INHALT

Regulation No 55 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UN/ECE) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles

Regulation No 55 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UN/ECE) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles
1. SCOPE
2. DEFINITIONS
Figure 1
Dimensions of the centre axle trailer
3. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A MECHANICAL COUPLING DEVICE OR COMPONENT
4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MECHANICAL COUPLING DEVICES OR COMPONENTS
5. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A VEHICLE FITTED WITH A MECHANICAL COUPLING DEVICE OR COMPONENT
6. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES FITTED WITH A MECHANICAL COUPLING DEVICE OR COMPONENT
7. MARKINGS
8. APPROVAL
9. MODIFICATIONS OF THE MECHANICAL COUPLING DEVICE OR COMPONENT, OR OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTENSION OF APPROVAL
10. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION PROCEDURES
11. PENALTIES FOR NON-CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
12. PRODUCTION DEFINITELY DISCONTINUED
13. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
14. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF TECHNICAL SERVICES RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVAL TESTS AND OF ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS
ANNEX 1
COMMUNICATION
(maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
ANNEX 2
COMMUNICATION
(maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
ANNEX 3
EXAMPLE OF AN ARRANGEMENT OF THE APPROVAL MARK
ANNEX 4
Examples of arrangements of marking of the characteristic values
ANNEX 5
Requirements for mechanical coupling devices or components
1. COUPLING BALLS AND TOWING BRACKETS
Figure 2
Coupling ball of Class A
Figure 3
Dimensions of standard flange type ball couplings of Class A50-1 (see Table 2)
Figure 4
Dimensions of standard flange type ball couplings of Class A50-2 to A50-5 (see Table 2)
2. COUPLING HEADS
3. DRAWBAR COUPLINGS
3.3. Jaw
3.4. Minimum articulation of the coupled drawbar eye
Figure 5
Horizontal rotation of the coupled drawbar eye
Figure 6
Vertical rotation of the coupled drawbar eye
Figure 7
Axial rotation of the coupled drawbar eye
3.5. Locking to prevent inadvertent uncoupling:
3.6. Hand levers
Figure 8
Dimensions of standard drawbar couplings (mm) (see Table 4)
4. DRAWBAR EYES
4.1. General requirements for drawbar eyes of Class D50:
Figure 9
Slotted sleeve for Class D50 drawbar eyes
Figure 10
Non-slotted sleeve for Class D50-C drawbar eyes
Figure 11
Dimensions of Classes D50-A and D50-X drawbar eyes (see Table 6)
Figure 12
Dimensions of Class D50-B drawbar eyes (see other dimensions in Figure 11)
Figure 13
Dimensions of Classes D50-C and D50-D drawbar eyes (see other dimensions in Figure 11)
4.3. Load values for standard drawbar eyes
Figure 14
Dimensions of Class L toroidal drawbar eyes (see Table 8)
5. DRAWBARS
5.3. Height adjusting devices for hinged drawbars
6. DRAWBEAMS
Figure 15
Mounting dimensions for standard drawbar couplings (see Table 10)
7. FIFTH WHEEL COUPLINGS AND STEERING WEDGES
7.1. Suitable fifth wheel coupling pins
7.2. Guides
Figure 16
Dimensions of standard fifth wheel couplings (see Table 11)
Figure 16a
Mounting holes tolerances for class J mounting plates for fifth wheel couplings (see para. 9.1 of this annex)
7.3. Minimum articulation of the fifth wheel coupling
7.4. Locking devices to prevent uncoupling of fifth wheel couplings
7.5. Operating devices or release mechanisms
7.6. Surface finish
7.7. Load requirements
7.8. Steering wedges
Figure 17
Dimensions of spring-mounted steering wedges
7.9. Special requirements for standard fifth wheel couplings:
8. FIFTH WHEEL COUPLING PINS
Figure 18
Dimensions of Class H50 fifth wheel coupling pins
9. MOUNTING PLATES
10. HOOK TYPE COUPLINGS
10.1. General requirements for Class K hook type couplings:
Figure 19
Dimensions and articulation of Class K hook type couplings
10.4. Locking to prevent inadvertent uncoupling:
10.5. Hand levers
11. DEDICATED DRAWBAR TYPE COUPLINGS — CLASS T
12. DEVICES FOR REMOTE INDICATION AND REMOTE CONTROL
12.1. General requirements
12.2. Remote indication
12.3. Remote control
ANNEX 6
Testing of mechanical coupling devices or components
1. GENERAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS
2. TEST PROCEDURES
3. SPECIFIC TESTING REQUIREMENTS
3.1. Coupling balls and towing brackets
Figure 20
Arrangements of ball type towing brackets
Figure 21
Angles of application of test force
Figure 22
Angles of application of test force
3.2. Coupling heads
Figure 23
Dynamic test
3.3. Drawbar couplings and drawbeams
3.3.4. Static test on coupling pin locking device
3.4. Drawbar eyes
3.5. Hook type couplings
3.5.2. Dynamic test:
3.5.3. Static test on coupling locking device
3.6. Drawbars
3.7. Fifth wheel couplings
3.7.2. Static tests
Figure 24
Lifting test on fifth wheel couplings
3.7.3. Dynamic test
3.8. Mounting plates for fifth wheel couplings
3.9. Fifth wheel coupling pins of semitrailers
3.10.1. Introduction
3.10.2. Test requirements
3.10.3. Test conditions
3.10.3.1. Coupling device mounted on stiff support:
3.10.3.2. Coupling device mounted on vehicle body or body part:
3.10.4. Failure criteria
ANNEX 7
INSTALLATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. INSTALLATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1.1. Attachment of coupling balls and towing brackets
Figure 25a
Clearance space for, and height of, coupling ball — side view
Figure 25b
Clearance space for coupling ball — plan view
1.2. Attachment of coupling heads
1.3. Attachment of drawbar couplings and mounting blocks
1.3.2. Need for remote controlled couplings
1.3.3. Easy and safe coupling operation
1.3.4. Minimum angle for coupling up and uncoupling
1.3.5. Accessibility
1.3.6. Clearance for the hand lever
Figure 26
Hand lever clearance
1.3.7. Clearance for free movement of drawbar coupling
1.3.8. Acceptability of drawbar couplings with a special joint for vertical rotation — see annex 5, paragraph 3.4.
1.4. Attachment of drawbar eyes and drawbars on trailers.
1.5. Attachment of fifth wheel couplings, mounting plates and coupling pins on vehicles.
2. REMOTE INDICATION AND CONTROL
Appendix 1
Loading conditions for measurement of coupling ball height