Connecting system and tractor linkage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12337908-B2
Application number	US-202217820955-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2022
Priority date	Aug 20, 2021
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A connecting system may be included for connecting tractor utility interfaces to corresponding trailer utility interfaces. Without limitation, the connecting system may include a trailer adapter that has a trailer adapter connector and a fastener, where the trailer adapter is configured to be releasably connected to the respective trailer utility interfaces, and where the fastener is configured to releasably fasten the trailer adapter to the trailer. The connecting system may also include a tractor adapter that has a tractor adapter connector and a positioning device, where the tractor adapter connector is configured to be connected to the respective tractor utility interfaces, and where the positioning device is configured to automatically move the tractor adapter connector in relation to the tractor in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector to obtain a functional connection between the respective utility interfaces.

First claim

We claim:

1. A connecting system for connecting tractor utility interfaces to corresponding trailer utility interfaces, the connecting system comprising:
a trailer adapter that has a trailer adapter connector and a fastener,
wherein the trailer adapter is configured to be releasably connected to the respective trailer utility interfaces, and
wherein the fastener is configured to releasably fasten the trailer adapter to the trailer; and
a tractor adapter that has a tractor adapter connector and a positioning device,
wherein the tractor adapter connector is configured to be connected to the respective tractor utility interfaces, and
wherein the positioning device is configured to automatically move the tractor adapter connector in relation to the tractor in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector to obtain a functional connection between the respective utility interfaces.

2. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning device has a moving articulated arm, wherein the tractor adapter connector is attached to one end of the articulated arm, and wherein the other end of the articulated arm is configured to be attached to the tractor.

3. The connecting system according to claim 2 , wherein the positioning device contains a sensor that is configured to detect the trailer adapter connector, wherein the positioning device is configured to move the tractor adapter connector in relation to the detected trailer adapter connector in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector, and the sensor has a camera, which is located on the articulated arm.

4. The connecting system according to claim 3 , wherein the trailer adapter has a label on the trailer adapter connector, and wherein the sensor is configured to detect the trailer adapter connector on the basis of the label located thereon.

5. The connecting system according to claim 4 , wherein the label contains a QR code.

6. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning device has a sensor, which is configured to detect the trailer adapter connector, and wherein the positioning device is configured to move the tractor adapter connector on the basis of the detected trailer adapter connector, in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector.

7. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting system contains a coupling device that is configured to releasably connect the tractor adapter connector and the trailer adapter connector to one another when the tractor adapter connector is positioned on the trailer adapter connector.

8. The connecting system according to claim 7 , wherein the coupling device contains a magnet, wherein the tractor adapter connector can be connected to the trailer adapter connector through a magnetic field generated by the magnet.

9. The connecting system according to claim 8 , wherein the coupling device is configured to reverse the magnetic field from the magnet in order to release the connection between the tractor adapter connector and the trailer adapter connector.

10. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the tractor adapter is configured to be permanently attached to the tractor.

11. The connecting system according to claim 1 , wherein the tractor adapter connector has a connection for each tractor utility interface, and the trailer adapter connector has a connection for each trailer utility interface corresponding to the respective connections on the tractor adapter connector, wherein the respective corresponding connections are configured to be connected to one another to functionally connect the respective utility interfaces by positioning the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector.

12. A tractor linkage, comprising:
a tractor that has a set of tractor utility interfaces;
a trailer that can be coupled to the tractor, the trailer having a set of trailer utility interfaces configured for coupling to the set of tractor utility interfaces; and
a connecting system, the connection system comprising:
a trailer adapter with a trailer adapter connector and a fastener,
wherein the trailer adapter connector is releasably connected to the respective trailer utility interfaces, and
wherein the trailer adapter is releasably attached with the fastener to the trailer; and
a tractor adapter that has a tractor adapter connector and a positioning device,
wherein the tractor adapter connector is connected to the respective tractor utility interfaces, and
wherein the positioning device is configured to automatically move the tractor adapter connector in relation to the tractor in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector to obtain a functional connection between the respective utility interfaces.

13. The tractor linkage according to claim 12 , further comprising a coupling system separate from the connecting system.

14. The tractor linkage according to claim 12 , wherein the coupling system is configured to transfer a tractive force from the tractor to the trailer coupled to the tractor.

15. The tractor linkage according to claim 12 , wherein the positioning device has a moving articulated arm, wherein the tractor adapter connector is attached to one end of the articulated arm, and wherein the other end of the articulated arm is configured to be attached to the tractor.

16. The tractor linkage according to claim 15 , wherein the positioning device contains a sensor that is configured to detect the trailer adapter connector, wherein the positioning device is configured to move the tractor adapter connector in relation to the detected trailer adapter connector in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector, and the sensor has a camera, which is located on the articulated arm.

17. The tractor linkage according to claim 16 , wherein the trailer adapter has a label on the trailer adapter connector, and the sensor is configured to detect the trailer adapter connector on the basis of the label located thereon.

18. The tractor linkage according to claim 17 , wherein the label contains a QR code.

19. The tractor linkage according to claim 12 , wherein the positioning device has a sensor, which is configured to detect the trailer adapter connector, and wherein the positioning device is configured to move the tractor adapter connector on the basis of the detected trailer adapter connector, in order to position the tractor adapter connector on the trailer adapter connector.

20. The tractor linkage according to claim 12 , wherein the connecting system contains a coupling device that is configured to releasably connect the tractor adapter connector and the trailer adapter connector to one another when the tractor adapter connector is positioned on the trailer adapter connector.

Assignees

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen
• Zf Cv Systems Global Gmbh

Inventors

• Müller Jannik
• Jauch Frank
• JäGER THOMAS

Classifications

• B62D53/08

  Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} · CPC title

• B62D53/125 Primary

  with simultaneous coupling of the service lines · CPC title

• B60D1/64

  Couplings or joints therefor · CPC title

• B60D1/62 Primary

  involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like · CPC title