SLIDABLY ADJUSTABLE FIFTH WHEEL HITCH ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE SAME
First Claim
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1. A method, executed by a control system, for automatically moving a fifth wheel actuator of a heavy duty vehicle having a cab between a forward position in which the fifth wheel actuator is in its closest position to the cab and a rearward position in which the fifth wheel actuator is in its farthest position from the cab, the method comprising:
- monitoring a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors to determine whether at least one of the plurality of parameter sensors is nonfunctional and generating a movement event output signal when at least one of the plurality of parameter sensors is nonfunctional;
monitoring a vehicle speed over a predetermined time interval;
comparing the monitored vehicle speed to a first speed threshold value and generating a movement event output signal when the vehicle speed exceeds the first predetermined speed threshold value;
comparing the monitored vehicle speed to a second speed threshold value and generating a first movement event output signal when the vehicle speed is below the second predetermined speed threshold value;
determining a vehicle yaw;
comparing the monitored vehicle yaw to a yaw threshold value and generating a second movement event output signal when the vehicle yaw exceeds the yaw threshold value; and
automatically moving the fifth wheel actuator in response to the first or second generated movement event output signal.
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Abstract
An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is provided.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method, executed by a control system, for automatically moving a fifth wheel actuator of a heavy duty vehicle having a cab between a forward position in which the fifth wheel actuator is in its closest position to the cab and a rearward position in which the fifth wheel actuator is in its farthest position from the cab, the method comprising:
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monitoring a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors to determine whether at least one of the plurality of parameter sensors is nonfunctional and generating a movement event output signal when at least one of the plurality of parameter sensors is nonfunctional; monitoring a vehicle speed over a predetermined time interval; comparing the monitored vehicle speed to a first speed threshold value and generating a movement event output signal when the vehicle speed exceeds the first predetermined speed threshold value; comparing the monitored vehicle speed to a second speed threshold value and generating a first movement event output signal when the vehicle speed is below the second predetermined speed threshold value; determining a vehicle yaw; comparing the monitored vehicle yaw to a yaw threshold value and generating a second movement event output signal when the vehicle yaw exceeds the yaw threshold value; and automatically moving the fifth wheel actuator in response to the first or second generated movement event output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, executed by a control system, for automatically moving a fifth wheel actuator of a heavy duty vehicle having a cab between a forward position closest to the cab and a rearward position farthest from the cab, the method comprising:
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monitoring a vehicle speed over a predetermined time interval and generating vehicle speed data indicative of the monitored vehicle speed over the predetermined time interval; monitoring a vehicle acceleration and generating vehicle acceleration data indicative of the monitored acceleration; monitoring at least one of a vehicle steer angle, steer rate, articulation angle and articulation rate and generating vehicle yaw data indicative of the monitored vehicle steer angle, steer rate, articulation angle and articulation rate; generating a movement event output signal when the vehicle speed data, vehicle acceleration data and vehicle yaw rate data meet predetermined vehicle parameters; and automatically moving the fifth wheel actuator in response to the generated movement event output signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for controlling actuation of a fifth wheel actuator of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a plurality of sensors each associated with at least one of the vehicle cab and trailer, the plurality of sensors provided to gather data indicative of the vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle yaw and fifth wheel actuator position; a controller in communication with the sensors, the controller being provided to evaluate vehicle speed over a predetermined time interval, vehicle acceleration, steer angle, steer rate, articulation angle and articulation rate, the controller further being provided to generate a movement event output signal resulting from the evaluated vehicle speed over a predetermined time interval, vehicle acceleration, steer angle, steer rate, articulation angle and articulation rate; and a fifth wheel actuator movable between a forward position in which the fifth wheel actuator is closest to the cab of the vehicle and a rearward position in which the fifth wheel actuator is farthest from the cab of the vehicle, the fifth wheel actuator being responsive to generation of the movement event output signal by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification