Fontaine Brings Brains to the Fifth Wheel – Tools
The TMC show confirmed a number of the data offered by Fontain’s SmartConnect fifth wheel system.
Picture: Deborah Lockridge
With all of the speak about good trailers at present, there’s an important connection between tractor and trailer that hasn’t been a part of the dialog: the fifth wheel. Fontaine Fifth Wheel is altering that with its SmartConnect fifth wheel.
Fontaine SmartConnect is a great data system that can present knowledge and suggestions fleets must make higher fifth wheel working and upkeep choices.
The corporate previewed the idea eventually yr’s Expertise & Upkeep Council annual assembly and it was once more on show on the 2023 TMC expo. Based on its web site, SmartConnect will launch within the third quarter of the yr.
The TMC show confirmed a number of the data offered by the system, together with automobile ID, fifth wheel mannequin, complete cumulative hours the fifth wheel has been in use, variety of {couples}, final couple occasion, fifth-wheel lock place, and fifth-wheel alerts resembling “examine adjustment” and “examine for rebuild situation.”
Fontaine’s R&D and Engineering groups have been amassing and analyzing uncooked knowledge from area take a look at items operating in a number of fleets throughout the county, with a purpose to develop algorithms for predictive upkeep. The intent is to assist prospects make higher choices relating to fifth wheel upkeep to maximise uptime and cut back the risk of roadside occasions.
Fontaine’s R&D and Engineering groups have been amassing and analyzing uncooked knowledge from area take a look at items operating in a number of fleets throughout the county, with a purpose to develop algorithms for predictive upkeep.
Picture: Deborah Lockridge
The preliminary launch of SmartConnect will:
- Luminate a lightweight on the motive force’s aspect of the fifth wheel to point the lock standing
- Inform the motive force of the fifth wheel’s present lock standing in cab
- Document a operating log of coupling occasions
- Gather and suggestions knowledge related for predictive upkeep
Future variations will construct on the present system with software program upgrades so as to add capabilities resembling:
- Grease detection between the highest plate and trailer plate surfaces
- Add-on sensors for kingpin monitoring and trailer positioning
- Autonomous truck operation system assist.
The guts of the system is the SmartConnect management module. It’s going to hook up with current tractor electronics by way of laborious wire (i.e. energy and floor) in addition to the telematics system by way of CAN connection.
SmartConnect will likely be obtainable for each first-fit manufacturing orders and as an aftermarket retrofit answer.
