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
Mr. Atul M. Kajalkar Mr. Gautam A. Pingle Ms. Vrishali P.Katake
All Indian National
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
An Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 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 rig for fifth wheel coupling test and method of testing thereof.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Generally fifth wheel coupling is provided on tractor for connecting the trailer. The fifth wheel coupling is provided on the backside of tractor. The said fifth wheel coupling having a king pin which is provided on the bottom side of trailer skid plate. The operating handle is provided on fifth wheel for locking and unlocking, which helps for connecting and disconnecting said trailer with/from said tractor. During the usage of said fifth wheel coupling in service, it is expected to perform reliably for its intended life. By assuming the customer usage pattern for locking and unlocking the trailer to tractor, its life in cycles was defined. For accelerated validation (for reducing the conventional process of validation on vehicle) system level test was planned. Following are the main parts of the fifth wheel coupling:
1. Locking mechanism,
2. King pin,
3. Wear ring,
4. Fifth wheel top plate
Above mentioned parts plays the vital role in the coupling assembly. Failure of any one of these may cause the functionality problem in the fifth wheel coupling. It is necessary that all above parts function properly up to its intended life without any failure or damage. For checking durability life of these parts test setup was made. The present invention is developed to validate the parts or components of fifth wheel coupling such as locking and unlocking mechanism which is hitching /unhitching test, king pin for wear, wear ring for wear and fifth wheel coupling top face wears which is wear test for the coupling.
The present invention is more related to the test set up used for validation of fifth wheel coupling without vehicle. The object of this invention is to test & measure the

wearing of coupling parts due to locking & unlocking of coupling during the operation, for its intended life.
OBJECT OF INVENTION:
The main object of present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig and method of testing thereof.
Another object of present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig for validation of fifth wheel coupling in all possible aspects including vehicle static as well as vehicle dynamic condition.
Yet another object of present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig which facilitates to measure and monitor the deterioration of parts during testing to evaluate the performance consistency.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig which is easy and method of testing thereof which simple method of testing the fifth wheel coupling.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig and method of testing thereof which is efficient and cost effective.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig for validation of fifth wheel coupling which reduce the testing time and man power required the testing the fifth wheel coupling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
According to the invention,
Figure-01 shows the top view of test rig for validation of fifth wheel coupling.

Figure-02 shows the front view of test rig for validation of fifth wheel coupling. Figure-03 shows the side view of test rig for validation of fifth wheel coupling. Figure-04 shows the top view of rack and pinion arrangement of test rig. Figure-05 shows the front view of rack and pinion arrangement of test rig. Figure-06 shows the side view of rack and pinion arrangement of test rig. Figure-07 shows the top, front, side view of roller trolley (16) of test rig.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION:
Accordingly the present invention discloses an automated fifth wheel coupling test rig
comprising
at least one rack and pinion mechanism having a rotating plate (2), sliding plate (3),
plurality of rotating plate pinions (4), plurality of rack gear pinions (5), plurality of
rack gears (6);
plurality of actuators (7, 8, 10 to 13 and 25) mounted on the suitable fixtures;
at least one mounting fixture (9) for mounting the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1)
having an operating handle;
at least one roller trolley (16) provided for moving back and front of sliding plate (3)
for locking and unlocking of said fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) having king pin
(24) at bottom and mounted on said rotary plate (02); and
plurality of limit switches (14,15 and 17,18,19) and plurality of proximity sensors (20-
23 and 26-28) for sensing the movements of the parts of said fifth wheel coupling
assembly (1).
The method of testing automated fifth wheel coupling test rig comprises steps of a. sensing limit the position of said sliding plate (3) and said king pin (24) by switch (14) to provide signal to actuators (13) for pushing said sliding plate (3) along with the said king pin (24) during unlock condition of fifth wheel;

b. pushing of said sliding plate (3) by actuator (13) for moving forward with said
rotating plate (2) and said king pin (24) for locking said king pin (24) with the fifth
wheel coupling assembly (1);
c. applying load on the fifth wheel assembly [1] by loading actuator (8) provided on
each side of fifth wheel coupling;
d. sensing the applied load by the Load sensor (I) provided on top end of said actuator
(8) and providing signal to operate said rack actuator (7);
e. moving rack actuators (7) in the forward direction for rotating the rack gear pinion
(5) in clockwise direction for enabling to rotate the said rotating plate pinion (4) in
same direction to rotate said rotating plate (2) in anticlockwise direction up to 45°;
f. sensing the angular position of said rotating plate (2) by first proximity sensor (27)
and providing signal to actuators (7) to operate the rack gears (6) in reverse direction,
to operate said rotating plate (2) in reverse direction enabling the said rotating plate
(2) to come back to its original position and sensing the original position of rotary
plate (2) by third proximity sensor (28) to facilitate said rack actuators (7) to move in
the backward direction enabling said rack gear pinion (5) to rotate in anti-clockwise
direction along with rotating plate pinion (4) and rotating said rotating plate (2) in
clockwise direction up to 45°;
g. sensing the angular position of said rotating plate (2) by second proximity sensor
(27) and providing the signal to solenoid valves of rack gear actuators (7) for reverse
movement to bring back said rotating plate (2) to original position and sensing the
original position by said third proximity sensor (28) and providing the signal to the
solenoid valves of horizontal actuator (25 & 13);
h. operating said horizontal actuators (13 & 25) in linear direction and pushing (in compression) said sliding plate (3) and sensing the applied load by said horizontal actuators (13 and 25) comprising of a Load sensor (II) and providing the signal to solenoid valves of said actuators (7) (repeating steps e to g);
i. operating said horizontal actuators (13 & 25) in linear direction and pulling (in tensile) the said sliding plate (3) and sensing the applied load by said horizontal

actuators (13 and 25) comprising of a Load sensor (II) and providing the signal:to
solenoid valves of said actuators (7) (repeating steps e to g);
j. releasing the applied load on fifth wheel assembly (1) consequently by said loading
actuator (8) and sensing the position of said sliding plate (3) by said limit switch (15)
and providing signal to solenoid valve of actuator (12) to push the operating handle in
lateral direction up to operating position to facilitate contact of said handle with side
edge of the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1);
k. sensing the position of actuator (12) by proximity sensor (20) provided on actuator
(12) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to come forward up to
operating handle which is sensed by said limit switch (17) and providing the signal to
solenoid valve of actuator (11) by fifth proximity sensor (22) for pulling the said
operating handle for unlocking fifth wheel coupling (1);
1. moving of said actuator (11) in downward direction and locking of operating handle
in said actuator (10) for locking the fifth wheel coupling (1) on the basis of the signal
received from said limit switch (17) and proximity sensor (22);
m. sensing downward position of actuator (11) by proximity sensor (23) and providing
the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to pull the said operating handle of fifth
wheel coupling for unlocking the king pin (24) from the fifth wheel coupling
assembly (1);
n. sensing the position of the said actuator (10) by said limit switch (17) and providing
the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (12) to enables the said actuator (10) to come
forward and lock the said handle in fifth wheel coupling;
o. sensing position of the said actuator (10) by said limit switch (18) provided therein
and providing signal to solenoid valve of actuator (11) to move upward for releasing
the said operating handle of fifth wheel coupling from the actuator (10);
p. sensing the upward position of the said actuator (11) by Proximity sensor (22) and
providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to release the said operating
handle to move back to its original position along with actuator (11);

q. sensing said original position of the said actuator (10) by a limit switch (17) and
providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (13) to move backward to its
original position to enable said king pin (24) to be released from said fifth wheel
coupling assembly (1) thereby moving said sliding plate (3) out from the said fifth
wheel coupling assembly (1) which is sensed by said limit switch (14) and provides
the signal to counter which counts the number of test cycles being repeated in above
procedure;
r. repeating the above steps 'a' to 'q' which is one cycle up to the predetermined
cycles;
s. recording the dimension of said king pin (24) and thickness (dimensions) of top face
of said fifth wheel coupling (1) during the testing;
L observing, maintaining and recording the wearing of the lock bar and wear ring;
u. recording the operating effort required for unlocking of fifth wheel coupling before
the test and after the test;
v. recording the play between the said king pin and lockjaw before the test and after
the test.
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.
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for testing fifth wheel coupling comprises; a fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) having a operating handle; a rack and pinion mechanism including a rotary plate (2), a slideable plate (3), a fist pinion (4). a second pinion (5), a rack gear (6); plurality of actuators (7,8 and 10-13 and 25) mounted on the suitable fixtures, a mounting fixture (9) for mounting the fifth wheel coupling, a roller trolley (16) on which said sliding plate (3) moves back and front for locking and unlocking of said fifth wheel coupling, a king pin (24) provided

at the bottom of said fifth wheel coupling, plurality of limit switches (14,15 and 17,18,19) and plurality of proximity sensors ( 20-23 and 26-28) for sensing the movements of the parts of said fifth wheel coupling, said rotary plate (2) and slideable plate (3) are supported on said roller trolley (16) which guides movement of said king pin (24) for connecting and disconnecting of the trailer with the tractor, said rack and pinion mechanism provided for movement of said rotary plate (2) with the help of said actuator, said plurality of actuators includes an actuator for loading said fifth wheel coupling as per trailer capacity, an actuators for locking/ unlocking of said fifth wheel coupling.
Now referring to Figure-01 which shows the test rig for validation of fifth wheel coupling on system level.
Said fifth wheel coupling (-1) is mounted on the mounting fixture or beam (9) with the help of a pedestal mounting as per vehicle condition.
Said slidable plate (3) and rotary plate (2) are metallic plates. Said sliddable plate (3) and rotary plate (2) with king pin (24) are used to simulate the wear of said top face of said fifth wheel coupling (1). During the articulation connection of tractor and trailer and during vehicle turning, the skid plate of trailer rubs on the said fifth wheel top face which leads to the wearing of said top face of the said fifth wheel coupling. The part load of said trailer is taken by the said fifth wheel coupling during the connection with tractor. The said king pin (24) is mounted on said rotary plate (2). Said sliding plate (3) moves back and front on a roller trolley (16) for locking and unlocking of said king pin in said fifth wheel coupling. The said rotary plate (2) rotates in clockwise as well as in anticlockwise direction on the steel balls which are disposed or placed between the grooves provided in said sliding plate (3) and said rotary plate (2).
The said rack and pinion mechanism is provided for facilitating the simulation of the turning movement of vehicle with the help of rotary plate (2). Said rack and pinion mechanism comprises a rotating plate (2), sliding plate (3), plurality of rotating plate

pinions (4), plurality of rack gear pinions (5) , plurality of rack gears (6) and at least two actuators (7). Said rack gear pinion (5) and rack gear (6) are provided on bottom face of said sliding plate (3) and said rotating plate pinions (4) are on the top face" of said sliding plate (3).
The said actuator (7) is connected to the said rack gear (6). Said rack gear (6) is engaged with rack gear pinion (5). Said rack gear pinion (5) and rotating plate pinion plate (4) are coaxially mounted on same shaft. The said rotating plate pinion (4) is engaged with said rotating plate (2). The motion of said actuator (7) is transferred to rack gear (6), rack gear [6] to rack gear pinion [5], rack gear pinion [5] to rotating plate pinion [4], and rotating plate pinion [4] to rotary plate [2]. Said rotary plate (3) moves 45° in clockwise as well as in anticlockwise direction from its reference position to cover total 90° of angular displacement.
A loading actuator (8) is provided on either side of said fifth wheel coupling test set up to facilitate the simulation of wearing of said top plate along with load. The part load of trailer is taken by the fifth wheel after connection with tractor.
The said pneumatic actuators (10,11,12) are provided in test set up for locking and unlocking the fifth wheel coupling. At least three actuators are provided for locking and unlocking the said fifth wheel coupling. A first actuator (10) is provided for pulling the operating handle, a second actuator (12) is provided for pushing or traverse movement of said operating handle, a third actuator (11) is provided for locking said operating handle in said actuator (10) and helps in pulling said operating handle.
The plurality of proximity switches and limit switches are provided for sensing the movements of the parts of said fifth wheel coupling in the test set up and subsequently giving the signal to said solenoid valves of said actuators for actuation. The said proximity switches and limit switches also facilitate the sequencing and controlling the movements of parts of said fifth wheel coupling during test.

TEST PROCEDURE:
1. In accordance with the present invention, limit switch (14) senses the position of said sliding plate (3) and said king pin (24). The said limit switch (14) gives signal to actuators (13) provided for pushing said sliding plate (3) along with the said king pin (24) when said fifth wheel is in unlock condition.
2. Said actuator (13) pushes said sliding plate (3) which moves forward with said rotating plate (2) and said king pin (24). Said king pin (24) gets locked with the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1).
3. The loading actuator (8) provided on each side of fifth wheel coupling , is applying load on the fifth wheel assembly [1]. The Load sensor (I) provided on top end (not shown) of said actuator (8) for sensing the applied load and giving signal to operate said rack actuator (7).
4. Said rack movement actuators (7) moves in the forward direction and rotates the rack gear pinion (5) in clockwise direction which enables to rotate the said rotating plate pinion (4) in same direction. This facilitates to rotate said rotating plate (2) in anticlockwise direction up to 45°. Said first proximity sensor (27) senses the angular position of said rotating plate (2) and provides signal to actuators (7) which operates the rack gears (6) in reverse direction to operate said rotating plate (2) in reverse direction enabling the said rotating plate (2) to come back to its original position and said third proximity sensor (28) senses the original position of rotary plate (2). This facilitates said rack actuators (7) to move in the backward direction enabling said rack gear pinion (5) to rotate in anti-clockwise direction along with rotating plate pinion (4). This leads to rotate said rotating plate (2) in clockwise direction up to 45°. The second proximity sensor (27) senses the angular position of said rotating plate (2) and

gives the signal to solenoid valves of rack gear actuators (7) for reverse movement. The said rotating plate (2) comes back to original position and said third proximity sensor (28) senses the original position and gives the signal to the solenoid "valves of horizontal actuator (25 & 13).
5. The said horizontal actuators (25 & 13) operate in linear direction and push (in compression) the said sliding plate (3). The said horizontal actuators (13 and 25) comprise a Load sensor (II) for sensing the applied load and gives the signal to solenoid valves of said actuators (7). (Activity no 4 to be repeated).
6. Horizontal actuators (25 & 13) operates in linear direction and pulls (in tensile) the said sliding plate (3). Said load sensor (II) senses the applied load and gives the signal to solenoid valves of said actuators (7). Activity no 4 to be repeated).
7. Consequently said loading actuator (8) releases the applied load on fifth wheel assembly (1). The said limit switch (15) senses the position of said sliding plate (3) and gives signal to solenoid valve of actuator (12) to push the operating handle; in lateral direction up to operating position where said handle touches side edge of the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1).
8. Now the fourth proximity sensor (20) provided on actuator (12) senses the position of actuator (12) and gives the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to come forward up to operating handle which is sensed by said limit switch (17) and fifth proximity sensor (22) gives the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (11) for pulling the said operating handle for unlocking fifth wheel coupling (1). After receiving the signal from said limit switch (17) and proximity sensor (22), the said actuator (11) moves; in downward direction and operating handle gets locked in said actuator (10) for locking the fifth wheel coupling (1).

9. The downward position of actuator (11) is sensed by proximity sensor (23) and gives the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to pull the said operating handle of fifth wheel coupling for unlocking the king pin (24) from the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1). The position of the said actuator (10) is sensed by said limit switch (17) and gives the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (12) which enables the said actuator (10) to come forward and lock the said handle in fifth wheel coupling.
10 The position of the said actuator (10) is sensed by said limit switch (18) provided therein and gives signal to solenoid valve of actuator (11) to move upward for releasing the said operating handle of fifth wheel coupling from the actuator (10). The upward position of the said actuator (11) is sensed by Proximity sensor (22) and gives the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to release the said operating handle which moves back to its original position along with actuator (11).
11. The above said original position of the said actuator (10) is sensed by a limit switch (17) and gives the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (13) to move backward to its original position which enables said king pin (24) to be released from the said fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) thereby moving said sliding plate (3) out from the said fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) which is sensed by said limit switch (14) and provides the signal to counter which counts the number of test cycles being repeated in above procedure. The procedure 1-11 is counted as one cycle. All above motions are repeated up to its defined cycles.
Said fifth wheel assembly (1) and said rotary plate (2) need to be properly lubricated with the help of grease during the operation. The dimension of said king pin (24) and thickness (dimensions) of top plate of said fifth wheel coupling (1) needs to be recorded during the testing. The wearing of the lock bar and wear ring needs to observed, maintained and recorded. The operating effort required for unlocking of

fifth wheel coupling needs to be recorded before and after the test. The play between the said king pin and lock jaw needs to be recorded before and after the test.
List of reference numerals used.
1. Fifth Wheel.Coupling
2. Rotating Plate
3. Sliding Plate
4. Rotating Plate Pinion
5. Rack Gear Pinion
6. Rack Gear
7. Actuator For Rack Gear
8. Loading Actuator
9. Beam for mounting fifth wheel coupling & load application
10. Actuator for operating the fifth wheel coupling handle
11. Actuator for locking the handle in Actuator (11)
12. Actuator for king pin & metallic plate movement
13. Actuator for transverse movement of the fifth wheel coupling handle
14. Limit switch for sliding plate forward movement'
15. Limit switch for sliding plate for backward movement
16. Roller Trolley
17. Limit switch for Actuator (10) backward movement
18. Limit switch for Actuator (10) forward movement
19. Limit switch for Actuator (12) backward movement
20. Proximity sensor for Actuator (12) forward movement
21. Proximity sensor for Actuator (12) forward movement
22. Proximity sensor for Actuator (11) downward movement
23. Proximity sensor for Actuator (11) upward movement
24. King Pin
25. Actuator for longitudinal directional loading

26. Proximity sensor for sensing angular position of rotary plate in clock wise direction
27. Proximity sensor for sensing angular position of rotary plate in anti-clock wise direction
28. Proximity sensor for sensing angular position of rotary plate in original position.
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. An automated fifth wheel coupling test rig comprising;
at least one rack and pinion mechanism having a rotating plate (2), sliding plate (3), plurality of rotating plate pinions (4), plurality of rack gear pinions (5), plurality of rack gears (6);
plurality of actuators (7, 8, 10 to 13 and 25) mounted on the suitable fixtures;
at least one mounting fixture (9) for mounting the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) having an operating handle;
at least one roller trolley (16) provided for moving back and front of sliding plate (3) for locking and unlocking of said fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) having king pin (24) at bottom and mounted on said rotary plate (02); and
plurality of limit switches (14,15 and 17,18,19) and plurality of proximity sensors ( 20-23 and 26-28) for sensing the movements of the parts of said fifth wheel coupling assembly (01).
2. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary plate (2) and slideable plate (3) are supported on said roller trolley (16) which guides movement of said king pin (24) for connecting and disconnecting of the trailer with the tractor.
3. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rack and pinion mechanism provided for movement of said rotary plate (2) with the help of said actuators.
4. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of actuators includes an actuator for loading said fifth wheel coupling as per trailer capacity and actuators for locking/ unlocking of said fifth wheel coupling.
5. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slidable plate (3) and rotary plate (2) both metallic plates along with king pin (24) are configured for simulating the wear of said top face of said fifth wheel coupling (1).

6. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary plate (2) rotates in clockwise as well as in anticlockwise direction on the steel balls which are disposed or placed between the grooves provided in said sliding plate (3) and said rotary plate (2).
7. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rack gear pinion (5) and rack gear (6) are provided on bottom face of said sliding plate (3) and said rotating plate pinions (4) are on the top face of said sliding plate (3).
8. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rack and pinion mechanism is provided for facilitating the simulation of the turning movement of vehicle with the help of rotary plate (2).
9. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator (7) is connected to the said rack gear (6), said rack gear (6) is engaged with rack gear pinion (5), said rack gear pinion (5) and rotating plate pinion (4) are coaxially mounted on same shaft and said rotating plate pinion (4) is engaged with said rotating plate (2) for transferring the motion of said actuator (7) to rotating plate (2).
10. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary plate (2) is configured to rotate 45° in clockwise as well as in anticlockwise direction from its reference position to cover 90° of angular displacement.
11. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said loading actuator (8) is proviaeo^on either side of said fifth-wheel coupling test set up to facilitate the simulation of wearing of said top face of said fifth wheel coupling due to load.
12. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pneumatic actuators (10,11,12) are provided for locking and unlocking the said fifth wheel coupling wherein said

actuator (10) is provided for pulling the operating handle, said actuator (12) is provided for pushing or traverse movement of said operating handle and said actuator (11) is provided for locking said operating handle in said actuator (10) and facilitates in pulling said operating handle.
13. The test rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of proximity switches and
limit switches are provided for sensing the movements of the parts of said fifth
wheel coupling in the test set up and subsequently giving the signal to said
solenoid valves of said actuators for actuation and to facilitate the sequencing and
controlling the movements of parts of said fifth wheel coupling during test.
14, The method of testing automated fifth wheel coupling test rig comprises steps of
a. sensing limit the position of said sliding plate (3) and said king pin (24) by
switch (14) to provide signal to actuators (13) for pushing said sliding plate (3)
along with the said king pin (24) during unlock condition of fifth wheel;
b. pushing of said sliding plate (3) by actuator (13) for moving forward with said
rotating plate (2) and said king pin (24) for locking said king pin (24) with the
fifth wheel coupling assembly (1);
c. applying load on the fifth wheel assembly [1] by loading actuator (8) provided
on each side of fifth wheel coupling;
d. sensing the applied load by the Load sensor (I) provided on top end of said
actuator (8) and providing signal to operate said rack actuator (7);
e. moving rack actuators (7) in the forward direction for rotating the rack gear
pinion (5) in clockwise direction for enabling to rotate the said rotating plate
pinion (4) in same direction to rotate said rotating plate (2) in anticlockwise
direction up to 45°;
f. sensing the angular position of said rotating plate (2) by first proximity sensor
(27) and providing signal to actuators (7) to operate the rack gears (6) in
reverse direction, to operate said rotating plate (2) in reverse direction enabling

the said rotating plate (2) to come back to its original position and sensing the original position of rotary plate (2) by third proximity sensor (28) to facilitate said rack actuators (7) to move in the backward direction enabling said rack gear pinion (5) to rotate in anti-clockwise direction along with rotating plate pinion (4) and rotating said rotating plate (2) in clockwise direction up to 45°;
g. sensing the angular position of said rotating plate (2) by second proximity sensor (27) and providing the signal to solenoid valves of rack gear actuators (7) for reverse movement to bring back said rotating plate (2) to original position and sensing the original position by said third proximity sensor (28) and providing the signal to the solenoid valves of horizontal actuator (25 & 13);
h. operating said horizontal actuators (13 & 25) in linear direction and pushing (in compression) said sliding plate (3) and sensing the applied load by said horizontal actuators (13 and 25) comprising of a Load sensor (II) and providing the signal to solenoid valves of said actuators (7) (repeating steps e to g);
i. operating said horizontal actuators (13 & 25) in linear direction and pulling (in tensile) the said sliding plate (3) and sensing the applied load by said horizontal actuators (13 and 25) comprising of a Load sensor (II) and providing the signal to solenoid valves of said actuators (7) (repeating steps e to g);
j. releasing the applied load on fifth wheel assembly (1) consequently by said loading actuator (8) and sensing the position of said sliding plate (3) by said limit switch (15) and providing signal to solenoid valve of actuator (12) to push the operating handle in lateral direction up to operating position to facilitate contact of said handle with side edge of the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1);
k. sensing the position of actuator (12) by proximity sensor (20) provided on actuator (12) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10), to come forward up to operating handle which is sensed by said limit switch (17) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (11) by fifth proximity

sensor (22) for pulling the said operating handle for unlocking fifth wheel coupling (1);
1. moving of said actuator (11) in downward direction and locking of operating handle in said actuator (10) for locking the fifth wheel coupling (1) on the basis of the signal received from said limit switch (17) and proximity sensor (22);
m. sensing downward position of actuator (11) by proximity sensor (23) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to pull the said operating handle of fifth wheel coupling for unlocking the king pin (24) from the fifth wheel coupling assembly (1);
n. sensing the position of the said actuator (10) by said limit switch (17) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (12) to enables the said actuator (10) to come forward and lock the said handle in fifth wheel coupling;
o. sensing position of the said actuator (10) by said limit switch (18) provided therein and providing signal to solenoid valve of actuator (11) to move upward for releasing the said operating handle of fifth wheel coupling from the actuator
(10);
p. sensing the upward position of the said actuator (11) by Proximity sensor (22) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (10) to release the said operating handle to move back to its original position along with actuator (11);
q. sensing said original position of the said actuator (10) by a limit switch (17) and providing the signal to solenoid valve of actuator (13) to move backward to its original position to enable said king pin (24) to be released from said fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) thereby moving said sliding plate (3) out from the said fifth wheel coupling assembly (1) which is sensed by said limit switch (14) and provides the signal to counter which counts the number of test cycles being repeated in above procedure;
r. repeating the above steps 'a' to 'q' which is one cycle up to the predetermined cycles;

s. recording the dimension of said king pin (24) and thickness (dimensions) of top
face of said fifth wheel coupling (1) during the testing; t. observing, maintaining and recording the wearing of the lock bar and wear
ring; u. recording the operating effort required for unlocking of fifth wheel coupling
before the test and after the test; v. recording the play between the said king pin and lock jaw before the test and
after the test.
15. The automated fifth wheel coupling test rig substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.
16. The method of testing automated fifth wheel coupling test rig substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.