Abstract:
A tractor trailer coupling assist system includes a back-up sensor mountable to one of a rear surface of the tractor and a forward surface of the trailer. The back-up sensor is configured and disposed to determine a position of the tractor relative to the trailer. A driver feedback system is mountable to one of the tractor and the trailer. The driver feedback system is configured and disposed to provide visual feedback corresponding to the position to the driver.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of tractor trailer systems and, more particularly, to a coupling assist system for a tractor trailer. 
         [0002]    Aligning a 5 th  wheel of a tractor with a pin on a trailer takes skill. Coupling with too much momentum could result in undesirable vibrations. When coupling with a refrigeration unit, undesirable vibrations could lead to cracks in refrigerant lines or damage to refrigeration components. In addition, occasionally, a misalignment between a tractor and a trailer may occur during a coupling procedure. In such cases, a driver may contact a forward surface of the trailer with a rear surface of the tractor. While often times of little or no consequence, contact between a tractor and a refrigeration unit on the forward surface of the trailer could result in damage to the tractor and/or the trailer that could cause significant down time. Reducing undesirable vibrations and misalignments would decrease fleet downtime. As such, advancements in coupling systems would be well received in the art. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Disclosed is a tractor trailer coupling assist system including a back-up sensor mountable to one of a rear surface of the tractor and a forward surface of the trailer. The back-up sensor is configured and disposed to determine a position of the tractor relative to the trailer. A driver feedback system is mountable to one of the tractor and the trailer. The driver feedback system is configured and disposed to provide visual feedback corresponding to the position to the driver. 
         [0004]    Also disclosed is a semi-trailer including a frame supporting at least top, bottom, side and front walls that collectively define a storage zone. A plurality of wheels is coupled to the frame. A pin is mounted to the frame. The pin defines a connector to a tractor. A coupling assist system includes a back-up sensor mounted to a forward surface of the front wall. The back-up sensor is configured and disposed to determine a position of the trailer relative to a tractor. A driver feedback system is mounted to the forward surface. The driver feedback system is configured and disposed to provide visual feedback corresponding to the position to the driver. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is partial perspective view of a tractor trailer including a coupling assist system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the trailer of the tractor trailer of  FIG. 1  including a coupling assist system, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram depicting a coupling assist system, in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
         [0010]    A tractor trailer, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is shown generally at  2 , in  FIG. 1 . Tractor trailer  2  includes a truck or tractor  3  and a semi-trailer  4 . Tractor  3  includes a cab  6  having a rear surface  7  and at least one mirror  10  that provides a driver with a view of, for example, semi-trailer  4 . Semi-trailer  4  includes a frame  14  that supports a top wall  16 , a bottom wall  17  a first side wall  18 , a second side wall  19 , and a front wall  20 . Top, bottom, first and second side and front walls  16 - 20  collectively define a storage zone or container  22 . Bottom wall  17  includes a pin  23  that connects with a 5 th  wheel (not separately labeled) on tractor  3 . Front wall  20  includes a forward surface  24  which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, supports a refrigeration unit  26 . Refrigeration unit  26  provides a climate controlled environment in storage zone  22 . 
         [0011]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, tractor trailer  2  includes a coupling assist system  30  that provides a driver of tractor  3  with guidance when coupling with/connecting to, trailer  4 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , coupling assist system  30  includes a back-up sensor  34  and a driver feedback system  38  coupled to a controller  40 . Controller  40  may include a central processing unit (CPU)  42  and a communication device  44 . Communication device  44  may provide signals to driver feedback system  38  regarding a spatial relationship between tractor  3  and semi-trailer  4 . As will be discussed more fully below, communication device  44  may also provide wireless communication signals representing the spatial relationship between tractor  3  and semi-trailer  4 . 
         [0012]    Back-up sensor  34  may include a proximity sensor  49  that detects a distance between tractor  3  and semi-trailer  4 , in particular forward surface  24 . Back-up sensor  34  may also include an alignment sensor  50  that tracks a left/right position of the 5 th  wheel relative to pin  23 . Back-up sensor  34  provides spatial relationship data to CPU  42  which determines an appropriate output to driver feedback system  38 . 
         [0013]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, driver feedback system  38  may include a light bar  55  mounted to forward surface  24  of semi-trailer  4  in an area visible through, for example, mirror  10 . Light bar  55  may include a first light  57 , a second light  58  and a third light  59  that provide visual indicators regarding distance between tractor  3  and semi-trailer  4 . For example, first light  57  may be a green light, second light  58  may be a yellow light, and third light  59  may be a red light. The green light provides a “go” signal to a driver indicating that a first amount of space exists between tractor  3  and semi-trailer  4 . The yellow light provides a “slow” signal to the driver that a second amount of space, that is less than the first amount of space, exists between tractor  3  and semi-trailer  4 . The red light provides a driver with a “stop” signal indicating that further movement toward semi-trailer  4  may result in an undesirable contact. 
         [0014]    In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, light bar  55  may include a fourth light  62  that takes the form of left/right arrows  64 . Left/right arrows  64  provide the driver with visual feedback that aids in aligning the 5 th  wheel with pin  23 . In this manner, coupling assist system  30  not only tracks and guides a driver toward semi-trailer  4  but also provides alignment assistance. In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, driver feedback system  38  may present visual indicators to minor  10  through a minor output  70  or to a dashboard display  74 . Dashboard display  74  may include a camera  75  that provides a real time image of the 5 th  wheel and pin  23  as well as alignment and distance indicators. Finally, driver feedback system  38  may provide visual feedback in the form of images or icons to a wireless device  80  through communication device  44  provided at controller  40 . 
         [0015]    At this point, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments describe a system that provides distance and/or alignment feedback to a driver of a tractor when coupling with a semi-trailer. The feedback may take the form of lights, arrows, icons, or real-time video. Also, while described as being mounted to a forward surface of the semi-trailer, the location of the back-up sensor may vary. Also, as discussed above, the feedback system may take on a variety of forms that include tractor and or semi-trailer mounted light bars, real-time video displays, and wireless communication with a mobile electronic device having a driver feedback application (App). The coupling assistance system reduces undesirable contact between a tractor and a trailer. Reducing undesirable contact limits trailer down time, as well as loading/off-loading operations if damage occurs to, for example, an associated refrigeration unit. 
         [0016]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.