THEFT SECURITY DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE COUPLING

• US 20110118942A1
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JOST-Werke Deutschland GmbH (JOST Werke SE)
• Original Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Inventors: Algüera Gallego, José Manuel, Saupe, Swen
• Granted Patent: US 8,615,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/085 fitted with anti-coupling devices, pivotal or retractable king pins, e.g. to prevent theft vehicle fittings for preventing theft in general B60R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/10 with means for preventing accidental uncoupling

Abstract

An anti-theft security device for a vehicle coupling, in particular a fifth wheel coupling (1), includes a security apparatus (2) and a control apparatus (3) which are electrically connected to each other. The control device (3) is connected to at least one vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) having an emergency function. Upon the triggering of at least one emergency function of the vehicle-side system, the control apparatus (3) deactivates the control apparatus (2) directly or indirectly.

Claims

1. An anti-theft security device for a vehicle coupling arranged on a vehicle, in particular a fifth wheel coupling (1), with a security device (2) which engages with a component of the vehicle coupling and blocks or releases said component, and with a control apparatus (3) which is electrically connected to the security apparatus (2) and activates or deactivates the security apparatus, characterized in that the control apparatus (3) is connected to at least one vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) which comprises an emergency function in the event of an emergency situation in which the trailer can be separated from the tractor by emergency responders at the place of accident, and that upon triggering of at least one vehicle-side emergency function of the vehicle-side system (10a, 10b, 10c), the control apparatus (3) deactivates the security apparatus (2) directly or indirectly, wherein the direct deactivation causes an immediate unlocking of the anti-theft security device, and the indirect deactivation depends on the vehicle-side system, and upon triggering the emergency situation, additional measures for deactivation must be taken.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control apparatus (3) is connected to at least two vehicle-side systems (10a, b, c), and that upon triggering of at least two vehicle-side emergency functions, the control apparatus deactivates the security apparatus (2).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) comprises at least one airbag, one restraint system, one crash sensor, one acceleration sensor, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) or the central locking system of the vehicle.

4. The device according to claims 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that the control apparatus (3) is configured for processing signals of the vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) and for switching on the security apparatus (2) when specified system values of the vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) are reached.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) is the energy system of the vehicle and that the control apparatus (3) deactivates the security apparatus (2) upon failure of the energy system.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the anti-theft security device comprises a separate energy supply apparatus (4).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the separate energy supply apparatus (4) is an emergency power supply which can be activated upon failure of the vehicle-side energy system.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control apparatus (3) is connected to a code input device (5) which is to be unlocked for entering the code.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the control apparatus (3) unlocks the code input device (5) for entering the code, and deactivates the security apparatus (2) depending on the code input or the system state of the code input device.

10. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the code input device (5) is arranged in the vehicle and the code input is carried out at the device (5) or through a wireless connection via an external device.