Systems and methods for determining an articulated trailer angle
US11927676B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 2022 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D53/0842
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods determine an angle of an articulated trailer relative to a tractor that the trailer is hitched to. An optical encoder is positioned beneath a fifth-wheel of a tractor to couples with a kingpin of the trailer when the trailer is hitched to the tractor. The optical coupler has a rotating shaft that may include pins that physically interact with the kingpin and/or may include a magnet that magnetically attaches to the kingpin. A clearance and cleaning block may be positioned on the spring plate to interact with a bottom surface of a kingpin of the trailer during hitching of the trailer to the tractor. A LIDAR attached to the tractor may detect a front end of the trailer to determine the trailer angle relative to the tractor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.