Described embodiments relate generally to a trailer safety system for monitoring a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising; a plate sensor positioned on a turntable of the vehicle, the plate sensor being configured to detect the presence of a portion of the trailer in proximity to the turntable; a kingpin sensor positioned on the turntable, the kingpin sensor being configured to detect the presence of a kingpin received by the turntable; a locking sensor positioned on the turntable, the locking sensor being configured to detect a closed position of a locking system of the turntable; and a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive output signals from the plate sensor, the kingpin sensor and the locking sensor, and to determine whether safe coupling has been achieved based on the output signals; wherein safe coupling is determined to be achieved when the plate sensor detects the presence of a portion of the trailer, the kingpin sensor detects the presence of a kingpin after the plate sensor detects the presence of a portion of the trailer, and the locking sensor detects a closed position of the locking system after the kingpin sensor detects the presence of a kingpin.
Trailer safety systems and methods
2018-09-27
Patent
Electronic Resource
English