Adjusting device, air deflecting system, control member and device enabling aerodynamic resistance of a semi-trailer to be reduced

• US 20090160214A1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Original Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Inventors: Alguera, Jose
• Granted Patent: US 7,984,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/180.300
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/068 having devices to equalise or modify the load between the fifth wheel and the rear wheels adjustable couping saddles per se B62D53/0807; load transfer devices to permit coupling or uncoupling B62D53/0857; anti jack-knifing devices B62D53/0871
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/0814 with adjustment of the clearance between the tractor or the trailer devices modifying the load in tractor-trailer combinations B62D53/068
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/0821 Lifting saddles, i.e. to lift the trailer front tilting body constructions B60P

Abstract

A device for adjusting a fifth wheel, comprising a displacement device provided with two guide rails placed on the vehicle, in particular on a tractor semi-trailer combination in the longitudinal direction thereof, said guide rails whereon a slide may be installed capable of being moved by means of an actuating device, said actuating device being designed such that, upon a displacement, the positive connection between the guide rails and the slide is maintained. The actuating device, which is designed to move the slide, comprises a first powered device. Additionally, at least one first position sensor is arranged to detect the position of the slide, at least said first position sensor being connected to a control device.

Claims

1. A device for reducing the air resistance of a tractor and semi-trailer combination comprised of a tractor and a semi-trailer, comprising:

a displacement device for displacing a fifth wheel coupling in a longitudinal direction of the tractor, or a lifting device for raising or lowering the fifth wheel coupling, or a combination thereof,

and further comprised of a wind deflector which is swingably mounted on a cap of the tractor,

wherein the displacement device or the lifting device or the wind deflector or a combination thereof have motor drives and position sensors, with the drives and position sensors being connected to a common control device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement device comprises two guide rails disposed longitudinally on a vehicle, and further comprises a slide which is displaceable on said guide rails, and an actuating device for displacing the slide, which actuating device is configured so as to maintain a form-interlocking relationship between a frame and the slide during the course of displacement, wherein the actuating device for accomplishing the displacement of the slide is comprised of a first motor drive, and wherein at least one first position sensor is provided for determining the position of the slide, where at least the said first position sensor and the first motor drive are connected to the control device.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first motor drive has at least one drive spindle with one or more spindle nuts.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the spindle nut is disposed on the slide.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first motor drive has at least one rack and pinion.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first position sensor is a distance sensor or a rotational angle measurement device.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein at least two first position sensors are associated with one guide rail.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first position sensor(s) are inductive sensors.

9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the lifting device for the fifth wheel coupling is disposed on a slide, and wherein said lifting device has its own second motor drive which is connected to said control device.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein guide rails are attached to the lifting device, and wherein said lifting device has its own second motor drive, which is connected to said control device.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein at least one second position sensor is disposed on the lifting device, and wherein said sensor determines lifting altitude and is connected to said control device.

12. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control device comprises a device for monitoring and automatic control.

13. The device according to claim 2, wherein said wind deflector is associated with a third motor drive, wherein at least one third position sensor is provided which determines an adjustment angle of said wind deflector, and wherein said third position sensor and third motor drive are connected to said control device.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said at least one wind deflector is associated with a fourth drive means, wherein at least one fourth position sensor is provided and is connected to said control device.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a monitoring device which monitors functionality of at least one position sensor.

16. The device according to claim 1, comprising a display device which displays a horizontal position or a vertical position or both the horizontal position and vertical position of the fifth wheel coupling or the angle of inclination of the wind deflector.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said control device is connected to an adjustable shock-absorbing system of the semi-trailer.

18. The device according to claim 1, which is configured so as to evaluate position signals from the position sensors and to compare said signals with set-point values and then to send control signals to said motor drives.