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WO2014186828A1 - Système de sécurité à avertissement d'accouplement - Google Patents

Système de sécurité à avertissement d'accouplement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014186828A1
WO2014186828A1 PCT/AU2014/000534 AU2014000534W WO2014186828A1 WO 2014186828 A1 WO2014186828 A1 WO 2014186828A1 AU 2014000534 W AU2014000534 W AU 2014000534W WO 2014186828 A1 WO2014186828 A1 WO 2014186828A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
coupling
image capture
safety system
coupling portion
capture device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2014/000534
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nelu LASCAU
David LASCAU
Original Assignee
Lascau Nelu
Lascau David
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2013901832A external-priority patent/AU2013901832A0/en
Application filed by Lascau Nelu, Lascau David filed Critical Lascau Nelu
Publication of WO2014186828A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014186828A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
    • B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
    • B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
    • B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
    • B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
    • B62D53/10—Fifth wheel traction couplings with means for preventing accidental uncoupling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
    • B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
    • B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
    • B62D53/12—Fifth wheel traction couplings engaging automatically

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to automotive warning systems, In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a coupling warning safety system. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention has broader application and is not limited to that particular use.
  • an interlocking apparatus comprised of components on both the truck and the trailer, mate to achieve a mechanical connection.
  • the truck is equipped with a locking assembly, known as a fifth wheel or turntable assembly, and an apparatus mounted to the trailer, known in the industry as a king pin.
  • a turntable is a load-bearing plate that supports vertical and horizontal loads, and is coupled to the semi-trailer's kingpin and locked into place by a set of jaws.
  • a trailer's forward connection is by means of a kingpin to either a prime-mover, converter dolly or lead semi-trailer.
  • the king pin extends downwardly, perpendicular to the bolster plate to which it is attached, the bolster plate being mounted to the bottom surface of the trailer.
  • the fifth wheel hitch includes a hitch plate having a throat with its open end facing rearwardly to receive the king pin, and a locking mechanism fo locking the king pin in the throat of the hitch plate.
  • embodiments of the present invention relate to a coupling safety warning system which indicates when an unpowered vehicle is engaged and/or disengaged with a powered vehicle.
  • the present invention resides in a coupling warning safety system, the system comprising:
  • a powered vehicle having a coupling portion and an unpowered vehicle having a coupling portion, the powered vehicle and the unpowered vehicle being releasably coupled together via the respective coupling portions;
  • a display unit in communication with the at least one image capture device for receiving and dtsplaying feedback from the at least one image capture device
  • system indicates when the unpowered vehicle is engaged and/or disengaged with the powered vehicle.
  • the at least one image capture device is a wireless image capture device.
  • the image capture device is in the form of a camera.
  • the at least one image capture device has infra-red capabilities for visibility at night and/or in low light conditions.
  • the at least one image capture device is in wireless communication with the display unit.
  • a first image capture device is adapted to capture the coupling portion of unpowered vehicle being engaged within the coupling portion of the powered vehicle.
  • a second image capture device is adapted to capture the coupling portion of the unpowered vehicle being correctly aligned and received within the coupling portion of the powered vehicle.
  • a third image capture device is adapted to capture at least one retractable ieg of the trailer to indicate when the at least one retractable leg is in an extended or a retracted position.
  • a fourth image capture device is adapted to capture a driver's passenger side blind spot.
  • the powered vehicle is a truck and the unpowered vehicle is a trailer.
  • the coupling portion of the powered vehicle is a fifth wheel/turntable assembly.
  • the coupling portion of the unpowered vehicle is a kingpin.
  • the display unit comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen which is adapted to receive and display feedback from the at least one image capture device.
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • the display unit is a portable unit which is mounted within the driver's cabin of the powered vehicle.
  • the system further comprises at !east one indication means is provided on a coupling portion and/or display unit of the powered vehicle.
  • the indication means is a light-emitting diode (LED) light.
  • LED light-emitting diode
  • the indication means indicates when the coupling portion of the powered vehicle is engaged with the coupling portion of the unpowered vehicle by illuminating the LED light continuously or illuminating the LED light in a particular colour.
  • the indication means indicates when the coupling portion of the powered vehicle is disengaged with the coupling portion of the unpowered vehicle by illuminating the LED light intermittently or illuminating the LED light in a particular colour.
  • the indication means is/are coupled to a contact switch or sensor provided on the coupling portion of the powered vehicle which is adapted to indicate when the coupling portion of the unpowered vehicle is disengaged with the coupling portion of the powered vehicle.
  • the system further comprises an audio and/or visual alarm which is activated when the coupling portion of the unpowered vehicle is disengaged from the coupling portion of the powered vehicle.
  • the display unit comprises an on/off switch to turn the unit off when not required.
  • FIG 1 is a diagram of a coupling warning safety system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG 2 is an overhead partial view of a coupling portion of a powered vehicle of the coupling warning safety system of FIG 1 ;
  • FIG 3 is a front view of a display unit of the coupling warning safety device of FIG 1 illustrating feedback from a first, second, third and fourth image capture device;
  • FIG 4 is an exploded diagrammatic view showing at least one indication means on the coupling portion of the powered vehicle of the coupling warning safety system of FIG 1.
  • Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a coupling safety warning system, which indicates when an unpowered vehicle is engaged and/or disengaged with a powered vehicie.
  • the coupting warning safety system will be described herein as coupling warning safety system for use with trucks and trailers and cars and trailers and/or caravans.
  • embodiments of the present invention can be modified to suit any powered vehicle towing any suitable unpowered vehicie. It will be appreciated that variations may need to be made as required- Referring to Fig 1, the coupling safety warning system 100 is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • the coupling warning safety system comprises a powered vehicie 200 having a coupling portion 220 and an unpowered vehicie 300 having a coupling portion 310, wherein the powered vehicle 200 and the unpowered vehicle 300 are releasab!y coupled together via the respective coupling portions 220, 310.
  • the powered vehicle 200 is a truck.
  • the coupling portion 220 for a truck is a fifth wheel/turntable assembly which is mounted to the rear chassis of the truck for towing an unpowered vehicle such as a trailer or the like.
  • the trailer 300 comprises a coupling portion 310 in the form of a king pin which is adapted to releasably engage with the coupling portion 220 of the truck to enable the trailer 300 to be towed.
  • a coupling portion 310 in the form of a king pin which is adapted to releasably engage with the coupling portion 220 of the truck to enable the trailer 300 to be towed.
  • any other suitable un powered vehicle to be towed by a truck could also be employed.
  • the coupling warning safety system 100 comprises at least one image capture device.
  • the at least one image capture devices described herein are wireless image capture devices.
  • the image capture device(s) is/are in the form of a camera(s).
  • the camera is preferably an infrared camera to provide visibility in the night and/or in low conditions, in an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the image capture devices could be a scanner image capture devices or any other suitable image capture devices capable of capturing motion and/or still and/or moving images.
  • the image capture devices are provided with a wireless communication capability. However, in an alternative embodiment, wired image capture devices could also be adopted, it will be acknowledged that the image capture devices will be suitably positioned wherever necessary to attain the required images.
  • a first image capture device 210 is adapted to capture the load of the trailer 300 being received onto the fifth wheel/turntabie assembly 220 of the truck 200.
  • the first image capture device 210 is positioned on the truck chassis 201 in close proximity to the fifth wheel/turntabie assembly 220.
  • the first image capture device captures a clear overhead view of the fifth wheel/turntable assembly 220, which allows the driver to see if the jaws 221 of the fifth wheel coupling portion 220 have been correctly and fully engaged by the king pin 310 of the trailer 300. Consequently, when a driver performs a necessary tug test, they are able to see exactly how the jaws 221 react, which has not been possible prior to the development of the system 100 of the present invention.
  • a second image capture device 211 is positioned toward a rear end of the truck chassis 201 and is directed toward the fifth wheel/turntable assembly 220 and/or king pin 310 of the trailer 300 to show the kingpin 310 being correctly aligned and received within the fifth/wheel turntable assembly 220.
  • the second image capture device 211 is a wireless image capture device.
  • the second image capture device 211 is in the form of a camera which is adapted to capture when the kingpin 310 is received by and/or coupled to the coupling portion 220 of the powered vehicle 200.
  • the second image capture device 211 could also be positioned on the body of the trailer 300 at a front end to be coupled to the truck 300.
  • the driver is able to use the system 100 to ensure that the kingpin 310 is correctly aligned to the fifth wheel/turntable assembly 220, Rather than reversing blind, a driver is able to see exactly what they are doing, eliminating any guess work involved in coupling the trailer 300 to the truck 200, making things faster, more efficient and substantially safer.
  • the coupling safety warning system 100 comprises a third image capture device 212.
  • the third image capture device 212 is adapted to be used with a trailer for a truck.
  • the third image capture device 212 is positioned on the rear of the truck chassis 201 and is adapted to be directed toward at least one retractable leg 320 of the trailer to indicate when the at least one leg 320 is in an extended and/or a retracted position.
  • the third image capture device 212 provides the ability to view the rear underbelly of the truck. This allows drivers to conveniently check that the trailer leg(s) 320 are fully retracted before driving away.
  • the coupling safety warning system 100 comprises a fourth image capture device 213.
  • the fourth image capture device 350 is designed to be used with or without the unpowered vehicle 300 being attached to the powered vehicle 200.
  • the fourth image capture device 213 is adapted to be directed toward a drivers passenger side blind spot.
  • the fourth image capture device 213 enables a driver to see along the length of the side adjacent the powered vehicle 200 and/or unpowered vehicle 300 which, can be in addition to viewing whether the leg extension 320 of the unpowered vehicle is in an extended or retracted position.
  • the fourth image capture device 213 allows the driver to see two lanes alongside, and/or a fair distance behind, the powered vehicle 200 and/or unpowered vehicle 300.
  • the fourth image capture device 213 provides the driver with a wider field of vision for the passenger side blind spot.
  • the driver can view the area within that blind spot which is not covered by mirrors that currently exist on trucks. If there is a vehicle or object hidden from sight, the driver will be able to clearly see it.
  • a further image capture device can be provided to indicate when the trailer is in an extended or retracted position.
  • the coupling warning safety system comprises a display unit 400 in wireless communication with the image capture devices 210, 211 , 212, 213 for receiving and displaying feedback from the image capture devices 210, 211 , 212, 213.
  • the display unit 400 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 410.
  • the display screen 410 is a seven inch digital display screen to clearly display the feedback from the image capture devices 210, 211 , 212, 213.
  • any other suitably sized display screen could also be adopted.
  • the display unit 410 displays live feedback from the image capture devices 210, 211 , 21 , 213 in real-time such that drivers can not only check the coupling not only when stationary, but also when the vehicle is moving.
  • the feedback or images received from the image capture devices 210, 310, 311 , 350 are displayed in fou quadrants so that the driver can readily vie all areas at the same time.
  • the display unit 400 allows the user to visually inspect the passenger side blind spot shown in quadrant (a), retractable trailer legs shown in quadrant (b), king pin shown in quadrant (c), and fifth wheel shown in quadrant (d).
  • the display unit 400 is a portable unit which is mounted within the driver's cabin of the powered vehicle 200.
  • the display unit 400 is mounted to a dashboard of the powered vehicle so that it is readily visible by the driver. However, it is envisaged that it could also be mounted in any other suitable position that is in nearby proximity and accessible to the driver.
  • the display unit 400 could also be removable to be used as a handheld unit when the driver is away from the vehicle.
  • a memory storage device could be provided to record the feedback captured b the image capture devices 210, 310, 31 350.
  • the memory storage device could be any suitable device commonly known in the art for example, a memory card or chip or the like.
  • the display unit 400 comprises an on/off switch 420 to turn the unit off when not required. For example, when the powered vehicle 200 is being used on its own the display unit 400 can be turned off to de-activate the system when it is not required.
  • the coupling warning safety system 100 comprises at least one indication means provided on a fifth wheel/turntable assembly 200 and/or display unit.
  • the indication means is in the form a light-emitting diode (LED) light.
  • the coupling warning safety system 100 comprises three indication lights, a first indication light 510 is located within the fifth wheel 200. The light can be clearly seen from the cabin display unit 400 and when illuminated, tells the drivers that the jaws 221 are locked and the king pin 310 is correctly engaged.
  • a second indication light 520 and a third indication light 530 are located near the coupling release handle, on the outside of the vehicle, allowing the driver or even supervisors and co-workers in the vicinity to see if the truck is safe to depart.
  • the indication means indicates when the coupling portion 220 of the powered vehicle 200 is engaged with the coupling portion 310 of the unpowered vehicle 300 by illuminating the LED light continuously or illuminating the LED light in a particular colour, such as green.
  • the indication means indicates when the coupling portio 220 of the powered vehicle 200 is disengaged with the coupling portion 310 of the unpowered vehicle 300 by illuminating the LED light intermittently or illuminating the LED light in a particular colour, such as red.
  • the indication lights 510, 520, 530 is/are coupled to a contact switch 540 or sensor provided on the coupling portion 220 which is adapted to indicate when the coupling portion 220 of the powered vehicle 200 is disengaged with the coupling portion 310 of the unpowered vehicle 300.
  • the fifth wheel/turntable assembly 220 and/or display unit 400 may comprise an audio and/or visual alarm which is activated when the coupling portion 220 of the powered vehicle 200 is disengaged from the coupling portion 310 of the unpowered vehicle 300.
  • a single image capture device may need only be directed toward the coupling portion of the powered vehicle or the unpowered vehicle to capture the connection instead of having separate image capture devices directed toward both coupling portions.
  • the coupling warning safety system provides a solution to the aforementioned problems of the prior art by providing a coupling safety warning system which indicates when an unpowered vehic!e is engaged and/or disengaged with a powered vehicle.
  • the coupling warning safety system is designed to prevent undue damage to vehicles and accidents which occur through incorrect or no coupling between a truck and trailer and car and trailer or caravan by providing a clear visual warning and safety system.
  • the system of the present invention can also incorporate existing technologies such as reverse parking image capture devices to provide an additional level of safety for the vehicles.
  • the coupling warning safety system of the present invention is designed to protect the lives of truck drivers and the general public, reduce injuries to workers, save time without compromising safety and increase productivity and profitability for businesses. By installing the coupling warning safety system the risk of unsafe coupling will be dramatically reduced, allowing companies to maintain much higher safety standards.
  • the system allows helps reduce the amount of road accidents.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de sécurité à avertissement d'accouplement, le système comportant un véhicule motorisé ayant une partie d'accouplement et un véhicule non motorisé ayant une partie d'accouplement, le véhicule motorisé et le véhicule non motorisé étant accouplés ensemble de manière libérable par les parties d'accouplement respectives, au moins un dispositif de capture d'image monté sur le véhicule motorisé et une unité d'affichage en communication avec ledit au moins un dispositif de capteur d'image pour recevoir et afficher une réaction en provenance dudit au moins un dispositif de capture d'image, dans lequel le système indique quand le véhicule non motorisé est accouplé et/ou désaccouplé par rapport au véhicule motorisé.
PCT/AU2014/000534 2013-05-22 2014-05-22 Système de sécurité à avertissement d'accouplement WO2014186828A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2013901832 2013-05-22
AU2013901832A AU2013901832A0 (en) 2013-05-22 Coupling warning safety system
AU2013904789A AU2013904789A0 (en) 2013-12-09 Coupling warning safety system
AU2013904789 2013-12-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014186828A1 true WO2014186828A1 (fr) 2014-11-27

Family

ID=51932623

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2014/000534 WO2014186828A1 (fr) 2013-05-22 2014-05-22 Système de sécurité à avertissement d'accouplement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2014186828A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11390254B2 (en) * 2019-03-18 2022-07-19 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Trailering assist system for trailers with retractable drop leg
US20240420367A1 (en) * 2021-10-27 2024-12-19 Jost-Werke Deutschland Gmbh Device for locating a coupling means arranged on a trailer vehicle

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5861802A (en) * 1996-03-04 1999-01-19 Holland Hitch Company Fifth wheel hitch coupling control system
US7176958B2 (en) * 2002-09-03 2007-02-13 Jones Martin G Fifth wheel video monitor system
US20080191449A1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2008-08-14 John Paul Standen Trailer Vehicle Coupling Safety Aids
US20130107044A1 (en) * 2011-10-26 2013-05-02 Anthony Azevedo Blind Spot Camera System

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5861802A (en) * 1996-03-04 1999-01-19 Holland Hitch Company Fifth wheel hitch coupling control system
US7176958B2 (en) * 2002-09-03 2007-02-13 Jones Martin G Fifth wheel video monitor system
US20080191449A1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2008-08-14 John Paul Standen Trailer Vehicle Coupling Safety Aids
US20130107044A1 (en) * 2011-10-26 2013-05-02 Anthony Azevedo Blind Spot Camera System

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11390254B2 (en) * 2019-03-18 2022-07-19 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Trailering assist system for trailers with retractable drop leg
US20240420367A1 (en) * 2021-10-27 2024-12-19 Jost-Werke Deutschland Gmbh Device for locating a coupling means arranged on a trailer vehicle
US12229988B2 (en) * 2021-10-27 2025-02-18 Jost-Werke Deutschland Gmbh Device for locating a coupling means arranged on a trailer vehicle

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