Method and control system for a fifth wheel coupling sliding device having a distance measurement for detecting obstructions

• US 8,297,639 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Original Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Inventors: Algüera Gallego, José Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Tashiana
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNUTSON, JACOB D
• Application Number:
  US13/263,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20120032415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 180/169, 180/274, 180/275, 180/282, 180/167, 180/271, 180/9.1, 307/10.1, 701/46, 701/48, 701/301, 701/45, 280/735, 280/423.1, 280/432, 280/433, 280/438.1, 280/449, 280/451, 280/468, 280/755
• US Class Current: 280/438.1
• 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 to a system for controlling a sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling arranged on a towing vehicle, wherein the sliding device includes a substructure having at least one guide rail oriented in the driving direction, a movable slide, which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages on the guide rail, and a control unit, to which a motorized drive unit for moving the slide and an actuator for fixing the slide relative to the guide rail are connected. The aim was to provide a method and a control system with which a sufficiently large gap width (W) can be set between the towing vehicle and the trailer in a timely manner. This is achieved, among other things, by a method in which a distance measurement is performed to detect an obstruction in front of the towing vehicle, the signal of the measurement is processed into a control signal in the control unit, and a start-up of the motorized drive unit and/or the actuator is initiated therewith.

Claims

1. A method for control of a sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling arranged on a towing vehicle, wherein the sliding device comprises a substructure having at least, one guide rail oriented in a driving direction, a movable slide, which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages on the guide rail, and a control unit, to which a motorized drive unit for moving the slide and an actuator for fixing the slide relative to the guide rail are connected, comprising the steps of performing a distance measurement to detect an obstruction in front of the towing vehicle, processing the signal of the measurement into a control signal in the control unit and initiating a start-up of one or more of the motorized drive unit and the actuator therewith.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein upon reaching a predetermined first response distance (X₁) from the obstacle, one or more of the motorized drive unit and the actuator are switched by the control unit into a readiness position.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the readiness position a hydraulic pump of the motorized drive unit starts running.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein upon reaching a second predetermined response distance (X₂), the fixation of the slide is released and the slide is pushed by the motorized drive unit into a rear position.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the slide is fixed in the rear position by means of the actuator.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein upon reaching a second predetermined response distance (X₂), the fixation of the slide is released and the slide is pushed by the motorized drive unit into a rear position.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the slide is fixed in the rear position by means of the actuator.

6. A control system for control of a sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling arranged on a towing vehicle, comprising:

the sliding device that comprises a substructure having at least one guide rail oriented in a driving direction, a movable slide, which support the fifth wheel coupling and engages on the guide rail, and a control unit, to with a motorized drive unit for moving the slide and an actuator for fixing the slide relative to the guide rail are connected, wherein the control unit is connected to a distance sensor, which in the case of an obstacle located in front of the towing vehicle provides a measured value, and the control unit interacts with one or more of the drive unit and the actuator.

7. The control system according to claim 6, wherein the distance sensor is part of a distance recognition system of the towing vehicle.

8. The control system according to claim 6, wherein the distance sensor is a radar, lidar, or infrared sensor.

9. The control system according to claim 6, wherein the distance sensor is part of a steeling stability system of the towing vehicle.

12. The control system according to claim 7, wherein the distance sensor is a radar, lidar, or infrared sensor.

13. The control system according to claim 12, wherein the distance sensor is part of a steering stability system of the towing vehicle.