Force-sensing fifth wheel
First Claim
1. A force-sensing fifth wheel assembly comprising:
- a fifth wheel having a left-side pocket and a right-side pocket in the lower side thereof for receiving a force-sensing unit in each pocket; and
a force-sensing unit mounted in each pocket, each force-sensing unit including a first pair of vertical sensors positioned forward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of vertical sensors positioned rearwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel, a first pair of horizontal sensors positioned forward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of horizontal sensors positioned rearwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel such that said force-sensing units provide eight channels of force-sensing information for use in determining total vertical load, longitudinal load, roll, pitch and yaw information with respect to the coupling of a trailer to the tractor.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing system employs multiple sensors utilizing mounting structure integrated into a fifth wheel hitch and which is protected from the environment, is capable of accurately measuring forces along longitudinal and vertical axes for providing information as to roll, pitch, yaw, and drawbar load and which utilizes sensors which provide output signals for display and control. In one embodiment, a fifth wheel includes mounting boxes formed on an undersurface thereof on opposite sides of the kingpin receiving slot and a force-sensing unit mounted within each of said mounting boxes. Each force-sensing unit includes a vertical sensor positioned fore and aft of the vertical hitch axis and forward and aft horizontal force sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the sensors are mounted to the sensing unit utilizing elastomeric springs coupling the fifth wheel plate to the force-sensing unit and a plunger for coupling forces from said elastomeric spring to a force sensor itself.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A force-sensing fifth wheel assembly comprising:
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a fifth wheel having a left-side pocket and a right-side pocket in the lower side thereof for receiving a force-sensing unit in each pocket; and
a force-sensing unit mounted in each pocket, each force-sensing unit including a first pair of vertical sensors positioned forward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of vertical sensors positioned rearwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel, a first pair of horizontal sensors positioned forward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of horizontal sensors positioned rearwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel such that said force-sensing units provide eight channels of force-sensing information for use in determining total vertical load, longitudinal load, roll, pitch and yaw information with respect to the coupling of a trailer to the tractor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A force-sensing unit for a fifth wheel assembly comprising:
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a housing for coupling to a fifth wheel between a tractor mountable bracket and the fifth wheel;
a first pair of vertical sensors positioned in said housing to be forward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of vertical sensors positioned in said housing to be rearward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel; and
a first pair of horizontal sensors positioned in said housing to be forward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of horizontal sensors positioned in said housing to be rearward of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel, such that said sensors provide eight channels of force-sensing information to the coupling of a trailer to the tractor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A force-sensing fifth wheel assembly comprising:
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a fifth wheel; and
a pair of force-sensing units mounted on opposite sides of said fifth wheel, wherein each force-sensing unit included a first pair of vertical sensors positioned forward and a second pair of vertical sensors positioned rearwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a first pair of horizontal sensors positioned forwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel and a second pair of horizontal sensors positioned rearwardly of the lateral axis of the fifth wheel, such that said force-sensing units provide eight channels of force-sensing information. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification