Fifth Wheel Lock-State Sensing for Kingpin Engagement Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fifth wheel systems lack effective methods to determine and verify their operational states, particularly in ensuring proper locking onto a kingpin and detecting wear, which can lead to inadvertent disengagement or vibrations during towing.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes sensors to detect magnetic flux from a magnet on a movable component of the fifth wheel, a controller to process data and determine the end position of the movable component, and an indicator to alert the operator of the operational state, including locked, unlocked, and worn states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical locking mechanisms are used in fifth wheels, then the locking function is achieved, but there is no effective method to determine and verify the operational state, leading to potential inadvertent disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing sensors that detect the position of movable components (jaw, wedge) and provide real-time information about the locking state to a controller. The controller processes this information and provides feedback to the operator through indicators, enabling verification of the operational state and improving reliability by alerting operators to potential issues before they result in disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional purely mechanical state indication with an electronic sensing and signaling system. Magnetic sensors detect the position of magnetized components, and electronic controllers process this data to determine operational states, substituting mechanical feedback mechanisms with more reliable electronic detection methods that can accurately report locking status.
2Device complexity
If simple locking mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect wear and operational issues is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic sensors and electronic controllers to detect wear and operational issues, replacing complex mechanical wear indicators. The sensors monitor the position and movement of locking components, and the controller analyzes this data to detect wear patterns, providing a simpler overall system that maintains high detection capability through electronic means rather than mechanical complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If no operational state verification system is implemented, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but safety risks increase due to inability to verify proper locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a cost-effective feedback system using magnetic sensors and simple electronic indicators to verify proper locking. The sensors detect the position of magnetized components on the jaw and wedge, and the controller provides clear feedback to the operator about whether the fifth wheel is properly locked, enhancing safety verification without requiring complex or expensive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic fields as an intermediary to transmit information about the operational state without direct mechanical contact between the sensing system and the locking components. This approach reduces wear on sensing components and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable detection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively determines and verifies the operational state of the fifth wheel, ensuring it is properly locked and detecting wear, thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement and reducing vibrations during towing.
Implementation Method 1
sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.