Systems and methods for automated operation and handling of autonomous trucks and trailers hauled thereby

A system for automatically connecting at least one service line on a truck to a trailer comprising:

• a receiver on the trailer that is permanently or temporarily affixed thereto, the receiver interconnected with at least one of a pneumatic line and an electrical line;
• a coupling that is manipulated by an end effector of a robotic manipulator to find and engage the receiver when the trailer is brought into proximity with, or hitched to, the truck;
• a processor that, in response to a position of the receiver, moves the manipulator to align and engage the coupling with the receiver so as to complete a circuit between the truck and the trailer;
• and
• a probe member, containing a pressure port, that inserts into and becomes lodged in an annular seal of the trailer glad hand based upon a placement motion of the end effector.

A system for attaching a truck-based pneumatic line connector to a trailer glad hand on a trailer using a robotic manipulator with an end effector that selectively engages and releases the pneumatic line connector comprising:

• a receiver on the trailer that is permanently or temporarily affixed thereto, the receiver interconnected with at least one of a pneumatic line and an electrical line;
• a coupling that is manipulated by the end effector of the robotic manipulator to find and engage the receiver when the trailer is brought into proximity with, or hitched to, the truck;
• a processor that, in response to a position of the receiver, moves the robotic manipulator to align and engage the coupling with the receiver so as to complete a circuit between the truck and the trailer;
• and
• another glad hand secured to the trailer glad hand in a substantially conventional manner, the other glad hand including a quick-disconnect fitting that receives the pneumatic line connector from the end effector.

A system for automatically connecting at least one service line on a truck to a trailer comprising:

• a glad hand on the trailer that is permanently or temporarily affixed thereto, the glad hand interconnected with a trailer-based pneumatic line;
• a coupling assembly that is manipulated by an end effector of a robotic manipulator to find and engage the glad hand when the trailer is brought into proximity with, or hitched to, the truck;
• a processor that, in response to a position of the glad hand, moves the manipulator to align and engage the coupling with the glad hand so as to complete a circuit between the truck and the trailer, and
• the coupling assembly selectively overlies an annular seal of the glad hand on the trailer and sealingly engages a truck-based pneumatic line.