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US 11,801,906 B2Granted
Autonomous vehicle having rotatable fifth wheel
AssigneeCargotec Patenter AB
InventorsDean Newton, Chris Booth, Per-Erik Johansson, Hans Philip Zachau, Robert Bourghardt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A terminal tractor includes a fifth wheel coupling which is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the terminal tractor such that an opening in the fifth wheel coupling may be reoriented depending on the terminal tractor's direction of approach to a semi-trailer.
Claims11
A terminal tractor, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a plurality of wheels mounted in relation to the chassis such that the terminal tractor is in contact via the plurality of wheels with a ground surface, the plurality of wheels defining a perimeter of an interior region of the terminal tractor;
- a fifth wheel coupling situated within the interior region and configured for coupling to a kingpin of a semi-trailer;
- wherein the fifth wheel coupling defines a first axis arranged perpendicular to a first longitudinal plane of the terminal tractor;
- wherein the fifth wheel coupling is rotatable about the first axis in a second longitudinal plane parallel to the first longitudinal plane;
- and
- a rotation mechanism for rotating the fifth wheel coupling about the first axis, the rotation mechanism being configured to rotate the fifth wheel coupling when the fifth wheel coupling is not connected to the king pin.
4 more elements
A terminal tractor, comprising:
- a chassis having a front end and a rear end;
- a plurality of wheels mounted in relation to the chassis such that the terminal tractor is in contact via the plurality of wheels with a ground surface;
- a fifth wheel coupling mounted to the chassis;
- wherein the fifth wheel coupling includes a coupling body having an open ended slot, said open ended slot configured to receive a kingpin of a semi-trailer;
- wherein the fifth wheel coupling is rotatable relative to the chassis such that an opening of the open ended slot may be reoriented relative to the rear end of the chassis;
- a rotation mechanism for reorienting the opening of the open ended slot relative to the rear end of the chassis, the rotation mechanism being configured to rotate the fifth wheel coupling when the fifth wheel coupling is not connected to the kingpin;
- and
- a controller controlling the operation of the rotation mechanism.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.