US 12,459,585 B2
Mechanized gladhand
Stan DeLizo, Lynnwood, WA (US); Yen-Lin Han, Seattle, WA (US); Brian Celustka, Mill Creek, WA (US); Eenseung Kwak, Auburn, WA (US); Charles Lyford, Bellevue, WA (US); and Mark Taylor, Bellevue, WA (US)
Assigned to PACCAR, Inc, Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed by PACCAR Inc, Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed on Jun. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/339,733.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/035,089, filed on Jun. 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0380182 A1, Dec. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 53/12 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B60D 1/62 (2006.01); B60D 1/64 (2006.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.01); B60L 53/35 (2019.01); F16L 33/28 (2006.01); F16L 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 53/125 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1612 (2013.01); B25J 9/163 (2013.01); B25J 9/1664 (2013.01); B25J 9/1679 (2013.01); B25J 9/1697 (2013.01); B25J 15/0028 (2013.01); B60D 1/64 (2013.01); F16L 33/28 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for automating a gladhand coupling between a vehicle and a trailer, the method comprising:
identifying, by a processor, a trailer mating surface, based on at least one image;
determining a mating position of the trailer mating surface, based on the at least one image;
positioning an end effector based on the mating position, such that a gladhand mating surface of a gladhand coupled to the end effector is coupled to the trailer mating surface;
rotating the end effector and a collar of the gladhand relative to the trailer mating surface and the gladhand mating surface, at the mating position without rotating the gladhand mating surface relative to the trailer mating surface;
decoupling the gladhand from the end effector by opening a clamp of the end effector; and
repositioning the end effector, wherein repositioning the end effector comprises moving and/or rotating the end effector to a resting position after the gladhand is coupled to the trailer.