Trailer hitch

Abstract

The present invention discloses a trailer coupler, which solves the technical problem in the prior art that the assembly of the trailer coupler is time-consuming and results in low assembly efficiency. The trailer coupler of the present invention includes a mounting seat and a trailer hook. An installation cavity with an open lower end is provided in the mounting seat. The trailer hook includes a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is inserted into the installation cavity. A locking member is rotatably installed in the installation cavity. A locking groove is provided on the connecting portion. An unlocking device is provided on the trailer hook. The locking member is snapped into the locking groove to lock the connecting portion in the installation cavity. The unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate away from the locking groove to release the locking of the connecting portion, so that the connecting portion can be removed from the installation cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobiles, and particularly to a trailer coupler.

Background Art

[0002] With the continuous change of people's lifestyles, more and more people have more requirements for the towing performance of automobiles. The fixed trailer hitch widely used on existing automobiles is directly or indirectly connected to the support structure of the automobile through an adapted chassis. The problem with this installation method is that since the hook part of the trailer hitch permanently protrudes beyond the rear bumper, it reduces the aesthetics of the automobile and weakens the safety function of the rear bumper of the automobile, posing a safety hazard to users. In addition, when the trailer hitch protrudes beyond the rear bumper, it will also damage other vehicles during parking operations, causing economic losses to users.

[0003] To overcome the above drawbacks, a detachable trailer coupler is disclosed in the prior art, which includes a mounting base, a trailer hitch, and a manual unlocking device. The mounting base is provided with a mounting cavity with an open lower end. The trailer hitch includes a hook part and a connecting part. The connecting part is inserted into the mounting cavity from bottom to top and locked in the mounting cavity by a steel ball. The manual unlocking device is used to drive the steel ball to move to release the locking of the connecting part. In this way, when the trailer hitch is not needed, the trailer hitch can be detached from the mounting base for storage, thus avoiding the above problems. In the prior art, the manual unlocking device and the steel ball are often integrally installed on the mounting base or integrally installed on the trailer hitch. As a result, the assembly of one of the mounting base and the trailer hitch is relatively complex, while the other does not require assembly, resulting in a longer assembly time for the trailer coupler and reducing the production efficiency of the trailer coupler.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a trailer coupler that can effectively reduce the assembly time of the trailer coupler, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer coupler.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A trailer coupler, comprising a mounting base and a trailer hitch. The mounting base is provided with a mounting cavity with an open lower end. The trailer hitch includes a hook part and a connecting part fixedly connected to the hook part. The connecting part is inserted into the mounting cavity. A locking member is rotatably installed in the mounting cavity. The connecting part is provided with a locking groove. An unlocking device is provided on the trailer hitch. The locking member is snapped into the locking groove to lock the connecting part in the mounting cavity. The unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate out of the locking groove to release the locking of the connecting part, so that the connecting part can be removed from the mounting cavity.

[0007] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, a limiting surface is provided in the installation cavity below the locking member. When the locking member is snapped into the locking groove, the locking member abuts against the limiting surface, and the unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate upward so that the locking member disengages from the locking groove.

[0008] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, the mounting seat is further provided with a rotating shaft penetrating through the installation cavity and an elastic reset member located in the installation cavity. The locking member is rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft, and the elastic reset member is used to drive the locking member to rotate and reset to snap into the locking groove.

[0009] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, the elastic reset member is a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft. The torsion spring acts on the locking member so that the locking member can rotate and reset around the rotating shaft and elastically float along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The locking member has a first locking surface, and the locking groove has a second locking surface. At least one of the first locking surface and the second locking surface is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft, so that the first locking surface and the second locking surface contact each other through the elastic floating of the locking member to lock the trailer hook.

[0010] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, the locking member is a sector plate, and the arc surface of the sector plate forms the first locking surface. Both the first locking surface and the second locking surface are conical arc surfaces with the same inclination direction.

[0011] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, one of the locking member and the wall of the installation cavity is provided with an avoidance groove, and the other is provided with a lifting ejector rod. When the locking member is snapped into the locking groove, the lifting ejector rod is inserted into the avoidance groove. When the locking member rotates, the lifting ejector rod disengages from the avoidance groove so that the locking member moves along the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0012] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, the unlocking device includes an unlocking ejector rod and a manual operation component. The unlocking ejector rod is vertically slidably mounted on the connecting portion, and the manual operation component drives the unlocking ejector rod to move upward to push the locking member to rotate and disengage from the locking groove.

[0013] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, the manual operation component includes a knob, a cam and a cam rotating shaft. The cam is mounted on the cam rotating shaft and rotates synchronously with the cam rotating shaft. The connecting portion has a cavity for accommodating the cam. The knob is located outside the cavity and is used to drive the cam rotating shaft to rotate so that the cam pushes the unlocking ejector rod to move upward.

[0014] In the above-mentioned trailer coupler, the locking member is provided with an avoidance notch, and the unlocking ejector rod is inserted into the avoidance notch when pushing the locking member to rotate upward.

[0015] In the above trailer connector, the manual operation assembly includes a shift block and a spring. The shift block is vertically slidably arranged on the connecting portion and is connected to the unlocking push rod. The shift block is pushed upward to move the unlocking push rod upward, and the spring is used to drive the unlocking push rod to move downward and reset.

[0016] In the above-mentioned trailer connector, the unlocking device includes an unlocking screw and an operating part fixedly connected to one end of the unlocking screw, the connecting part is provided with a vertically extending threaded hole, the unlocking screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole, and the rotating operating part drives the unlocking screw to move upward to push the locking member to rotate and disengage from the locking groove.

[0017] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0018] In the present invention, the locking member is rotatably installed in the installation cavity, and the unlocking device is installed on the trailer hook. As a result, two workers can be arranged to assemble the mounting seat and the trailer hook at two assembly stations respectively. At this time, the time required for assembling the trailer connector is the longer assembly time of the two workers. Since the assembly time of the two workers is much shorter than that of one worker independently assembling the mounting seat or trailer hook integrated with the locking member and the unlocking device in the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention can effectively reduce the time required for assembling the trailer connector, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer connector; in addition, placing the locking member and the unlocking device in two stations for separate assembly can avoid the problem of wrong installation caused by assembling them in one station in the prior art; finally, when the locking member or the unlocking device needs to be repaired, it is only necessary to disassemble the mounting seat or the trailer hook separately. Compared with the simultaneous disassembly and maintenance of the locking member and the manual unlocking device in the prior art, the disassembly and maintenance of the trailer connector of the present invention is simpler and more convenient.

[0019] A limiting surface is provided below the locking member in the installation cavity. When the locking member is inserted into the lock slot, the locking member abuts against the limiting surface, and the unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate upward to disengage the locking member from the lock slot. With such a design, the limiting surface can prevent the locking member from rotating downward, thereby preventing the trailer hook from driving the locking member to rotate downward to disengage the lock slot under the action of its own gravity or external force, thereby improving the reliability of the locking of the connection part by the locking member; in addition, the design of the limiting surface is also relatively simple, thereby further simplifying the structure of the mounting seat and improving the assembly efficiency of the mounting seat.

[0020] The mounting seat is also provided with a rotating shaft that runs through the mounting cavity and an elastic reset member located in the mounting cavity. The locking member is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft, and the elastic reset member is used to drive the locking member to rotate and reset so as to be inserted into the lock groove. With such a design, after the connecting portion is inserted into place, the locking member can be rotated and reset under the elastic force of the elastic reset member to be inserted into the lock groove. There is no need to set up other complex structures to drive the locking member to rotate and reset, that is, only one elastic reset member is needed, thereby simplifying the structure of the mounting seat and the trailer coupler and improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer coupler.

[0021] The elastic reset member is a torsion spring mounted on the rotating shaft. The torsion spring acts on the locking member so that the locking member can be reset by rotation around the rotating shaft and elastically float along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The locking member has a first locking surface, and the locking groove has a second locking surface. At least one of the first locking surface and the second locking surface is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft so that the first locking surface and the second locking surface are in contact through the elastic floating of the locking member to lock the trailer hook. When the locking piece is inserted into the locking groove, if the locking piece and the locking groove have a clearance fit or an interference fit due to manufacturing tolerances, the locking piece will move along the axis of the rotating shaft under the joint action of the torsion spring and the second locking surface. Since at least one of the first locking surface and the second locking surface is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft, the movement of the locking piece will cause the first locking surface and the second locking surface to come into contact, that is, the first locking surface and the second locking surface achieve zero clearance fit, so as to lock the connection part and prevent the connection part from shaking up and down, thereby improving the mounting performance of the trailer connector. In addition, such a design can also reduce the manufacturing accuracy of the locking piece and the locking groove, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving economic benefits.

[0022] The locking member is a sector plate, the arc surface of the sector plate forms the first locking surface, and the first locking surface and the second locking surface are both conical arc surfaces with the same inclination direction. With this design, the first locking surface and the second locking surface can achieve surface contact, thereby increasing the contact area between the first locking surface and the second locking surface, thereby increasing the friction between the locking member and the connecting part, and improving the locking effect of the connecting part.

[0023] One of the locking member and the wall of the installation cavity is provided with an avoidance groove, and the other is provided with a lifting push rod. When the locking member is inserted into the locking groove, the lifting push rod is inserted into the avoidance groove. When the locking member rotates, the lifting push rod escapes from the avoidance groove to allow the locking member to move axially along the rotating shaft. With such a design, the lifting push rod can be used to drive the locking member to move axially so that at least part of the locking member is located outside the locking groove, thereby reducing the contact between the first locking surface and the second locking surface or even disengaging the contact. The smaller the contact area between the first locking surface and the second locking surface, the easier it is for the locking member to escape from the locking groove when rotating, especially when manually unlocking, which can make the removal of the trailer hook more labor-saving.

[0024] The unlocking device includes an unlocking push rod and a manual operating assembly. The unlocking push rod is vertically slidably installed on the connecting part. The manual operating assembly drives the unlocking push rod to move upward to push the locking member to rotate out of the lock slot. Compared with the electric unlocking device, the manual unlocking can not only make the structure of the unlocking device simpler, thereby facilitating the assembly of the trailer hook and improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer hook, but also reduce the problem of being unable to disassemble and assemble due to electrical failure.

[0025] The manual operation assembly includes a knob, a cam and a cam shaft. The cam is mounted on the cam shaft and rotates synchronously with the cam shaft. The connection part has a cavity for accommodating the cam. The knob is located outside the cavity and is used to drive the cam shaft to rotate so that the cam pushes the unlocking push rod to move upward. With such a design, when the trailer hook needs to be disassembled, the knob is rotated to make the cam shaft drive the cam to rotate, so that the cam pushes the unlocking push rod to move upward and then pushes the locking member to rotate upward, so that the locking member is disengaged from the lock slot to release the lock on the connection part. The user pulls the trailer hook downward to separate the connection part from the mounting seat, so as to complete the disassembly of the trailer hook; after the disassembly is completed, the knob is rotated to make the cam rotate and reset, so that the unlocking push rod moves downward and resets under the action of gravity, so as to avoid the unlocking push rod interfering with the locking member rotating downward when the trailer hook is assembled with the mounting seat again, so that it cannot be stuck in the lock slot.

[0026] The locking member is provided with an escape notch, and the unlocking push rod is inserted into the escape notch when pushing the locking member to rotate upward. With such a design, when the unlocking push rod moves upwards without changing the distance, the rotation angle of the locking member can be increased by providing the escape notch, that is, when the minimum rotation angle required for the locking member to rotate out of the lock slot remains unchanged, the distance that the unlocking push rod moves upwards can be effectively shortened, thereby further facilitating the operation of the manual operation assembly.

[0027] The manual operation assembly includes a shift block and a spring. The shift block is vertically slidably arranged on the connection part and connected to the unlocking push rod. The shift block is shifted upward to move the unlocking push rod upward, and the spring is used to drive the unlocking push rod to move downward and reset. With such a design, when the trailer hook needs to be disassembled, the shift block is pushed upward to slide, which can move the unlocking push rod upward to push the locking member out of the lock slot, thereby releasing the lock of the locking member on the connection part. After the disassembly is completed, the spring drives the unlocking push rod to move downward and reset, so as to avoid the unlocking push rod interfering with the locking member to rotate downward and prevent it from being stuck in the lock slot when the trailer hook is assembled with the mounting seat again.

[0028] The unlocking device includes an unlocking screw and an operating part fixedly connected to one end of the unlocking screw. The connecting part is provided with a vertically extending threaded hole. The unlocking screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. The rotating operating part drives the unlocking screw to move upward to push the locking member to rotate and disengage from the lock groove. With such a design, when the trailer hook needs to be disassembled, the rotating operating part can move the unlocking screw upward to push the locking member out of the lock groove, thereby releasing the locking member from the connecting part. After the disassembly is completed, the reverse rotating operating part can move the unlocking screw downward to reset, so as to avoid the unlocking screw interfering with the locking member to rotate downward and prevent it from being stuck in the lock groove when the trailer hook is assembled with the mounting seat again.

[0029] These features and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a trailer coupling installed on a vehicle body in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the mounting base in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 It is an exploded schematic diagram of the structure of the mounting seat in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a seat body in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a trailer hook in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the connecting portion in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the locking member in the first embodiment of the present invention when the connecting portion is locked in the mounting cavity;

[0038] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Sectional view of AA in the middle;

[0039] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the middle BB;

[0040] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of the locking member when it is out of the locking groove in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Reference numerals:

[0042] 001, anti-collision beam; 002, connecting plate; 100, mounting seat; 110, seat body; 111, mounting cavity; 1111, limiting surface; 112, first through hole; 113, second through hole; 114, mounting opening; 115, positioning part; 116, limiting groove; 117, groove; 120, locking member; 121, first locking surface; 122, first plug-in part; 123, avoidance groove; 124, avoidance notch; 130, rotating shaft; 131, holding end; 132, insertion end; 133, second plug-in end Connecting part; 134, positioning lug; 140, elastic return member; 141, twist foot; 150, upper cover plate; 160, sealing plug cover; 170, lifting push rod; 200, trailer hook; 210, hooking part; 220, connecting part; 2201, locking groove; 22010, second locking surface; 221, main body; 2210, cavity; 222, plugging plate; 223, plug block; 230, unlocking push rod; 240, manual operation component; 241, knob; 242, cam; 243, cam shaft. [Specific implementation method]

[0043] The present invention provides a trailer coupler, comprising a mounting seat and a trailer hook, wherein the mounting seat is provided with a mounting cavity with an open lower end, the trailer hook comprises a hooking portion and a connecting portion fixedly connected to the hooking portion, the connecting portion is inserted into the mounting cavity, a locking member is rotatably installed in the mounting cavity, the connecting portion is provided with a locking groove, an unlocking device is provided on the trailer hook, the locking member is snapped into the locking groove to lock the connecting portion in the mounting cavity, and the unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate and disengage from the locking groove to release the lock on the connecting portion, so that the connecting portion can be removed from the mounting cavity.

[0044] In the present invention, the locking member is rotatably installed in the installation cavity, and the unlocking device is installed on the trailer hook. As a result, two workers can be arranged to assemble the mounting seat and the trailer hook at two assembly stations respectively. At this time, the time required for assembling the trailer connector is the longer assembly time of the two workers. Since the assembly time of the two workers is much shorter than that of one worker independently assembling the mounting seat or trailer hook integrated with the locking member and the unlocking device in the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention can effectively reduce the time required for assembling the trailer connector, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer connector; in addition, placing the locking member and the unlocking device in two stations for separate assembly can avoid the problem of wrong installation caused by assembling them in one station in the prior art; finally, when the locking member or the unlocking device needs to be repaired, it is only necessary to disassemble the mounting seat or the trailer hook separately. Compared with the simultaneous disassembly and maintenance of the locking member and the manual unlocking device in the prior art, the disassembly and maintenance of the trailer connector of the present invention is simpler and more convenient.

[0045] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention are explained and illustrated below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, but the following embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in the implementation mode, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that the following words indicating orientation or position relationship such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "longitudinal", "lateral", "inside", "outside", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc. are only based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device / element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0046] Embodiment 1

[0047] Reference Figures 1 to 10 As shown, the trailer coupler in this embodiment includes a mounting seat 100 and a trailer hook 200. The mounting seat 100 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 002 of the anti-collision beam 001 by screws. The mounting seat 100 includes a seat body 110, and a mounting cavity 111 is provided in the seat body 110. The lower end of the mounting cavity 111 is opened to form a socket. The trailer hook 200 includes a hooking portion 210 and a connecting portion 220. The hooking portion 210 is L-shaped. The connecting portion 220 and the transverse section of the hooking portion 210 are integrally processed and formed to achieve a fixed connection between the two. The connecting portion 220 is vertically upward. The mounting base 100 further comprises a locking member 120 rotatably mounted in the mounting cavity 111, and the connecting portion 220 is provided with a locking groove 2201. The trailer hook 200 is further provided with an unlocking device. The locking member 120 is inserted into the locking groove 2201 to lock the connecting portion 220 in the mounting cavity 111. The unlocking device drives the locking member 120 to rotate out of the locking groove 2201 to release the locking member 120 from the connecting portion 220, so that the connecting portion 220 is removed from the mounting cavity 111, thereby completing the disassembly of the trailer hook 200.

[0048] In this embodiment, the locking member 120 is rotatably installed in the installation cavity 111, and the unlocking device is installed on the trailer hook 200. As a result, two workers can be arranged to assemble the mounting seat 100 and the trailer hook 200 at two assembly stations respectively. At this time, the time required for assembling the trailer coupler is the longer assembly time of the two workers. For example, it takes 5 minutes to assemble the mounting seat 100 and 8 minutes to assemble the trailer hook 200. At this time, the time required for assembling the trailer coupler is 8 minutes. In the prior art, it takes 12 minutes for a worker to independently assemble the mounting seat or trailer hook integrated with the locking member and the manual unlocking device. Therefore, the time required for assembling the trailer coupler in this embodiment is longer than that of assembling the trailer coupler in the prior art. The time is shortened a lot, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer coupler; in addition, placing the locking member 120 and the unlocking device in two stations for separate assembly can avoid the problem of wrong assembly caused by assembling them in one station in the prior art; finally, when it is necessary to repair the locking member 120 or the unlocking device, it is only necessary to disassemble the mounting base 100 or the trailer hook 200 separately. Compared with the simultaneous disassembly and maintenance of the locking member and the manual unlocking device in the prior art, the disassembly and maintenance of the trailer coupler in this embodiment is simpler and more convenient; finally, the unlocking device is arranged on the trailer hook 200, and the unlocking device can also be kept away from the chassis. Especially when the unlocking device is a manual unlocking device, it is convenient for the user to operate the unlocking device, thereby improving the user experience.

[0049] Specifically, Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the locking member 120 in this embodiment is a fan-shaped plate, and the locking groove 2201 is an arc-shaped groove, wherein the arc surface of the fan-shaped plate forms a first locking surface 121, and the locking groove 2201 has a second locking surface 22010. When the locking member 120 is inserted into the locking groove 2201, the first locking surface 121 cooperates with the second locking surface 22010 to lock the connecting part 220 in the mounting cavity 111.

[0050] In order to realize the rotatable installation of the locking member 120 in the installation cavity 111, the installation seat 100 in this embodiment is also provided with a rotating shaft 130, and the opposite sides of the seat body 110 are respectively provided with a first through hole 112 and a second through hole 113 coaxially arranged, the first through hole 112 and the second through hole 113 are connected to the installation cavity 111, and the rotating shaft 130 has a gripping end 131 and an insertion end 132, wherein the first through hole 112 corresponds to the gripping end 131, the aperture of the first through hole 112 is smaller than the outer diameter of the gripping end 131, and the outer diameter of the insertion end 132 is smaller than the aperture of the second through hole 113, and the rotating shaft 130 passes through the first through hole 112, the installation cavity 111 and the second through hole 113 in sequence, and an elastic retaining ring is sleeved on the insertion end 132, and the elastic retaining ring is larger than the aperture of the second through hole 113, so that the rotating shaft 130 is axially limited on the seat body 110 through the gripping end 131 and the elastic retaining ring. The locking member 120 is rotatably mounted on the portion of the rotating shaft 130 located in the installation cavity 111 , so that the locking member 120 is rotatably installed in the installation cavity 111 .

[0051] In addition, an elastic reset member 140 is further provided in the installation cavity 111 of the present embodiment. The elastic reset member 140 is a torsion spring having two twist pins 141. A first plug-in portion 122 is provided on the fan-shaped surface of the locking member 120 facing the first through-hole 112. The first plug-in portion 122 is a conical countersunk hole. The rotating shaft 130 includes a shaft body and a limit plate provided at one end of the shaft body. The outer diameter of the limit plate is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft body. The limit plate forms the above-mentioned holding end 131. The other end of the shaft body forms an insertion end 132. A boss between the outer diameters of the shaft body and the holding end 131 is provided. The boss is provided with a second plug-in portion 133. The second plug-in portion 133 is a slot extending along the axis of the shaft body. The torsion spring is sleeved on the shaft body, one of the twist pins 141 is inserted into the conical countersunk hole, and the other twist pin is inserted into the slot. In this way, the locking member 120 can be driven to rotate and reset through the restoring force of the elastic reset member 140 to snap into the lock groove 2201.

[0052] In order to facilitate the assembly of the mounting seat 100, the outer side of the seat body 110 is provided with a positioning portion 115 and a limiting groove 116 located on the outer periphery of the first through hole 112 and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The positioning portion 115 is a positioning blind hole or a positioning convex point, preferably a positioning blind hole. The outer periphery of the limiting plate is convexly provided with a positioning lug 134. The top of the seat body 110 is provided with a mounting port 114 connected to the mounting cavity 111. The mounting seat 100 also includes an upper cover plate 150 installed on the top of the seat body 110 by screws to cover the mounting port 114. A sealing gasket is provided between the upper cover plate 150 and the seat body 110 to achieve a waterproof and dustproof effect. The inner wall of the mounting cavity 111 is provided with a limiting surface 1111, which is located directly below the mounting port 114 and extends downwardly in an inclined manner toward the lock groove 2201. A groove 117 is also provided on one side of the seat body 110, and the second through hole 113 is provided on the bottom wall of the groove 117.

[0053] When assembling the mounting seat 100, first insert the locking member 120 into the mounting cavity 111 through the mounting opening 114, and the radial side surface of the locking member 120 cooperates with the limiting surface 1111, so that the locking member 120 is pre-positioned through the limiting surface 1111, so that the first plug-in portion 122 and the positioning portion 115 are located on the same straight line, and then the nylon gasket, the sealing sheet and the torsion spring are sequentially mounted on the rotating shaft 130, and a twist leg 141 of the torsion spring is inserted into the second plug-in portion 133. At this time, the positioning lug 134, the second plug-in portion 133 and the two twist legs 141 are all located on the same straight line, and then the assembly is sequentially inserted into the seat body 110 through the first through-hole 112, the locking member 120 and the second through-hole 113. When inserting, first align the positioning lug 134 on the rotating shaft 130 with the positioning portion 115, so that the rotating shaft 130 is aligned with the positioning portion 115 when the rotating shaft 130 is inserted. When passing through the seat body 110, the other torsion foot 141 of the torsion spring can be smoothly inserted into the tapered countersunk hole along the guiding cone surface of the tapered countersunk hole. At this time, the rotating shaft 130 is rotated at an angle to make the positioning lug 134 embed into the limiting groove 116, so that the locking piece 120 is tightly attached to the limiting surface 1111 under the torsion force of the torsion spring, preventing the locking piece 120 from shaking and colliding with the wall of the installation cavity 111 and making noise after the trailer hook 200 is disassembled, and at the same time, it also prevents the rotating shaft 130 from rotating relative to the seat body 110; then, the elastic retaining ring is clamped on the insertion end 132 of the rotating shaft 130 to fix the rotating shaft 130 and prevent it from falling off; finally, the sealing plug cover 160 is inserted into the groove 117, and the upper cover plate 150 and the sealing gasket are installed on the top of the seat body 110, so that the assembly of the mounting seat 100 is completed.

[0054] It should be noted that the sealing plug cover 160 is also provided with two threaded blind holes. When the sealing plug cover 160 needs to be removed, the screws are screwed into the sealing plug cover 160 and then the screws are pulled outward to remove the sealing plug cover 160 from the groove 117.

[0055] like Figures 5 to 10As shown, the connecting portion 220 in this embodiment includes a main body 221, a blocking plate 222 and an insert block 223, wherein the main body 221 and the hooking portion 210 are integrally formed, and the insert block 223 is integrally formed on the top of the main body 221, and a cavity 2210 is provided in the main body 221, and the cavity 2210 has an opening, and the unlocking device includes an unlocking push rod 230 and a manual operation component 240, and the unlocking push rod 230 vertically slides through the top wall of the cavity 2210, and the manual operation component 240 includes a knob 241, a cam 242 and a cam shaft 243, and when assembling, the cam 242 is first installed into the cavity 2210 through the opening. Then, the cam shaft 243 penetrates the cavity 2210 and the cam 242, one end of the cam shaft 243 is limited to one side of the main body 221, and the other end is fixedly connected to the knob 241 located outside the connecting portion 220, wherein the cam 242 is provided with a non-circular hole, and the cam shaft 243 has a non-circular section that matches the non-circular hole, so as to realize the synchronous rotation of the cam 242 and the cam shaft 243. After the assembly is completed, the bottom end of the unlocking push rod 230 abuts against the arc surface of the cam 242. Finally, the blocking plate 222 is fixed to the main body 221 by screws to block the opening, thereby completing the assembly of the connecting portion 220. At this time, by rotating the knob 241, the cam shaft 243 can be driven to drive the cam 242 to rotate synchronously. When the knob 241 drives the cam 242 to rotate upward, the unlocking push rod 230 can be driven to move upward. When the knob 241 drives the cam 242 to rotate downward, the unlocking push rod 230 moves downward and resets under the action of gravity.

[0056] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the plug block 223 and the top of the main body 221 form an avoidance space for avoiding the unlocking push rod 230, and the plug block 223 is partially recessed on one side facing the avoidance space to form the above-mentioned lock groove 2201. In this embodiment, part of the connecting portion 220 is inserted into the installation cavity 111, that is, the plug block 223 is inserted into the installation cavity 111, and the locking member 120 is inserted into the lock groove 2201 to achieve locking of the plug block 223. When the unlocking push rod 230 moves upward, it can enter the avoidance space to push the locking member 120 to rotate upward.

[0057] When the trailer coupler of the present embodiment is used, if it is necessary to assemble the trailer hook 200 for hooking, first ensure that the unlocking push rod 230 is in the downward reset state, and then insert the connecting portion 220 into the installation cavity 111 through the socket. During the insertion into the installation cavity 111, the plug block 223 will push the locking member 120 to rotate upward around the rotating shaft 130. When the connecting portion 220 is assembled in place, the locking member 120 is automatically reset and snapped into the locking groove 2201 under the torsion force of the torsion spring to lock the connecting portion 220 in the installation cavity 111. At this time, the locking member 120 is against the limiting surface 1111 (such as Figure 7As shown), in this way, the locking member 120 can be prevented from rotating downward by the limiting surface 1111, so as to prevent the trailer hook 200 from driving the locking member 120 to rotate downward under its own gravity or external force to disengage from the locking groove 2201, that is, to prevent the trailer hook 200 from falling off, thereby improving the locking reliability of the locking member 120 on the connecting portion 220; in addition, the design of the limiting surface 1111 is also relatively simple, thereby further simplifying the structure of the mounting seat 100 and improving the assembly efficiency of the mounting seat 100; in addition, after the connecting portion 220 is inserted into place, the locking member 120 can be rotated and reset under the elastic force of the elastic reset member 140 to be stuck in the locking groove 2201, without the need to set up other complex structures to drive the locking member 120 to rotate and reset, and only one elastic reset member 140 is needed, thereby simplifying the structure of the mounting seat 100 and the trailer coupler, and improving the assembly efficiency of the trailer coupler. If the trailer hook 200 needs to be disassembled for storage, the knob 241 is rotated to make the cam shaft 243 drive the cam 242 to rotate upward, so that the cam 242 drives the unlocking push rod 230 to move upward. When the unlocking push rod 230 moves upward, it pushes the locking member 120 to rotate upward and disengage from the locking groove 2201, so as to release the locking member 120 from locking the connecting portion 220 (such as Figure 10 As shown), the connecting portion 220 can be removed from the installation cavity 111 to achieve disassembly of the trailer hook 200.

[0058] It is understandable that in other embodiments of the present invention, the elastic reset member may also be a tension spring installed between the locking member and the limiting surface, and the tension spring is used to drive the locking member to rotate and reset and snap into the lock groove.

[0059] It is understandable that in other embodiments of the present invention, the cam shaft is connected to the motor, and the motor drives the cam shaft to drive the cam to rotate, so that the unlocking push rod can move upward to push the locking member to rotate upward and disengage from the lock slot.

[0060] Preferably, Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, an avoidance notch 124 is provided on the side where the locking member 120 abuts against the limiting surface 1111. When the unlocking push rod 230 pushes the locking member 120 to rotate upward, the top of the unlocking push rod 230 will be inserted into the avoidance notch 124. With this design, when the unlocking push rod 230 moves upwards by a constant distance, the upward rotation angle of the locking member 120 can be increased by setting the avoidance notch 124. That is, when the minimum rotation angle required for the locking member 120 to rotate out of the lock slot 2201 remains unchanged, the upward movement distance of the unlocking push rod 230 can be effectively shortened, so as to further reduce the angle at which the user rotates the knob 241, thereby further facilitating the user's manual operation.

[0061] Preferably, Figures 2 to 4As shown, the locking member 120 in this embodiment is slidably sleeved on the rotating shaft 130. The first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 are both conical arc surfaces with the same inclination direction. The axis of the first locking surface 121, the axis of the second locking surface 22010, and the rotation axis of the locking member 120 (i.e., the axis of the rotating shaft 130) are coaxial. The generatrix of the conical arc surface is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft 130, and the distance between the two conical arc surfaces and the axis of the rotating shaft 130 gradually increases in the direction approaching the first through hole 112. The torsion spring is a telescopic torsion spring, so that the locking member 120 can elastically float along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 130. After the locking member 120 is inserted into the locking groove 2201, if there is a clearance fit or an interference fit between the locking member 120 and the locking groove 2201 due to manufacturing tolerances, the locking member 120 will move along the axis of the rotating shaft 130 under the combined action of the torsion spring and the second locking surface 22010. Since both the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 are inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft 130, the movement of the locking member 120 will cause the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 to come into contact, that is, the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 achieve a zero-clearance fit to lock the connecting portion 220 to prevent the connecting portion 220 from shaking up and down, thereby improving the mounting performance of the trailer coupler; in addition, since both the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 are conical arc surfaces, the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 can achieve surface contact, thereby increasing the contact area between the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010, and further increasing the frictional force between the locking member 120 and the connecting portion 220, enhancing the locking effect on the connecting portion 220; finally, with such a design, the manufacturing precision of the locking member 120 and the locking groove 2201 can also be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the economic benefits.

[0062] It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the two conical arc surfaces and the axis of the rotating shaft may also gradually decrease in the direction approaching the first through hole. With such a design, the first locking surface and the second locking surface can also be inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft.

[0063] It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, one of the first locking surface and the second locking surface is a conical arc surface, and the other includes a cylindrical arc surface and a rib provided on the cylindrical arc surface. The surface of the rib is an arc surface. By moving the locking member, the conical arc surface and the arc surface can achieve line contact. With such a design, the locking of the connecting portion can also be achieved.

[0064] Finally, as Figure 2 and Figure 8As shown, in order to enable the unlocking push rod 230 to drive the locking member 120 to rotate upward smoothly and disengage from the lock groove 2201, the mounting seat 100 in this embodiment also includes a lifting push rod 170. The two lifting push rods 170 penetrate the bottom wall of the groove 117 and extend into the mounting cavity 111. The two lifting push rods 170 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the second through hole 113. The sealing plug 160 not only covers the two lifting push rods 170 but also limits the axial position of the lifting push rod 170 to prevent the lifting push rod 170 from moving axially and falling off. Two avoidance grooves 123 are also provided on the fan surface of the side of the locking member 120 facing the second through hole 113. The avoidance groove 123 is an arc groove, and the end of the lifting push rod 170 extending into the mounting cavity 111 is a ball head surface. When the locking member 120 is inserted into the locking groove 2201, the lifting push rod 170 is inserted into the avoidance groove 123. When the locking member 120 rotates upward, the lifting push rod 170 will slip out of the avoidance groove 123 and abut against the side fan surface of the locking member 120 toward the second through hole 113, so as to drive the locking member 120 to move along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 130 in the direction away from the lifting push rod 170 and at least partially locate outside the locking groove 2201, thereby reducing the contact between the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010 or even breaking away from the contact. The smaller the contact area between the first locking surface 121 and the second locking surface 22010, the easier it is for the locking member 120 to slip out of the locking groove 2201 when it rotates, thereby making the disassembly of the trailer hook 200 more labor-saving.

[0065] It should be noted that when the connecting portion 220 is locked in the installation cavity 111 by the locking member 120, the connecting portion 220 is not completely locked and cannot move. A margin of movement is reserved between the inner wall of the installation cavity 111 and the locking member 120 and the connecting portion 220. The reserved margin of movement allows the locking member 120 to move toward the inner wall of the installation cavity and the locking member 120 when the locking member 120 is pushed by the lifting push rod 170 and deviates axially, so that the first locking surface 121 can smoothly reduce the contact with the second locking surface 22010. However, the reserved margin of movement will not affect the normal engagement of the locking member 120 and the locking groove 2201.

[0066] It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the avoidance groove can also be provided on the inner wall of the installation cavity, and the lifting push rod is installed on the fan surface of the fan-shaped plate facing the second perforation. Such a design can also force the locking member to move axially away from the second perforation by lifting the push rod out of the avoidance groove when the locking member rotates, thereby reducing the contact between the first locking surface and the second locking surface or even losing contact.

[0067] It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the top of the seat body is closed, and one side of the seat body is provided with an installation opening and a side cover plate connected to the seat body and covering and shielding the installation opening. The locking member is inserted into the installation cavity through the installation opening and then placed on the limiting surface. The first through hole is provided on the side cover plate, and the rotating shaft equipped with a torsion spring passes through the first through hole, then passes through the fan-shaped plate, and then passes out through the second through hole. Then the side cover plate is fixed to the seat body by screws.

[0068] Embodiment 2

[0069] Compared with the first embodiment, the difference of this embodiment is that the manual operation assembly includes a shift block and a spring, the shift block is vertically slidably arranged on the connection part and connected to the unlocking push rod, the shift block is arranged through the wall of the cavity, and the shift block is shifted upward to move the unlocking push rod upward, and the spring is installed between the unlocking push rod and the bottom wall of the cavity or between the unlocking push rod and the top wall of the installation cavity to drive the unlocking push rod to move downward and reset. With such a design, when it is necessary to disassemble the trailer hook, the shift block is pushed upward to slide, and the unlocking push rod can be moved upward to push the locking member out of the lock groove, thereby releasing the locking member from the connection part. After the disassembly is completed, the spring drives the unlocking push rod to move downward and reset, so as to avoid the unlocking push rod interfering with the locking member to rotate downward and prevent it from being stuck in the lock groove when the trailer hook is assembled with the mounting seat again.

[0070] Embodiment 3

[0071] Compared with the first and second embodiments, the difference of this embodiment is that: the unlocking push rod is provided with a rack portion, and the manual operation assembly also includes a gear and a knob. The gear is installed in the cavity and meshes with the tooth portion. The knob is connected to the gear. The gear is driven to rotate by rotating the knob to drive the unlocking push rod to move up and down. When the trailer hook needs to be disassembled, the knob is rotated to drive the gear to rotate to drive the unlocking push rod to move upward, thereby pushing the locking member to rotate upward and disengage from the lock slot, thereby releasing the lock of the locking member on the connecting portion. After the disassembly is completed, the knob can be rotated in the opposite direction to move the unlocking push rod downward and reset, so as to avoid the unlocking push rod interfering with the locking member to rotate downward and prevent it from being stuck in the lock slot when the trailer hook and the mounting base are assembled again.

[0072] Embodiment 4

[0073] Compared with embodiments one to three, the difference of this embodiment is that: the unlocking device includes an unlocking screw and an operating part fixedly connected to the lower end of the unlocking screw, the connecting part is provided with a vertically extending threaded hole, and the unlocking screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. With such a design, when the trailer hook needs to be disassembled, the rotating operating part can move the unlocking screw upward to push the locking member to rotate upward and disengage from the lock groove, thereby releasing the lock of the locking member on the connecting part. After the disassembly is completed, the reverse rotation of the operating part can move the unlocking screw downward and reset it, so as to avoid the unlocking screw interfering with the locking member and rotating downward when the trailer hook and the mounting base are assembled again, so that it cannot be stuck in the lock groove.

[0074] As described above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes but is not limited to the content described in the drawings and the above specific implementation manner. Any modification that does not deviate from the functional and structural principles of the present invention will be included in the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Trailer coupler, comprising a mounting base and a trailer hitch. An installation cavity with an open lower end is provided in the mounting base. The trailer hitch includes a hook portion and a connecting portion fixedly connected to the hook portion. The connecting portion is inserted into the installation cavity. It is characterized in that, A locking member is rotatably installed in the installation cavity. A locking groove is provided on the connecting portion, and an unlocking device is provided on the trailer hitch. The locking member is snapped into the locking groove to lock the connecting portion in the installation cavity. The unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate out of the locking groove to release the locking of the connecting portion, so that the connecting portion can be removed from the installation cavity. A limiting surface is provided in the installation cavity below the locking member. When the locking member is snapped into the locking groove, the locking member abuts against the limiting surface. The unlocking device drives the locking member to rotate upward so that the locking member disengages from the locking groove. The mounting seat further includes a rotating shaft penetrating through the installation cavity and an elastic reset member located in the installation cavity. The locking member is rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft. The elastic reset member is used to drive the locking member to rotate and reset to snap into the locking groove. The elastic reset member is a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft. The torsion spring acts on the locking member so that the locking member can rotate and reset around the rotating shaft and elastically float along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The locking member has a first locking surface, and the locking groove has a second locking surface. At least one of the first locking surface and the second locking surface is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating shaft, so that the first locking surface and the second locking surface contact each other through the elastic floating of the locking member to lock the trailer hitch. The unlocking device includes an unlocking ejector rod and a manual operation assembly. The unlocking ejector rod is vertically slidably installed on the connecting portion. The manual operation assembly drives the unlocking ejector rod to move upward to push the locking member to rotate out of the locking groove. The manual operation assembly includes a knob, a cam and a cam rotating shaft. The cam is installed on the cam rotating shaft and rotates synchronously with the cam rotating shaft. The connecting portion has a cavity for accommodating the cam. The knob is located outside the cavity and is used to drive the cam rotating shaft to rotate, so that the cam pushes the unlocking ejector rod to move upward.

2. The trailer coupler according to claim 1, wherein The locking member is a sector plate, and the arc surface of the sector plate forms the first locking surface. Both the first locking surface and the second locking surface are conical arc surfaces with the same inclination direction.

3. The trailer coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the locking member and the wall of the installation cavity is provided with an avoidance groove, and the other is provided with a lifting ejector rod. When the locking member is snapped into the locking groove, the lifting ejector rod is inserted into the avoidance groove. When the locking member rotates, the lifting ejector rod disengages from the avoidance groove so that the locking member moves along the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

4. The trailer coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking member is provided with an avoidance notch, and the unlocking ejector rod is inserted into the avoidance notch when pushing the locking member to rotate upward.

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