Fifth-Wheel Emergency Kingpin Blocking for Detachment Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tractor-trailer combinations face a high risk of accidental detachment during transit, particularly when the locking element fails or slips out of position, posing safety hazards, especially with hazardous materials, due to inadequate detection and response mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tractor-trailer combination with a blocking element that blocks the kingpin's displacement from the entry opening and a control unit that activates the blocking means to move the blocking element to a blocking position upon detecting partial kingpin entry, ensuring the kingpin remains locked, and a CAN bus for communication between control units to facilitate timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking element is made to automatically enter the locking position after coupling, then the reliability of coupling is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional automatic locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is pre-positioned in the entry opening before coupling occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that if the locking element fails to lock properly, the blocking element is already in place to prevent detachment, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex active monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the kingpin and the fifth wheel. It provides a secondary containment function that mediates the potential failure of the primary locking element, preventing catastrophic detachment while maintaining relatively simple system architecture
2Reliability
If the blocking element is positioned in the entry opening to prevent kingpin displacement, then the safety against detachment is improved, but the ease of coupling deteriorates due to restricted kingpin movement
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed to be dynamically movable between a blocking position in the entry opening and a retracted position. During coupling, it temporarily blocks the entry opening to guide the kingpin. After successful coupling, it can be retracted or moved to allow proper locking without interfering with the kingpin's final position, thus maintaining both safety and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling process is segmented into distinct phases: approach phase where the blocking element is active, coupling phase where the kingpin enters the fifth wheel, and locking phase where the blocking element retracts or moves aside. This segmentation allows the blocking element to provide safety during critical moments without permanently restricting kingpin movement
3Reliability
If the control unit activates the blocking means immediately upon detecting partial kingpin entry, then the response time to prevent detachment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing CAN bus communication infrastructure of the vehicle for self-monitoring and self-protection. The control unit leverages already-present sensors and communication protocols to detect kingpin position and activate blocking means, rather than requiring entirely new detection and control systems. This reduces additional complexity while maintaining fast response capability
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The fifth wheel 5 of the tractor of a tractor-trailer combination is provided with a kingpin opening 15 for receiving the kingpin 11, as well as an entry opening 17 connected to the kingpin opening 15 for guiding the kingpin to the kingpin opening during coupling. The fifth wheel 9 is provided with locking means for locking the kingpin 11 in the kingpin opening 15. The fifth wheel 5 is furthermore provided with a sensor which can determine the position of the kingpin 11 in the fifth wheel 5. The tractor has a control unit to which the sensor is connected. If, while driving, the control unit detects that the kingpin 11 has moved out of the kingpin opening 15, it activates the blocking means to prevent further movement of the kingpin in order to prevent the semi-trailer from becoming detached from the tractor. These blocking means have a blocking element 23 which can block the entry opening 17.