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

• US 7,789,412 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2005
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Original Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Inventors: Alguera, Jose
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/662,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,830 Days
• Field of Search: 280/438.1, 280/407, 280/407.1
• US Class Current: 280/438.1
• 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

The invention concerns 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 invention is characterized in that said 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. An adjusting device for a fifth wheel coupling, comprising:

a displacement device comprised of two guide rails disposed longitudinally on a vehicle, particularly on a tractor of a tractor and semi-trailer combination, and further comprised of a slide which is displaceable on the guide rails, and an actuating device for displacing the slide during travel of the tractor and semi-trailer combination, wherein the actuating device is configured so as to maintain a form-interlocking relationship between a frame and the slide during the course of the displacement;

wherein the actuating device for accomplishing the displacement of the slide is comprised of a first motor drive;

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 a common control device; and

wherein the control device is configured so as to evaluate position signals from the first position sensor and to compare said position signals with set-point values dependent on the vehicle speed, and then to send control signals to the motor drive.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first motor drive has at least one drive spindle with one or more spindle nuts.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the spindle nut is disposed on the slide.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first motor drive has at least one rack and pinion.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first position sensor is a distance sensor or a rotational angle measurement device.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least two first position sensors are associated with one guide rail.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first position sensors are inductive sensors.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein a lifting device for the fifth wheel coupling is disposed on the slide, and wherein said lifting device has its own second motor drive which is connected to the control device.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide rails are attached to a lifting device, and wherein said lifting device has its own second motor drive which is connected to the control device.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least one second position sensor is disposed on the lifting device, and wherein said sensor determines the lifting altitude and is connected to the control device.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a device for monitoring and automatic control.

12. The device according to claim 1, having at least one wind deflector for the roof of a tractor cab of the tractor of the tractor and semi-trailer combination;

wherein the wind deflector is swingably mounted on the roof and is associated with a third motor drive;

wherein at least one third position sensor is provided which determines the adjustment angle of the wind deflector, and wherein the position sensor and the third drive are connected to the control device.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein at least one wind deflector is provided which is swingably disposed laterally on the cab of the tractor and which is associated with a fourth drive means, wherewith at least one fourth position sensor is provided, and is connected to the control device.

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

15. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first position sensor is a distance sensor or a rotational angle measurement device, and wherein at least two first position sensors are associated with one guide rail.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the first position sensors are inductive sensors, wherein a lifting device for the fifth wheel coupling is disposed on the slide, and wherein said lifting device has its own second motor drive which is connected to the control device.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the guide rails are attached to the lifting device, wherein at least one second position sensor is disposed on the lifting device, and wherein said sensor determines a lifting altitude and is connected to the control device.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the control device comprises a device for monitoring and automatic control, having at least one wind deflector for the roof of a tractor cab of the tractor of the tractor and semi-trailer combination;

wherein the wind deflector is swingably mounted on the roof and is associated with a third motor drive;

wherein at least one third position sensor is provided which determines the adjustment angle of the wind deflector, and wherein the position sensor and the third drive are connected to the control device.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein at least one wind deflector is provided which is swingably disposed laterally on the cab of the tractor and which is associated with a fourth drive means, wherewith at least one fourth position sensor is provided, and is connected to the control device.

20. The device according to claim 19;

wherein the control device comprises a device for monitoring and automatic control.