Automatic Trailer Coupling With Fine Electrical And Pneumatic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer coupling systems require human intervention for establishing electrical and pneumatic connections between towing vehicles and trailers, making them unsuitable for autonomous systems.
Innovation Solution
An auto-coupling system comprising a coarse-alignment and fine-alignment coupling system that automatically aligns and connects electrical and pneumatic systems between a towing vehicle and a trailer, using an extendable arm, alignment wheels, and a locking mechanism to secure the connection without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual coupling methods are used for electrical and pneumatic connections, then human intervention is required, but this makes the system unsuitable for autonomous operations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system performs self-alignment and self-connection through the alignment mechanism that automatically guides the connector head into proper position with the receptacle, and the locking mechanism that automatically secures the connection without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical coupling operations with an automated actuator-driven mechanism that moves the connector head along the guide rail and engages it with the receptacle through controlled mechanical action
2Extent of automation
If automated coupling systems are implemented, then human intervention is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into distinct functional modules: a coarse alignment stage using the fifth wheel and kingpin, a fine alignment stage using the guide rail and alignment wheels, and a connection stage using the actuator and locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with simpler design
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the coarse alignment provided by the fifth wheel and the precise connection required by the electrical and pneumatic interfaces. The alignment wheels on the connector head serve as intermediaries that roll along the guide rail to achieve precise positioning
3Reliability
If precise alignment is achieved for connector connections, then connection reliability is improved, but the alignment mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs coarse alignment through the fifth wheel and kingpin connection, then performs additional fine alignment through the guide rail and alignment wheels. This two-stage approach ensures precise connection reliability without requiring the entire system to be designed for maximum precision from the start
Data Source
AI summary
A fine-alignment coupling system for coupling a trailer and a towing vehicle includes a housing including a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another; a connector carriage within the housing and configured to move relative to the housing along a first direction, the connector carriage including: a first connector head including a plurality of electrical connection terminals and a pneumatic terminal; and an actuator fixedly coupled to the housing and configured to move the connector carriage relative to the housing along the first direction.