Patent Publication Number: US-2023132866-A1

Title: Automated trailer coupling arrangement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/549,607, filed Aug. 23, 2019, entitled “AUTOMATED TRAILER COUPLING ARRANGEMENT,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an arrangement for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, and in particular to an automated connection arrangement for connecting a semi-truck or tractor-trailer to an associated heavy-duty semi-trailer. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One embodiment as disclosed herein includes an automated trailer coupling arrangement, that includes a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler and an electrical coupler, a shuttle member including a second pneumatic coupler configured to couple to a pneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle, and a second electrical coupler configured to couple to an electrical supply source of the towing vehicle, and a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle. The control arm includes a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, an actuator coupled to the carrier member and configured to move the carrier member between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member, and a third position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member, wherein the control arm is configured to move the carrier member in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction as the carrier member is moved from the first position to the second position. 
     Another embodiment as disclosed herein may alternatively or in addition include an automated trailer coupling arrangement that includes a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including a pneumatic coupler and an electrical coupler, a shuttle member including a second pneumatic coupler pneumatically coupled to a pneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle, and a second electrical coupler coupled to an electrical supply source of the towing vehicle, a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle. The control arm assembly includes a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member, wherein the control arm is moveable between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member, the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and the first pneumatic coupler and first electrical coupler are uncoupled from the second pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler, respectively, a second position where the shuttle member is received within the receiver member and is coupled to the carrier member, and the first pneumatic coupler and first electrical coupler are uncoupled from the second pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler, respectively, a third position where the shuttle member is received within the receiver member and the first pneumatic coupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler and the first electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler, a fourth position where the carrier member is uncoupled from the shuttle member and abuts the shuttle member and the first pneumatic coupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler and the first electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler, and a fifth position where the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member and the first pneumatic coupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler and the first electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler, and wherein the control arm is configured to move the carrier member in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction as the carrier member is moved from the first position to the second position, a controller operable coupled to the control arm and configured to move the arm between the first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions. 
     Yet another embodiment as disclosed herein may in addition or alternatively include a method for operating an automated trailer coupling arrangement that includes providing a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler and an electrical coupler, providing a shuttle member including a second pneumatic coupler pneumatically coupled to a pneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle, and a second electrical coupler coupled to an electrical supply source of the towing vehicle, and providing a control arm assembly coupled to a towing vehicle, that includes a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member, and supported from the towing vehicle. The method may further include coupling the shuttle member to the receiver by moving the control arm assembly in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction from a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member, and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and the first pneumatic coupler and first electrical coupler are uncoupled from the second pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler, respectively, to a second position where the shuttle member is received within the receiver member and is coupled to the carrier member, and the first pneumatic coupler and first electrical coupler are uncoupled from the second pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler, respectively, to a third position where the shuttle member is received within the receiver member and the first pneumatic coupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler, and the first electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler, to a fourth position where the carrier member is uncoupled from the shuttle member and abuts the shuttle member and the first pneumatic coupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler, and the first electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler, to a fifth position wherein the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member and the first pneumatic coupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler, and the first electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler. 
     The embodiments as disclosed herein provide an automated trailer coupling arrangement of a robust and durable design that greatly increases the efficiency of truck/trailer operators while simultaneously improving safety relating to the coupling/uncoupling of a trailer to/from a towing vehicle. The automated trailer coupling arrangement may be utilized with manned or autonomous vehicle applications, may be retrofitted to existing vehicle platforms, is capable of a long operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the embodiments disclosed herein will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an automated trailer coupling arrangement; 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view of the automated trailer coupling arrangement; 
         FIG.  3    is a rear perspective view of the automated trailer coupling arrangement; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged perspective view of an area of the automated trailer coupling arrangement with portion of cylinder arrangements shown in phantom to illustrate internal components thereof; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are front and rear perspective views of a carrier and a receiver of the automated trailer coupling arrangement; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a receiver of the automated trailer coupling arrangement; 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are schematic side views of the automated trailer coupling arrangement shown at various coupling stages; 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 D  are front elevational views of the automated trailer coupling arrangement illustrating a coupling procedure; 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the carrier, the shuttle and the receiver; and 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 D  are elevational front views of the automated a trailer coupling arrangement illustrating an uncoupling procedure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG.  1   . However, it is to be understood that the embodiments as disclosed herein may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The reference numeral  10  ( FIG.  1   ) generally designates an automated connection arrangement for pneumatically and electrically coupling a towing vehicle, or semi-truck to a towed vehicle, or semi-trailer. In the illustrated example, the towing vehicle includes a pair of longitudinally-extending, C-shaped frame rails  12  while the towed vehicle includes a cargo housing or container  14  having at least a front wall  16 , a pair of side walls  18 , and a bottom wall  20 . The embodiments of the automated connection arrangement  10  may also be utilized with vehicles having other configurations including commercial and light-duty vehicles. 
     In the illustrated example, the connection arrangement  10  includes an automated placer assembly  22  ( FIGS.  1 - 3   ), and a carrier  24  and a shuttle  26  configured to be manipulated and placed by the placer arrangement  22 , and a receiver  28  fixedly secured to the front wall  16  of the cargo housing  14  of the trailer and configured to receive and couple with the shuttle  26 . 
     The placer assembly  22  includes a mounting assembly  30  including a mounting member  32  configured to be secured to a vertical portion  34  ( FIG.  1   ) of one of the frame rails  12 , and a C-shaped mounting bracket  36  pivotably coupled to the mounting member  32  via a pair of pivot pins  38  of the mounting member  32  received within a pair of corresponding bores  40  of the mounting bracket  36  and pivotable about an axis  42 . The mounting bracket  36  comprises a pair of pivot blocks  44  and a pair of side plates  46  that cooperates to provide a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The placer assembly  22  further includes a cylinder assembly  48  and an upper arm  50 , where the cylinder assembly  48  includes a first end  52  and a second end  54  and the upper arm includes a first end  56  and a second end  58 . The first end  52  of the cylinder assembly  48  and the first end  56  of the upper arm  50  are attached to the side plates  46  of the mounting bracket  36  by a pair of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts  60 ,  61  for pivoting about pivot axes  62 ,  64 , respectively. The second end  54  of the cylinder assembly  48  and the second end  58  of the upper arm  50  are operably coupled to carrier  24  via a pair of pivot pins  66 ,  68  for pivoting about a pair of pivot axes  70 ,  72 , respectively, where the carrier  24  is described in more detail below. In the illustrated example, the cylinder assembly  48  is driven by an internal pneumatic cylinder arrangement  73 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the second end  54  of the cylinder assembly  48  and the second end  58  of the upper arm  50  each include spring-biased, length-adjustment arrangements  75 ,  77 . Specifically, the length-adjustment arrangement  75  of the cylinder assembly  48  includes an inner housing  74  telescopingly received within an outer housing  76 , and a spring member  78 , such as a coil spring, positioned between the inner housing  74  and the outer housing  76  and biasing the inner housing  74  from the outer housing  76  in a direction  80 , while the length-adjustment arrangement  77  of the upper arm  50  includes an inner housing  82  telescopingly received within an outer housing  84  and a spring member  86 , such as a coil spring, positioned between the inner housing  82  and the outer housing  84  and biasing the inner housing  82  from the outer housing  84  in a direction  88 . Total travel of the inner housing  74  within the outer housing  76  is limited by a travel limiter  90  that includes a slot  92  extending through the inner housing  74  and a screw  94  that extends through the slot  92  and is threadably received within the outer housing  76 , while travel of the inner housing  82  within the outer housing  84  is limited by a travel limiter  96  that includes a slot  98  extending through the inner housing  82 , and a screw  100  that extends through the slot  98  and is threadably received within the outer housing  84 . Travel of the inner housing  74  is limited with respect to the outer housing  76  by the screw  94  contacting the ends of the slot  92 , while travel of the inner housing  82  with respect to the outer housing  84  is limited by the screw  100  contacting the ends of the slot  98 . 
     In the illustrated example, the cylinder assembly  48 , the upper arm  50 , the mounting bracket  36  and the carrier  24  cooperate to form a four-bar linkage arrangement. The placer assembly  22  further includes a pair of lower control linkages  102  each having a first end  106  pivotably coupled to an associated side plate  46  of the mounting bracket  36  and a second end  108  pivotably coupled to the cylinder assembly  48  along the length thereof, and a pair of upper control linkages  104  each having a first end  110  pivotably coupled to an associated side plate  46  of the mounting bracket  36 , and a second end  112  pivotably coupled to the upper arm  50  along the length thereof. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the carrier  24  includes a pair of pneumatic cylinders  114  coupled to a pneumatic input  116 , where the pneumatic input  116  is connected to a controller  118  ( FIG.  1   ) remotely located from the carrier  24 , and preferably located within a cab of the associated towing semi-truck. 
     The shuttle  26  ( FIGS.  5 A and  5 B ) includes a housing  20  that includes a first pneumatic input port  122  pneumatically coupled to a first pneumatic output port  123 , a second pneumatic input port  124  pneumatically coupled to a second pneumatic output port  125 , and an electrical input connector  126  electrically coupled to an electrical output connector  127 . Preferably, the first pneumatic input port  122  and the second pneumatic input port  124  are plumbed to pneumatic supply lines  132 ,  134  ( FIG.  1   ) coming from and supplied pneumatic pressure by the associated towing vehicle, and an electrical supply line  136  providing electricity from the associated towing vehicle. Alternatively, each of the pneumatic input ports  122 ,  124  and the electrical input connector  126  could be configured to operably couple to one or more glad hands typically associated with heavy-duty semi-truck/trailer connection arrangements. 
     The shuttle  26  further includes a coupling assembly  138  including a pair of clamping arms  140  pivotably coupled to the housing  120  via respective pivot bolts  142 . Each clamping arm  140  includes a hook  144  positioned at a distal end thereof, and a proximal actuator end  146 . Each clamping arm  140  is biased toward a clamping position by an associated coil spring  148  as described below. 
     In the illustrated example, the receiver  28  ( FIG.  6   ) includes a C-shaped receiver portion  152 , and a triangularly-shaped guide portion  154 , where the receiver portion  152  includes a pair of side walls  156  and a top wall  158 , and the guide portion  154  includes a pair of side walls  160  that flare laterally outward from the side walls  156  of the receiver portion  152 . The receiver  158  further includes a rear wall  162  that cooperates with the sidewalls  156  of the receiver portion  150  and the sidewalls  160  of the guide portion  154  to define a widened lower portion  164  communicating with a narrowed upper portion  166 . Each of the side walls  156  of the receiver portion  152  includes a pneumatic port  168  and a relief  169 , while the top wall includes an electrical port  170  for receiving an electrical connection associated with the trailer therein. The rear wall  162  includes a plurality of apertures  172  configured to receive mechanical fasteners, such as screws or bolts, therethrough for attaching the receiver  28  to the front wall  16  of the trailer. 
     During operation, the associated vehicle is coupled with the trailer or towed vehicle by positioning the tractor or towing vehicle with respect to the trailer such that the carrier  24  and the shuttle  26  as carried by the towing vehicle are somewhat aligned with the receiver  28  as carried by the towed vehicle. As best illustrated in  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B and  8 A- 8 D , the shuttle member  26  is initially carried by the carrier  24 . Specifically, the pneumatic cylinders  114  of the carrier  24  are actuated via the controller  118  either by an operator or automatically by a vehicle control arrangement typically associated with automated vehicles, in an outward direction  176  such that the pneumatic cylinders  114  act against the distal end  146  of each of the clamping arms  140 , thereby pivoting the clamping arms  140  about the associated pivot bolts  142  overcoming the biasing force exerted by the springs  140 . As best illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the distal end  146  of each clamping arm  140  includes a relief  178  configured to receive a boss  180  of the associated pneumatic cylinder. The controller  118 , whether manually or automatically operated, then actuates the pneumatic cylinder arrangement  173  of the cylinder assembly  48 , thereby moving the carrier  24  and the shuttle  26  in an arcuate path  182 . The carrier  24  and the shuttle  26  continue in the arcuate path  182  until the carrier  24  and/or the shuttle  26  abut the rear wall  162  of the receiver  28 . The force exerted by the rear wall  162  on the carrier  24  and/or shuttle  26  may then force compression of the spring member  78  of the cylinder assembly  48  and the spring member  86  of the upper arm  58 , such that the carrier  24  and the shuttle  26  then continue along a linear path  184 . Further, should the carrier  24  and shuttle  26  be laterally misaligned with the upper portion  166  of the receiver  28 , rounded upper corners  186  of the housing  120  of the shuttle  26  abut one of the angled sidewalls  160  thereby forcing the cylinder assembly  48  and the upper arm  50  to pivot about the pivot axis  42  and allowing proper alignment with and receiving of the shuttle  26  into the upper portion  166  of the receiver  28 . The placer assembly  22  continues to move the carrier  24  and shuttle  26  in the upper direction  188  until the shuttle  26  is properly received within the upper portion  166  of the receiver  28 , such that the pneumatic output ports  123 ,  125  are properly aligned with the pneumatic ports  168 , and the electrical output connector  127  is properly aligned with the electrical port  170  of the receiver  28 , thereby pneumatically and electrically coupling the towed vehicle with the towing vehicle. The controller then operates to move the pneumatic cylinders  114  in an inward direction  190  such that the springs  148  bias the hook  144  of each clamping arm  140  into engagement with one of the reliefs  169  of the side walls  156  of the carrier  24 . The placer assembly  22  is then actuated in a downward direction  192  until the carrier  24  is free of the receiver  28 , and returns the carrier  24  to a storage position during operation of the associated vehicle. 
     Uncoupling of the trailer from the towing vehicle is completed in a reversed but similar manner. As best illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A- 10 D , the placer assembly  22  moves the carrier  24  in the upper direction  188  until the carrier  24  is properly aligned with the shuttle  26 . The pneumatic cylinders  114  are then actuated in the outward direction  176 , thereby overcoming the biasing force exerted by the springs  148  on the clamping arms  140  and disengaging the hook  144  of each clamping arm  140  from the associated relief  169 . The placer assembly  22  then is actuated in the downward direction  192 , thereby removing the shuttle  26  from within the receiver  28 . 
     The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. 
     In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.