DE102017005810B4 - ARRANGEMENT FOR MOUNTING A FIFTH-PART PLATE TO A VEHICLE FRAME - Google Patents

Abstract

Arrangement (I; II) for mounting a fifth wheel plate (20; 120) on a vehicle frame (10; 110) of a towing vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle frame (10; 110) comprises a right longitudinal member (12) and a left longitudinal member (14; 114), wherein the mounting arrangement (I; II) comprises a support arrangement for supporting the fifth wheel plate (20; 120), wherein the support arrangement comprises a right and a left base unit (52, 54; 154) for supporting the fifth wheel plate (20; 120) by the right and the left longitudinal members (12, 14; 114), respectively, wherein the support arrangement further comprises a right pair of longitudinal elements (31, 32) arranged on opposite sides of the right longitudinal member (12) and a left pair of longitudinal elements (33, 34; 133) arranged on opposite sides of the left longitudinal member (14; 114). 134) for connecting the support assembly and for transferring the vertical load (F) from the fifth wheel plate (20; 120) via the right and left base units (52, 54; 154) to the respective longitudinal beams (12, 14; 114),characterized in thatthe right and left pairs of longitudinal members (31, 32, 33, 34; 133, 134) are formed to project upwardly from the right and left longitudinal beams (12, 14; 114), respectively, and in thatthe right and left base units (52, 54; 154) are mounted between a projecting portion (133a, 134a) of the right and left pairs of longitudinal members (31, 32, 33, 34; 133, 134), respectively.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a vehicle.

STATE OF THE ART

Certain vehicles, such as so-called semi-trailers, use a fifth wheel coupling to establish a connection between the towing vehicle and the semi-trailer. The fifth wheel coupling comprises a pin arranged in a front part of the semi-trailer and a fifth wheel plate fixedly arranged on a rear part of the towing vehicle. The fifth wheel plate has a horseshoe shape, with the rear-facing opening designed to receive the pin of the semi-trailer. The fifth wheel plate is designed to be mounted on a left and right side member of the vehicle frame with a mounting arrangement. A mounting arrangement according to the prior art comprises an L-shaped mounting bracket arranged on the right and left outside along each of the right and left side members, with a vertical portion projecting upwards from the respective side member and a horizontal portion extending outwards from the projecting part and running along the respective side member. The mounting arrangement further comprises a mounting plate designed to be arranged on the horizontal portions extending transversely between the side members. A right and a left base unit for supporting the fifth wheel plate are arranged on the mounting plate substantially above the respective horizontal section and the longitudinal member. 2 shows such an assembly arrangement.

One problem with such an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle is that L-shaped mounting brackets can break when subjected to loads. To mitigate such problems, the mounting plate and a significant amount of bolting are required; but even using such a mounting plate can lead to cracks in the mounting bracket due to bending forces under heavy loads.

There are different solutions for mounting a fifth wheel plate to a vehicle. WO 2014 / 189 762 A1 discloses a fifth wheel assembly for use with a vehicle frame rail in a C-shaped configuration, for example of a tractor-trailer, the hitch assembly comprising a support bracket comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion being attached to the vertical portion of the frame rail and the upper portion being attached to base portions of the fifth wheel plate.

US 8 511 703 B2 discloses a slip coupling assembly for a towing vehicle, the assembly having cam surfaces each configured to unlock the drive position locking pin and the maneuvering position locking pin when the cam member is in the corresponding position.

US 2005 / 0 248 124 A1 discloses an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate. For this purpose, two parallel circular cylindrical guide rails are provided which are firmly connected to the vehicle frame. A pair of plates are connected to each guide rail on opposite sides, forming a closed structure. A support arrangement with U-shaped ends provided for a fifth wheel plate engages with each U-shaped end from above around the respective pair of plates. The U-shaped end and the pair of plates are connected to one another by means of screws in such a way that a vertical load is passed from a fifth wheel plate provided on the support arrangement via the U-shaped ends of the support arrangement and then via the pairs of plates onto the guide rails.

US 2005 / 0 023 797 A1 discloses alternative arrangements for mounting a saddle plate.

However, there is a need to improve the mounting of a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame.

TASKS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle which can effectively withstand loads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle which is cost effective.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle which is weight-saving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects which will become apparent from the following description are achieved by an arrangement and a vehicle as set out in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the arrangement are defined in the appended dependent claims.

In particular, an object of the invention is achieved by an assembly for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle. The vehicle frame includes a right side member and a left side member. The mounting assembly includes a support assembly for supporting the fifth wheel plate. The support assembly includes right and left base units for supporting the fifth wheel plate by the right and left side members, respectively. The support assembly further includes a right pair of longitudinal members arranged on opposite sides of the right side member and a left pair of longitudinal members arranged on opposite sides of the left side member for connecting the support assembly and for transferring the vertical load from the fifth wheel plate via the right and left base units to the respective side members. By using the right and left pair of longitudinal members, loads on the fifth wheel plate can be effectively absorbed by substantially diaphragm forces in the longitudinal members. Thus, no support plate is required, reducing weight and cost.

According to one embodiment, the right and left side members are C-shaped members designed to be arranged with their open side facing each other. The right and left side members may also be referred to as vehicle frame rails.

According to one embodiment, the right and left base units for supporting the fifth wheel plate are separate units to which the fifth wheel plate is attached. According to one embodiment, the right and left base units for supporting the fifth wheel plate are integrated into the fifth wheel plate and represent base sections for supporting the fifth wheel plate.

According to one embodiment, the right and left pairs of longitudinal elements are arranged vertically. According to one embodiment, the right and left pairs of longitudinal elements are sheet metal elements.

In the arrangement according to the invention, the right and left pairs of longitudinal members are formed to project upward from the right and left side members, respectively. This enables the right and left base units to be efficiently mounted therebetween.

In the arrangement according to the invention, the right and left base units are mounted between a projecting portion of each of the right and left pairs of longitudinal members. This achieves efficient assembly. By mounting the right and left base units between a projecting portion of the right and left pairs of longitudinal members, alignment is achieved between the right base unit and the right side member and corresponding alignment between the left base unit and the left side member, so that efficient absorption of loads on the fifth wheel plate is achieved in that the force caused by the load acts substantially vertically from the fifth wheel plate via the base units to the side members.

According to an embodiment of the arrangement, the support arrangement is designed in connection with a cross member between the right and left longitudinal members for carrying side loads, the right and left pairs of longitudinal members being connected to the cross member. As a result, side loads can be effectively absorbed, which further improves the ability to withstand loads.

According to one embodiment, the cross member between the right and left longitudinal members is designed to support and connect running beams of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the cross member between the right and left longitudinal members comprises a fastening section connected to the inside of the respective longitudinal member. The fastening section of the cross member has a longitudinal extension along the inside of the respective longitudinal member and is thus arranged between the longitudinal elements of the right and left pair of longitudinal elements and within the right and left longitudinal members.

According to an embodiment of the arrangement, the support arrangement further comprises a right and left spacer element arranged between the longitudinal elements of the right and left pair of longitudinal elements and within the right and left longitudinal members. As a result, side loads can be effectively absorbed, which further improves the ability to withstand loads.

In particular, an object of the invention is achieved by a towing vehicle comprising an arrangement as described here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• 1 zeigt schematisch eine Seitenansicht eines Fahrzeugs gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• 2 zeigt schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anordnung zum Montieren einer Sattelplatte auf einem Fahrzeugrahmen eines Fahrzeugs nach dem Stand der Technik.
• 3 zeigt schematisch eine Vorderansicht einer Anordnung zum Montieren einer Sattelplatte auf einem Fahrzeugrahmen eines Fahrzeugs gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• 4a-b zeigen schematisch perspektivische Ansichten einer Anordnung zum Montieren einer Sattelplatte auf einem Fahrzeugrahmen eines Fahrzeugs gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• 5a zeigt schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Anordnung in 4a-b.
• 5b zeigt schematisch eine Querschnittsansicht der Anordnung in 5a.
• 6a-b zeigen schematisch perspektivische Teilexplosionsansichten der Anordnung in 4a-b.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

• 1 shows schematically a side view of a vehicle according to the present invention.
• 2 shows schematically a perspective view of an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle according to the prior art.
• 3 schematically shows a front view of an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 4a -b show schematic perspective views of an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on a vehicle frame of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 5a shows a schematic side view of the arrangement in 4a -b.
• 5b shows schematically a cross-sectional view of the arrangement in 5a .
• 6a -b show schematic perspective partially exploded views of the arrangement in 4a -b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1 shows schematically a side view of a vehicle V according to the present invention. The vehicle V shown by way of example is a heavy-duty vehicle in the form of a semi-trailer with a towing vehicle 1 and a semi-trailer 2. The vehicle V comprises a fifth wheel coupling for establishing a connection between the towing vehicle and the semi-trailer, the fifth wheel coupling comprising a fifth wheel plate 20. The vehicle comprises an arrangement for mounting the fifth wheel plate on the vehicle frame, i.e. the frame of the towing vehicle. The vehicle according to the present invention can be any suitable vehicle which is designed to be equipped with a fifth wheel plate and thus requires an arrangement for mounting a fifth wheel plate on the vehicle.

2 shows schematically a perspective view of an arrangement 100P for mounting a fifth wheel plate 20P on a vehicle frame 10P of a vehicle according to the prior art.

The fifth wheel plate 20P is designed to be mounted on right and left side members 12P, 14P of the vehicle frame 10P with the mounting assembly 100P. The mounting assembly 100P includes right and left L-shaped mounting brackets 32P, 34P arranged outwardly along the right and left side members 12P, 14P, respectively, having a vertical portion projecting upwardly from the respective side member and a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the projecting portion and running along the respective side member. The mounting assembly further includes a mounting plate 40P designed to be arranged on the horizontal portions extending transversely between the side members. Right and left base units 52P, 54P for supporting the fifth wheel plate 20P are arranged on the mounting plate 40P substantially above the respective horizontal portion and the side member 12P, 14P.

3 shows schematically a front view of an arrangement I for mounting a fifth wheel plate 20 on a vehicle frame 10 of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle frame 10 comprises a right side member 12 and a left side member 14. The mounting arrangement I comprises a support arrangement for supporting the fifth wheel plate 20.

The support assembly includes a right pair of longitudinal members 31, 32 arranged on opposite sides of the right side member 12 and a left pair of longitudinal members 33, 34 arranged on opposite sides of the left side member 14. The right pair of longitudinal members 31, 32 and the left pair of longitudinal members 33, 34 are arranged vertically. The right and left pairs of longitudinal members are sheet metal members according to one embodiment. The support assembly includes right and left base units 52, 54 for supporting the fifth wheel plate 20 by the right and left side members, respectively.

The right pair of longitudinal elements 31, 32 arranged on opposite sides of the right longitudinal member 12 and the left pair of longitudinal elements 33, 34 arranged on opposite sides of the left longitudinal member 14 are for connecting the support arrangement and for transmitting the vertical load F from the fifth wheel plate 20 via the right and left base units 52, 54 to the respective longitudinal beams 12, 14.

The right pair of longitudinal elements 31, 32 is designed to protrude upwards from the right longitudinal member 12 and the left pair of longitudinal elements 33, 34 is designed to protrude upwards from the left longitudinal member 14.

The right base unit 52 is mounted between a protruding portion of the right pair of longitudinal members 31, 32 and the left base unit 54 is mounted between a protruding portion of the left pair 33, 34 of the longitudinal members.

The right and left longitudinal beams 12, 14 are C-shaped beams which are designed to be arranged with their open side facing each other. The right longitudinal beam 12 thus has an outer side and an opposite inner side and the left longitudinal beam 14 correspondingly has an outer side and an inner side.

The support assembly further includes a right spacer 62 disposed between the right pair of longitudinal members 31, 32 and a left spacer 64 disposed between the left pair 33, 34 of longitudinal members. The right and left spacers 62, 64 are disposed within the right and left longitudinal members, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the support arrangement can also be arranged in conjunction with a cross member between the right side member 12 and the left side member 14 for carrying side loads.

4a -b, 5a -Federation 6a -b show various views of an arrangement II for mounting a fifth wheel plate 120 on a vehicle frame 110 of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4a shows schematically a perspective view of the outer left side of arrangement II obliquely from above and 4b shows a perspective view of the inner left side of arrangement II obliquely from below.

The arrangement in 4a -b shows perspective views of an arrangement II for mounting a fifth wheel plate 120 on a vehicle frame 110 of a vehicle having the same function as that shown in 3 shown arrangement, but has a more precisely specified and detailed embodiment than in 3 on.

The vehicle frame 110, on which the fifth wheel plate 120 is to be mounted, comprises a right longitudinal member and a left longitudinal member 114, of which only the left longitudinal member 114 is shown for illustrative purposes.

The right and left side members 114 are C-shaped members designed to be arranged with their open sides facing each other. The right and left side members 114 have substantially the same configuration and shape. Only the left side member 114 will be described below, which will be referred to as the side member 114.

The longitudinal member 114 has an outer side 114a and an inner side 114b. The longitudinal member 114 has a top side 114c and a bottom side 114d.

The support assembly includes a right pair of longitudinal members arranged on opposite sides of the right side member 114 and a left pair of longitudinal members 133, 134 arranged on opposite sides of the left side member 114. Only the left pair of longitudinal members 133, 134 is shown here, which is referred to as pair of longitudinal members 133, 134.

The support arrangement comprises a right and a left base unit 154 for supporting the fifth wheel plate 120 by the right and left side members respectively. Only the left base unit 154 is shown here, which is referred to below as the base unit 154.

The pair of longitudinal members 133, 134 are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal beam 114. The longitudinal members 133, 134 are configured to connect the support assembly and to transfer the vertical load from the fifth wheel plate 120 via the base units 154 to the longitudinal beam 114.

The pair of longitudinal elements 133, 134 is attached to the longitudinal member by screw joints J1.

The pair of longitudinal elements 133, 134 are designed to project upwards from the left longitudinal member 114 with a distance D as in 5a shown. The base unit 154 is mounted between a projecting portion 133a, 134a of the pair 133, 134 of longitudinal members. The base unit 154 includes a lower portion 154a configured to be mounted between the projecting portion 133a, 134a of the pair 133, 134 of longitudinal members. 6a shows an exploded perspective view in which the lower portion 154a of the base unit 154. The base unit 154 is mounted between a projecting portion 133a, 134a of the pair 133, 134 of longitudinal elements by screw joints J2, see for example 4a and 5b , wherein the screw connections J2 are designed to be inserted through the lower portion 154a of the base unit 154. 5b shows a front view of a cross section AA of 5a .

The support arrangement further comprises a right spacer element and a left spacer element 164, of which only the left spacer element 164 is shown, which is referred to below as the spacer element. The spacer element 164 is, for example, in 4b shown.

The spacer element 164 is arranged between the pair of longitudinal elements 133, 134. The spacer element 164 is arranged within the longitudinal member 114, see for example 6a .

The pair of longitudinal elements 133, 134 is arranged vertically. The longitudinal elements 133, 134 are, according to one embodiment, sheet metal elements.

For example, 5b As can be seen, the left base unit 154 is mounted between the projecting portion of the pair of longitudinal members 133, 134 so that an alignment is achieved between the base unit 154 and the longitudinal beam 114 so that an efficient absorption of loads on the fifth wheel plate is achieved by the force caused by the load acting substantially vertically from the fifth wheel plate 120 via the base unit 154 to the longitudinal beam 114. The alignment is in 5b shown with the dotted line L.

The support assembly is arranged in connection with a cross member 170 between the right side member (not shown) and the left side member 114 for carrying side loads. The pair of longitudinal members 133, 134 are connected to the cross member 170 so that side loads can be effectively absorbed. The cross member 170 between the right and left side members is designed according to an embodiment for supporting and connecting road wheels of the vehicle.

The cross member 170 between the right and left side members comprises a right attachment portion 172 designed to connect to the inside of the right side member (not shown) and an attachment portion 174 designed to connect to the inside of the left side member 114. The attachment portions 172, 174 of the cross member have a longitudinal extension along the inside 114b of the side member 114 and are thus arranged between the pair of longitudinal elements 133, 134 and within the side member. This is shown in the exploded view of 6a shown.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical applications, and thus to enable one skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular purpose.

Claims (4)

Arrangement (I; II) for mounting a fifth wheel plate (20; 120) on a vehicle frame (10; 110) of a towing vehicle (1), the vehicle frame (10; 110) comprising a right longitudinal member (12) and a left longitudinal member (14; 114), the mounting arrangement (I; II) comprising a support arrangement for supporting the fifth wheel plate (20; 120), the support arrangement comprising a right and a left base unit (52, 54; 154) for supporting the fifth wheel plate (20; 120) by the right and the left longitudinal members (12, 14; 114), respectively, the support arrangement further comprising a right pair of longitudinal elements (31, 32) arranged on opposite sides of the right longitudinal member (12) and a left pair of longitudinal elements (33, 34; 133) arranged on opposite sides of the left longitudinal member (14; 114). 134) for connecting the support assembly and for transferring the vertical load (F) from the fifth wheel plate (20; 120) via the right and left base units (52, 54; 154) to the respective longitudinal beams (12, 14; 114), characterized in that the right and left pairs of longitudinal members (31, 32, 33, 34; 133, 134) are formed to project upwardly from the right and left longitudinal beams (12, 14; 114), respectively, and that the right and left base units (52, 54; 154) are mounted between a projecting portion (133a, 134a) of the right and left pairs of longitudinal members (31, 32, 33, 34; 133, 134), respectively. Arrangement (II) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the support arrangement is designed in connection with a cross member (170) between the right and the left longitudinal member (114) for carrying side loads, wherein the right and left pairs of longitudinal elements (133, 134) are connected to the cross member (170). Arrangement (I; II) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the support arrangement further comprises a right and left spacer element (62, 64; 164) arranged between the longitudinal elements (133, 134) of the right and left pair of longitudinal elements (31, 32, 33, 34; 133, 134) and within the right and left longitudinal members (12, 14; 114). Towing vehicle (1) comprising an arrangement (I; II) according to one of the Claims 1 - 3 .

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