Rotating King Pin Dust Cap Assembly for Clean Fifth-Wheel Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dust cap assemblies for semi-trailers with bored-out king pins do not provide a secure, rotatable mounting solution that does not weaken the king pin, especially under stress conditions during driving and accidents, while maintaining protection from dirt ingress during coupling and uncoupling processes.
Innovation Solution
A dust cap assembly featuring a circular bearing disc with a circumferential bearing seat for the dust cap device, allowing it to rotate coaxially with the king pin, and being fastened to the semi-trailer using annular bearing disks and screws, with a thrust element and springs for automatic positioning during coupling and uncoupling, ensuring the dust cap remains protective without interfering with the fifth-wheel connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the dust cap device is mounted directly on the king pin, then the mounting is simple, but the king pin is weakened and cannot withstand stress during driving and accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an annular bearing disk as an intermediary component between the dust cap device and the king pin. This bearing disk is mounted on the king pin and provides a separate mounting surface for the dust cap device, thereby preventing direct attachment that would weaken the king pin. The bearing disk acts as a mediator that preserves the structural integrity of the king pin while enabling the dust cap device to be properly mounted.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the dust cap is fixed in the basic position, then protection from dirt is maximized, but the borehole cannot be accessed during coupling process
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between the basic position (providing protection) and the coupling position (providing access). The dust cap can be shifted along the dust cap device axis, enabling it to cover the borehole during normal operation for dirt protection, and be moved away during coupling to allow access to the borehole for automatic coupling operations.
3Device complexity
If the dust cap device is made stationary, then mounting is simplified, but it interferes with the mobility of the fifth-wheel during coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap device is designed to rotate about the king pin axis, making it dynamic rather than stationary. This rotational capability allows the dust cap device to move out of the way during coupling operations, preventing interference with the fifth-wheel mobility. The bearing disk with bearing surfaces enables this rotation while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure.
4Ease of operation
If the dust cap is always in the coupling position, then the borehole is always accessible, but dirt and moisture can penetrate during uncoupled state
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap's movable design allows it to dynamically assume different positions based on operational requirements. During the uncoupled state, the dust cap remains in the basic position to protect the borehole from dirt and moisture penetration. During coupling operations, it can be shifted to the coupling position to expose the borehole, thus providing accessibility when needed without compromising protection during normal operation.
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 solution provides a secure, rotatable dust cap assembly that effectively protects the king pin from dirt and moisture, maintains the structural integrity of the king pin, and ensures seamless coupling and uncoupling processes without interfering with the fifth-wheel connection, even in non-automatic coupling configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A first spring is provided in the lateral guide for biasing the thrust element in a spring-loaded manner in the direction of the basic position
Implementation Method 2
A second spring can be provided on the thrust element which loads the dust cap onto the end face of the king pin
Implementation Method 3
A first sliding bearing edge can be formed on the bearing disk and on the outside on the outer edge of the bearing disk a second sliding bearing edge can be formed, in which the dust cap device engages so that it is hung freely rotatable around the king pin, whereby any tilting moments are well absorbed by the broad mounting base
Data Source
AI summary
A dust cap assembly including a semi-trailer (2) and a towing vehicle (3). The dust cap assembly is for closing a king pin (21) which has been hollowed out with a borehole (22) for automatic fifth-wheel coupling. A dust cap device (1) is arranged in contact with the underside (20) of the semi-trailer (2) and such that it can rotate about the king pin (21). In order to mount the dust cap device (11) such that it can rotate about the king pin (21), a circular ring-shaped bearing disc (25) having a circular bearing seat (26) is provided, which is secured coaxially to the king pin (21) on the underside (20) of the semi-trailer (2). The circular bearing seat (26) on the circular ring-shaped bearing disc (25) has a first sliding bearing edge (261) on the inner circular opening and a second sliding bearing edge (262) on the outer rim, in which the dust cap device (1) engages. Also, a dust cap device for this assembly.