Fifth Wheel Camera Mounting to Reduce Dirt and Kingpin Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fifth wheel coupling systems with cameras face issues of contamination and damage due to the camera's exposure to dirt and the king pin during coupling, leading to visual impairment and increased costs with the need for additional cameras.
Innovation Solution
The camera is mounted on a bearing element connected to the fifth wheel coupling plate, positioned laterally offset from the longitudinal axis to avoid damage and contamination, with a bearing block, traverse, bridge, or mounting plate configuration that ensures a secure and unobstructed view of the king pin during coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera is mounted on the coupling plate or in the area of the fifth wheel coupling, then the kingpin can be detected more easily and the coupling precision is improved, but the camera is exposed to contamination from dirt and grease and to damage from the kingpin
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is mounted on the longitudinal axis of the coupling plate at a distance from the locking area, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to achieve optimal detection angle while avoiding the harmful zone. This spatial repositioning in the longitudinal direction allows the camera to detect the kingpin effectively without being exposed to contamination from the locking area or damage from the kingpin during coupling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective housing that encloses the camera, acting as an intermediary barrier between the camera and the harmful environment. The housing protects the camera from contamination by dirt and grease while allowing the camera to maintain its optimal position for kingpin detection, thus resolving the contradiction between detection precision and protection from harmful factors.
2Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned centrally in the vehicle's longitudinal axis to enable precise approach, then the coupling accuracy is improved, but the camera is exposed to heavily stirred up dirt and potential damage from the kingpin
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned at a specific location on the coupling plate - laterally offset from the longitudinal axis and at a defined distance from the locking area. This localized positioning creates a zone of optimal detection quality while avoiding zones of high contamination and damage risk, thus achieving local optimization of both detection accuracy and protection from harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the camera directly on the longitudinal axis where it would be exposed to maximum dirt and kingpin damage risk, the camera is positioned laterally offset in the transverse direction. This dimensional shift in the transverse axis allows the camera to maintain sufficient longitudinal offset for accurate detection while being laterally removed from the high-risk zone, thus resolving the contradiction through spatial repositioning in multiple dimensions.
3Reliability
If a second forward-facing camera is added to detect the kingpin when the air suspension is extended, then the kingpin detection reliability is improved, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single camera mounted on the coupling plate is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting the kingpin during approach, tracking the kingpin during coupling, and maintaining detection capability throughout the coupling process including when air suspension is extended. This universal camera design eliminates the need for multiple specialized cameras, thus maintaining high detection reliability while reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple cameras into a single camera system. By positioning one camera optimally on the coupling plate and using protective housing to maintain its operational effectiveness in all coupling phases, the system merges what would otherwise require separate cameras into a unified, cost-effective solution that maintains reliability across all operating conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a fifth wheel coupling with a camera (30), comprising a coupling plate (10) and a bearing element (20), with which the coupling plate (10) can be secured to a towing vehicle, wherein the coupling plate (10) has a centrally arranged locking region (11) for receiving a king pin, as well as an insertion opening (12) running along a longitudinal axis (x) and bordered on both sides by two insertion flanges (13a, 13b). The object of the invention is to mount the camera (30) in a position in the region of the fifth-wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage. This is achieved by the camera (30) being secured to the bearing element (20).