Self-locking electric trailer hitch device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrically lockable electric trailer hitch device, belonging to the technical field of trailer devices. The electrically lockable electric trailer hitch device includes a trailer hitch body that can rotate between a stationary position and a working position, a power system that drives the rotation of the trailer hitch body, and a mounting bracket fixed on an automobile. The power system includes a motor and a transmission assembly that rotates under the drive of the motor and drives the rotation of the trailer hitch body. The transmission assembly is mounted on the mounting bracket and can rotate relative to the mounting bracket. A self-locking assembly is provided between the transmission assembly and the mounting bracket. When the trailer hitch body is in the working position, the self-locking assembly is self-locked to limit the rotation of the transmission assembly. After the self-locking assembly is self-locked, the rotation of the transmission assembly is limited and it will no longer drive the rotation of the trailer hitch body, so that the trailer hitch body is stably in the working position, improving the stability and firmness during towing and ensuring the smooth progress of the towing work.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of trailer devices, and particularly to an electric trailer hitch device with self-locking function.

Background Art

[0002] With the continuous change of people's lifestyles, more and more people have more requirements for the towing performance of cars. An electric trailer hitch is installed on the car, and the electric trailer hitch is fixed on the rear bumper beam of the car through a mounting bracket. After being driven by a motor and transmitted by gears, it rotates circumferentially, driving the trailer hitch body to rotate between the initial position and the mounting position, which can greatly improve the towing performance of the car. At the same time, it can realize the electric opening and closing of the trailer hitch, improving the convenience of using the trailer hitch. During the towing process, if the trailer hitch body rotates or shakes, the towed object is likely to detach from the trailer hitch body. Therefore, at the mounting position, it is crucial to lock the electric trailer hitch to prevent it from loosening during the towing process. However, the load of the electric trailer hitch is generally over 1500 kg, and the self-locking force of the motor itself is difficult to meet the locking requirements.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the Summary of the Invention section, which will be further elaborated in the Detailed Description section. The Summary of the Invention section of the present invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the protection scope of the claimed technical solution.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to disclose an electric trailer hitch device with self-locking function to at least partially solve the above problems.

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

[0006] The electric trailer hitch device with self-locking function includes a trailer hitch body that can rotate between a stationary position and a working position, a power system that drives the trailer hitch body to rotate, and a mounting bracket fixed on the car. The power system includes a motor and a transmission component that rotates under the drive of the motor and drives the trailer hitch body to rotate. The transmission component is installed on the mounting bracket and can rotate relative to the mounting bracket. A self-locking component is provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket. When the trailer hitch body is in the working position, the self-locking component self-locks to limit the rotation of the transmission component.

[0007] Beneficial effects of adopting this solution:

[0008] Based on the situation that the load weight of the electric trailer hitch in the prior art is large and the self-locking force of the motor itself is difficult to meet the locking requirements, a self-locking component is provided in the self-locking electric trailer hitch device in this solution. When the electric trailer hitch device is not in use, it is in a static position, and the whole electric trailer hitch device is hidden inside the rear bumper beam of the vehicle, improving the overall aesthetics. When towing is needed, the motor is started to rotate forward, driving the transmission component to rotate, and driving the trailer hitch body to rotate to the working position. The trailer hitch body protrudes outside the rear bumper beam of the vehicle. A self-locking component is provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket. Since the mounting bracket is fixed on the vehicle, after the self-locking component is self-locked, the rotation of the transmission component is limited and will no longer drive the trailer hitch body to rotate, so that the trailer hitch body is stable at the working position, improving the stability and firmness during towing and ensuring the smooth progress of the towing work. After the towing is completed, the motor is started to rotate reversely, the self-locking component is unlocked, the transmission component rotates reversely, and drives the trailer hitch body to rotate to the static position, and then the motor is turned off. Since it is unloaded at this time, using the self-locking of the motor itself, the electric trailer hitch device can be stably fixed at this position.

[0009] Preferably, the transmission component includes a first gear and a transmission shaft that is threadedly engaged with the first gear. The trailer hitch body is rotationally and drivingly connected to the first gear through the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is arranged on the mounting bracket and can rotate relative to the mounting bracket. The first gear drives the transmission shaft to rotate between the static position and the working position or rotate relative to the transmission shaft and move axially at the working position under the drive of the motor. A self-locking component is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. When the first gear moves axially towards the mounting bracket, it pushes the self-locking component to be self-locked.

[0010] Preferably, a limit component for limiting the rotation stroke of the transmission component is further provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket.

[0011] Preferably, the self-locking component includes a plug-in component that is circumferentially fixed relative to the transmission shaft and a socket component that is relatively fixed to the mounting bracket. When the first gear moves axially, it pushes the plug-in component to insert into the socket component for self-locking.

[0012] Preferably, a spring seat with a connecting column is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. The spring seat is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft. A first through hole is provided on the spring seat. The connecting column is elastically connected in the first through hole through a first spring and elastically moves axially in the first through hole. A limit seat is fixedly provided on the mounting bracket. A jack is provided on the limit seat. When the first gear moves axially, it pushes the connecting column to insert into the jack for self-locking.

[0013] Preferably, an elastic sheet is provided between the first gear and the spring seat. The first gear axially moves to squeeze the elastic sheet, and the elastic sheet pushes the connecting column to insert into the jack for self-locking.

[0014] Preferably, the limiting component includes a guiding groove provided on one of the spring seat and the limiting seat, and a guiding block provided on the other. When the transmission shaft rotates, the guiding block slides in the guiding groove, and the two ends of the guiding groove limit the sliding stroke of the guiding block to limit the trailer hitch body at a stationary position or a working position.

[0015] Preferably, a limiting bracket with a second through hole is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. The limiting bracket is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft. A limiting ball is provided in the second through hole, and the limiting ball is in clearance fit with the through hole. The first gear is connected to the limiting ball through a second spring. A limiting seat is fixedly provided on the mounting bracket, and a jack is provided on the limiting seat. The first gear axially moves to push the limiting ball to partially insert into the jack for self-locking.

[0016] Preferably, the trailer hitch body is sleeved on the transmission shaft and is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft. A limiting nut for axially limiting the trailer hitch body is provided on the outer side of the trailer hitch body.

[0017] Preferably, the transmission component further includes a second gear that rotates under the drive of the motor, and the second gear meshes with the first gear.

[0018] These features and advantages of the invention will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the self-locking electric trailer hitch device of the invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is an exploded schematic diagram of the self-locking electric trailer hitch device of the invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the self-locking electric trailer hitch device of the invention, and the electric trailer hitch device is in a self-locking state.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the spring seat of the invention.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the limiting seat of the invention.

[0025] Figure 6Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the first gear of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the transmission shaft of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the trailer hitch of the present invention.

[0028] Reference numerals: trailer hitch body 1; slewing bearing body 101; trailer hitch sphere 102; mounting bracket 2; first gear 3; transmission shaft 4; first thread 401; second thread 402; second gear 5; transmission rod 6; second bevel gear 601; motor 7; motor shaft 701; first bevel gear 702; bearing 8; end cover 9; limit nut 10; spring seat 11; connecting column 1101; first through hole 1102; first spring 1103; guide groove 1104; elastic piece 12; limit seat 13; jack 1301; guide block 1302.

Detailed implementation manners

[0029] The self-locking electric trailer hitch device of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific implementation manners:

[0030] Refer to Figures 1 to 8 , the self-locking electric trailer hitch device includes a trailer hitch body 1 that can rotate between a stationary position and a working position, a power system that drives the trailer hitch body 1 to rotate, and a mounting bracket 2 fixed to the vehicle. The power system includes a motor 7 and a transmission component that rotates under the drive of the motor 7 and drives the trailer hitch body 1 to rotate. The transmission component is installed on the mounting bracket 2 and can rotate relative to the mounting bracket 2. A self-locking component is provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket 2. When the trailer hitch body 1 is in the working position, the self-locking component is self-locked to limit the rotation of the transmission component.

[0031] In the self-locking electric trailer hitch device of this solution, a self-locking component is provided. When the electric trailer hitch device is not in use, it is in the stationary position and is hidden inside the rear bumper of the vehicle as a whole, improving the overall aesthetics. When towing is required, start the motor 7 to rotate forward, drive the transmission component to rotate, and drive the trailer hitch body 1 to rotate to the working position. The trailer hitch body 1 protrudes outside the rear bumper of the vehicle. A self-locking component is provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket 2. Since the mounting bracket 2 is fixed to the vehicle, after the self-locking component is self-locked, the rotation of the transmission component is limited and will no longer drive the trailer hitch body 1 to rotate. Thus, the trailer hitch body 1 is stabilized in the working position to ensure the smooth progress of the towing work; after the towing is completed, start the motor 7 to rotate in reverse, the self-locking component is unlocked, the transmission component rotates in reverse, drives the trailer hitch body 1 to rotate to the stationary position, and then turn off the motor 7. Since it is no-load at this time, the motor 7 itself is used for self-locking to stabilize the electric trailer hitch device at this position.

[0032] A limiting component for defining the rotation stroke of the transmission component is further provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket 2, so as to limit the rotation of the transmission component between a stationary position and a working position.

[0033] As Figure 8 shown, the trailer hitch body 1 includes a turntable bearing body 101 provided at one end and connected to the transmission component, and a trailer hitch ball 102 provided at the other end.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission component includes a first gear 3, a transmission shaft 4, and a second gear 5.

[0035] The motor 7 includes a motor shaft 701. A transmission rod 6 is fixedly provided on the second gear 5. A first bevel gear 702 is provided at one end of the motor shaft 701 close to the transmission rod 6. A second bevel gear 601 meshing with the first bevel gear 702 is provided at one end of the transmission rod 6 close to the motor shaft 701. The motor shaft 701 drives the first bevel gear 702 to rotate synchronously. The first bevel gear 702 drives the second bevel gear 601 and the transmission rod 6 to rotate, thereby driving the second gear 5 to rotate. At the same time, the second gear 5 meshes with the first gear 3, and the second gear 5 drives the first gear 3 to rotate between a stationary position and a working position.

[0036] The first gear 3 and the trailer hitch body 1 are respectively located on both sides of the mounting bracket 2. The transmission shaft 4 is passed through the mounting bracket 2 and can freely rotate relative to the mounting bracket 2. Both ends of the transmission shaft 4 are respectively connected to the first gear 3 and the trailer hitch body 1 for transmission.

[0037] In this embodiment, in order to realize the transmission of the transmission shaft 4, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, a first thread 401 is provided at the front end of the transmission shaft 4. The first gear 3 is in threaded cooperation with the transmission shaft 4. The turntable bearing body 101 is in circumferential limiting cooperation with the transmission shaft 4. Preferably, the turntable bearing body 101 is in spline cooperation with the transmission shaft 4. In the non-working position, the first gear 3 drives the transmission shaft 4 and the trailer hitch body 1 to rotate synchronously. In the working position, the first gear 3 rotates spirally and axially relative to the transmission shaft 4.

[0038] Of course, in other embodiments, the transmission shaft can also be a flat column, and a flat hole for the flat column to pass through is provided in the middle of the turntable bearing body.

[0039] Of course, in other embodiments, the transmission shaft can also be a multi-prism structure, and a multi-sided hole matching the multi-prism is provided in the middle of the turntable bearing body.

[0040] The second gear 5 is circumferentially limited to the transmission rod 6. Preferably, the second gear 5 is in flat position fit with the transmission rod 6. Of course, in other embodiments, the second gear 5 and the transmission rod 6 can also adopt other circumferential limiting methods such as key fit and spline fit.

[0041] As Figure 3 shown, the transmission shaft 4 and the mounting bracket 2 are fitted through a bearing 8. The bearing 8 includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring is fixedly connected to the transmission shaft 4, and the outer ring is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 2.

[0042] To prevent the trailer hook body 1 from axially disengaging during the towing process, the trailer hook body and the transmission assembly are axially limited. Specifically, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, an end cap 9 and a limit nut 10 are provided on the outer side of the trailer hook body 1. As Figure 7 shown, a second thread 402 is provided at the tail end of the transmission shaft 4. The limit nut 10 is screwed onto the second thread 402 at the tail end of the transmission shaft 4 to axially limit the trailer hook body 1, and the end cap 9 covers the second thread 402 to improve the aesthetics.

[0043] In this embodiment, the self-locking assembly is arranged between the first gear 3 and the mounting bracket 2. At the working position, the first gear 3 axially moves towards the mounting bracket 2 under the action of the second gear 5 and pushes the self-locking assembly to lock.

[0044] The self-locking assembly includes a plug-in member that is circumferentially fixed relative to the transmission shaft 4 and a socket member that is relatively fixed to the mounting bracket 2. At the non-working position, the plug-in member and the socket member do not contact each other, and the plug-in member can rotate freely relative to the socket member. At the working position, the first gear 3 axially moves to push the plug-in member into the socket member to lock.

[0045] Specifically, as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a spring seat 11 is provided between the first gear 3 and the mounting bracket 2. The spring seat 11 is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft 4, preferably with a spline fit. An elastic sheet 12 is provided between the first gear 3 and the spring seat 11. A connecting column 1101 is provided in the spring seat 11, and a first through hole 1102 for mounting the connecting column 1101 is provided in the spring seat 11. A first spring 1103 is provided in the first through hole 1102. The connecting column 1101 is installed in the first through hole 1102 through the first spring 1103 and axially moves elastically in the first through hole 1102. The length of the connecting column 1101 is greater than the thickness of the spring seat 11. A limit seat 13 is fixedly provided on the mounting bracket 2, and a jack 1301 is provided on the limit seat 13. In the working position, when self-locking is not required, the end of the connecting column 1101 close to the elastic sheet 12 protrudes outside the spring seat 11, and the end of the connecting column 1101 far from the elastic sheet 12 is hidden inside the spring seat 11. In the working position, when self-locking is required, the first gear 3 axially moves to squeeze the elastic sheet 12. When the elastic sheet 12 deforms, it pushes the connecting column 1101 to axially move forward elastically and insert into the jack 1301 for rigid self-locking, improving the self-locking strength so as to maintain the self-locking stability even when the trailer hitch device has a large load.

[0046] To ensure the strength after self-locking, several connecting columns 1101 are provided on the spring seat 11. Preferably, the several connecting columns 1101 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the spring seat 11.

[0047] The specific structure of the limit assembly is as Figure 4 shown. A guide groove 1104, preferably an arc-shaped guide groove 1104, is provided on the spring seat 11. As Figure 5 shown, a guide block 1302 is provided on the limit seat 13. When the transmission shaft 4 rotates, the guide block 1302 slides in the guide groove 1104. The upper and lower end walls of the guide groove 1104 form a stroke limit part to limit the sliding stroke of the guide block 1302, and further limit the rotation range of the spring seat 11, thereby limiting the rotation stroke of the transmission shaft 4 and the trailer hitch body 1, so as to limit the trailer hitch body 1 at the stationary position or the working position. A limit switch signal is provided at the stationary position. When turning to this position, the motor 7 receives the limit switch signal and stops working; when rotating to the working position, due to the limiting effect, after the spring seat 11 stops rotating, it limits the transmission shaft 4 to also stop rotating, but the motor 7 does not stop working and drives the second gear 5 and the first gear 3 to continue rotating. Thus, under the action of torque, the first gear 3 rotates spirally and axially relative to the transmission shaft 4.

[0048] Of course, in other embodiments, the guide groove can also be provided on the limit seat, and the guide block is provided on the guide groove.

[0049] The working process of the self-lockable electric trailer hitch device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0050] When a trailer is needed, the starting motor 7 rotates forward, the motor shaft 701 rotates forward, drives the transmission rod 6 and drives the second gear 5 to rotate forward, drives the first gear 3, the transmission shaft 4 and the spring seat 11 to rotate forward, and the trailer hook body 1 synchronously rotates downward following the transmission shaft 4 and rotates forward to the working position. The guiding block 1302 is limited by the lower end wall of the guiding groove 1104, so that the spring seat 11 stops rotating, and the transmission shaft 4 and the trailer hook body 1 also stop rotating. The motor 7 drives the second gear 5 and the first gear 3 to continue rotating forward. The first gear 3 becomes loose from the transmission shaft 4, rotates axially relative to the transmission shaft 4 in a threaded manner and moves axially towards the elastic piece 12, squeezes the elastic piece 12 to deform and pushes the connecting column 1101 in the spring seat 11 to axially move and insert into the jack 1301 on the limit seat 13 to achieve locking, so as to lock the trailer hook body 1 at the working position; after the trailer is completed, the motor 7 rotates in reverse, drives the transmission rod 6 and the second gear 5 to rotate in reverse. Since the transmission shaft 4 is still in the locked state, the second gear 5 drives the first gear 3 to rotate in the reverse threaded direction on the transmission shaft 4 and move axially away from the elastic piece 12. The elastic piece 12 resumes deformation, the connecting column 1101 is pulled out of the jack 1301 and returns to its original position under the action of the first spring 1103 to complete unlocking. The transmission shaft 4 drives the trailer hook body 1 to rotate in reverse to the stationary position following the first gear 3, and the motor 7 stops working.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the specific structure of the self-locking assembly is that a limit bracket with a second through hole is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. The limit bracket is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft. A limit ball is provided in the second through hole, and the limit ball is in clearance fit with the second through hole. The first gear is connected to the limit ball through a second spring. A limit seat is fixedly provided on the mounting bracket, and a jack is provided on the limit seat. The first gear axially moves to push the limit ball to partially insert into the jack for self-locking.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the specific structure of the self-locking assembly is that a spring seat with a connecting column is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. The spring seat is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft. A first through hole is opened on the spring seat. The connecting column is elastically connected in the first through hole through a first spring and elastically axially moves in the first through hole. A jack is provided on the mounting bracket. The first gear axially moves to squeeze the spring seat to push the connecting column to insert into the jack for self-locking.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the specific structure of the self-locking assembly is that a connecting column is fixedly provided on the first gear, a jack is provided on the mounting bracket. The first gear axially moves to push the pin to insert into the jack for self-locking. At this time, the first gear is axially limitedly connected to the transmission shaft and can axially move relative to the transmission shaft. The first gear and the second gear have a certain included angle. At the working position, after the transmission shaft is limited, the second gear can give an axial thrust to the first gear to push it to axially move.

[0054] The above embodiments are only examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Based on this, those skilled in the art can conceive of other embodiments that can achieve the same functions within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-locking electric trailer hitch device, characterized in that, It includes a trailer hitch body that can rotate between a stationary position and a working position, a power system that drives the rotation of the trailer hitch body, and a mounting bracket fixed to the vehicle. The power system includes a motor and a transmission component that rotates under the drive of the motor and drives the rotation of the trailer hitch body. The transmission component is mounted on the mounting bracket and can rotate relative to the mounting bracket. A self-locking component is provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket. When the trailer hitch body is in the working position, the self-locking component is self-locked to limit the rotation of the transmission component. The transmission component includes a first gear and a transmission shaft that is threadedly engaged with the first gear. The trailer hitch body is rotationally connected to the first gear through the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft passes through the mounting bracket and can rotate relative to the mounting bracket. The first gear drives the transmission shaft to rotate back and forth between the stationary position and the working position or rotate relative to the transmission shaft and move axially at the working position under the drive of the motor. A self-locking component is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. When the first gear moves axially towards the mounting bracket, it pushes the self-locking component to be self-locked. A spring seat with a connecting column is provided between the first gear and the mounting bracket. The spring seat is circumferentially limited to the transmission shaft. A first through hole is provided in the spring seat. The connecting column is elastically connected in the first through hole through a spring and elastically moves axially in the first through hole. A jack is provided on the mounting bracket. When the first gear moves axially, it squeezes the spring seat to push the connecting column into the jack for self-locking; or, a connecting column is provided on the first gear, a jack is provided on the mounting bracket, and when the first gear moves axially, it pushes the connecting column into the jack for self-locking.

2. The self-lockable electric trailer hitch device according to claim 1, characterized in that A limit component for limiting the rotation stroke of the transmission component is further provided between the transmission component and the mounting bracket.

3. The self-locking electric trailer hitch device according to claim 1, wherein The transmission component further includes a second gear that rotates under the drive of the motor, and the second gear is meshed with the first gear.

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