Fifth Wheel Coupling Stops Prevent Frame Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fifth wheel couplings for commercial vehicles can cause damage to the tractor's frame and other components when swiveled freely or during incorrect coupling maneuvers, especially when designed for compactness and weight reduction, as they may penetrate sensitive areas during pivoting movements.
Innovation Solution
A fifth wheel coupling design featuring a bearing block unit with a fastening area and a storage area, equipped with stops to limit pivoting movement and prevent contact with the frame, allowing for a compact and lightweight structure while absorbing forces and moments, ensuring the coupling unit does not hit sensitive areas during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fifth wheel coupling is designed to be compact and lightweight, then the space and weight are reduced, but the coupling unit may penetrate sensitive areas of the frame during pivoting movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating stops (first stop on bearing block unit, second stop on coupling unit) that preemptively prevent the coupling unit from pivoting into positions where it could damage the frame. These stops create mechanical constraints before harmful movement can occur, blocking the harmful action in advance while preserving the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stops act as intermediary elements between the coupling unit and the frame. Instead of allowing direct contact between the coupling unit and frame (which would cause damage), the stops serve as mediators that absorb and redirect forces, preventing the coupling unit from penetrating sensitive areas while maintaining the compact structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fifth wheel coupling is allowed to pivot freely at large angles, then the ability to compensate for tilting or pitching movements is improved, but damage to the frame and other components can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The stops are positioned to prevent harmful pivoting movements before they can occur. The first stop on the bearing block unit and second stop on the coupling unit create mechanical limits that block excessive pivoting in advance, allowing normal compensatory movements while preventing damage-causing movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances freedom of movement with protection. The coupling unit can pivot freely within safe angular ranges to compensate for terrain variations, but the stops dynamically engage when approaching dangerous angles, creating a dynamic constraint system that adapts to operational conditions.
3Weight of stationary object
If the fifth wheel coupling is made compact, then the space and weight are reduced, but the coupling unit can dip into sensitive areas of the tractor frame during incorrect coupling maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The stops provide preliminary protection against incorrect coupling maneuvers by creating mechanical barriers before damage can occur. Even if coupling maneuvers are incorrect, the stops prevent the coupling unit from dipping into sensitive frame areas, maintaining the compact design without sacrificing protection.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fifth wheel coupling of a commercial vehicle, comprising a bearing block unit (2) and a coupling unit (4), wherein the bearing block unit can be fixed to a mounting area (22) on the frame (6) of the commercial vehicle and has a bearing area (21), wherein the coupling unit can be pivotably mounted on the bearing block unit about a pivot axis on the bearing area of the bearing block unit, wherein the bearing block unit has a first stop (24) and possibly a second stop (26) which limit the pivoting movement of the coupling unit relative to the bearing block unit in such a way that contact between the coupling unit and the frame is prevented.