WO2021096357A1

WO2021096357A1 - A fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and a loading structure.

Info

Publication number: WO2021096357A1
Application number: PCT/NL2020/050710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Antonius Johannes VAN KNIPPENBERG; Arend VAN DE WARDT
Original assignee: Daf Trucks N.V.
Priority date: 2019-11-12
Filing date: 2020-11-11
Publication date: 2021-05-20
Also published as: NL2024219B1; EP4058340A1

Abstract

A fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel, a loading structure and a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from an underside thereof. The loading structure comprises a cross member. At each lateral portion of the cross member a pivot bearing is integrally formed to receive said journal bearings coupled thereto by coupling means. The fifth wheel assembly further has substantially flat mounting flanges integrally formed at and extending generally in a same horizontal plane at both sides from each pivot bearing in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member. The mounting flanges each include a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners inserted therein for mounting said loading structure to a truck chassis. Each mounting flange has an inner side surface. The loading structure comprises a plurality of plate shaped connecting members substantially extending in the same horizontal plane as the mounting flanges, each of said plate shaped connecting members being integrally formed at an inner side surface of a mounting flange. At least one of the plate shaped connecting members extends towards the cross member and is integrally formed at the cross member.

Description

Title: A fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and a loading structure.

The invention relates to a fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and a loading structure for coupling to an associated vehicle, said fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from an underside thereof, said loading structure comprising a cross member extending transverse to the normal direction of travel of the associated vehicle, said cross member having a pivot bearing integrally formed at each lateral portion of said cross member to receive said journal bearings coupled thereto by coupling means, said loading structure further having mounting flanges integrally formed at both sides from each pivot bearing in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member, said mounting flanges each including a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners inserted therein for mounting said loading structure to a truck chassis.

Such a fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and a loading structure is e.g. known from US7516974B1. The known fifth wheel assembly comprises a generally “I-shaped” or “X-shaped” transverse beam member for mounting said assembly to a truck frame. The beam member has transverse ridges extending generally upward therefrom and along which are disposed a plurality of pivot bearing pairs. The beam member has mounting flanges extending generally downward from either lateral periphery thereof. The transverse ridges provide rigidity in the longitudinal axis. This known fifth wheel assembly can be manufactured by casting to produce a unitary fifth wheel.

There is a constant need of different vehicle operators for a semitrailer towing vehicle comprising a fifth wheel assembly which can be manufactured relatively simple having a reduced constructional height and reduced weight while in the meantime providing sufficient stiffness and load carrying ability. It is therefore amongst other things an object of the invention to provide a fifth wheel assembly having a relatively small constructional height. It is another object of the invention to provide a fifth wheel assembly having a relatively simple construction. It is a further object of the invention to provide an alternative fifth wheel assembly.

According to the invention at least one of these objects is obtained by a fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and an loading structure for coupling to an associated vehicle, said fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from an underside thereof, said loading structure comprising a cross member extending transverse to the normal direction of travel of the associated vehicle, said cross member dimensioned to span across longitudinal truck frame members and having a pivot bearing integrally formed at each lateral portion of said cross member to receive said journal bearings coupled thereto by coupling means, said loading structure further having mounting flanges integrally formed at both sides from each pivot bearing in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member, said mounting flanges each including a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners inserted therein for mounting said loading structure to a truck chassis, characterized in that said mounting flanges are substantially flat or planar and extend generally in a same horizontal plane at both sides from each pivot bearing in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member, each mounting flange including an inner side surface, said loading structure further comprising a plurality of plate shaped connecting members substantially extending in the same horizontal plane as the mounting flanges, each of said plate shaped connecting members being integrally formed at an inner side surface of a mounting flange, and in that at least one of the plate shaped connecting members extends towards the cross member and is integrally formed at the cross member. Due to the flat or planar horizontal mounting flanges it has appeared that the fifth wheel assembly according to the invention can be casted in a relatively simple manner in comparison with the fifth wheel assembly known from US7516974B1 having downwardly extending mounting flanges. In addition, the downwardly extending mounting flanges of the fifth wheel assembly known from US7516974B1 require that the distance between the downwardly extending mounting flanges matches the width of longitudinal truck frame members to which the fifth wheel assembly is to be coupled. Since the fifth wheel assembly according to the invention comprises planar mounting flanges it can be coupled in a more versatile way to existing truck chassis. Further, due to the integral formation of the at least one plate shaped connecting member with the flat or planar horizontal mounting flanges and the cross member it has appeared that the fifth wheel assembly according to the invention provides sufficient stiffness in the horizontal plane and load carrying ability while reducing the constructional height of the fifth wheel assembly. In this manner the weight of the fifth wheel assembly according to the invention can be reduced, which amongst other things can be beneficial for the fuel consumption. Please note that the expression “integrally formed” refers to an integrated structure obtained through casting.

In an embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention the cross member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface and opposing side surfaces, wherein the at least one plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at a lower portion of a side surface of the cross member. By integrally forming the at least one plate shaped connecting member at a lower portion of a side surface of the cross member the stiffness of the loading structure can be increased.

In a further embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention the cross member has a rectangular or square profile. Preferably, the cross member is hollow. In particular, the loading structure comprises four plate shaped connecting members, each of said plate shaped connecting members being flat and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each plate shaped connecting member is spaced from the cross member and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange. Preferably, each of said flat plate shaped connecting members is integrally formed near the middle of the cross member By integrally forming the four flat plate shaped connecting members near the free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange and/or near the middle of the cross member the stiffness of the loading structure can be further increased.

In an alternative embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention the cross member has a U-profile, the U-profile having opposing upstanding legs and a bottom facing away from the fifth wheel. Preferably, the distance between the opposing upstanding legs increases from the middle of the cross member towards the lateral portions of the cross member. In particular the bottom of the U-profile is provided with at least one opening near the lateral portions of the cross member to reduce the weight of the fifth wheel assembly. By providing the loading structure with a first plate shaped connecting member and a second plate shaped connecting member, each of said plate shaped connecting members being flat and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at the inner side surface of a mounting flange and extends from an upstanding leg of the U- profile towards the free end of the mounting flange, each plate shaped connecting member being dimensioned to span between the lateral mounting flanges and being integrally formed from at an upstanding leg of the U-profile the stiffness of the loading structure can be further increased. To sufficiently account for loads occurring during acceleration and braking of the associated truck a width of each of the plate shaped connecting members increases in a direction from the middle of the cross member towards the lateral mounting flanges. In a further alternative embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention the cross member and all the plate shaped connecting members comprise flat or planar portions, all being positioned in the same horizontal plane as the mounting flanges and all being provided with a ridge positioned in the middle of the flat portions and extending upwardly from said flat portions in longitudinal direction of said flat portions. The ridges strengthen the plate shaped connecting members to add lateral stiffness. Preferably, the loading structure comprises a first and a second plate shaped connecting member extending parallel to the cross member at opposite sides thereof, said first and second plate shaped connecting members at their ends being integrally formed at the inner side surfaces of the mounting flanges at both sides of the loading structure. In particular, the loading structure comprises a third and a fourth plate shaped connecting member, each of said third and fourth plate shaped connecting member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the third plate shaped connecting member is spaced from the cross member and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange and integrally formed with an end of the first plate shaped connecting member, wherein the first end of the fourth plate shaped connecting member is spaced from the cross member and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange and integrally formed with an end of the first plate shaped connecting member, wherein the second end of each of said third and fourth plate shaped connecting members is integrally formed near the middle of the cross member, and wherein the loading structure comprises a fifth and a sixth plate shaped connecting member, each of said fifth and sixth plate shaped connecting member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the fifth and sixth plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at the cross member and is integrally formed at a portion of the inner side surface of a mounting flange near the cross member, wherein the second end of the fifth and the second plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at the second plate shaped connecting member at locations spaced from the mounting flanges and spaced from each other. In this manner the stiffness of the loading structure can be further increased while loads occurring during acceleration and braking of the associated truck are sufficiently accounted for.

The invention will be further explained with reference to the Figures, in which non-limiting exemplary embodiments of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention are shown:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and a loading structure according to the invention in perspective;

Figs. 2A and 2B show the loading structure of the first embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly as shown in Figure 1, in perspective and top view respectively;

Figs. 3A and 3B show an loading structure of a second embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly, in perspective and top view respectively; and

Figs. 4A and 4B show an loading structure of a third embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly, in perspective and top view respectively.

In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly 1 comprising a fifth wheel 2 and a loading structure 3 is schematically shown in perspective. The fifth wheel 2 has a plurality of journal bearings 4 (only one of which his visible in Fig. 1) extending generally downward from an underside thereof.

As is more clearly visible in Figs. 2A and 2B the loading structure 3 comprises a generally rectangular or square cross member 5 which is preferably hollow to reduce weight. The loading structure 3 has a pivot bearing 6, 6’ integrally formed at each lateral portion of said cross member 5 to receive the journal bearings 4 coupled thereto by coupling means as known in the art.

The loading structure 3 further has mounting flanges 7, 8, 9, 10 integrally formed at both sides from each pivot bearing 6, 6’ in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member 5. The mounting flanges 7, 8,

9, 10 each include a plurality of apertures 11 for receiving fasteners inserted therein for mounting said loading structure 3 to a truck chassis.

The mounting flanges 7, 8, 9, 10 are substantially flat or planar and extend generally in a horizontal plane at both sides from each pivot bearing 6, 6’ in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member 5.

Each mounting flange 7, 8, 9, 10 has an upper flange surface 12, a lower flange surface 13 opposite the upper flange surface 12, a flange end surface 14, and outer side surface 15 and an inner side surface 16. The loading structure 3 further comprises four flat or planar plate shaped connecting members 17, 18, 19, 20 substantially extending in the same horizontal plane as the mounting flanges 7, 8, 9, 10. Each of the flat plate shaped connecting members 17, 18, 19, 20 is integrally formed at an inner side surface 16 of a respective mounting flange 7, 8, 9, 10 at a position spaced from the cross member 5, preferably - as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B - near the free end of the inner side surface 16 of the respective mounting flange.

Each flat plate shaped connecting member 17, 18, 19, 20 extends towards and is integrally formed at the cross member 5, preferably near a lower part 5A of the cross member 5. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B each of the flat plate shaped connecting members 17, 18, 19, 20 is integrally formed near the middle of the cross member 5, in particular such that the flat plate shaped connecting members 17, 19 and 18, 20, respectively are adjacent to one another. In this manner a fifth wheel assembly 1 comprising a fifth wheel 2 and an loading structure 3 can be obtained for example by one piece casting of the loading structure in which the chassis cross member function is integrated into the fifth wheel coupling and sufficient stiffness and loading abilities can be obtained. Since the mounting flanges are planar the loading structure is self-releasing such that casting can be performed in a relatively easy manner.

In Figures 3A and 3B a second embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention is shown in which the cross member 21 of the loading structure 27 has a U-profile. The U-profile 21 has opposing upstanding legs 22, 23 and a bottom 24 facing away from the fifth wheel. As is clearly shown in Figure 3B the distance between the opposing upstanding legs 22, 23 increases from the middle of the cross member 21 towards the lateral portions of the cross member 21. The bottom 25 of the U-profile 21 is provided with at least one opening 25, 26 near the lateral portions of the cross member 21 to reduce the total weight of the loading structure.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B the loading structure 27 comprises a first flat or planar plate shaped connecting member 28 and a second flat or planar plate shaped connecting member 29. The first plate shaped connecting member 28 and the second plate shaped connecting member 29 comprise a first end 28A, 29A, respectively, and a second end 28B, 29B, respectively. The first end 28A, 29A of each plate shaped connecting member 28, 29 is integrally formed at the inner side surface 30 A, 31A of a mounting flange 30, 30A, respectively. The second end 28B, 29B of each plate shaped connecting member 28, 29 is integrally formed at the inner side surface 32A, 33A of a mounting flange 32, 33A, respectively. The plate shaped connecting members 28, 29 extend from and are integrally formed at the upstanding leg 22, 23, respectively, of the U- profile 23 towards the free end of the mounting flange 30, 31; 32, 33 respectively and are dimensioned to span between the lateral mounting flanges 30, 31; 32, 33. The width of each of the plate shaped connecting members 28, 29 increases in a direction from the middle of the cross member 21 towards the lateral mounting flanges 30, 31; 32, 33. In Figures 4A and 4B a third embodiment of a fifth wheel assembly according to the invention is shown in which the cross member 40 and all the plate shaped connecting members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 of the loading structure 47 comprise flat portions 41 A, 42A, 43A, 44A, 45A, 46A. All the flat portions 41 A, 42 A, 43 A, 44A, 45 A, 46 A are positioned in the same horizontal plane as the planar mounting flanges 48, 49, 50, 51. All the plate shaped connecting members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 are provided with a ridge 41B, 42B, 43B, 44B, 45B, 46B positioned in the middle of the flat portions 41 A, 42 A, 43 A, 44A, 45 A, 46 A and extend upwardly from the associated flat portion 41A, 42A, 43A, 44A, 45A, 46Ain longitudinal direction of the associated flat portions 41 A, 42 A, 43 A, 44A, 45 A, 46 A.

The loading structure 47 of this third embodiment comprises a first plate shaped connecting member 41 and a second plate shaped connecting member 42 extending parallel to the cross member 40 at opposite sides thereof. The first plate shaped connecting member 41 and second plate shaped connecting member 42 are at their ends integrally formed at the inner side surfaces 48A, 50A; 49 A; 51 A of the associated mounting flanges 48; 50; 49, 51; at both sides of the loading structure 47.

In this third embodiment the loading structure 47 comprises a third plate shaped connecting member 43 and a fourth plate shaped connecting member 44. The third plate shaped connecting member 43 comprises a first end 43C and a second end 43D. The first end 43C of the third plate shaped connecting member 43 is spaced from the cross member 40 and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface 48A of the mounting flange 48 and integrally formed with an end 41C of the first plate shaped connecting member 41. The first end 44C of the fourth plate shaped connecting member 44 is spaced from the cross member 40 and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface 50A of the mounting flange 50 and integrally formed with the other end 4 ID of the first plate shaped connecting member 41. The second end 43D, 44D of each of said third and fourth plate shaped connecting members 43, 44, respectively, is integrally formed near the middle of the cross member 40.

The loading structure 47 further comprises a fifth plate shaped connecting member 45 comprising a first end 45C and a second end 45D, and a sixth plate shaped connecting member 46 comprising a first end 46C and a second end 46D. The first end 45C, 46C of each of the fifth and sixth plate shaped connecting members 45, 46 is integrally formed at the cross member 40 and is integrally formed at a portion 49B, 5 IB of the inner side surface 49 A, 51A of the associated mounting flange 49, 51 near the cross member 40. The second end 45D, 46D of the fifth and the second plate shaped connecting member 45, 46 is integrally formed at the second plate shaped connecting member 42 at locations X, Y spaced from the associated mounting flanges 49, 51 and spaced from each other.

Claims

1. A fifth wheel assembly comprising a fifth wheel and a loading structure for coupling to an associated vehicle, said fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from an underside thereof, said loading structure comprising a cross member extending transverse to the normal direction of travel of the associated vehicle, said cross member having a pivot bearing integrally formed at each lateral portion of said cross member to receive said journal bearings coupled thereto by coupling means, said loading structure further having mounting flanges integrally formed at both sides from each pivot bearing in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member, said mounting flanges each including a plurahty of apertures for receiving fasteners inserted therein for mounting said loading structure to a truck chassis, characterized in that said mounting flanges are substantially flat and extend generally in a same horizontal plane at both sides from each pivot bearing in a direction substantially transverse to the cross member, each mounting flange including an inner side surface, said loading structure further comprising a plurality of plate shaped connecting members substantially extending in the same horizontal plane as the mounting flanges, each of said plate shaped connecting members being integrally formed at an inner side surface of a mounting flange, and in that at least one of the plate shaped connecting members extends between at least a inner side surface of a mounting flange and the cross member and is integrally formed at the cross member.

2. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cross member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface and opposing side surfaces, and wherein the at least one plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at a lower portion of a side surface of the cross member.

3. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross member has a rectangular or square profile.

4. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cross member is hollow.

5. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the loading structure comprises four plate shaped connecting members, each of said plate shaped connecting members being flat and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each plate shaped connecting member is spaced from the cross member and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange.

6. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second end of each of said flat plate shaped connecting members is integrally formed near the middle of the cross member.

7. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross member has a U-profile, the U-profile having opposing upstanding legs and a bottom facing away from the fifth wheel.

8. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the opposing upstanding legs increases from the middle of the cross member towards the lateral portions of the cross member.

9. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the bottom of the U-profile is provided with at least one opening near the lateral portions of the cross member.

10. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the loading structure comprises a first plate shaped connecting member and a second plate shaped connecting member, each of said plate shaped connecting members being flat and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at the inner side surface of a mounting flange and extends from an upstanding leg of the U-profile towards the free end of the mounting flange, each plate shaped connecting member being dimensioned to span between the lateral mounting flanges and being integrally formed from at an upstanding leg of the U-profile.

11. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 10, wherein a width of each of the plate shaped connecting members increases in a direction from the middle of the cross member towards the lateral mounting flanges.

12. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cross member and all the plate shaped connecting members comprise flat portions, all positioned in the same horizontal plane as the mounting flanges and all being provided with a ridge positioned in the middle of the flat portions and extending upwardly from said flat portions in longitudinal direction of said flat portions.

13. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the loading structure comprises a first and a second plate shaped connecting member extending parallel to the cross member at opposite sides thereof, said first and second plate shaped connecting members at their ends being integrally formed at the inner side surfaces of the mounting flanges at both sides of the loading structure.

14. A fifth wheel assembly according to claim 13, wherein the loading structure comprises a third and a fourth plate shaped connecting member, each of said third and fourth plate shaped connecting member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the third plate shaped connecting member is spaced from the cross member and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange and integrally formed with an end of the first plate shaped connecting member, wherein the first end of the fourth plate shaped connecting member is spaced from the cross member and is integrally formed near a free end of the inner side surface of a mounting flange and integrally formed with an end of the first plate shaped connecting member, wherein the second end of each of said third and fourth plate shaped connecting members is integrally formed near the middle of the cross member, and wherein the loading structure comprises a fifth and a sixth plate shaped connecting member, each of said fifth and sixth plate shaped connecting member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the fifth and sixth plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at the cross member and is integrally formed at a portion of the inner side surface of a mounting flange near the cross member, wherein the second end of the fifth and the second plate shaped connecting member is integrally formed at the second plate shaped connecting member at locations spaced from the mounting flanges and spaced from each other.