Title of Invention

AUTOMATED FIFTH WHEEL COUPLING TEST RIG AND METHOD OF TESTING THEREOF

Abstract

The automated fifth wheel coupling test rig is used to test the trailer pin locking and unlocking mechanism on fifth wheel coupling. The said automated fifth wheel coupling test rig is controlled electro pneumatically to automate the testing. At least three pneumatic cylinders are actuated by at least three pneumatic solenoid valves through air pressure regulator. The said pneumatic solenoid valves are triggered by micro PLC in a specified sequence and time duration. Reliability of this locking/un locking mechanism is established by operating the locking/unlocking mechanism of fifth wheel coupling for target cycles. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig is Micro PLC controlled test rig using pneumatic cylinder can complete the testing of locking/unlocking mechanism in less time and less fuel consumption. Method of testing fifth wheel coupling as described.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10; rule 13) TITLE OF THE INVENTION AUTOMATED FIFTH WHEEL COUPLING TEST RIG AND METHOD OF TESTING THEREOF APPLICANTS TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India INVENTORS RAMALINGAM DHINAHARAN AND DILIP GHOSH both Indian Nationals of TATA MOTORS LIMITED an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 0 01 Maharashtra, India PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to test rig system and more particularly it relates to automated fifth wheel coupling test rig and method of testing thereof. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION A fifth wheel coupling is being used on tractor for connecting the trailer. The fifth wheel is located rear side of the tractor. The trailer can be connected or disconnected from the tractor by manually pulling the lock lever provided on the fifth wheel coupling. Reliability of this locking mechanism is established by testing locking/unlocking mechanism on tractor-trailer for target cycles. Existing test method normally takes more time, manpower and fuel consumption to complete the test. Micro PLC controlled test rig using pneumatic cylinder can complete the locking/unlocking mechanism test in lesser time, manpower and fuel consumption. OBJECTS OF INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling hitching/unhitching test rig. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of testing fifth wheel coupling hitching and unhitching test. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling hitching and unhitching test rig which is simple in construction and cost effective. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling hitching and unhitching test rig which reduces the testing time, manpower and fuel consumption. STATEMENT OF INVENTION Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig comprises; At least three pneumatic cylinders which are mounted on the cylinder mounting bracket fixtures, Lock -unlock lever member which is connected to fifth wheel coupling, Mounting fixture for mounting said fifth wheel coupling, Push-pull member which is connected to the trailer pin and supported by guide members which are supported on support fixture member, Control panel mounted on the top of panel mounting fixture, Hook member connected to said lock-unlock lever member, Plate member is connected to the said third pneumatic cylinder, Compressor's air reservoir for supplying air to test rig, Shut -off valve which is connected through connection lines for emergency air supply cut off, Air pressure regulator for supplying regulated air to the test rig, Power supply source for supplying power, Micro PLC housed in the said control panel, At least three solenoidal valves, wherein said at least three solenoidal valve are interfaced with said air pressure regulator and said at least three pneumatic cylinder through the connection lines and said micro PLC is interfaced with power supply source and said at least three solenoidal valves through said connection lines. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig in accordance with this invention, wherein said shut off valve is interface between the said compressor air reservoir and said air pressure regulator. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig in accordance with this invention, wherein said air pressure regulator is interfaced between the said shut-off valve and at least three solenoidal valves. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig in accordance with this invention, wherein output from said Micro PLC is interfaced to at least three solenoidal valves. In accordance with the present invention, Method of testing fifth wheel coupling comprises; Providing power supply to the said micro PLC through said connection lines, Triggering first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) by sending first output electrical signal (41) from said Micro PLC (40) for supplying the air to first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching operation, Triggering second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) by sending second output electrical signal (42) from said Micro PLC (40) for supplying the air to second pneumatic cylinder (11) for unlocking of fifth wheel lever (2), Triggering third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) by sending third output electrical signal(43) from said Micro PLC (40) for releasing said fifth wheel lever(2) from unlocking notch, Stopping the second output electrical signal from said Micro PLC and stopping the first output electrical signal to stop the air supply for hitching and giving air supply to first pneumatic cylinder (5) for un-hitching operation, Triggering third pneumatic cylinder(13) by sending output signal from said Micro PLC (40) for supplying the air to said pneumatic cylinder for releasing the said fifth wheel coupling lever from unlock notch just after the stats of unhitching operation, Stopping the third output electrical signal from said Micro PLC (40) which goes to the third solenoid valve (32) before the next cycle starts, Repeating the above steps until test target cycles completes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The automated fifth wheel coupling test rig in accordance with the present invention comprises; at least three pneumatic cylinders(5,11,13) which are mounted on the cylinder mounting bracket fixtures(4,10,12), mounting fixtures(3) for mounting said fifth wheel coupling(l), push -pull member(6) which is connected to the trailer pin(7) and supported by guide(9) which are supported by support fixture member(8), control panel (14) mounted on the top of the panel mounting fixture (12), hook member (15) connected to said lock-unlock lever member, plate member (16) is connected to the said pneumatic cylinder (13), compressor's air reservoir (17) for supplying air to test rig, Shut -off valve (19) which is connected through connection lines (18) for emergency air supply cut off, air pressure regulator (21) for supplying regulated air to the test rig, power supply source (35) for supplying power, micro PLC housed in the said control panel (14), At least three solenoidal valves (23, 27, 32), wherein said at least three solenoidal valve are interfaced with said air pressure regulator and said at least three pneumatic cylinder through the connection lines and said micro PLC is interfaced with power supply source and said at least three solenoidal valves through said connection lines. The said automated fifth wheel coupling is basically a pneumatically controlled system shown in figure 1. The said test rig is controlled by micro PLC. Giving electrical power supply to said Micro PLC (40) starts the said automated fifth wheel coupling test rig. The said micro PLC's first output electrical signal (41) triggers the first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) for supplying the air to first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching operation for the predetermined duration. The said micro PLC's second output electrical signal (42) triggers the second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) for supplying the air to second pneumatic cylinder (11) for unlocking operation for the predetermined duration. The said micro PLC (40) stops the second output electrical signal (42) goes to the said second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) and then stops the first output electrical signal (41) which stops the air supply for hitching and gives air supply to said first pneumatic cylinder (5) for un hitching operation. The said micro PLC's third output electrical signal (43) triggers the third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) for supplying the air to said pneumatic cylinder for releasing the fifth wheel coupling lever from unlock notch just after the start of unhitching operation. The said micro PLC (40) stops the third output electrical signal (43) which goes to the solenoid valve (32) before the next cycle starts, which completes one cycle. Likewise the test cycle continues till the test target cycle completes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same, Figure 1 - Shows the schematic diagram of fifth wheel coupling test rig. Figure 2 - Shows the schematic diagram of fifth wheel coupling test rig control sections. Figure 3 - Shows the Micro PLC Output signal Details. Figure 4 - Shows the Micro PLC Output signal sequence diagram. Figure 5 - Shows the Solenoid controlled pneumatic valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same, Now referring to figure 1, a fifth wheel coupling (1) is mounted on mounting fixture (3), which is bolted to the base to take the load during testing and avoid abnormal movement of test fifth wheel. A first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching and un-hitching is mounted on the cylinder-mounting bracket fixture (4), which is bolted to the base. The piston rod end of said first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching and un-hitching is connected to a push-pull member (6). The said push-pull member (6) is connected to the trailer pin (7). The said push-pull member (6) is supported by the guide member (9) which is mounted on support fixture member (8). The said guide members (9) are provided to facilitate the linear movement. The said guide members (9) are supported on the mounting fixture member (8) which is bolted to the base. The first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching and un-hitching is used to push or pullout the said trailer pin (7) into the said fifth wheel coupling by giving push -pull load through push-pull member (6). A said second pneumatic cylinder (11) for unlocking said trailer pin (7) is mounted on a mounting fixture (10) which is bolted to the base. The piston rod end of said second pneumatic cylinder (11) for unlocking said trailer pin (7) is connected to the hook member (15). The said hook member (15) is connected to lock-unlock lever member (2) of said fifth wheel coupling (1). The said second pneumatic cylinder (11) is used to unlock the said trailer pin (7) from said fifth wheel coupling by pulling said lock-unlock lever member (2) of said fifth wheel coupling (1). A third pneumatic cylinder (13) is mounted on a panel mounting fixture (12) which is bolted to the base. The piston rod end of said third pneumatic cylinder (13) is connected to a plate member (16). The said third pneumatic cylinder (13) is used to release said lock- unlock lever member (2) of the said fifth wheel coupling (1) from unlock notch on said fifth wheel coupling (1). A test rig control panel (14) is mounted on the top of the panel mounting fixture (12). The said test rig control panel (14) is used to mount a micro PLC (40) that is used to actuate the said pneumatic solenoid valves by sending electrical signal. In Figure2 of section- I and Figure -3, an air compressor's air reservoir (17) supplies air to the test rig and the shut-off valve (19) is for emergency air supply cut off. Connection line (18) is connected between said air reservoir (17) and said pneumatic shut-off valve (19). The connection line (20) is connected between the delivery port of said shut off valve (19) and the inlet port of the air pressure regulator (21), which is used to supply regulated air to the said test rig. A regulated air supply line (22) is connected between the input port (SI) of said first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) and the delivery port of said air pressure regulator (21). The said regulated air supply line (22) supplies air to the said first pneumatic solenoid valve (23), which is actuated by electrical signal (41) through electrical line (39), received from said micro PLC (40). A regulated air supply line (26) is connected between the input port (S2) of said second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) and the delivery port of said air pressure regulator (21). The said regulated air supply line (26) supplies air to the second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) which is actuated by electrical signal (42) through electrical line (38), received from said micro PLC (40). A regulated air supply line (31) is connected between the input port (S3) of third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) and the delivery port of said air pressure regulator (21). The said regulated air supply line (31) supplies air to the said third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) which is actuated by electrical signal (43) through electrical line(37), received from said micro PLC (40). A connection line (24) is connected between normally open delivery port (PI) of said first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) and the hitching and un-hitching port of said first pneumatic cylinder (5). The connection line (24) supplies air to said first pneumatic cylinder (5) for unhitching operation. A connection line (25) is connected between normally closed delivery port (P2) of said first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) and the hitching port of said first pneumatic cylinder (5). The said connection line (25) supplies air to said first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching operation when activated by said electrical signal (39) of said micro PLC (40). A connection line (28) is connected between normally closed delivery port (P3) of said second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) and the port of said second pneumatic cylinder (11) for trailer pin unlocking. The said connection line (28) supplies air to the said second pneumatic cylinder (11) for trailer pin (7) unlocking operation when activated by electrical signal (42) through electrical line(38), received from said micro PLC (40). The unused delivery port (29) of said second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) is plugged. The port (30) of said second pneumatic cylinder (11) for trailer pin unlocking is open to atmosphere. This is to allow the unlocked lever to move freely along with linkages for locking the said trailer pin during hitching operation. The connection line (33) is connected between normally open delivery port (P5) of said third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) and the third pneumatic cylinder (13) port. The said connection line (33) supplies air to the said third pneumatic cylinder (13) for retracting the said plate member (16). The piston rod with plate member retraction avoids the said lock-unlock lever member (2) fouling with plate member during said trailer pin (7) locking operation. A connection line (34) is connected between normally closed delivery port (P6) of said third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) and the said third pneumatic cylinder (13) port. The said connection line (34) supplies air to the said third pneumatic cylinder (13) for releasing lock-unlock lever member (2) of the said fifth wheel coupling from unlock notch for next cycle when activated by electrical signal (43) through electrical line(37), received from said micro PLC (40). Now referring to Figure -2 of section- II and Figure -3, an electrical power supply (35) is drawn by micro PLC (40) through electrical line (36). First output electrical signal (41) from said micro PLC (40) is going to the said first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) through electrical line (39) for hitching operation. Second output electrical signal (42) from said micro PLC (40) is going to the second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) through electrical line (38) for fifth wheel lever (2) unlocking. Third output electrical signal (43) from said micro PLC (40) is going to the said third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) through electrical line (37) for releasing the fifth wheel lever (2) from unlocking notch. Giving electrical power supply to said Micro PLC (40) starts the fifth wheel test rig. The first output electrical signal (41) from said micro PLC (40) triggers the said first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) for supplying the air to said first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching operation for the predetermined duration as given in Figure-4. The second output electrical signal (42) from said micro PLC (40) triggers the said second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) for supplying the air to said second pneumatic cylinder (11) for unlocking operation for the predetermined duration. The said micro PLC (40) stops the second output electrical signal(42) goes to the said second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) and then stops the first output electrical signal (41) which stops the air supply for hitching and gives air supply to said first pneumatic cylinder (5) for un hitching operation. The third output electrical signal (43) from micro PLC (40) triggers the said third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) for supplying the air to said pneumatic cylinder(13) for releasing the fifth wheel coupling lever from unlock notch just after the start of unhitching operation. The said micro PLC (40) stops the third output electrical signal (43) goes to the said third solenoid valve (32) before the next cycle starts, which completes one cycle. Likewise the test cycle continues till the test target cycle completes. In accordance with the present invention, Method of testing fifth wheel coupling comprises; Providing power supply to the said micro PLC through said connection lines, Triggering first pneumatic solenoid valve (23) by sending first output electrical signal (41) from said Micro PLC (40) for supplying the air to first pneumatic cylinder (5) for hitching operation, Triggering second pneumatic solenoid valve (27) by sending second output electrical signal (42) from said Micro PLC (40) for supplying the air to second pneumatic cylinder (11) for unlocking of fifth wheel lever (2), Stopping the second output electrical signal from said Micro PLC and stopping the first output electrical signal to stop the air supply for hitching and giving air supply to first pneumatic cylinder(5) for unhitching operation, Triggering third pneumatic solenoid valve (32) by sending third output electrical signal (43) from said Micro PLC (40) for supplying the air to third pneumatic cylinder(13) for releasing said fifth wheel lever(2) from unlocking notch just after the stats of unhitching operation, Stopping the third output electrical signal from said Micro PLC (40) which goes to the third solenoid valve (32) before the next cycle starts, Repeating the above steps until test target cycles completes. The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof. WE CLAIM 1. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig comprises; - At least three pneumatic cylinders which are mounted on the cylinder mounting bracket fixtures, Lock -unlock lever member which is connected to fifth wheel coupling, mounting fixture for mounting said fifth wheel coupling, Push-pull member which is connected to the trailer pin and supported by guide members which are supported on support fixture member, Control panel mounted on the top of panel mounting fixture, Hook member connected to said lock-unlock lever member, Plate member is connected to the said third pneumatic cylinder, Compressor air reservoir for supplying air to test rig, Shut -off valve which is connected through connection lines (18) for emergency air supply cut off, Air pressure regulator for supplying regulated air to the test rig, Power supply source for supplying power, Micro PLC housed in the said control panel, At least three solenoidal valves, wherein said at least three solenoidal valve are interfaced with said air pressure regulator and said at least three pneumatic cylinder through the connection lines and said micro PLC is interfaced with power supply source and said at least three solenoidal valves through said connection lines. 2. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shut off valve is interface between the said compressor air reservoir and said air pressure regulator. 3. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air pressure regulator is interfaced between the said shut-off valve and at least three solenoidal valves. 4. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein output from said Micro PLC is interfaced to at least three solenoidal valves. 5. Method of testing fifth wheel coupling comprises; Providing power supply to the said micro PLC through said connection lines, Triggering first pneumatic solenoidal valve by sending first output electrical signal from said Micro PLC for supplying the air to first pneumatic cylinder for hitching operation, Triggering second pneumatic solenoidal valve by sending second output electrical signal from said Micro PLC for supplying the air to second pneumatic cylinder for unlocking of fifth wheel lever, Stopping the second output electrical signal from said Micro PLC and stopping the first output electrical signal to stop the air supply for hitching and giving air supply to first pneumatic cylinder for un-hitching operation, Triggering third pneumatic solenoid valve by sending third output electrical signal from said Micro PLC for supplying the air to third pneumatic cylinder for releasing said fifth wheel lever from unlocking notch just after the stats of unhitching operation, Stopping the third output electrical signal from said micro PLC which goes to the third solenoidal valve before the next cycle starts, Repeating the above steps until test target cycles completes. 6. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig and method of testing fifth wheel coupling as herein described with respect to accompanying drawings. 10 ABSTRACT Automated Fifth Wheel Coupling Test Rig And Method Of Testing Thereof The automated fifth wheel coupling test rig is used to test the trailer pin locking and unlocking mechanism on fifth wheel coupling. The said automated fifth wheel coupling test rig is controlled electro pneumatically to automate the testing. At least three pneumatic cylinders are actuated by at least three pneumatic solenoid valves through air pressure regulator. The said pneumatic solenoid valves are triggered by micro PLC in a specified sequence and time duration. Reliability of this locking/un locking mechanism is established by operating the locking/unlocking mechanism of fifth wheel coupling for target cycles. Automated fifth wheel coupling test rig is Micro PLC controlled test rig using pneumatic cylinder can complete the testing of locking/unlocking mechanism in less time and less fuel consumption. Method of testing fifth wheel coupling as described. Fig1

Documents:

2283-mum-2007-abstract(19-11-2007).pdf

2283-mum-2007-abstract.doc

2283-mum-2007-abstract.pdf

2283-mum-2007-claims(19-11-2007).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(20-12-2012).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(4-11-2011).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(GRANTED)-(7-1-2013).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(MARKED COPY)-(20-12-2012).pdf

2283-mum-2007-claims.doc

2283-mum-2007-claims.pdf

2283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(23-10-2012).pdf

2283-mum-2007-correspondence(30-11-2007).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(IPO)-(7-1-2013).pdf

2283-mum-2007-correspondence-received.pdf

2283-mum-2007-description (complete).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-DESCRIPTION(GRANTED)-(7-1-2013).pdf

2283-mum-2007-descritpion(complete)-(19-11-2007).pdf

2283-mum-2007-drawing(19-11-2007).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-DRAWING(20-12-2012).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-DRAWING(GRANTED)-(7-1-2013).pdf

2283-mum-2007-form 18(30-11-2007).pdf

2283-mum-2007-form 2(19-11-2007).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-FORM 2(GRANTED)-(7-1-2013).pdf

2283-mum-2007-form 2(title page)-(19-11-2007).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(GRANTED)-(7-1-2013).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-FORM 3(4-11-2011).pdf

2283-mum-2007-form 8(30-11-2007).pdf

2283-mum-2007-form 9(30-11-2007).pdf

2283-mum-2007-from-1.pdf

2283-mum-2007-from-2.doc

2283-mum-2007-from-26.pdf

2283-mum-2007-from-3.pdf

2283-MUM-2007-GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY(4-11-2011).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(4-11-2011).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-REPLY TO HEARING(20-12-2012).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(4-11-2011).pdf

2283-MUM-2007-SPECIFICATION(MARKED COPY)-(4-11-2011).pdf

abstract1.jpg