WO2021118502A1 - A towing device for semi-tractors with adjustable ride height - Google Patents

A towing device for semi-tractors with adjustable ride height Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021118502A1
WO2021118502A1 PCT/TR2020/051247 TR2020051247W WO2021118502A1 WO 2021118502 A1 WO2021118502 A1 WO 2021118502A1 TR 2020051247 W TR2020051247 W TR 2020051247W WO 2021118502 A1 WO2021118502 A1 WO 2021118502A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wheel
trailer
tow truck
tow
height
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/TR2020/051247
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Uğur Deryal
Original Assignee
Bmc Otomoti̇v Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇
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
Application filed by Bmc Otomoti̇v Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇ filed Critical Bmc Otomoti̇v Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇
Publication of WO2021118502A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021118502A1/en

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
    • B62D53/0807—Fifth wheel traction couplings adjustable coupling saddles mounted on sub-frames; Mounting plates therefor
    • B62D53/0821—Lifting saddles, i.e. to lift the trailer front
    • 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
    • B62D53/0807—Fifth wheel traction couplings adjustable coupling saddles mounted on sub-frames; Mounting plates therefor
    • B62D53/0814—Fifth wheel traction couplings adjustable coupling saddles mounted on sub-frames; Mounting plates therefor with adjustment of the clearance between the tractor or the trailer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B21/00—Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant
    • G01B21/22—Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to tow trucks.
  • the invention particularly relates to tow trucks with adjustable fifth wheel height.
  • Tow trucks and trailers added to tow trucks are used in vehicle transport sector.
  • Tow trucks and trailer vehicles comprises a fifth wheel on tow trucks and a pair on trailers by means of pins thereon and thus provide transport of loads.
  • Height of fifth wheel and pin used for interconnection of tow truck and trailers is to be at a specified standard and match each other.
  • Pin heights of trailer type vehicles in the related art are fixed and so connection between tow truck and trailer is made by means of designing some novelties on the fifth wheel. Adjustment of sizes and height of fifth wheel of tow trucks is made based on pin height of trailers and in case of need to connect another trailer, problem may be encountered. In such case, height and connection adjustments based on pin height of trailer is to be made again. In current tow trucks fifth wheel adjustment change can be made at certain ranges with platform and fifth wheel options. However, this case requires purchase of an new product each time it is needed.
  • patent application numbered FR2672561 discloses a method for controlling trailer movements according to trailer mechanism where the fifth wheel hits and said method provides measurement of rotation angle of the fifth wheel by use of a computer. Upon comparison of whether or not present values are met, when present critical value is achieved, a system is activated for adjustment of suspension height of trailer via computer and semi-trailer and trailer chassis connection is provided.
  • said application does not have components providing active control of angle of platform connected to trailers and allowing active adjustment by providing smooth remaining of trailer. This requires need for constant adjustment and measurement.
  • Patent application numbered TR 2018/09332 particularly develops a lowbed type semi-trailer used in transport of heavy cargo.
  • Present invention relates to tow trucks.
  • Primary purpose of the invention is to disclose a tow truck wherein stay angle of trailers on the fifth wheel is measured and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel is made in the connection of trailer to tow truck.
  • Another purpose of the invention is to disclose a tow truck enabling conduct of precise adjustment of height by means of hydraulic activators without need for measure exact height of trailer where driver is connected.
  • present invention is a tow truck wherein trailer standing angle is measured on the fifth wheel where located from the tow truck chassis in connection of tow truck to trailer, and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel is made.
  • Figure 1 is side general view of tow truck and trailer of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is detailed view of connection of trailer to tow truck chassis by fifth wheel.
  • the invention is a tow truck (10) where in connection of tow truck (10) to trailer (20) stay angle of trailer (20) on the fifth wheel (30) located on tow truck chassis (11) is measured and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel (30) is made.
  • Said tow truck (10) comprises; leverage mechanism (40) located on tow truck chassis and providing raising and lowering motion of the fifth wheel (30), activator (50) driving leverage mechanism (40) at precise level, angle sensor (60) providing control of the fifth wheel (30) height by measuring the angle made by trailer (20) on smooth road, An electronic control unit (70) providing precise height adjustment upon deciding on raising or lowering of leverage mechanism (40) based on values measured by angle sensor (60).
  • FIG 1 shows side general view of tow truck (10) and trailer (20). According to it tow truck (10) and trailer (20) connection is provided by fifth wheel (30). The fifth wheel (30) is located on the tow truck chassis (11). Tow truck chassis (11) is carrying carcass of tow truck (10).
  • FIG 2 shows detailed view of connection of trailer (20) and tow truck chassis (11) by means of fifth wheel (30).
  • the fifth wheel (30) comprises mainly upper platform (31), lower platform (32) and an intermediate plate (33).
  • Upper platform (31) provides connection between fifth wheel (30) and trailer (20).
  • Upper platform (31) provides kinematic motion subject to lower platform (32).
  • Lower platform (32) of the lower part has intermediate plate.
  • Lower platform (32) functions as connection between upper platform (31) and intermediate plate (33).
  • Intermediate plate (33) is main carrier of the fifth wheel (30).
  • Leverage mechanism (40) provides raising and lowering motion of the fifth wheel (30).
  • Leverage mechanism (40) is located on the tow truck chassis (11).
  • Leverage mechanism (40) provides adjustment of height of fifth wheel (30) according to pin height of the trailer (20).
  • Leverage mechanism (40) is driven by an activator (50).
  • activator (50) is designed as hydraulic.
  • Activator (50) is powered by hydraulic.
  • the angle between upper platform (31) and lower platform (32) is measured and angle made by trailer (20) on smooth road is measured and thus control of fifth wheel (30) height is provided by angle sensor (60).
  • Values measured by angle sensor (60) is transmitted to electronic control unit (70).
  • Electronic control unit (70) decides on lowering or raising the leverage mechanism (40) based on data received from angle sensor (60).
  • Electronic control unit (70) has button (71) thereon.
  • the button (71) provides manual movement of the activator (50).
  • driver brings the fifth wheel (30) to adjustment level of the trailer (20) he wishes initially.
  • fine adjustment is initiated by means of precise measurement and control system.
  • the leverage mechanism (40) located on tow truck chassis (11) moves up or down the lower platform (32) based on kinematics.
  • Activator (50) input can also be given manually by driver.
  • activator (50) can also conduct fine height adjustment based on computation made by electronic control unit (70) by use of angle data provided by angle sensor (60).
  • angle of platform connected to trailer (20) is controlled actively and smooth standing of trailer (20) is provided and active adjustment is conducted. Height adjustment can be performed automatically my means of measuring stand angle of trailer (20) via the fifth wheel (30).

Abstract

A Towing Device for Semi-Tractors with Adjustable Ride Height The invention is a tow truck (10) where in connection of tow truck (10) to trailer (20) stay angle of trailer (20) on the fifth wheel (30) located on tow truck chassis (11) is measured and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel (30) is made.

Description

A Towing Device for Semi-Tractors with Adjustable Ride Height Technical Field
The invention relates to tow trucks.
The invention particularly relates to tow trucks with adjustable fifth wheel height.
Background of the Invention
Tow trucks and trailers added to tow trucks are used in vehicle transport sector. Tow trucks and trailer vehicles comprises a fifth wheel on tow trucks and a pair on trailers by means of pins thereon and thus provide transport of loads. Height of fifth wheel and pin used for interconnection of tow truck and trailers is to be at a specified standard and match each other.
Pin heights of trailer type vehicles in the related art are fixed and so connection between tow truck and trailer is made by means of designing some novelties on the fifth wheel. Adjustment of sizes and height of fifth wheel of tow trucks is made based on pin height of trailers and in case of need to connect another trailer, problem may be encountered. In such case, height and connection adjustments based on pin height of trailer is to be made again. In current tow trucks fifth wheel adjustment change can be made at certain ranges with platform and fifth wheel options. However, this case requires purchase of an new product each time it is needed.
In the related art there are some tow trucks with fifth wheel height adjustment. Adjustment value of height adjusted fifth wheels is given from a driver and/or any person from outside. This requires need for constant adjustment and measurement.
In order to eliminate above mentioned problems, some embodiments have been disclosed. For instance, patent application numbered FR2672561 discloses a method for controlling trailer movements according to trailer mechanism where the fifth wheel hits and said method provides measurement of rotation angle of the fifth wheel by use of a computer. Upon comparison of whether or not present values are met, when present critical value is achieved, a system is activated for adjustment of suspension height of trailer via computer and semi-trailer and trailer chassis connection is provided. However, said application does not have components providing active control of angle of platform connected to trailers and allowing active adjustment by providing smooth remaining of trailer. This requires need for constant adjustment and measurement. Patent application numbered TR 2018/09332 particularly develops a lowbed type semi-trailer used in transport of heavy cargo. When changing platform height of said semi-trailers, a system optimizing tilt angle of pitman arm for keeping load transfer at minimum and thus keeping platform parallel to ground, and a method for it. However, exact height of trailer is not discovered under said application. For that reason, a precise adjustment can not be made.
As a result inadequacy of the existing embodiments has made necessary to make a development in the related art.
Brief Description of the Invention
Present invention relates to tow trucks.
Primary purpose of the invention is to disclose a tow truck wherein stay angle of trailers on the fifth wheel is measured and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel is made in the connection of trailer to tow truck.
Another purpose of the invention is to disclose a tow truck enabling conduct of precise adjustment of height by means of hydraulic activators without need for measure exact height of trailer where driver is connected.
In order to achieve the purposes mentioned above and described in more details below, present invention is a tow truck wherein trailer standing angle is measured on the fifth wheel where located from the tow truck chassis in connection of tow truck to trailer, and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel is made.
All characteristics and advantages of the invention will be understood better with the figures and detailed description given below with reference to the figures and assessment should be made taking description and figures in consideration.
Brief Description of Figures
Figure 1 is side general view of tow truck and trailer of the invention.
Figure 2 is detailed view of connection of trailer to tow truck chassis by fifth wheel.
Part Reference Numbers in Figures 10 Tow truck
11 Tow truck chassis 20 Trailer
30 Fifth wheel
31- Upper platform 32 Lower platform
33 Intermediate plate 40 Leverage mechanism
50 Activator 60 Angle sensor 70 Electronic control unit 71 Button
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention is a tow truck (10) where in connection of tow truck (10) to trailer (20) stay angle of trailer (20) on the fifth wheel (30) located on tow truck chassis (11) is measured and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel (30) is made. Said tow truck (10) comprises; leverage mechanism (40) located on tow truck chassis and providing raising and lowering motion of the fifth wheel (30), activator (50) driving leverage mechanism (40) at precise level, angle sensor (60) providing control of the fifth wheel (30) height by measuring the angle made by trailer (20) on smooth road, An electronic control unit (70) providing precise height adjustment upon deciding on raising or lowering of leverage mechanism (40) based on values measured by angle sensor (60).
The invention is applied to provide connection of tow trucks (10) and trailers (20). Figure 1 shows side general view of tow truck (10) and trailer (20). According to it tow truck (10) and trailer (20) connection is provided by fifth wheel (30). The fifth wheel (30) is located on the tow truck chassis (11). Tow truck chassis (11) is carrying carcass of tow truck (10).
Figure 2 shows detailed view of connection of trailer (20) and tow truck chassis (11) by means of fifth wheel (30). The fifth wheel (30) comprises mainly upper platform (31), lower platform (32) and an intermediate plate (33). Upper platform (31) provides connection between fifth wheel (30) and trailer (20). Upper platform (31) provides kinematic motion subject to lower platform (32). Lower platform (32) of the lower part has intermediate plate. Lower platform (32) functions as connection between upper platform (31) and intermediate plate (33). Intermediate plate (33) is main carrier of the fifth wheel (30).
Leverage mechanism (40) provides raising and lowering motion of the fifth wheel (30). Leverage mechanism (40) is located on the tow truck chassis (11). Leverage mechanism (40) provides adjustment of height of fifth wheel (30) according to pin height of the trailer (20). Leverage mechanism (40) is driven by an activator (50). In the invention activator (50) is designed as hydraulic. Activator (50) is powered by hydraulic. The angle between upper platform (31) and lower platform (32) is measured and angle made by trailer (20) on smooth road is measured and thus control of fifth wheel (30) height is provided by angle sensor (60). Values measured by angle sensor (60) is transmitted to electronic control unit (70). Electronic control unit (70) decides on lowering or raising the leverage mechanism (40) based on data received from angle sensor (60). Electronic control unit (70) has button (71) thereon. The button (71) provides manual movement of the activator (50).
In light of above explanations, application of the invention is as follows. Driver brings the fifth wheel (30) to adjustment level of the trailer (20) he wishes initially. After providing trailer (20) matching, fine adjustment is initiated by means of precise measurement and control system. Receiving driving from activator (50) the leverage mechanism (40) located on tow truck chassis (11) moves up or down the lower platform (32) based on kinematics. Activator (50) input can also be given manually by driver. In addition, activator (50) can also conduct fine height adjustment based on computation made by electronic control unit (70) by use of angle data provided by angle sensor (60).
Driver can bring the height of fifth wheel (30) of its vehicle firstly by use of button (71) in order to connect a trailer (20) of known height. After the fifth wheel (30) is brought to required height, matching with trailer (20) is conducted. After completion of matching with trailer (20) when tow truck (10) speed goes above 10 km/h, activator (50) connected to tow truck chassis (11) makes fine and precise adjustment to height of fifth wheel (30) according to data sent to electronic control unit (70) by angle sensor (60) located between upper platform (31) and lower platform (32) and input received from electronic control unit (70).
In order to prevent some faults that might be experienced, in response to probability of faulty adjustment of fifth wheel (30) height by driver data sent from angle sensor (60) is controlled by electronic control unit (70) and activator (50) is activated automatically by system for finding correct angle. Thus any faults that might be encountered can be prevented.
In conclusion, after providing matching with trailer (20) by sensor provided in the system and vehicles are brought to driving level, angle of platform connected to trailer (20) is controlled actively and smooth standing of trailer (20) is provided and active adjustment is conducted. Height adjustment can be performed automatically my means of measuring stand angle of trailer (20) via the fifth wheel (30).

Claims

1. A tow truck (10) where in connection of tow trucks (10) to trailer (20) stay angle of trailer (20) on the fifth wheel (30) located on tow truck chassis (11) is measured and automatic height adjustment of the fifth wheel (30) is made characterized by comprising
• Leverage mechanism (40) located on tow truck chassis and providing raising and lowering motion of the fifth wheel (30)
• Activator (50) driving leverage mechanism (40) at precise level,
• Angle sensor (60) providing control of the fifth wheel (30) height by measuring the angle made by trailer (20) on smooth road,
• An electronic control unit (70) providing precise height adjustment upon deciding on raising or lowering of leverage mechanism (40) based on values measured by angle sensor (60).
2. A tow truck (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising a button (71) located on electronic control unit (70) providing manual movement of activator.
3. A tow truck (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising an upper platform (31) providing connection of fifth wheel (30) to trailer (20).
4. A tow truck (10) according to claim 1 characterized in fifth wheel (30) being main carrier and comprising intermediate plate (33) forming intermediate face between leverage mechanism (40) and activator (50) and fifth wheel (30).
5. A tow truck (10) according to claim 4 characterized in fifth wheel (30) comprising a lower platform (32) functioning as connection between an upper platform (31) and intermediate plate (33).
PCT/TR2020/051247 2019-12-12 2020-12-07 A towing device for semi-tractors with adjustable ride height WO2021118502A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR2019/20059 2019-12-12
TR2019/20059A TR201920059A2 (en) 2019-12-12 2019-12-12 Fifth Wheel Height Auto Adjustable Tractor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021118502A1 true WO2021118502A1 (en) 2021-06-17

Family

ID=76330661

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/TR2020/051247 WO2021118502A1 (en) 2019-12-12 2020-12-07 A towing device for semi-tractors with adjustable ride height

Country Status (2)

Country Link
TR (1) TR201920059A2 (en)
WO (1) WO2021118502A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004050854A (en) * 2002-07-16 2004-02-19 Isuzu Motors Ltd Coupler for vehicles, and angle detecting device
JP2004276708A (en) * 2003-03-14 2004-10-07 Isuzu Motors Ltd Relative attitude angle detection device
TR201514000A3 (en) * 2015-11-09 2017-06-21 Tirsan Treyler Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi TÜMSEK SENSING SYSTEM

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004050854A (en) * 2002-07-16 2004-02-19 Isuzu Motors Ltd Coupler for vehicles, and angle detecting device
JP2004276708A (en) * 2003-03-14 2004-10-07 Isuzu Motors Ltd Relative attitude angle detection device
TR201514000A3 (en) * 2015-11-09 2017-06-21 Tirsan Treyler Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi TÜMSEK SENSING SYSTEM

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Publication number Publication date
TR201920059A2 (en) 2021-06-21

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