of a cross section through the mounting position for the strobe light source according to Pos 2 of FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed perspective top view of the mounting positions for the strobe light sources according to Pos 2.1.1 and Pos 2.2 of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective top view of a mounting location for a strobe light source according to Pos 2.1.2 of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective top view of a mounting location for a strobe light source according to Pos 2.3.1 of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective bottom view of a mounting location for a strobe light source according to Pos 2.3.2 of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed perspective bottom view of the mounting location for the strobe light source according to Pos 2.3.3 of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of a kingpin illuminated by a strobe light source with an average reflectance cloud. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1 shows a side view of a towing vehicle 20 spaced apart from a trailer vehicle 10 in the form of a semi-trailer prior to the coupling operation. The trailer vehicle 10 is provided with a kingpin 12 as coupling means 11, which projects downwards relative to a trailer plate 13 of the trailer vehicle 10 attached to the underside of the trailer vehicle 10. For the coupling operation, in which a mechanical connection with the trailer vehicle 10 is established, the towing vehicle 20 approaches the trailer vehicle 10 in a rearward direction R until the kingpin 12 reaches the coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side and is locked there.

[0030] The coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side is a fifth wheel coupling 23, which includes a coupling plate 24, two bearing blocks 25 that laterally engage with the coupling plate 24 and attach the coupling plate 24 to the towing vehicle 20, and a mounting plate 26 that is fastened to the vehicle frame (not shown) and supports the two bearing blocks 25. After the coupling operation is complete, the trailer plate 13 rests on the upper surface 24a of the coupling plate 24 and is supported by the towing vehicle 20.

[0031] Both a light transmitter 30 in the form of a strobe light source 30 and a light receiver 40 are arranged on the hitch 21 on the towing vehicle side, where they are both aligned in the rearward direction R. By flashing the hitch means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10, in particular the kingpin 12, with the light 32 emitted by the strobe light source 30 and recording the light 60 reflected from the hitch means 11 by the light receiver 40, in particular a camera or photocell, it is possible to determine the distance l from the hitch means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10 to the towing vehicle 20.

[0032] As shown in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2, the strobe light sources 30 and the optical receiver 40 can be combined into a common structural unit. The common structural unit comprises a housing in which the strobe light sources 30 and the optical receiver 40 are permanently mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, four strobe light sources 30 are provided, which are arranged in a ring shape around the optical receiver 40.

[0033] The optical receiver 40 has a fan-shaped detection range 41 and an optical center axis 42 extending rearward R. The optical center axis 38 of the strobe light source 30 also extends rearward R and is aligned parallel to the optical center axis 42 of the optical receiver 40.

[0034] Furthermore, an electronic evaluation unit 50 is arranged in the common structural unit of the strobe light source 30 and the optical receiver 40, with the aid of which the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10 is identified and, if necessary, the distance to the coupling means 11 is calculated. The evaluation unit 50 can also be mounted separately from the strobe light source 30 and / or the optical receiver 40, which are provided at other points on the towing vehicle 20, in particular at its coupling 21 on the towing vehicle side.

[0035] Figure 3 shows in rear view an example of a fifth wheel coupling 23 as a towing vehicle side hitch 21 with several possible mounting positions Pos1.1.1, Pos1.1.2, Pos1.2, Pos2.3.4, Pos2, Pos2.1.1, Pos2.2, Pos2.1.2, Pos2.3.1, Pos2.3.2, Pos2.3.3 for at least one strobe light source 30, each of which is explained in more detail in Figures 4 to 11 below. If the strobe light source 30 and the light receiver 40 are integrated into a common structural unit, this too can be mounted in one of the proposed mounting positions.

[0036] The coupling plate 24 has two inlet horns 24d molded thereon and extending in the rearward direction R, which laterally delimit an insertion opening 22 located therebetween and widening conically in the rearward direction R. As the towing vehicle 20 gradually approaches, the kingpin 12 enters the insertion opening 22 and is guided in a locking area 24e of the coupling plate 24 until it reaches its end position. Starting from the flat upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24, the inlet horns 24d are formed with a downwardly sloping, ramp-shaped upper side, onto which the lowered trailer plate 13 can slide to its final height position during the coupling operation.

[0037] 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounting positions Pos1.1.1 and Pos1.1.2 of the strobe light source 30. In Pos1.1.1, the strobe light source 30 is inserted into a wear ring 28 designed for this purpose with a light passage opening 37. The wear ring 28 surrounds the locking area 24e in a horseshoe shape and is only open in the rear direction R, so that the kingpin 12 can be guided from the insertion opening 22 into the locking area 24e.

[0038] The strobe light source 30 is positioned inside the wear ring 28, recessed from the locking area 24e, and a light passage opening 37 is formed between the strobe light source 30 and the locking area 24e to prevent the kingpin 12 from colliding with the strobe light source 30, particularly during braking operations, as the wear ring 28 wears and the associated loss of material. Furthermore, the recessed mounting of the strobe light source 30 within the wear ring 28 ensures reduced contamination of the strobe light source 30.

[0039] The mounting of the strobe light source 30 within the wear ring 28 is located on the vehicle longitudinal axis X so that the kingpin 12 can be particularly well detected in the rearward direction behind the tow vehicle 20 .

[0040] 4 also shows an alternative or additional mounting position Pos1.1.2 for the strobe light source 30, where the strobe light source 30 is mounted on the longitudinal axis X in the connecting plate 24, but below the locking hook 29 of the locking mechanism. In the vertical direction, the locking hook 29 and the strobe light source 30 at least partially overlap in the open position of the locking hook 29. Light 32 emitted from the strobe light source 30 shines through and / or below the insertion opening 22 in the connecting plate 24 in the direction of the kingpin 12.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows an alternative or supplementary mounting position Pos2.3.4, which in principle is also possible at mounting position Pos1.2, and which is also located on the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.

[0042] In mounting position Pos2.3.4, the strobe light source 30 is mounted on a flexible holder 33 which holds the strobe light source 30 in the functional position shown above the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 in the absence of the trailer vehicle 10. If a part of the trailer vehicle 10, such as the trailer plate 13 or the kingpin 12, is too close and high, the corresponding part of the trailer vehicle 10 will interact with the flexible holder 33 in such a way that the strobe light source 30 is pressed below the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24.

[0043] 5, the flexible holder 33 is attached to the connecting plate 24 by a pivot bearing 31 and held in a raised functional position by a spring element 34. The contact arm 36 extends in a rearward direction R, with its free end projecting beyond the upper side 24a of the connecting plate 24. The spring element 34 is fastened between the holder 33 and the connecting plate 24 and is in a contracted state in the raised functional position. The strobe light source 30 is angularly aligned with the contact arm 36 and is rigidly connected to a holder attachment 35 that holds the strobe light source 30 above the level of the upper side 24a of the connecting plate 24, so that light 32 emitted by the strobe light source 30 radiates across the connecting plate 24 toward the kingpin 12.

[0044] When the towing vehicle 20 approaches the stationary trailer vehicle 10, the trailer plate 13 passes, in particular, the fifth wheel coupling 23, slides over the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24 and hits the free end of the contact arm 36. As a result, the flexible holder 33 rotates around its pivot bearing 31 (clockwise in the view according to FIG. 5) and drops below the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24. This reliably prevents damage to the strobe light source 30.

[0045] During uncoupling of the trailer vehicle 10, the trailer plate 13 moves in the rearward direction R over the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24, releasing the contact arm 36, which then swings rearward due to the pretensioning force of the spring element 34, so that the holder attachment 35 also straightens out counterclockwise in the view according to FIG. 5 and the strobe light source 30 is again above the level of the upper side 24a of the coupling plate 24.

[0046] The embodiment with the flexible holder 33 according to Fig. 5 can also be realized, in principle, on the connecting bridge 27 bridging the two inlet horns 24d below the insertion opening 22 corresponding to the assembly position Pos1.2. During coupling of the trailer vehicle 10, its kingpin 12 passes through the connecting bridge 27 with a small vertical clearance, which would destroy the strobe light source 30 fixedly arranged on the connecting bridge 27. By mounting the strobe light source 30 on the flexible holder 33, it is possible to use a preferred position of the strobe light source 30 in the area of ​​the vehicle's longitudinal axis X and, moreover, to pivot the strobe light source 30 out of the area of ​​influence of the kingpin 12. In this mounting position Pos1.2, the kingpin 12 pushes the flexible holder 33 out of its upright position.

[0047] The embodiment according to Fig. 6 provides an alternative or additional rigid mounting of the strobe light source 30 in the connecting bridge 27 by means of a mounting position Pos2. In this mounting position Pos2, the strobe light source 30 is also located on the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and is at least partially overhanging in the rear direction R by the connecting bridge 27, so that the strobe light source 30 is always protected from the kingpin 12 and other parts of the trailer vehicle 10 that may collide with it, even if the trailer vehicle 10 is incorrectly coupled. The kingpin 12 moving into the coupling plate 24a is oriented in the approach direction X K 27.

[0048] Figure 7 shows an alternative or supplementary mounting position Pos2.1.1, which in principle can also be used in mounting position Pos2.2. In both mounting positions Pos2.1.1 and Pos2.2, the strobe light source 30 is mounted indirectly (Pos2.1.1) or directly to the mounting plate 26 by means of a rigid holder 33. The rigid holder 33 is designed as a corner with a horizontal leg and an upright leg, the horizontal leg being threaded by a fastening screw 39, the vertical leg carrying the strobe light source 30. In the view of Pos2.1.1 according to Figure 7, one of the bearing blocks 25 is also fastened to the mounting plate 26 by means of a fastening screw 39. This mounting of the strobe light source 30 necessarily results in a transverse offset from the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.

[0049] If the holder 33 together with the strobe light source 30 is fastened directly to the mounting plate 26, alignment in the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle according to Pos 2.2 can also preferably be provided. In this mounting position Pos 2.2, there is sufficient free installation space in the vertical direction so that the kingpin 12 of the trailer vehicle 10, which enters the coupling plate 24 during coupling, moves together with the strobe light source 30 over the holder 33 mounted in the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.

[0050] 8 shows a supplementary or alternative mounting position Pos2.1.2, in which the strobe light source 30 is firmly integrated into one of the bearing blocks 25. For this purpose, the bearing block 25 has a light passage opening 37 formed in the rear direction R, through which the light 32 emitted by the strobe light source 30 can pass. The strobe light source 30 is located inside the bearing block 25 facing the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and is therefore particularly well protected against damage and external influences.

[0051] 9 shows a supplementary or alternative mounting position Pos2.3.1, in which a rigid holder 33 together with a strobe light source 30 is mounted on the side of the connecting plate 24. The holder 33 and the strobe light source 30 are arranged below the vertical level of the upper surface 24a of the connecting plate 24 and the inlet horn 24d. Mounting the holder 33 and the strobe light source 30 on the side next to the inlet horn 24d is particularly preferred, since from there the light 32 emitted by the strobe light source 30 can strike the trailer vehicle 10 in the rear direction R without obstruction.

[0052] FIG. 10 shows an additional or alternative mounting position Pos2.3.2, in which the strobe light source 30 is fastened by a rigid holder 33 to the underside 24b of the connecting plate 24, specifically under one of the entrance horns 24d. The light 32 emitted by the strobe light source 30 exits in the rearward direction R through a light passage opening 37 aligned with the strobe light source 30 in the connecting plate 24, specifically in the respective entrance horn 24d. Due to the perspective bottom view of FIG. 10, the light passage opening 37 formed on the upper side of the downwardly inclined lamp shape of the entrance horn 24d is not visible (see FIG. 3). Each entrance horn 24d is positioned laterally offset from the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, so that the strobe light source 30 inserted therein is also laterally offset from the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.

[0053] The mounting position Pos2.3.3 shown in Figure 11 corresponds approximately to Pos2.3.2, differing only in that the strobe light source 30 is not inserted into a rigid holder 33, but into a reinforcing rib 24c located on the underside 24b of the connecting plate 24, in particular in the area of ​​the inlet horn 24d.

[0054] 12 shows a front view of the kingpin 12 of the coupling means 11 arranged on the trailer vehicle 10. The kingpin 12 is flashed by emitted light 32 from the strobe light source 30, and a corresponding reflected light 60 is momentarily visible on its surface. The reflected light 60 is projected from the axial height H of the kingpin 12. K The entire area can be seen as a band of mean reflecting cloud 61.

[0055] The optical receiver 40 is connected to an electronic evaluation unit 50, which is shown by way of example in Fig. 2. For example, the electronic evaluation unit 50, by means of image recognition software arranged thereon, identifies a mean reflecting cloud 61 that is significantly brighter than its surroundings, thereby locating the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10. The electronic evaluation unit 50 then calculates the height H of the mean reflecting cloud 61. M From this, the distance l to the coupling means 11 of the trailer vehicle 10 is determined.

[0056] Optionally, after locating the coupling means 11, for example the kingpin 12, the electronic evaluation unit 50 can be used to perform a contour evaluation of the image provided by the optical receiver 40 and the electronic evaluation unit 50. When using a kingpin 12 as the coupling means 11, the contour evaluation includes an evaluation of the edge distance A on either side of the centerline 62 of the mean reflection cloud 61 to the recognizable outer visible edge 63 of the kingpin 12, and a classification of the kingpin 12 according to the dimensions of a diameter of 2.5', 3.5' or 5'. Following this classification, a plausibility check can be performed as to whether the found coupling means 11 is suitable to be accommodated by the towing vehicle's hitch 21.

[0057] List of Reference Numbers 10 Trailer vehicles 11 Trailer vehicle connection means 12 Kingpin 13 Trailer Plate 14 Mounting flange 20 Towing vehicle 21 Connection of towing vehicle side 22 Insertion opening 23 Fifth wheel coupling 24 connecting plate 24a Upper side of connecting plate 24b Underside of connecting plate 24c stiffening rib connecting plate 24d inlet horn connecting plate 24e Lock Area Connecting Plate 25 bearing block 26 Mounting plate 27 Connecting bridge insertion opening 28 Wear ring 29 Lock Hook 30 Optical transmitter / strobe light source 31 Pivot bearing 32 Synchrotron Radiation 33 Strobe light source holder 34 Spring element holder 35 Strobe light source holder attachment 36 Contact Arm 37 Light passing aperture 38 Strobe light source optical center axis 39 Fastening screw holder 40 Optical receiver 41 Optical receiver detection range 42 Optical receiver optical center axis 50 Electronic Evaluation Unit 60 Reflected light 61 Average Reflection Cloud 62 Centerline average reflection cloud 63 Outer visible edge kingpin A Edge Distance Kingpin H K Kingpin Height H M Mean reflecting cloud height l Distance to connecting means R Rear direction X longitudinal vehicle axis X K Approach Kingpin The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below. [1] A device for positioning coupling means (11, 12) arranged on a trailer vehicle (10) before a coupling operation, comprising: a coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side, designed to have an insertion opening (22) opening in the rear direction (R) and intended for the entry of said coupling means (11); an optical transmitter (30) attached to the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side; an optical receiver (40) for capturing light (60) from the optical transmitter (30) reflected by the coupling means (11); The device is characterized in that the optical transmitter is a strobe light source (30). [2] The device described in [1], characterized in that the strobe light source (30) is positioned so that the emitted light (32) is emitted in a rearward direction (R) relative to the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side. [3] The device according to [1] or [2], wherein the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side is a fifth wheel coupling (23), and the strobe light source (30) is attached to a coupling plate (24), one of two bearing blocks (25), or a mounting plate (26) of the fifth wheel coupling (23). [4] The device according to [3], characterized in that the strobe light source (30) is pivotally mounted on the connecting plate (24). [5] The device according to any one of [1] to [4], characterized in that the optical receiver (40) is arranged on the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side. [6] The device described in any one of [1] to [5], characterized in that the optical receiver (40) is positioned so that reflected light (60) from the rear direction (R) is captured. [7] The device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the optical receiver (40) is a camera or a photocell. [8] The device according to any one of [1] to [7], characterized in that the strobe light source (30) and the optical receiver (40) are integrated into a common structural unit. [9] The apparatus according to [8], characterized in that the common structural unit comprises a plurality of strobe light sources (30) arranged circumferentially offset around the optical receiver (40).

[10] The device described in any one of [1] to [7], characterized in that the strobe light source (30) and the optical receiver (40) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vehicle longitudinal axis (X) of the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side, on opposite sides of the installation position.

[11] The device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that an electronic evaluation unit (50) is provided, by means of which the presence of the coupling means (11) is determined from the average reflection cloud (61) of the reflected light (60) received by the optical receiver (40).

[12] The height of the mean reflecting cloud (61) (H M ) is determined by the electronic evaluation unit (50).

[13] The distance (l) to the connecting means (11) is determined by the height (H M ) determined by the electronic evaluation unit (50).

[14] The device according to any one of

[11] to

[13] , characterized in that the contour evaluation of both sides of the mean reflectance cloud (61) and the verification of the connecting means (11) are performed by the electronic evaluation unit (50).

Claims

1. A device for positioning coupling means (11, 12) arranged on a trailer vehicle (10) before a coupling operation, comprising: a coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side, designed to have an insertion opening (22) opening in the rear direction (R) and intended for the entry of said coupling means (11); an optical transmitter (30) attached to the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side; an optical receiver (40) for capturing light (60) from the optical transmitter (30) reflected by the coupling means (11), the optical transmitter being a strobe light source (30); The device is characterized in that it is provided with an electronic evaluation unit (50) which determines, from the mean reflected cloud (61) of the reflected light (60) received by the optical receiver (40), the presence of the connecting means (11), the height (H M ) of the mean reflected cloud (61) and the distance (l) from the height (H M ) of the mean reflected cloud (61) to the connecting means (11).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strobe light source (30) is aligned so that the emitted light (32) is emitted in a rearward direction (R) relative to the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side.

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

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the strobe light source (30) is pivotally mounted to the connecting plate (24).

5. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical receiver (40) is arranged on the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side.

6. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the optical receiver (40) is aligned so as to capture reflected light (60) from the rear direction (R).

7. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the optical receiver (40) is a camera or a photocell.

8. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strobe light source (30) and the optical receiver (40) are integrated into a common structural unit.

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said common structural unit comprises a plurality of strobe light sources (30) arranged circumferentially offset around said optical receiver (40).

10. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strobe light source (30) and the optical receiver (40) are arranged on opposite sides of the installation position symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the coupling (21) on the towing vehicle side.

11. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contour evaluation of the two sides of the mean reflectance cloud (61) and the verification of the coupling means (11) are carried out by the electronic evaluation unit (50).

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