Method and control system for a displacement device, with distance measurement in order to detect obstacles

• US 20100262341A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Original Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Inventors: Algüera, José Manuel
• Application Number:
  US12/798,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20100262341A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• 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

Abstract

A method and a system for control of a displacement device for a fifth wheel coupling which coupling is disposed on a tractor vehicle are described, wherein the displacement device has a lower structure having at least one guide rail oriented in the direction of travel, a movable carriage which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages the guide rail(s), and a control device connected to a motorized drive unit for displacing the carriage and also connected to an adjusting member for fixing the carriage with respect to the guide rail(s). The underlying problem of the invention was to devise a method and a control system whereby timely establishment of a sufficiently long gap between the tractor and the associated semi-trailer is possible. One means by which this problem is solved is with a method wherein distance measurement is carried out to detect an obstacle disposed ahead of the tractor, and the measurement signal is processed in the control device to yield a control signal, which is employed to actuate the motorized drive unit and/or the adjusting member.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a displacement device for a fifth wheel coupling which coupling is disposed on a tractor vehicle, wherein the displacement device comprises:

a lower structure having at least one guide rail oriented in the direction of travel, a movable carriage which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages the guide rail(s), and a control device connected to a motorized drive unit for displacing the carriage and also connected to an adjusting member for fixing the carriage with respect to the guide rail(s);

comprising the steps of;

carrying out a distance measurement to detect an obstacle disposed ahead of the tractor, and processing the measurement signal in the control device to yield a control signal, which is employed to actuate the motorized drive unit and/or the adjusting member.

2. The method according to claim 1;

wherein when a prescribed first reaction distance (X₁) to the obstacle is reached the motorized drive unit and/or the adjusting member is/are switched into a state of readiness.

3. The method according to claim 1;

wherein in a state of readiness a hydraulic pump starts up the motorized drive unit.

4. The method according to claim 1;

wherein when a prescribed second reaction distance (X₂) is reached the fixing of the carriage is released, and the carriage is displaced by the motorized drive unit into a rearward position.

5. The method according to claim 4;

wherein when the carriage is in the rearward position it is fixed by means of the adjusting member.

11. The method according to claim 2;

wherein when a prescribed second reaction distance (X₂) is reached the fixing of the carriage is released, and the carriage is displaced by the motorized drive unit into a rearward position.

12. The method according to claim 3;

wherein when a prescribed second reaction distance (X₂) is reached the fixing of the carriage is released, and the carriage is displaced by the motorized drive unit into a rearward position.

13. The method according to claim 11;

wherein when the carriage is in the rearward position it is fixed by means of the adjusting member.

14. The method according to claim 12;

wherein when the carriage is in the rearward position it is fixed by means of the adjusting member.

6. A control system comprised of:

a displacement device for a fifth wheel coupling disposed on a tractor vehicle, wherein the displacement device comprises;

a lower structure having at least one guide rail oriented in the direction of travel, a movable carriage which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages the guide rail(s), and a control device connected to a motorized drive unit for displacing the carriage and also connected to an adjusting member for fixing the carriage with respect to the guide rail(s);

wherein the control device is connected to a distance sensor which, when an obstacle is present ahead of the tractor vehicle, generates a measurement value, and said control device cooperates with the drive unit and/or the adjusting member.

7. The control system according to claim 6;

wherein the distance sensor is a component of a distance measuring system in or on the tractor.

8. The control system according to claim 6;

wherein the distance sensor is a radar sensor, lidar sensor, or infrared sensor.

9. The control system according to claim 6;

wherein the distance sensor is a component of a path following system for the tractor.

10. The control system according to claim 7;

wherein the distance sensor is a radar sensor, lidar sensor, or infrared sensor.

15. The control system according to claim 10;

wherein the distance sensor is a component of a path following system for the tractor.