AUTOMATIC PNEUMATIC/ELECTRICAL COUPLER SYSTEM FOR TRACTOR-TRAILER COMBINATION VEHICLES

摘要

A powered coupling system is configured to interconnect utility lines such as fluid and/or electric lines of a vehicle tractor to a trailer. A curved track is mounted to a frame of the tractor, and the system includes pneumatic and/or electrical connectors that move along the curved track to align the connectors with a corresponding connectors on a trailer. A linear actuator causes the connectors on the tractor to shift vertically to connect and disconnect the connectors on the tractor to connectors on the trailer. The curved track permits alignment of the connectors on the tractor with the connectors on the trailer even if the trailer is not in a straight line with the tractor.