Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for detecting and for displaying the position of components of vehicle couplings comprising: a display device; having its own voltage source, and; sensor mechanisms. The displaying mechanisms can be attachable to or adjacent to the vehicle coupling. At least two sensor mechanisms are provided of which at least one mechanism is situated at a distance from the display mechanisms.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a device for detecting and displaying the position of components of vehicle couplings according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A device is known from DE 102 41 904 A1 for displaying the locked status of a fifth-wheel coupling wherein a first sensor is located in the area of the insertion opening of the fifth-wheel coupling to detect the kingpin, and a second sensor comprises a magnetically-sensitive sensor that interacts with a magnet affixed to the control handle, and both sensors contact different actuating mechanisms. The sensors are connected to a display unit in the cab of the semi-trailer truck. 
         [0005]    Generally, the signals of the sensors are transmitted and the energy of the sensors is supplied through cable harnesses, and the signals are evaluated by corresponding control electronics. The installation expense for such systems is large, and often stands in poor relationship to the achieved effect, which hinders widespread use of such desirable safety-enhancing features. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,420 B2, a displacement device for fifth-wheel couplings is known that has two guide rails with toothed bars on which a carriage is moveably mounted that bears the fifth-wheel coupling. Located on the carriage is a locking device having blocking parts that engage in the toothed bars. One of the blocking parts is connected to an opening lever that in turn can be connected to an actuating device, for example, a pull lever for manual actuation. With this known displacement device, it is also necessary for the driver to visually check that the carriage is properly locked before he starts driving. 
         [0006]    Independent of the presence of display mechanisms in the cab, the driver must visually check the vehicle, fifth-wheel coupling, locking device, etc. before driving. 
         [0007]    Usually, mechanical locking displays are used that, depending on the design and lighting, are easier or more difficult to read. This can make it much more difficult to check the vehicle before driving and, in an extreme case, can lead to incorrect coupling. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The problem of the invention is therefore to offer an independent device for demonstrating and displaying the position of the components of vehicle couplings that makes it easier to visually inspect these components. 
         [0009]    This problem is solved with a device that is characterized in that the display mechanism is affixable to the vehicle coupling or adjacent to the vehicle coupling, and that at least two sensor mechanisms are provided, of which at least one sensor mechanism is arranged at a distance from the display unit. 
         [0010]    The advantage of the device is that a display unit is provided that can be placed at the check site and also emits a visual or acoustic signal. No complex wiring is required of the sensor mechanisms to a display mechanism in the cab. An economical display mechanism is therefore provided that can be easily placed near sites to be inspected. When the vehicle coupling is a fifth-wheel coupling, the display mechanism can be located on a mounting element of the fifth-wheel coupling to the chassis, for example to the mounting plate or the chassis itself. The driver can do a visual check while passing by without needing additional tools such as a flashlight, etc. to for example, check the locking of a fifth-wheel coupling or the position of a sliding device. 
         [0011]    The actual voltage source that is preferably located in the housing of the display mechanism also contributes to the universal applicability of the device according to the invention. There is no wiring to the vehicle power supply. Batteries, rechargeable batteries, or for example electro-kinematic generators can be used as the voltage source. The sensor mechanisms are releasably connected with each other and/or releasably connected to the display mechanism so that for example, the voltage source can be easily exchanged when servicing without having to remove the sensor mechanisms as well. 
         [0012]    The sensor mechanism is preferably connected to the display mechanism wirelessly or with an electric cable. 
         [0013]    The sensor mechanism preferably has an energy-saving sensor. The voltage source only needs to be charged or exchanged after a number of years, if at all. 
         [0014]    The sensors can be mechanical switches and/or solenoid switches. Reed switches are preferable. 
         [0015]    Inductive sensors, magnetic sensors, force sensors or pressure sensors can be used. These sensors preferably operate without contact, whereby electromagnetic sensors are preferred. Depending on the site of use, the sensor mechanism can also have a switch element, especially a mechanical switch element. 
         [0016]    Preferably, at least two sensor mechanisms are series-connected. This not only simplifies the wiring, it also reduces the power consumption; however, this does not exclude the possible use of parallel circuits and combinations with series circuits. 
         [0017]    The display mechanism preferably has an electronic evaluation unit. This evaluation unit can for example be used to evaluate the sensor signal to determine if the coupling is locked or not (yes/no signal). It can also be used to evaluate the status of the energy supply (for example of a rechargeable battery or non-rechargeable battery). 
         [0018]    The display mechanism preferably has a least one visual display element on the housing. This can for example be a lamp, especially an LED display. It is preferable when this visual display element is arranged on the housing such that it is easily perceivable by the driver passing by corresponding to the position of the device on the vehicle. 
         [0019]    The display mechanism can exclusively or additionally have an acoustic display element and/or a mechanical display element. The mechanical display element can be a blinker, pins, etc. The acoustic display elements are preferably beepers or buzzers. The display on the display element can be permanent such as a continuous light or tone. The display can also be designed to be impermanent, such as a flashing light, etc. 
         [0020]    In particular, the locking status for example of a fifth-wheel coupling is indicated by a visual or acoustic signal. It can also be useful to signal the open position. The type of display that is chosen depends on the type of position of the vehicle components to be detected and/or its arrangement on the vehicle. 
         [0021]    When the vehicle coupling is a fifth-wheel coupling, the device according to the invention comprises at least two of the following sensor mechanisms for a fifth-wheel handle, kingpin, semi-trailer, locking hook and locking bolt. It is preferable when the kingpin sensor has a magnetic pin that is actuatable by the kingpin. 
         [0022]    Given a device equipped with a semi-trailer sensor, it is for example possible to check the correct position of a semi-trailer on the fifth-wheel coupling. The determined distance from the device to the bottom of the semi-trailer can for example be used to identify if the semi-trailer is in the required position in which the kingpin engages in the locking device of the fifth-wheel coupling. 
         [0023]    When the fifth-wheel coupling is on a carriage of a displacement arrangement, the device according to the invention preferably comprises at least two of the following sensor mechanisms for the fifth-wheel handle, position of the carriage and the locking of the displacement device. 
         [0024]    When the vehicle coupling is a bolt coupling, the device according to the invention comprises the sensor mechanism of the coupling bolt and the safety lock. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0025]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be further explained below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  A block diagram of the device, 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  A bottom view of a fifth-wheel coupling, 
           [0028]      FIGS. 3 and 4  Schematic representation of the kingpin sensor, 
           [0029]      FIGS. 5 and 6  The sensor of the locking bolt of a bolt coupling, and 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7 and 8  Top view of a displacement device of a fifth-wheel coupling. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the device  1  that is in a common housing  10  with a display mechanism  2  having an acoustic display element  6  and a visual display element  7 , an evaluation unit  4  and its own voltage source  5 . All electronic or electrical components are connected. The evaluation unit  4  is series-connected via cables  11 ,  12  and  13  with two sensor mechanisms  3   a  and  3   b  having sensors  30   a  and  30   b . The sensors can for example be a fifth-wheel handle sensor  30   a  and a kingpin sensor  30  of a fifth-wheel coupling. 
         [0032]    If there is no evaluation unit or it is integrated in the display mechanism  2 , the cables  11  and  13  lead from the display mechanism  2 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  schematically portrays a bottom view of a fifth-wheel coupling  20 . The coupling plate is structured and possesses a peripheral wall  22  and inter alia a cross brace  25 . When the semi-trailer is coupled to a tractor, the kingpin  23  attached to the semi-trailer is inserted in the coupling opening  24 . After the kingpin  23  reaches its end position in the opening  24 , a locking hook locks it. This locking is usually performed by a fifth-wheel handle  21  and an associated linkage. 
         [0034]    A display mechanism  2  is on or in the wall  22  of the fifth-wheel coupling  20 , said display mechanism having a visual display element  7  on the outside. This display mechanism is combined with a sensor mechanism  3   a  to which belongs a fifth-wheel handle sensor  30   a  that is located on the fifth-wheel handle  21 . 
         [0035]    When the kingpin  23  is locked or unlocked, the fifth-wheel handle is moved in the direction indicated by the double arrow so that the fifth-wheel handle sensor  30   a  moves toward the display mechanism  2  and hence toward the sensor mechanism  3   a , or it is removed which is also detected by the sensor mechanism  3   a . A cable  11  runs from sensor mechanism  3   a  to sensor mechanism  3   b  to which the kingpin sensor  30   b  belongs that is movably mounted in the cross brace  25 . The operation of the kingpin sensor  30   b  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Another cable  12  leads from sensor mechanism  3   b  to sensor mechanism  3   c  with the semi-trailer sensor  30   c . From there, a cable (not shown) leads back to the display mechanism  2 . In  FIG. 3 , the kingpin sensor  30   b  is portrayed as a magnetic pin that is held in its basic position by means of a pressure spring  31 . In this basic position, the kingpin sensor  30   b  projects in relation to the cross brace  25  so that it can be moved by the kingpin  23  in the direction of the arrow. At the opposite side of the outside of the cross brace  25 , there is a sensor mechanism  3   b  that for example can contain a reed switch. 
         [0036]    The closed position is shown in  FIG. 4  in which the kingpin  23  has actuated the kingpin sensor  30   b  so that it is opposite the sensor mechanism  3 b. The reed switch of the sensor mechanism  3   b  is thereby closed, and a corresponding signal is sent to the display mechanism  2 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  schematically portray a bolt coupling  40  having a coupling bolt  41 .  FIG. 5  shows the opened position of the coupling bolt  41 , whereas  FIG. 6  shows the closed position in which the coupling bolt  41  is shifted relative to the locking bolt  42 , so that the locking bolt  42  is driven by the pressure spring  43  and engages in a recess in the coupling bolt  41 . The locking bolt  42  is connected with a pin at the back, and its free end bears a contact element  44  that forms the sensor  30   d . The contact element  44  interacts with the sensor mechanism  3   d , and the sensor mechanism  3   d  also can have a reed switch, for example. The contact element  44  would be a magnetic contact element in this case. 
         [0037]    Such a bolt coupling  40  can also have other sensors, for example, a sensor that detects the presence of the coupling bolt, and this sensor mechanism functions like the kingpin sensor. These two sensors are connected to a display mechanism as in the example of the fifth-wheel coupling, said display mechanism being located on the bolt coupling or next to the bolt coupling in an area that is easily visible from the outside. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a displacement device  50  of a fifth-wheel coupling (not shown). Parallel guide rails  54  with toothed bars  51  and teeth  55  are affixed to a tractor (not shown). The teeth  55  face inward and lie in a common plane. 
         [0039]    A carriage  70  is movably mounted on the guide rails  54 , and the frame of said carriage is not portrayed in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0040]    A locking device with blocking parts  52   a,b  is on the carriage  70 , said blocking devices being connected by means of levers  53   a,b  to a fifth-wheel handle  61 . By means of the fifth-wheel handle  61 , these blocking parts  52   a,b  are moved from an unlocked position ( FIG. 7 ) into a locked position ( FIG. 8 ) and vice versa. The display mechanism  2  with a sensor mechanism  3   a  is on a wall element  58  through which the fifth-wheel handle  61  is guided. On the top of the fifth wheel handle  61  is a contact element that forms the fifth-wheel handle sensor  30   a . In  FIG. 7  that shows the unlocked position, the locking recess  62  of the fifth-wheel handle  61  is fixed on the wall element  58 . The fifth-wheel handle sensor  30   a  is outside of the sensor mechanism  3   a , and the unlocked position is detected. 
         [0041]    When, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the fifth-wheel handle  61  is inserted and the blocking parts  52   a,b  assume their locked position, the fifth-wheel handle sensor  30   a  moves under the sensor mechanism  3   a  so that it can detect the locked position. The corresponding signal is displayed by the visual display  7 . The fifth-wheel handle  21  is fixed on the wall element  58  by means of its locking recess  63 . 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another sensor mechanism  3   e  is also on the toothed bars  51 , said sensor mechanism having three inside position sensors  30   e . When the teeth  56  of the blocking piece  52   a  engage in the gaps between the teeth  55  of the toothed bar  51 , they are detected by the position sensors  30   e.    
         [0043]    The sensor mechanism  3   e  is connected to the display mechanism  2  by means of the cable  11 . In addition, another cable  12  leads to another sensor mechanism  3   f  near the lever  53   a,b . From there, another electrical line  13  leads back to the display mechanism  2 . The lever  53   a  is provided with a magnetic plate  30   f  as a locking sensor that opposes the sensor mechanism  3   f  in the position shown in  FIG. 8 , and the sensor mechanism can also have a reed switch. 
       Reference Number List 
       [0000]    
       
           1  device 
           2  display mechanism 
           3   a,b,c,d,e,f  sensor mechanism 
           4  evaluation unit 
           5  voltage source 
           6  acoustic display element 
           7  visual display element 
           10  housing 
           11  cable 
           12  cable 
           13  cable 
           20  fifth-wheel coupling 
           21  fifth-wheel handle 
           22  peripheral wall 
           23  kingpin 
           24  coupling opening 
           25  cross brace 
           30   a  fifth-wheel handle sensor 
           30   b  kingpin sensor 
           30   c  semi-trailer insert 
           30   d  locking bolt sensor 
           30   e  position sensor 
           30   f  locking sensor 
           31  pressure spring 
           40  bolt coupling 
           41  coupling bolt 
           42  safety bolt 
           43  pressure spring 
           44  contact element 
           50  displacement device 
           51  toothed bar 
           52   a,b  blocking part 
           53   a,b  lever 
           54  guide rail 
           55  tooth 
           56  tooth 
           58  wall element 
           61  fifth-wheel handle 
           62  lock recess 
           63  lock recess 
           70  carriage 
       
     
         [0085]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.