Fifth-Wheel Coupling Pitch Sensing With Contactless Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fifth wheel arrangements for towing vehicles are bulky and prone to errors in measuring the pitch angle, which is crucial for determining critical driving situations.
Innovation Solution
A compact coupling system with contactless sensors, such as cameras, lasers, or ultrasonic sensors, is integrated into the fifth wheel arrangement to measure the pitch angle indirectly or directly, allowing for precise detection of the angle without physical contact, with sensors positioned in close proximity to the fifth wheel plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contactless sensors are used to measure pitch angle, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based pitch angle measurement systems with contactless optical or electromagnetic sensors. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and contamination issues while providing more reliable measurements, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference system consisting of marked positions on the fifth wheel plate and corresponding detection markers. This intermediary reference framework enables contactless sensors to accurately measure pitch angle by detecting positional relationships, thereby improving measurement reliability while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through standardized reference structures.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged in immediate vicinity of fifth-wheel coupling plate, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into distinct functional components: sensors mounted on the towing vehicle frame, reference markers on the fifth wheel plate, and signal processing units. This segmentation allows precise positioning of sensors near the coupling plate for high measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through modular assembly and standardized mounting interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates reference markers and positioning features during the manufacturing of the fifth wheel plate. This preliminary action ensures that when sensors are installed, they can be quickly aligned and calibrated by matching pre-defined reference positions, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the close proximity arrangement required for high precision measurements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for pitch angle measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor measurements into a unified pitch angle calculation through signal processing. By merging data from multiple sensors and using reference marker positions, the system achieves high measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated signal processing algorithms that consolidate multiple input signals into a single accurate measurement output.
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 provides accurate and reliable measurement of the pitch angle with high redundancy and resistance to contamination, enhancing safety and efficiency in towing operations.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor indirectly and/or directly sensing a pitch angle about the transverse axis contactlessly
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling system for a towing vehicle that includes at least one sensor, and a fifth wheel arrangement that includes a fifth wheel plate and at least one bearing block, wherein the fifth wheel plate has a trailer surface and an entry opening, wherein the trailer surface has an outwardly pointing normal, wherein the entry opening extends in an entry direction, wherein the fifth wheel plate is pivotably beard about a transverse axis relative to the bearing block, wherein the bearing block has a contact surface, wherein the contact surface lies in a contact plane, wherein the sensor indirectly and/or directly detects a pitch angle about the transverse axis contactlessly, and wherein the sensor is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the fifth wheel plate.