Theft security device for a vehicle coupling

• US 8,615,347 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JOST-Werke Deutschland GmbH (JOST Werke SE)
• Original Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
• Inventors: Algera Gallego, Jos Manuel, Saupe, Swen
• Primary Examiner(s): Dager, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US12/918,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20110118942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 fifth coupling arranged on a vehicle, the anti-theft device comprising a security apparatus (2) which engages with a component of the vehicle fifth coupling and blocks the component in an activated state and releases the component in a deactivated state, and with a control apparatus (3) which is electrically connected to the security apparatus (2) and reversibly switches the security apparatus between the activated state and the deactivated state,

wherein the control apparatus (3) is connected to at least one vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) which comprises an emergency function that is triggered upon receipt of a sensor signal indicating an emergency event, the emergency event comprising a situation in which the trailer is separated from the tractor by emergency responders at the place of accident, and wherein, upon triggering of the emergency function of the at least one_vehicle-side system (10a, 10b, 10c), the control apparatus (3) deactivates the security apparatus (2) directly or indirectly, wherein a direct deactivation causes an immediate unlocking of the anti-theft security device, and an indirect deactivation enables a performance of additional measures that cause unlocking of the anti-theft security device.

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

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus (3) is configured for processing signals of the at least one vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) and for switching on the security apparatus (2) when specified system values of the at least one vehicle-side system (10a, b, c) are reached.

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

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

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

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus (3) is connected to a code input device (5) which is configured to be unlocked for entering the code upon triggering the emergency function.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein 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, wherein 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.

2. An anti-theft security device for a vehicle fifth coupling arranged on a vehicle, the anti-theft device comprising a security apparatus (2) which engages with a component of the vehicle fifth coupling and blocks the component in an activated state and releases the component in a deactivated state, and with a control apparatus (3) which is electrically connected to the security apparatus (2) and reversibly switches the security apparatus between the activated state and the deactivated state,

wherein the control apparatus (3) is connected to at least two vehicle-side systems (10a, b, c) which comprise vehicle-side emergency functions triggered upon receipt of sensor signals indicating an emergency event, the emergency event comprising a situation in which the trailer is separated from the tractor by emergency responders at the place of accident, and wherein, upon triggering of at least two vehicle-side of the vehicle-side emergency functions, the control apparatus deactivates the security apparatus (2).