Trailer coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to a trailer coupling, comprising a ball neck which can be moved between a working position and a resting position, is connected to a pivot bearing unit at a first end, and carries a coupling ball at a second end, the invention relates to a pivot bearing unit which can be pivoted between a working position and a resting position by means of a pivot bearing unit ball neck when a pivot movement about a pivot axis is carried out, and which comprises a rotational locking device which acts between a guide body of the pivot bearing unit and a pivot bearing body and has at least two rotational locking units on the one hand, according to the invention, a solution which is as simple and reliable as possible is created for each rotary locking unit, and it is proposed that a multiple locking device is provided, the locking device comprises a locking body which can be moved into a rest position locking position for locking the pivot bearing body and the guide body relative to each other in a rest position, into a safety position for fixing the operating body in the rotation locking position, and into an intermediate position between the rest position locking position and the safety position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a trailer coupling comprising a ball neck movable between a working position and a rest position, the ball neck being connected at a first end to a pivot support unit and carrying a coupling ball at a second end, wherein the ball neck is pivotable between the working position and the rest position by means of the pivot support unit ball neck in the case of pivoting movement about a pivot axis, and having a rotation locking device acting between a guide body and the pivot support body of the pivot support unit, on the one hand having at least two rotation locking units, each having a rotation locking body that is movably guided in a guiding direction by means of a guide receiving portion of the guide body and is movable in that guiding direction by a bearing surface extending transversely to the guiding direction and disposed at the operating body, and on the other hand having at least two receiving portions, wherein the coupling ball is movable by movement of the operating body in the operating direction. The rotary locking body with rotary locking unit is movable and loadable in the guide direction, wherein the rotary locking body of all rotary locking units can be brought to the rotary locking position in the working position by movement in the guide direction and in the position engaged by means of one of the receptacles to block the pivoting movement of the pivot support and the guide relative to each other about the pivot axis, and can be brought to the release position, in the position disengaged from the corresponding receptacle and released relative movement between the pivot support and the guide, wherein all the provided relative pivoting positions between the pivot support and the guide include a stationary position and an engagement that blocks the movement of the operating body in the operating direction and thus also blocks the force-loaded engagement of the rotary locking body of each rotary locking unit in the receptacle. Background Technology

[0002] Such trailer couplings are known from the prior art (e.g., DE 102020111 469). Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to create a structural solution that is as simple as possible.

[0004] This task is accomplished in the trailer coupling of the above form according to the invention by means of a multi-locking device comprising a locking body movable to a stationary locking position that locks the pivot support and the guide body relative to each other in a stationary position, to a safety position that fixes the operating body in a rotational locking position, and to an intermediate position between the stationary locking position and the safety position.

[0005] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it allows for easy locking of the pivot support unit in the rest position and, in addition, allows for the fixation of the pivot support unit in the safety position during rotational locking.

[0006] A particularly advantageous feature here is that the locking body is guided on the guide body of the pivot support unit.

[0007] A feasible scheme for guiding a locking body on a guide body is specified, wherein the locking body is guided in a guide section arranged on the guide body.

[0008] Specifically, it is stipulated that the guide portion for the locking body is arranged in the wall area of ​​the guide body adjacent to the operating body.

[0009] A particular advantage is that the wall area is located between the operating body and the pivot support, especially its flange, so that the locking body can cooperate with not only the operating body but also the pivot support to achieve not only the safety position but also the static locking position.

[0010] In principle, it is conceivable that the locking body moves radially along the pivot axis.

[0011] For structural solutions, however, the simplicity of which is particularly advantageous is that the locking body in the guide can be moved in a direction approximately parallel to the pivot axis.

[0012] Another advantageous solution specifies that the locking body engages in the receiving portion in the pivot support body in the resting position.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the locking body engages with the receiving portion in the operating body in the safe position.

[0014] In order to easily position the locking body in the intermediate position, it is preferably specified that the locking body is arranged in the intermediate position between the receiving portion in the operating body and the receiving portion in the pivot support unit.

[0015] In order to fix not only the safety position but also the static locking position in a simple manner, it is preferably specified that the locking body is initiated from the guide portion and guided to engage with the corresponding receiving portion at one end, not only in the safety position but also in the static locking position.

[0016] The current descriptions of the various solutions do not elaborate on how to manipulate the locking body or how to secure it in the safety, intermediate, and stationary locked positions.

[0017] This can be advantageously achieved by the locking body being secured in a safe position, an intermediate position, and a stationary locked position via a locking operating device.

[0018] Locking mechanisms can be constructed in very different forms and ways.

[0019] Therefore, an advantageous solution specifies that the locking actuation device includes a slide guide and a slide follower movable through the slide guide, the slide follower being connected to the locking body.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferably specified that the slide follower can move approximately parallel to the pivot axis via the slide guide portion, so as to facilitate simple manipulation of the locking body.

[0021] Furthermore, it is stipulated that the guide section of the slide can move laterally along the pivot axis.

[0022] Preferably, the guide section is movable via a locking operating device.

[0023] For example, it is stipulated that the locking control device includes a body that carries the slide guide and is rotatably movable relative to the slide follower.

[0024] Furthermore, the slide guide is preferably constructed such that it has at least one slide guide rail that acts on the slide follower.

[0025] More advantageously, the chute guide has two chute guide rails that act on the chute follower and guide the chute follower between them.

[0026] In accordance with the provisions of this agreement, the two slide rails together fix the slide follower in a pre-defined safety position.

[0027] Furthermore, it is preferred that the two slide rails together fix the slide follower in a pre-defined static position locking position.

[0028] The above function can preferably be achieved by the following method: the first slide rail has a rail section that can move the slide follower from a determined safety position to a determined intermediate position.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferably specified that the first slide rail includes a rail section in which the slide follower is loaded from a position determined to be at an intermediate position toward a position corresponding to the static locked position.

[0030] In particular, it is advantageous that the spring of the guide rail segment, which acts toward the position corresponding to the locked position of the rest position, elastically loads the slide follower in that direction.

[0031] Specifically, it is specified here that the guide rail segment that functions toward the position corresponding to the static locked position is composed of a spring-loaded segment of the first slide rail.

[0032] The construction of the first slide rail has the advantage that the slide follower can be elastically loaded by the spring and therefore does not need to be forced into the static position when loaded toward the position corresponding to the static position locking position, but can only enter the static position locking position when the receiving part in the pivot support body is aligned with the locking body in the intermediate position.

[0033] When the locking body is in the stationary locked position, it is thus fixed in the stationary locked position. That is, the slide follower is fixed between the spring-movable section of the first slide rail and the second slide rail. The spring-movable section of the first slide rail has moved toward the second slide rail since the locking body has reached the stationary locked position, so as to fix the stationary locked position between the spring-movable section of the first slide rail and the second slide rail.

[0034] For the purpose of releasing the stationary locked position again, the second slide rail has a rail section that moves the slide follower from a position corresponding to the stationary locked position to a position corresponding to the intermediate position.

[0035] Furthermore, in order to allow the slide rail to move from the intermediate position to the safety position, the second slide rail has a guide rail section that moves the slide follower from a position corresponding to the intermediate position to a position corresponding to the safety position.

[0036] In particular, in these embodiments, the first slide rail is configured to function by the movement of the slide guide in the first rotational direction, and the second slide rail is configured to function by the movement of the slide guide in the opposite rotational direction.

[0037] The operation of the locking mechanism used for the motion locking body has not yet been explained in more detail.

[0038] In principle, it is conceivable to connect the locking control device to a controllable drive unit.

[0039] However, it is particularly advantageous that the locking mechanism can be driven by a mechanism for rotating the locking device, because this allows the movement of the locking body to be triggered by the locking mechanism to be coordinated with the operation of the rotating locking device in a simple manner.

[0040] In particular, this provision stipulates that the locking mechanism is connected to the mechanism for rotating the locking device.

[0041] This connection can preferably be achieved by having a slide rail arranged on a rotatable body of a planetary gear transmission mechanism for the operating device of the rotary locking device.

[0042] In particular, it is preferably specified here that the slide rail is arranged on the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism of the operating device.

[0043] To enable optimal monitoring of the multi-locking device, it is preferably specified that the multi-locking device has a sensor unit for detecting the position of the locking body.

[0044] Here, the sensor unit is preferably constructed such that it detects the safety position, the stationary position, the locked position, and the intermediate position.

[0045] In particular, the sensor unit includes, for example, one or more detectors that function as sensors and detect the detection surface.

[0046] In the case of a sensor configured as a detector, the sensor unit can distinguish between the intermediate position of the locking body and the safe position or the stationary position by detecting the position of the sensor manipulation element.

[0047] In the case of multiple detectors (e.g., two detectors), the sensor unit can distinguish each position of the locking body (e.g., safety position, intermediate position, and stationary position) from the other positions by means of the evaluation unit by detecting the position of the sensor manipulating element.

[0048] Another advantageous solution specifies that the sensor unit is configured as a magnetic field sensor that detects different magnetic fields, which exist according to whether the magnetic field is in a safe position, a stationary position, a locked position, or an intermediate position, and thus can distinguish all these positions.

[0049] In the case of a sensor that detects the direction of a magnetic field in space, the sensor unit can also distinguish each of the positions of the locking body (e.g., the safety position, the intermediate position, and the stationary position) from the other positions by means of an evaluation unit, by detecting the direction of the magnetic field of the sensor manipulation element.

[0050] In particular, in order to connect the sliding follower and the locking body, the sliding follower is connected to the locking body by means of a transmission element.

[0051] In this case, the transmission element and the sensor manipulation element can be connected in a simple way, so that the sensor unit can detect the position of the transmission element.

[0052] Here, the sensor manipulation element may have different detectable elements, and the sensor unit detects the magnetic field that is oriented differently in space relative to the sensor unit, or in the case of a sensor unit with a magnetic field sensor, according to its position.

[0053] The obstruction in the control direction in all relative pivoting positions between the pivot support and the guide body, including the stationary position, has not been described in more detail to date.

[0054] Therefore, an advantageous solution specifies that a blocking surface extends between the receptacles, to which the rotary locking body can be placed and from which the receptacle extends. The rotary locking units and the receptacles are arranged angularly spaced from each other about a pivot axis, such that, among all the relative pivot positions provided between the pivot support and the guide, there is a rest position and, in addition to the working position, at least one rotary locking body of the rotary locking unit is positioned opposite one of the blocking surfaces, and thus the blocking surface, in particular, blocks the movement of the operating body in the operating direction in the case of force loading on the operating body, and thus similarly blocks the force-loaded engagement of the rotary locking body of each rotary locking unit to one of the receptacles.

[0055] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the fixing of the operating body in the release position can be achieved in a simple and reliable manner by means of the pre-existing rotary locking body, and in addition, significant noise reduction is achieved when the trailer coupling moves from the release position to the rotary locking position of the rotary locking body, since the rotary locking body can be easily slid from the blocking surface into the receiving part.

[0056] Furthermore, in the case of a trailer coupling of a previously described form, it is alternatively or additionally specified that the rotary locking units are arranged at angular intervals around the pivot axis to form a rotary locking configuration, and the receiving portions are arranged at the same angular intervals around the pivot axis to form a receiving portion configuration. The rotary locking configuration and the receiving portion configuration overlap each other in the working position, so that the rotary locking body can be engaged into the receiving portion. The angular interval between the rotary locking units in the rotary locking configuration and the angular interval between the receiving portions in the receiving portion configuration are selected such that the rotary locking configuration and the receiving portion configuration overlap each other only in the working position and therefore only in this position is the transfer of the operating body from the release position to the rotary locking position allowed, while in other pivot positions of the pivot support, the transfer of the operating body from the release position to the rotary locking position is not possible.

[0057] Alternatively or supplementally to the above solution, another advantageous solution specifies that at least one of the rotary locking bodies is not unequal in angular intervals relative to the rotary locking units arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of rotation about the pivot axis and opposite to the direction of rotation. In the working position, the receiving portion is arranged such that the rotary locking body of each of the rotary locking units can be brought into engagement with one of the receiving portions. In all relative pivot positions provided for operation between the pivot support and the guide (including the stationary position outside the working position), the rotary locking body of at least one of the rotary locking units is positioned opposite to the blocking surfaces between the receiving portions. Thus, these blocking surfaces, especially in the case of force loading of the operating body, block the movement of the operating body from the release position to the rotary locking position.

[0058] The unequal angular intervals originate from the same angular interval, for example, at least half of the angular range traversed by each extension in the receiving portion, preferably up to an order of magnitude of the angular range traversed by each extension in the receiving portion, deviating from the same angular interval.

[0059] The advantage of all the above-described solutions according to the invention is that a structurally simple solution is thus available, which allows the manipulator to be held in the released position and can be transferred to the rotary locking position only in the working position, wherein, in particular, the rotary locking body that is already present for the rotary locking device can be used advantageously.

[0060] It has proven particularly advantageous, in connection with the solution according to the invention, that the number of rotary locking units corresponds to the number of receiving portions.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to obtain a solution that is compact in space, especially in the direction of the pivot axis, it is advantageous that the rotation locking bodies of all rotation locking units are constructed and arranged symmetrically relative to the geometric plane that extends perpendicular to and intersects with the pivot axis.

[0062] One particularly advantageous solution specifies that the blocking surface extends, in particular, laterally and preferably perpendicularly to the guide direction, toward the rotary locking body of the rotary locking unit, so that the rotary locking body can be moved past the blocking surface with little or no resistance when it is in contact with the blocking surface.

[0063] Of particular advantage is that the blocking surfaces extend around the pivot axis with a defined radius, so that in the case of pivoting motion, the rotational locking bodies abutting against these blocking surfaces do not perform additional radial movement relative to the pivot axis.

[0064] Furthermore, it is advantageously stipulated that the blocking surface extends to the edge of the opening of the receiving part and transitions into it.

[0065] In particular, it is preferably specified that the opening edge of the receiving portion is at the same radial distance from the pivot axis as the blocking surface, so that the movement of the rotary locking body against the blocking surface across the opening edge into the receiving portion can be achieved without additional resistance to movement, as would occur, for example, in the case where the opening edge and the pivot axis are at different distances relative to the blocking surface and the pivot axis.

[0066] In particular, this solution also has the advantage of enabling a simple and resistance-free transition from the working position to the pivoting position, in which case the rotating locking body can also move away from the receiving part via the opening edge and toward the blocking surface with virtually no resistance.

[0067] Particularly advantageous is that at least one of the rotary locking bodies of the rotary locking unit abuts against, and particularly against, one of the blocking surfaces during the pivoting movement toward the working position, especially during the pivoting movement extending from the rest position to the working position, by force applied by the operating body, wherein the force application is achieved, for example, by providing a retraction receiving portion in the operating body for the release position of the rotary locking body, which acts on the rotary locking body with a surface extending transversely to the guide direction.

[0068] It is particularly advantageous that the rotary locking body is forcefully pressed against the blocking surface before reaching the working position and then forcefully pressed against the opening edge of the receiving part before entering the receiving part, so that the noise characteristics during the transfer of the rotary locking body from the release position to the rotary locking position can be kept as low as possible, in contrast to the case where the rotary locking body is first spaced relative to the blocking surface, then forcefully placed on the blocking surface and then enters the receiving part from the blocking surface, or the case where the rotary locking body moves with a gap relative to the blocking surface to the working position and experiences force loading in the working position in order to enter the receiving part.

[0069] A particularly advantageous aspect of the construction of the receiving part is that it extends from the blocking surface in the guiding direction, especially with at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis, so that the rotary locking body never experiences additional turning when entering the receiving part while moving in the guiding direction.

[0070] Furthermore, the orientation of the receiving part and the blocking surface relative to the guide sleeve is not described in more detail.

[0071] Therefore, an advantageous solution stipulates that the receiving part and the blocking surface are arranged facing the guide sleeve, thereby enabling the rotational locking body to move without steering in the direction of the blocking surface or in the direction of the receiving part.

[0072] In principle, the guide body or pivot support body can pivot around the pivot axis.

[0073] However, a particularly structurally advantageous solution stipulates that the guide body is part of the fixed arrangement of the pivot support unit within the vehicle.

[0074] Furthermore, regarding the construction specifications of the guide body, a guide receiving portion for all rotary locking bodies used in the rotary locking unit is arranged within the guide body.

[0075] Furthermore, it is preferable that the guiding direction extends in at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis, so that the rotary locking body is moved between the rotary locking position and the release position in at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis, and thus no specific movement of the rotary locking body in the direction of the pivot axis is achieved, so as to facilitate the movement of these rotary locking bodies between the rotary locking position and the release position.

[0076] A particularly advantageous structural solution provides that the guide body has a guide sleeve with a guide housing for the rotary locking body for the rotary locking unit, and in particular the rotary locking body is guided by a guide body that is closely attached to the pivot support in the radial direction.

[0077] In connection with the description of the above embodiments, how the pivot support body of the pivot support unit should be pivotally supported relative to the guide body is not discussed in more detail.

[0078] For this purpose, for example, the support can be provided on the pivot support unit, which is independent of the guide body.

[0079] However, what is particularly simple in structure is that a pivot support is provided between the guide body and the pivot support body.

[0080] The movement of the manipulator relative to the guide body was also not described in detail.

[0081] Therefore, an advantageous solution stipulates that the manipulator is movably guided relative to the guide body.

[0082] Here, the manipulator can move between a rotationally locked position and a released position relative to the guide body in the direction of the pivot axis, so as to move the rotationally locked body to the corresponding position.

[0083] An optimized solution based on space requirements specifies that the maneuvering body is rotatably arranged around a pivot axis and, in particular (preferably in combination with a retraction receiving portion), has a wedge-shaped surface that extends around the pivot axis through a certain angular range and varies in a direction parallel to the guiding direction.

[0084] Furthermore, the arrangement of the receiving section and the blocking surface was not described in detail.

[0085] Therefore, an advantageous solution stipulates that the receiving part and the blocking surface are arranged on the pivot support.

[0086] Furthermore, regarding the bearing of forces, the structural solution is particularly advantageous in that the control body is surrounded by the guide body and, in particular, the pivot support surrounds the guide body.

[0087] The arrangement of the rotary locking body relative to the operating body was also not described in detail.

[0088] In principle, the rotation lock body can be arranged such that it is surrounded by the manipulator.

[0089] It is also advantageous, in terms of the spatial structure of the trailer coupling according to the invention, that the rotary locking body is arranged around the operating body.

[0090] The following demonstrates a particularly advantageous structure: when the pivot support constitutes an outer body that surrounds the guide body, and is arranged immovably relative to the guide body in the direction of the pivot axis, and especially when the pivot support constitutes an outer body that surrounds at least a portion of the rotary locking unit, and is arranged immovably relative to the guide body in the direction of the pivot axis, the pivot support does not perform movement in the direction of the pivot axis during the transition of the rotary locking body from the rotary locking position to the release position and vice versa, but is arranged immovably in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0091] This arrangement of the pivot support has the advantages of the pivot support unit's own advantageous spatial structure and the relatively simple sealing of the pivot support unit, because the pivot support does not perform movement in the axial direction of the pivot axis.

[0092] Preferably, a seal is provided between the housing of the pivot support unit and at least one end of the outer body, surrounding the pivot axis, to achieve a seal against intrusion of dirt and moisture.

[0093] In one such solution, the pivot support body is simultaneously the outer body that protects and surrounds the guide body, and by arranging the outer body immovably relative to the guide body in the direction of the pivot axis, a simple seal between the outer body and the pivot support unit is achieved.

[0094] The following solution is structurally particularly advantageous, wherein the pivot support forms an outer body that surrounds a portion of the rotation locking device, and its relative guide is arranged immovably in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0095] Specifically, it is specified that the rotary locking body can be moved from the release position to the rotary locking position by the operating body.

[0096] Preferably, this manipulator is constructed such that it allows the release position of the locking body to be rotated in the release position.

[0097] In particular, another configuration of the control body specifies that it holds the rotary locking body in its rotary locking position.

[0098] To ensure that the rotary locking body is always transferred to its rotary locking position, especially when active manipulation of the manipulator is not achieved, it is preferably specified that the manipulator is loaded in the direction of its rotary locking position by means of an elastic accumulator.

[0099] In order to allow the control body to be moved from the rotary locked position to the released position at this time, it is preferably specified that the control body can be moved from the rotary locked position to the released position by means of the control device.

[0100] In particular, such movement of the control body is achieved by the control device in reverse through the loading of the accumulator, that is, the control device reacts to the loading through the accumulator and therefore must overcome the force applied by the elastic accumulator.

[0101] In particular, in the case of a rotatable control body, it is preferably specified that the control body is rotated by means of a control device in a direction opposite to the rotation caused by the elastic accumulator.

[0102] Such flexible energy storage devices can, in principle, be placed in multiple locations.

[0103] A particularly advantageous structural feature is that the elastic accumulator is arranged within the guide body.

[0104] Another structurally advantageous solution stipulates that the elastic accumulator is arranged on one side of the control body.

[0105] In this case, the flexible accumulator can be advantageously connected to the control element.

[0106] Various solutions are possible regarding the manipulation of the object.

[0107] Therefore, an advantageous solution stipulates that the control device has a driven element connected to the control body.

[0108] In principle, it is conceivable that the driven element and the control body are rigidly connected to each other.

[0109] However, it is particularly advantageous that the driven element and the operating body are connected to each other via a drive coupling device, which allows for relative movement of a restricted range of motion, particularly a restricted rotation angle, depending on the position of the driven element and the position of the operating body, especially their rotational position.

[0110] Here, the driving and connecting device can be a flexible connecting chain link.

[0111] However, what is particularly simple is that the drive connection device has an idle state and a driven state, that is to say, there is an idle state or a driven state.

[0112] The actuator for the rotary locking device, which allows the rotary locking device to be transferred from at least one rotary locking position to a release position and vice versa, is described only in a general overview in relation to the current solution.

[0113] Furthermore, it is preferably specified that the operating device for the rotary locking device includes a motor drive unit.

[0114] A motor drive unit can be provided here that is only associated with the operating device used for the rotary locking device.

[0115] However, it is particularly advantageous that the motor drive unit is configured as a pivot drive for implementing the pivoting motion of the ball neck.

[0116] For example, it is conceivable to have two motor drivers, one of which is configured to operate the rotary locking device and the other is configured to perform the pivoting motion of the ball neck.

[0117] In particular, since the drive of the rotary locking body is always implemented during the time when the pivoting movement of the ball neck should not be realized, and the pivoting movement of the ball neck is always realized when the drive of the rotary locking device is not needed, it is possible to provide a switching device that alternately switches the supplied drive power, for example from a power source, from one drive to another, so that the drive power available from a separate power supply, for example from the vehicle side, can be used to manipulate the pivoting of the rotary locking device or the pivot support.

[0118] However, in this case, the corresponding sensing device detects when the rotary locking device is in the rotary locked position or the released position, and when the ball neck is in a position corresponding to the working position or the rest position, and switches the drive power from one driver to the other according to the position detected by the sensing device.

[0119] In cases where the actuator of the rotary locking device is independent of the actuator for the pivoting motion of the pivot support, there is a problem that, in the event of disturbance, it is difficult to find a definite initial position not only for the pivoting motion of the ball neck but also for the rotary locking device.

[0120] Particularly suitable is that the driven element for driving the rotary locking device and the driven element for driving the pivoting motion of the ball neck are connected by a rotary gear transmission mechanism driven by means of a driving element.

[0121] In this situation, it is possible that the rotary gear transmission mechanism is driven by a single motor drive unit, especially a single electric drive unit.

[0122] The rotary gear transmission mechanism is preferably a planetary gear transmission mechanism.

[0123] Particularly advantageous is that the first driven element of the rotary gear transmission mechanism acts as a pivot drive for pivoting the ball neck between the working position and the rest position, and the second driven element of the rotary gear transmission mechanism acts as a servo drive on the operating body to move the operating body from the rotary locked position to the released position.

[0124] Here, the rotary gear transmission mechanism is suitably constructed such that it allows switching between a driven element for operating the rotary locking device and a driven element for performing the pivoting motion of the ball neck.

[0125] In particular, the rotary gear transmission mechanism can be used in such a way that the pivoting motion or the rotational locking device is driven by the braking of the driven element for the pivoting motion of the rotary locking device or the ball neck.

[0126] The advantage of using a rotary gear transmission mechanism is that such a rotary gear transmission mechanism can achieve switching from one driven end to another in a simple manner, and thus the drive unit (e.g., including an electric drive motor and, if necessary, a transmission mechanism) is sufficient to alternately drive the movement of the operating body via one driven end and drive the pivoting movement of the ball neck between the working position and the rest position via the other driven end.

[0127] For example, it is stipulated that the internal gear of the rotary gear transmission mechanism can be driven by a motor driver.

[0128] Furthermore, it is appropriately stipulated that the internal gear of the rotary gear transmission mechanism is connected to the driven end used for the rotary locking device.

[0129] Furthermore, it is appropriately stipulated that the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is connected to the driven end used for pivoting motion.

[0130] In order to drive the rotary locking device or drive the pivoting motion in the case of a rotary gear transmission mechanism driven by a single motor driver, it is advantageously stipulated that the pivoting motion or the driving of the rotary locking device is achieved by braking the driver of the rotary locking device or the driver of the pivoting motion.

[0131] Such braking of pivoting motion or rotational locking devices can be achieved in different forms and ways.

[0132] Braking of the pivoting motion can thus be achieved in a simple way, namely, the ball neck can be locked relative to the pivot support unit, thereby forcing braking of the pivoting motion in the locked state.

[0133] The braking of the actuator of the rotary locking device can be achieved in the most different forms and ways.

[0134] One particularly advantageous solution specifies that a stop is provided in the release position for braking the rotary locking device's actuator.

[0135] Regarding the arrangement of the rotary gear transmission mechanism, the most different solutions are conceivable.

[0136] A particularly compact solution specifies that the rotary gear transmission mechanism is arranged coaxially with the pivot axis in the pivot support unit.

[0137] Furthermore, it is preferably specified that the rotary gear transmission mechanism is arranged on the side of the operating element of the rotary locking device facing the motor driver.

[0138] For a compact structure, it is particularly necessary that, in the direction of the pivot axis, the rotary gear transmission mechanism is driven by a motor drive unit on one side and has a driven end for the actuating element on the opposite side.

[0139] Therefore, the rotary gear transmission mechanism is preferably arranged between the motor drive unit and the operating element when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0140] Furthermore, the rotary gear transmission mechanism, the elastic accumulator, and the actuating element are preferably arranged sequentially, particularly within the pivot support unit, in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0141] Therefore, the above description of the solution according to the invention particularly includes different combinations of features defined by the following numbered embodiments:

[0142] 1. A trailer coupling comprising a ball neck (10) movable between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), the ball neck being connected at a first end to a pivot support unit (20) and carrying a coupling ball (18) at a second end, wherein the ball neck (10) is pivotable between the working position (A) and the rest position (R) by means of the pivot support unit (20) in the case of pivoting about a pivot axis (22), and having a rotation locking device (50) acting between a guide (40) of the pivot support unit (20) and a pivot support body (14), the device having at least two rotation locking units (80), each having There is a rotary locking body (54) which is movably guided in the guiding direction (58) by means of a guide receiving portion (56) of a guide body (40) and is movable in the guiding direction (58) by a bearing surface (66) extending transversely to the guiding direction (58) and provided at the operating body (52), and on the other hand, it has at least two receiving portions (60), wherein the rotary locking bodies (54) of all rotary locking units (80) can be moved and loaded in the guiding direction (58) by the movement of the operating body (52) in the operating direction (72), and wherein the rotary locking bodies (54) of all rotary locking units (80) are in the working position. (A) can be brought to a rotationally locked position by movement in the guide direction (58), in which each rotationally locked body (54) engages with one of the receiving portions (60) to block the pivotal movement of the pivot support (14) and the guide (40) relative to each other about the pivot axis (22), and can be driven to a release position, in which it disengages from the corresponding receiving portion (60) and releases the relative movement between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), wherein in all the provided relative pivotal positions between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), including the rest position (R) and In addition to the working position (A), it also prevents the movement of the operating body (52) in the operating direction (72) and thus also prevents the force-loaded engagement of the rotation locking body (54) of each rotation locking unit (80) to one of the receiving portions (60), wherein a multiple locking device (270) is provided, which includes a locking body (272) that can be moved to a stationary locking position that locks the pivot support (14) and the guide (40) relative to each other in a stationary position (R), to a safety position that fixes the operating body (52) in the rotation locking position, and everywhere in an intermediate position between the stationary locking position and the safety position.

[0143] 2. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 1, wherein the locking body (272) is guided on the guide body (40) of the pivot support unit (20).

[0144] 3. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the locking body (272) is guided in a guide portion (274) arranged on the guide body (40).

[0145] 4. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the guide portion (274) for the locking body (272) is arranged in the wall region (104) of the guide body (40) adjacent to the operating body (52) and the pivot support body (14).

[0146] 5. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 3 or 4, wherein the locking body (272) is movable in the guide (274) in a direction approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22).

[0147] 6. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the locking body (272) engages in the receiving portion (284) in the pivot support body (14) in the locked position at rest.

[0148] 7. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the locking body (272) is engaged in the receiving portion (282) in the operating body (52) in the safe position.

[0149] 8. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the locking body (272) is arranged in an intermediate position between the receiving portion (282) in the operating body (52) and the receiving portion (284) in the pivot support unit (14).

[0150] 9. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 3 to 8, wherein the locking body (272) is initiated from the guide portion (274) and guided to engage with the corresponding receiving portion (282, 284) at one end (276, 278) in both the safe position and the stationary locked position.

[0151] 10. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the locking body (272) can be fixed in a safe position, an intermediate position and a stationary position by means of a locking operating device (280).

[0152] 11. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 10, wherein the locking control device (280) includes a slide guide (290) and a slide follower (292) movable through the slide guide, the slide follower being connected to the locking body (272).

[0153] 12. The trailer connector according to embodiment 11, wherein the slide follower (292) can move approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22) via the slide guide (290).

[0154] 13. The trailer connector according to embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the slide guide (290) is movable laterally to the pivot axis (22).

[0155] 14. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 11 to 13, wherein the slide guide (290) is movable by a locking operating device (280).

[0156] 15. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 14, wherein the locking control device (280) includes a body (142) that carries the slide guide (290) and is rotatably movable relative to the slide follower (292).

[0157] 16. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 11 to 15, wherein the chute guide (290) has at least one chute guide rail (312, 314) acting on the chute follower (292).

[0158] 17. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 11 to 16, wherein the chute guide (290) has two chute guide rails (312, 314) that act on the chute follower (292) and guide the chute follower therebetween.

[0159] 18. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 17, wherein two slide rails (312, 314) together fix the slide follower (292) in a predetermined safety position.

[0160] 19. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 17 or 18, wherein two slide rails (312, 314) together fix the slide follower (292) in a position of a pre-given static position locking position.

[0161] 20. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the first chute guide rail (312) includes a guide rail segment (312b) that moves the chute follower (292) from a position that determines a safety position to a position that determines an intermediate position.

[0162] 21. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 17 to 20, wherein the first chute guide rail (312) includes a guide rail segment (312d) that loads the chute follower (292) from a position that defines an intermediate position toward a position that corresponds to a stationary locked position.

[0163] 22. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 21, wherein the guide rail segment (312d) that functions toward a position corresponding to the stationary locked position is spring-loaded elastically in that direction by the slide follower (292).

[0164] 23. The trailer connector according to embodiment 22, wherein the guide rail segment (312d) is composed of a spring-elastically movable segment of the first slide rail (312).

[0165] 24. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 23, wherein, in a position corresponding to the stationary position locking position, the slide follower (292) is fixed between a spring-elastically movable guide rail segment of the first slide rail (312) and the second slide rail (314).

[0166] 25. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 17 to 24, wherein the second chute guide rail (314) has a guide rail section (314b) that moves the chute follower (292) from a position corresponding to the rest position locked position to a position corresponding to the intermediate position.

[0167] 26. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 17 to 25, wherein the second chute guide rail (314) has a guide rail section (314d) that moves the chute follower (292) from a position corresponding to the intermediate position to a position corresponding to the safety position.

[0168] 27. The trailer connector according to any one of embodiments 17 to 26, wherein the first slide rail (312) functions by the movement of the slide guide (290) in the first rotation direction (322) and the second slide rail (314) functions by the movement of the slide guide in the opposite rotation direction (324) to the first rotation direction (322).

[0169] 28. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 27, wherein the locking control device (280) can be driven by the control device (180) for rotating the locking device (50).

[0170] 29. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 28, wherein the locking control device (280) is connected to the control device (180).

[0171] 30. The trailer connector according to embodiment 28 or 29, wherein the slide rail (290) is arranged on the rotatable body (142) of the planetary gear transmission mechanism (130) of the operating device (180) for the rotary locking device (50).

[0172] 31. The trailer connector according to embodiment 30, wherein the slide rail (290) is arranged on the internal gear (142) of the planetary gear transmission mechanism (130) of the operating device (180).

[0173] 32. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the multiple locking device (270) has a sensor unit (300) for detecting the position of the locking body (272).

[0174] 33. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 32, wherein the sensor unit (300) detects the safety position, the stationary position, the locked position, and the intermediate position.

[0175] 34. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 32 or 33, wherein the sensor unit (300) is configured such that it at least distinguishes between the intermediate position and the safety position and the stationary position and the locked position, and in particular distinguishes all these positions from one another.

[0176] 35. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 32 to 34, wherein the sensor unit (300, 300') includes at least one detector (301), and more particularly two detectors (301a, 301b).

[0177] 36. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 32 to 35, wherein the sensor unit (300”) includes a magnetic field sensor (301”), in particular a magnetic field sensor (301”) for detecting the direction of a magnetic field (298) in space.

[0178] 37. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 11 to 36, wherein the slide follower (292) is connected to the locking body (272) by means of the transmission element (294).

[0179] 38. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 37, wherein the transmission element (294) is connected to the sensor control element (296).

[0180] 39. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a blocking surface (90) extends between the receiving portions (60), a rotary locking body (54) is positioned opposite to it and extends from it, the rotary locking unit (80) and the receiving portion (60) are arranged about a pivot axis (22) such that in all the relative pivot positions provided between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), including the rest position (R) and the working position (A) of at least one of the rotary locking units (80), the rotary locking body (54) is opposite to one of the blocking surfaces (90), and the blocking surface (90) blocks the movement of the operating body (52) in the operating direction (72) in particular in the case of force loading of the operating body (52) and thus also blocks the force-loaded engagement of the rotary locking body (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) to each of the receiving portions (60).

[0181] 40. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the rotary locking unit (80) is arranged around the pivot axis (22) at an angular interval (W) to form a rotary locking configuration, and the receiving portion (60) is arranged around the pivot axis (22) at the same angular interval (W) as the rotary locking unit (80) to form a receiving portion configuration, the rotary locking configuration and the receiving portion configuration overlap each other in the working position (A), such that the rotary locking body (54) can be engaged into the receiving portion (60), and the angular interval (W) between the rotary locking units (80) in the rotary locking configuration and the angular interval between the receiving portions (60) in the receiving portion configuration are selected such that the rotary locking configuration and the receiving portion configuration overlap each other only in the working position (A).

[0182] 41. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 39 or 40 above, wherein at least one of the rotary locking units (80) is not equal in angular interval (W) relative to the rotary locking unit (80) arranged adjacent to it in the rotational direction about the pivot axis (22) and relative to the rotary locking unit (80) arranged opposite to the rotational direction, and in the working position (A) the receiving portion (60) is arranged such that the rotary locking body (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) can be brought into engagement with each of the receiving portions (60) and in all relative pivotal positions provided for operation between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), including the rest position outside the working position (A), the rotary locking body (54) of at least one of the rotary locking units (80) is opposite to the blocking surface (90) extending between the receiving portions (60) and the blocking surface (90) blocks the movement of the operating body (52) from the release position to the rotary locking position, especially in the case of force loading of the operating body (52).

[0183] 42. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 41, wherein the blocking surface (90) extends toward the rotary locking body (54) of the rotary locking device (80).

[0184] 43. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 42, wherein the blocking surface (90) extends about the pivot axis (22) with a defined radius.

[0185] 44. The trailer connector according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 43, wherein the blocking surface (90) extends to the opening edge (92) of the receiving portion (60) and transitions into these opening edges.

[0186] 45. The trailer connector according to embodiment 44, wherein the opening edge (92) of the receiving portion (60) is located at the same radial distance from the pivot axis (22) as the blocking surface (90).

[0187] 46. ​​The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 45, wherein at least one of the rotation locking bodies (54) of the rotation locking unit (80) abuts against one of the blocking surfaces (90) in the case that the pivot support (14) pivots toward the working position (A), particularly abutting against one of the blocking surfaces (90) by the force of the operating body (52).

[0188] 47. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 46, wherein the rotary locking body (54) is forcefully abutted against the blocking surface (90) before reaching the working position (A) and then forcefully abutted against the opening edge (92) of the receiving portion (60) and enters the receiving portion (60).

[0189] 48. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 47, wherein the receiving portion (60) extends from the blocking surface (90) in the guide direction (58), in particular with at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis (22).

[0190] 49. The trailer connector according to any one of the foregoing embodiments 39 to 48, wherein the receiving portion (60) and the blocking surface (90) are arranged facing the guide body (40).

[0191] 50. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the guide (40) is part of a pivot support unit (20) fixedly arranged in the vehicle.

[0192] 51. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a guide receiving portion (56) for a rotary locking body (54) for a rotary locking unit (80) is arranged in the guide body (40), and / or in particular the guide direction (58) extends in at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis (22), and / or in particular the guide body (40) has a guide sleeve (44) with the guide receiving portion (56) for the rotary locking body (54) for the rotary locking unit (80), and in particular the rotary locking body (54) is guided by the guide body (40) which is closely attached to the pivot support (14) in the radial direction.

[0193] 52. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a pivot support is provided between the guide body (40) and the pivot support body (14).

[0194] 53. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the operating body (52) is movably guided relative to the guide body (40), and in particular the operating body (52) is rotatably arranged about a pivot axis (22), and particularly preferably has a wedge-shaped surface (66) that extends about the pivot axis (22) through a certain angle range and varies parallel to the guide direction (58) in combination with the retraction receiving portion (62).

[0195] 54. The trailer connector according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the receiving portion (60) and the blocking surface (90) are arranged on the pivot support body (14).

[0196] 55. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the operating body (52) is surrounded by the guide body (40), and in particular the pivot support body (14) surrounds the guide body (40), and in particular the rotation lock body (54) is arranged around the operating body (52).

[0197] 56. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the pivot support body (14) constitutes an outer body surrounding the pivot support unit (20) and is arranged immovably relative to the pivot support unit (20) in the direction of the pivot axis (22), and in particular the pivot support body (14) constitutes an outer body surrounding at least a portion of the rotation locking unit (50) and is arranged immovably relative to the guide body (40) in the direction of the pivot axis (22).

[0198] 57. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the operating body (52) is loaded in the direction of its rotationally locked position by the elastic accumulator (114), and in particular the operating body (52) can be moved from the rotationally locked position to the released position by the operating device (180), and in particular the operating body (52) can be moved by the operating device (180) in the opposite direction of the loading by the accumulator (114), and in particular the operating device (180) can be moved in the opposite direction (72) of the operating direction (72) acted by the elastic accumulator (114).

[0199] 58. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the operating body (180) has a driven element (142) connected to the operating body (52), and in particular the driven element (142) and the operating body (52) are connected to each other via a drive coupling device (156, 158), and in particular the drive coupling device (156, 158) has an idle state without drive and a driven state, and in particular the operating device (180) for the rotary locking body (50) includes a motor drive unit, and in particular the motor drive unit (182) is also provided as a pivot drive for implementing the pivot movement of the pivot support body (14), and in particular the driven element (142) for driving the rotary locking device (50) and the driven element (152) for driving the pivot movement of the pivot support body (14) are connected via a rotary gear transmission mechanism (130). Attached Figure Description

[0200] Further features and advantages of the solution according to the invention are described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0201] Figure 1 A rear view of a motor vehicle equipped with a trailer coupling according to the present invention is shown;

[0202] Figure 2 A plan view of a first embodiment of a trailer coupler according to the invention is shown with a line of sight in the direction of travel toward the trailer coupler mounted at the rear of the vehicle, wherein the trailer coupler is in its working position.

[0203] Figure 3 It shows the direction in which it is oriented along the pivot axis. Figure 2 A plan view of the trailer coupling in the middle;

[0204] Figure 4 The trailer coupling in a stationary position is shown according to Figure 2 The view;

[0205] Figure 5 It shows the direction of the pivot axis according to Figure 4A plan view of the trailer coupling in a stationary position, showing its orientation towards the trailer coupling.

[0206] Figure 6 Showing along Figure 3 A diagram of the cross-section of line 6-6 in the diagram;

[0207] Figure 7 Shows the position along Figure 6 The cross section of line 7-7 in the middle;

[0208] Figure 8 The image shows a similar figure in the release position with the manipulator at maximum rotation. Figure 7 A diagram of the cross-section;

[0209] Figure 9 This illustrates a situation where the pivot support slightly pivots out of its working position, with the maximum rotating manipulator. Figure 8 The illustration;

[0210] Figure 10 It shows a similar design with a control body under the action of a torsion spring. Figure 8 The illustration;

[0211] Figure 11 This shows a pivoting position similar to that of a pivot support with further pivoting motion toward a rest position. Figure 8 The illustration;

[0212] Figure 12 This shows a pivoting position similar to that of a pivot support with further pivoting motion toward a rest position. Figure 8 The illustration;

[0213] Figure 13 This shows a pivoting position similar to that of a pivot support with further pivoting motion toward a rest position. Figure 8 The illustration;

[0214] Figure 14 Showing a similar effect in a stationary position Figure 7 The illustration;

[0215] Figure 1 5 shows the section without support plate and retaining ring. Figure 6 The cross section of line 1.5-15 in the middle;

[0216] Figure 16 A perspective view showing the internal gear and the drive sleeve that meshes with it;

[0217] Figure 17 An exploded perspective view of the pivot support with a cover is shown;

[0218] Figure 18 This shows the working position of the locking body in the safe position. Figure 6 The enlarged cross section;

[0219] Figure 19 This shows the situation where the locking body is in the middle position, according to Figure 6 The enlarged cross section;

[0220] Figure 20 This shows a situation where the locking body is in a stationary locked position, similar to the situation in the stationary position. Figure 18 The enlarged cross section;

[0221] Figure 21 shows the initial position of the internal gear;

[0222] Figure 21a A perspective diagram showing the interaction between the internal gear and the locking mechanism and the rotary locking mechanism;

[0223] Figure 21b A plan view of the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is shown, with the side of the drive sleeve facing the gear.

[0224] Figure 21c The internal gear is shown according to Figure 21b A perspective diagram illustrating the interaction between the detection of the position of the locking body and the position of the locking body.

[0225] Figure 22 shows the relative initial position of the internal gear after the safety release position is neutralized by the first position rotated and the locking body in the intermediate position without acting on the rotation locking device.

[0226] Figure 22a A perspective diagram showing the interaction between the internal gear and the locking mechanism and the rotary locking mechanism;

[0227] Figure 22b A plan view of the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is shown, with the side of the drive sleeve facing the gear.

[0228] Figure 22c The internal gear is shown according to Figure 22b A perspective diagram illustrating the interaction between the detection of the position of the locking body and the position of the locking body.

[0229] Figure 23 shows the locking body in the position where the internal gear is rotated to its maximum relative initial position and in the intermediate position when the rotary locking device is in the released position;

[0230] Figure 23a A perspective diagram showing the interaction between the internal gear and the locking mechanism and the rotary locking mechanism;

[0231] Figure 23bA plan view of the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is shown, with the side of the drive sleeve facing the gear.

[0232] Figure 23c The internal gear is shown according to Figure 23b A perspective diagram illustrating the interaction between the detection of the position of the locking body and the position of the locking body.

[0233] Figure 24 shows the position in which the internal gear is rotated relative to the initial position and in the locked position in the rest position when the pivot support is in the rest position.

[0234] Figure 24a A perspective diagram showing the interaction between the internal gear and the locking mechanism and the rotary locking mechanism;

[0235] Figure 24b A plan view of the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is shown, with the side of the drive sleeve facing the gear.

[0236] Figure 24c The internal gear is shown according to Figure 24b A perspective diagram illustrating the interaction between the detection of the position of the locking body and the position of the locking body.

[0237] Figure 25 shows the transition from the initial position relative to Figure 24 of the internal gear to the position of rotation back, neutralization, activation of the stationary position, locking position, and intermediate position.

[0238] Figure 25a The internal gear is shown according to Figure 25b A perspective diagram illustrating the interaction between the detection of the position of the locking body and the position of the locking body.

[0239] Figure 25b A plan view of the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is shown, with the side of the drive sleeve facing the gear.

[0240] Figure 25c The internal gear is shown according to Figure 25a A perspective diagram showing the interaction between the fixed device and the rotary locking device in the position;

[0241] Figure 26 shows the initial position of the internal gear, the rotational locking device after it has moved to the rotational locking position, and the safety position of the locking body.

[0242] Figure 26a The internal gear is shown according to Figure 25b A perspective diagram illustrating the interaction between the detection of the position of the locking body and the position of the locking body.

[0243] Figure 26b A plan view of the internal gear of the planetary gear transmission mechanism is shown, with the side of the drive sleeve facing the gear.

[0244] Figure 26cThe internal gear is shown according to Figure 26a A perspective view showing the position of the device in conjunction with the fixing device and the rotary locking device.

[0245] Figure 27 shows a second embodiment of a sensor unit with a position indication element;

[0246] Figure 27a This shows a scenario where the safety device is being detected;

[0247] Figure 27b This shows the case where the detection is performed at the intermediate position;

[0248] Figure 27c This illustrates the scenario where the position is locked in a stationary position.

[0249] Figure 28 shows a third embodiment of a sensor unit with a position indication element;

[0250] Figure 28a This shows a scenario where the safety device is being detected;

[0251] Figure 28b This shows the case where the detection is performed at the intermediate position;

[0252] Figure 28c This shows the case where the position is locked in a stationary position. Detailed Implementation

[0253] A first embodiment of the trailer coupling AK according to the present invention for motor vehicles (in...) Figure 1 In 2 and 3, it is shown in work position A and in Figure 4 and 5 (shown in the resting position R) includes a ball neck, which is held at a first end 12 on a pivot support unit 20 and carries a connecting ball, which is held at a second end 16, and the connecting ball receiving portion of the trailer can be fixed at the second end.

[0254] The ball neck 10 is pivotally supported relative to the vehicle by a pivot support unit, indicated as a whole by 20, about a pivot axis 22 and a bracket 24 fixed to the vehicle. The bracket 24 preferably has a support plate 26 holding the pivot support unit 20, which preferably extends in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis 22, and has a vehicle-fixed crossbeam 28, which can be fixed to the rear region H of the vehicle body F in a known manner. More precisely, this positions the pivot support unit 20 and the bracket 24 on the side of the lower edge 30 of the bumper unit 36 ​​facing away from the lane surface F0, and is covered by the bumper unit 36. Figure 3 ).

[0255] exist Figure 1 and 2In the working position shown, the ball neck 10 covers the lower edge 30 of the bumper unit 36 ​​from below with the segment 32 immediately following the first end 12, so that the second end 16 and the connecting ball 18 together with the socket receiving portion 34 are on the side of the rear bumper unit 36 ​​away from the vehicle body F, while in the stationary position, not only the pivot support unit 20 but also the entire ball neck 10 together with the connecting ball 18 is covered by the rear bumper unit 36 ​​to prevent it from being seen from the rear.

[0256] As in Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the pivot support unit 20 includes a pivot support body 14 on one hand and a guide body 40 on the other. For example, the guide body 40 with a flange 42 is firmly connected to the support plate 26 and has a guide sleeve 44 extending from the flange 42 away from the support plate 26. The pivot support body 14 is rotatably supported on the guide sleeve about the pivot axis 20, and the ball neck 10 is held on the pivot support body.

[0257] Alternatively, it is equally conceivable to securely connect the pivot support 14 to the flange 42 and to arrange a ball neck on the guide body 40.

[0258] The guide sleeve 44 includes a cylindrical outer surface 46, on which the pivot support 14 rests with a cylindrical inner surface 48 to facilitate rotational guidance about the pivot axis 22, thereby allowing the pivot support 14 and the guide 40 to rotate relative to each other and thus the ball neck 10 to be pivoted from the working position A to the rest position R and vice versa.

[0259] In its fixed assembly, the guide body 40 includes a protrusion 41 extending through a through-hole 27 in the support plate 26, which carries a receiving portion 43 on the side opposite to the flange 42 that follows the protrusion 41 for fixing a retaining ring 45 thereon, such that the guide body 40 passes through the protrusion 41 due to its non-rotationally symmetrical and radially varying outer contour 47 ( Figure 15 It is positioned in the support plate 26 in a form-fitting, torsionally resistive manner in the corresponding shaped opening 27 and is fixed thereto by a flange 42 and a retaining ring 45 abutting against the opposite side of the support plate 26.

[0260] Therefore, the guide body 40, through its robust connection with the support plate 26 and the bracket 24, constitutes a slewing support for vehicle fixation of the pivot support body 14.

[0261] In order to fix the pivot support 14 and the guide 40 relative to each other in the working position A, the pivot support unit 20 is provided with a rotation locking device as an integral part, indicated by 50. Figures 7 to 14It has an operating body 52 and a plurality of rotary locking bodies 54 that can be loaded through the operating body 52, wherein each rotary locking body is movably guided in a guide receiving portion 56 of a guide sleeve 44 in a guide direction 58 extending generally radially to the pivot axis 22.

[0262] Preferably, at least the rotation locking body 54 and the guide receiving portion 56 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a geometric plane that extends perpendicular to the pivot axis 22 and intersects with the rotation locking body 54, the geometric plane being in... Figures 7 to 14 The middle corresponds to the drawing plane.

[0263] Furthermore, the rotary locking device 50 includes a receiving portion 60 extending inward from the inner surface 48 of the pivot support 14, particularly in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis 22, wherein the rotary locking body 54 is in the working position A so that it can be brought into engagement, wherein the receiving portion 60 has walls with smaller spacing to each other in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis 22.

[0264] As with Figures 7 to 14 As illustrated in the first embodiment, if, for example, the rotary locking device 50 includes a set of three rotary locking bodies 54a, 54b, and 54c, then the guide sleeve 44 has a corresponding set of three guide receptacles 56a, 56b, and 56c, wherein the rotary locking bodies 54a, 54b, and 54c are displaceably guided in a guide direction 58 extending generally radially to the pivot axis 22, and the pivot support 14 is provided with a set of receptacles 60a, 60b, and 60c, with which the rotary locking bodies 54a, 54b, and 54c can be brought into engagement in the working position A.

[0265] For proper movement and positioning of the rotary locking body 54 in the guide direction 58, the operating body 52 is provided with a set (e.g., three in total) of retraction receiving portions 62a, 62b, and 62c corresponding to the number of rotary locking bodies 54, and three bearing surfaces 66a, 66b, and 66c adjacent to the retraction receiving portions 62a, 62b, and 62c in the rotation direction 64, which are configured as wedge-shaped surfaces acting radially to the pivot axis 22, wherein the rotary locking body 54 can be immersed in the retraction receiving portions 62a, 62b, and 62c to such an extent in its released position ( Figure 8This prevents it from extending beyond the outer surface 46 of the guide sleeve 44, and wherein the pressure-bearing surfaces 66a, 66b, 66c extend radially outward relative to the pivot axis 22 in a manner that gradually increases in the direction of rotation 64 from the radially inner starting regions 68a, 68b, and 68c adjacent to their respective retraction receiving portions 62, until the respective radially outer end regions 70a, 70b, and 70c, and thus act as wedge surfaces on the rotary locking body 54 in the case of the rotational movement of the operating body 52, so as to move it into its rotary locking position.

[0266] Preferably, the bearing surface 66 extends relative to the pivot axis 22 as a spiral or involute segment.

[0267] In order to hold the rotary locking body 54 in its rotary locked position or in its released position, or to allow it to be immersed in the retraction receiving portion 62, by loading it onto the bearing surface 66 between the starting region 68 and the end region 70, the operating body 52 is also rotatable about the pivot axis 22, and more precisely, coaxial with the pivot axis, such that the set of retraction receiving portions 62a, 62b and 62c face the rotary locking body 54 and are as if in Figure 8 As shown, in its inactive or released position, it provides the possibility that, in the case of moving to the released position, it is immersed radially into the retraction receiving portion 62 relative to the pivot axis 22, so as to open the possibility of leaving the receiving portion 60 for the corresponding rotational locking body 54 and releasing the receiving portion 60 together with the pivot support 14 in view of the rotation about the pivot axis 22 relative to the guide body 40, thereby allowing the pivot support 14 and the ball neck 10 to rotate freely and unimpeded relative to the guide sleeve 44, as shown in Figure 8 As shown in the figure, in this case, the rotating locking body 54 does not extend beyond the outer surface 46 of the guide sleeve 44.

[0268] When the operating body 52 is in the case of the rotary locking body 54 in the retraction receiving portion 62, the rotation in the rotation direction 72 opposite to the rotation direction 64 causes the rotary locking body 54 to move out of the retraction receiving portion 62 and first sit on the starting region 68 of the pressure surface 66 in the active position or rotary locking position of the operating body 52. ​​However, it has been immersed in the receiving portion 60 for example and thus the free rotation of the pivot support 14 relative to the guide body 40 is prohibited in its rotary locking position.

[0269] If the operating body 52 continues to rotate in a rotation direction 72 opposite to the rotation direction 64, the radial area of ​​the bearing surface 66 relative to the pivot axis 22 outside always acts further on the rotary locking body 54 and thus gradually presses the rotary locking body 54 into the receiving portions 60a, 60b and 60c in the working position A of the ball neck 10. Figure 7 This allows for a substantially gapless fixation of the pivot support 14 relative to the guide 40 (in this case, relative to the guide sleeve 44).

[0270] In the rotationally locked position of the rotational locking body 54, the manipulator 52 is in its activated position such that the rotational locking body 54 (as in...) Figure 7 As shown in the figure, it is located approximately on the middle region 76 between the starting region 68 and the end region 70 of the bearing surface 66 and is loaded thereon.

[0271] To enable the possibility of optimally loading each of the three rotary locking bodies 54 for the operating body 52, the operating body 52 is configured to be centered in the active position according to the position of the rotary locking bodies 54. In particular, the operating body 52 is supported in the guide sleeve 44 such that the operating body 52 can self-align relative to the position of the rotary locking bodies 54 within the guide body 40 due to radial clearance, which is caused by manufacturing tolerances. The self-alignment of the operating body 52 may be slightly offset by the coaxial arrangement relative to the geometric pivot axis 22.

[0272] Due to self-alignment, the rotating locking bodies 54a, 54b and 54c act on the receiving portions 60a, 60b and 60c with approximately the same magnitude in their respective guide directions 58a, 58b and 58c, thereby causing the reaction force acting on the operating body 52 to be approximately the same magnitude.

[0273] Preferably, the rotation locking body 54 is configured as a ball, which thus abuts against the operating body 52 on one side and against the receiving portion 60 on the other side.

[0274] Therefore, it is only important to realize a rotatable support with clearance for the operating body 52 relative to the pivot axis 22, which is mainly important when the operating body 52 holds the rotary locking body 54 in the released position, in which the rotary locking body 54 is immersed in the retraction receiving portion 62 of the operating body 52.

[0275] In order to ensure that the control body 52 always moves in the rotational direction 72 without external action, wherein the rotation locking body 54 moves toward the rotation locking position, the control body 52 is loaded by the torsion spring 114. Figure 6 The torsion spring acts on the operating body 52 on one hand and is radially externally supported at the guide body 40 on the other hand.

[0276] The torsion spring 114 also causes the following: the operating body 52 presses the rotation locking body 54 into the receiving portion 60 with force and thus the pivot support body 14 is fixed without gaps, wherein the gaplessness is maintained even in the case of the geometry of the receiving portion 60 changing due to the load during operation by the continued rotation of the operating body 52 in the rotation direction 72.

[0277] For example, three guide housings 56 and rotary locking bodies 54 arranged therein, and correspondingly associated with these rotary locking bodies 54, retraction housings 62 and pressure-bearing surfaces 66 in the operating body 52 adjacent thereto, respectively constitute three rotary locking units 80, which are arranged relative to each other at unequal angular intervals Wab, Wbc, Wca (with respect to the corresponding central axes Ma, Mb, Mc) around the pivot axis 22. Thus, with respect to the pivot axis 22 as the axis of rotation, the rotary locking configuration of the rotary locking units 80 causes the rotary locking units 80 to overlap only when the rotary locking configuration is rotated 360°.

[0278] For example, the angular interval Wab = 120°, the angular interval Wbc = 137° and the angular interval Wca = 103°, which means that the deviation from the same angular interval is 17°.

[0279] In the case of, for example, three rotary locking units, the deviation from the same angular interval can be as high as 30° or more, thus angular intervals such as Wab = 120°, Wbc = 150° and Wca = 90° are possible.

[0280] Similarly, the receiving portions 60 are arranged opposite each other at the same angular intervals about the pivot axis 22 in a receiving configuration, and their respective receiving configurations coincide only when rotated 360° about the pivot axis 22, so that they coincide in the rotation locking configuration in the working position, thereby making each rotation locking body 54 of one of the rotation locking units 80 opposite to one of the receiving portions 60 in the working position A and able to engage with it in the rotation locking position, as in Figure 7 As shown, the pivot support 14 is thus torsionally fixed relative to the pivot support unit 20. Figure 7 ).

[0281] However, if the operating body 52 is moved to the release position from the working position A by the force acting on the torsion spring 114, as described below, then each of the rotation locking bodies 54 of the corresponding rotation locking unit 80 has the possibility of being immersed in and disengaged from the corresponding retraction receiving portion 62, thereby allowing the pivot support body 14 to be pivoted out of the working position about the pivot axis 22. Figure 8 ).

[0282] Once the pivot support 14 leaves the working position A ( Figure 9 The rotary locking unit 80, arranged relative to the pivot axis 22 in the rotary locking configuration, no longer has the possibility of engaging with the entire housing 60 arranged in the housing configuration. Therefore, when the operating body 52 is loaded in the rotation direction 72, the entire rotary locking body 54 in the retractable housing 62 can no longer engage with the entire housing 60. This is because although the rotary locking body 54 can be loaded toward the pivot support 14 by the operating body 52 loaded in the rotation direction 72 by the torsion spring 114, especially by the curved base surface of the retractable housing 62 extending in the guide direction 58, in each of the rotational positions of the pivot support 14 other than the working position A, the rotary locking body 54... The entire rotating locking body 54 is no longer positioned opposite to the individual receptacles 60 in the entire receptacle 60, and thus at least one of the rotating locking bodies 54 is always blocked by a blocking surface 90 extending between the receptacles 60, which in the simplest case is formed by the cylindrical inner surface 48 of the pivot support 14, and thereby prevents the rotation of the operating body 52 in the rotation direction 72 caused by the torsion spring 114, so that the operating body 52 is thus held in the released position in all pivot positions of the pivot support 14 other than the working position A even when the torsion spring 114 is acting in the rotation direction 72, and thus can only be moved back to the rotating locking position when the working position A is reached.

[0283] Preferably, the rotation locking configuration of the rotation locking unit 80 and the receiving configuration of the receiving portion 60 deviate from the symmetrical structure to such a large extent that when one of the rotation locking units 80 is positioned opposite one of the receiving portions 60, so that the rotation locking body 54 can engage with the receiving portion 60, at least one, preferably at least two, rotation locking units 80 are offset in the rotational direction relative to the nearest receiving portion 60 to such an extent that the contact point of the rotation locking body 54 associated with the rotation locking unit 80 is on one of the blocking surfaces 90 and not in the region of one of the receiving portions 60, thereby ensuring reliable blocking of the operating body 52 by the blocking surface 90 acting in the release position, especially when the operating body 52 is loaded in the rotational direction 72 by the torsion spring 114.

[0284] If the actuating body 52 is acted upon in a direction of rotation 64 opposite to that of the torsion spring 114 and is twisted to its maximum extent, then the rotation locking body 54 is positioned with a gap between the corresponding blocking surface 90 and the retraction receiving portion 62 in all rotational positions of the pivot support body 14, as in Figure 9 As shown in the diagram.

[0285] However, when the action of the torsion spring 114 dominates in the rotational direction 72, even in the case of pivoting from the working position A to the resting position R, there exists a situation similar to its position in the corresponding rotational position of the pivot support 14. Figures 10 to 14 The situation shown in the figure.

[0286] Figures 9 to 14 All are shown as follows: in each of the pivot positions of the pivot support 14, the actuating body is held in the release position by at least two rotational locking bodies 54 abutting against one of the blocking surfaces 90, and one of the rotational locking bodies 54 (e.g., Figure 11 Rotary locking body 54c in Figure 12 Rotary locking body 54a and Figure 13 The rotating locking body 54b can be engaged with its respective aligning receiving portion 60.

[0287] In any case, at the rest position R( Figure 14 In the case of pivoting to working position A, there exists a basis... Figures 9 to 14 In the case where, by rotating the locking body 54, according to Figure 9 The blocking surface at 90° is in contact with the pivot point as it rotates from the rest position R back to the working position A, according to... Figures 14 to 9 The sequence of events allows the rotating locking body 54 to slide into the receiving portion 60 via the blocking surface 90 through the opening edge 92 directly and, in particular, steplessly adjacent to it, with minimal noise generation, and then transfers it according to... Figure 7 In the rotational locking position.

[0288] The guide sleeve 44 preferably extends between the flange 42 and the flange 104 that closes the guide sleeve 44 radially in the direction of the pivot axis 22, with a segment forming a receiving portion 102 for the operating body 52. ​​The flange is preferably molded onto the guide sleeve 44 in one piece and restricts the receiving portion 102 for the operating body 52, so that the operating body 52 is guided radially in the direction of the pivot axis 22 through the receiving portion 102 of the guide sleeve 44 and axially in the direction of the pivot axis 22 by abutment on the inner side 108 of the flange 104.

[0289] In addition, flange 104 also has a receiving portion 106 coaxial with pivot axis 22, in which a bushing 110, which is penetrated by pivot drive shaft 100, is inserted, or in particular screwed into, the receiving portion 106.

[0290] On the side of the receiving portion 102 for the operating body 52 opposite to the flange 104, the guide sleeve 44 (e.g., with a segment passing through the flange 42) forms a torsion spring receiving portion 112, in which the torsion spring 114 is arranged close to the operating body 52, with its outer end fixed in the torsion spring receiving portion 112 and its inner end connected to the drive sleeve 122, which is torsionally connected to the operating body 52.

[0291] Therefore, drive sleeve 122 is as follows Figure 6 As shown in 7 and 16, for example, a protrusion 124 is provided, which is shaped to fit into the corresponding groove 126 and engages with the operating body 52.

[0292] Since the torsion spring 114 acts on the drive sleeve 122 which is anti-torsionally engaged with the operating body 52, the operating body 52 is driven in the rotation direction 72 by the action of the torsion spring 114 on the drive sleeve 122. Thus, when the force of the torsion spring 114 on the drive sleeve 122 is not obstructed, the operating body 52 will always be loaded in the rotation direction 72. As a result, the operating body tends to apply force to the rotary locking body in the guide direction 58, causing it to move radially outward away from the pivot axis 22. In all the preset rotation positions of the pivot support 14 (except for the working position A), this movement is blocked by the blocking surface 90. Therefore, only in the working position A is the rotary locking body 54 pressed into the receiving part 60, and thus the pivot support 14 is fixed anti-torsionally and especially without gaps relative to the guide sleeve 44.

[0293] In order for the rotary locking body 54 to be moved to the released position, it is necessary for the operating body 52 to act in the opposite direction of rotation 72 and therefore in the opposite direction of torsion spring 114.

[0294] Therefore, the drive sleeve 122 can be driven by means of a planetary gear transmission mechanism 130, which is indicated as a whole by 130. Figure 6 The transmission mechanism is arranged coaxially with the pivot axis 22 in a transmission mechanism housing 132 of the guide sleeve 44, for example partially arranged in the through 27 of the support plate 26, and preferably extends away from the through 27 of the support plate 26 on the side opposite to the flange 42.

[0295] Planetary gear transmission mechanism 130 ( Figure 15 The device itself includes an internal gear 142, which is guided within the transmission mechanism housing 132 and has internal teeth 144. The planetary gear 146 meshes with the internal teeth with its external teeth 148.

[0296] Here, the planetary gear 146 is rotatably held on the planetary gear carrier 152 and is torsionally connected to the pivot drive shaft 100, so that the planetary gear carrier 152 constitutes the driven end of the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130 for implementing the pivoting of the ball neck 100.

[0297] In addition, as in Figure 16 As shown, the internal gear 142 includes a flange 154 located between the planetary gear carrier 152 and the torsion spring 114, which also extends in the direction of the pivot drive shaft 100, surrounds the pivot drive shaft, and is rotatable relative to the pivot drive shaft and is the driven end of the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130 for operating the rotary locking device 50.

[0298] As in Figure 16 As shown, the flange body 154 has arc-shaped drive grooves 156a and 156b arranged annularly around the pivot axis 22, which cooperate with drive fingers 158a and 158b into which the drive sleeve 122 engages. It is designed such that the free travel of the drive sleeve 122 relative to the internal gear 142 can be achieved by the difference between the angular range through which the drive groove 156 extends around the pivot axis 22 and the angular range through which the drive fingers 158 extend around the pivot axis 22, which will be described in more detail below.

[0299] Furthermore, the planetary gear 146 engages with the external teeth 164 of the sun gear 162 of the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130 via its external teeth 148. The sun gear is located on a drive shaft, which is integrally represented by 166. This drive shaft is arranged coaxially with the pivot axis 22 and is rotatable relative to the pivot drive shaft 100, for example by means of a journal 168 in a bore 172 at the end of the pivot drive shaft 100, which engages with the end of the pivot drive shaft 100, while being supported coaxially with the pivot drive shaft.

[0300] The drive shaft 166 carries the drive gear 174 (e.g., a bevel gear) at a distance from the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130. The drive gear 174 is driven by the driven gear of the motor drive unit 182, which includes, for example, a drive motor, preferably an electric motor, and on the other hand, a reduction gearbox for driving the drive gear.

[0301] The drive unit 182 is held, for example, at the cover 184, which extends from the support plate 26 to cover the drive shaft 166 with the drive gear 174 and the driven gear meshing therewith, and further supports the drive shaft 166 on the side opposite to the journal 168.

[0302] Therefore, the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130 and the drive unit 182 further constitute, for example, an operating device 180 for rotating the locking body 50.

[0303] A pivot drive shaft 100, which is torsionally connected to the planetary gear carrier 152, passes through the flange 104 of the guide body 40 as described, and is torsionally connected to the drive body 194 at an end 192 that protrudes beyond the bushing 110. Figure 17 and 18 The drive body has two drive arms 196a and 196b that extend toward the end flange 198 of the pivot support 14, which covers the outer region 200 of the flange 104 of the guide body 40 and engages in its groove in a shaped fit to establish a torsional connection between the drive body 194 and the pivot support 14.

[0304] Here, the end flange 198 crosses the flange 104 of the guide body 40 in the outer region 200 and extends to the guide protrusion 202 of the flange 104, wherein the end flange 198 surrounds, for example, the outer cylindrical surface 206 surrounding the guide protrusion 202 with a radially inner cylindrical surface 204, and abuts there, and is thus also additionally guided coaxially with the pivot axis 22 at the guide protrusion 202.

[0305] Furthermore, a thread 212 extends in the receiving portion 106 of the guide protrusion 202, and the bushing 110 is fixed, in particular screwed into the thread. The outer flange 214 portion of the bushing crosses the end flange 198 in the radially inward region, thereby making the end flange 198 of the pivot support 14 axially immovable between the flange 104 and the outer flange 214 of the bushing 110 and thus axially immovable relative to the guide body 40.

[0306] A cover 222 is additionally mounted to the end flange 198 in a torsion-resistant manner, which spans the drive body 194 with the drive arm and forms a bearing seat 224 for the end 192 of the guide shaft 100, thereby making the cover 222 and the pivot support 14 form a unit rotatable about the pivot axis 22. Figure 17 ).

[0307] Here, the cover 222 is placed on the end flange 198 and is torsionally secured to the end flange 198.

[0308] In the above solution, there is only one set of receiving portion 60 for fixing the pivot support 14 torsionally in the working position A, while in the static position R, the pivot support 14 is not fixed by the rotation locking device 50.

[0309] For reliable operation of the trailer coupling according to the invention, a multi-locking device, indicated as a whole by 270, is provided, which includes a locking body 272 that is itself guided in the displacement direction 295, for example in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 22, in the flange 104 of the guide sleeve 44 of the guide body 40 located between the end flange 198 of the pivot support 14 and the operating body 52, or in a guide portion 274 at the flange 104, for example, a hole.

[0310] As in Figure 18 As shown, when the operating body is in the rotationally locked position and thus the pivot support 14 with ball neck 10 is fixed in the working position, the locking body 272 can be positioned such that its first end 276 facing the operating body 52 in the safety position can be engaged from the guide 274 into the receiving portion 282 of the operating body 52.

[0311] In addition, locked body 272, as in Figure 19 As shown, it can be moved to an intermediate position, in which its first end 276 no longer engages with the recess 282 of the operating body 52, but is preferably positioned in the displacement direction 295 within the recess of the flange 104.

[0312] Furthermore, the locking body 272 is held in the intermediate position with the second end 278, which is opposite to the first end 276, in a non-locking position, and is preferably also positioned within the recess in the displacement direction 295. Figure 19 ).

[0313] Furthermore, the locking body 272 can be displaced relative to the guide portion 274 in the displacement direction 295 such that it engages with the receiving portion 284 of the end flange 198 of the pivot support 14 at its second end 278, more precisely only when the pivot support 14 and therefore the same ball neck 10 are in the rest position. Figure 20 When ), the locking body 272 is in the stationary locked position.

[0314] Therefore, the use of the multiple locking device 270 makes it possible to fix the operating body 52 in its rotational locked position in the safety position by means of the locking body 272 in its displacement direction 295 by means of the locking body 272, and thus make it possible to further fix the operating body 52, which is already spring-loaded in the rotational locked position. On the other hand, it is possible to not perform the locking function in the intermediate position and to lock the pivot support 14 in the stationary locked position, and thus similarly lock the ball neck 10 in the stationary position.

[0315] The movement of the locking body 272 is achieved by means of the locking operating device 280, which is connected to the operating unit 180 for rotating the locking device 50.

[0316] The locking control device 280 includes a slide guide 290 as an integral part, wherein the slide guide 290 acts on a slide follower 292, which in turn acts on a transmission element 294 of the locking control device 280 that is connected to the locking body 272 and is also movable in the displacement direction 295, so that the locking body 272 can be moved to a safe position, an intermediate position, and a stationary locked position by the locking control device 280.

[0317] Preferably, the slide guide 290 is arranged on the periphery of the internal gear 142 of the operating unit 180, which is part of the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130. On the one hand, it is used to drive the operating body 52 of the rotary locking device 50 via the drive sleeve 122, and on the other hand, it is used to pivot the pivot support 14 via the pivot drive shaft 100 driven by the planetary gear carrier 152 connected thereto.

[0318] As shown in Figure 21, especially Figure 21a As shown, the operating body 52 is positioned in the rotational locking position of the rotational locking device 50 such that it loads the rotational locking body 54 in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis 22 and moves the rotational locking body in the guide direction 58 into the provided receiving portion 60 so as to fix the pivot support body 14 anti-torsional relative to the pivot axis 22 in the working position A.

[0319] Therefore, in particular, the pressure-bearing surface 66 of the operating body 52 acts on the rotary locking body 54, as in the same way... Figure 21a As shown in the diagram.

[0320] Here, for example, the first end 276 of the locking body 272 engages with the recess 282 therein to fix the rotational position of the operating body 52, which is located next to the retraction receiving portion 62 and the pressure bearing surface 66 of the rotating locking body 54 immediately following in the peripheral direction.

[0321] In addition, as in Figure 21aAs shown, the slide guide 290 includes slide guide rails 312 and 314 arranged facing each other on the periphery side of the internal gear 142. Positioning segments 312a and 314e extend relative to each other to position the slide follower 292 in the safe position of the locking body 272. That is, the slide follower 292 is thus precisely positioned in the safe position between these positioning segments 312a and 314e of the two slide guide rails 312 and 314, and there is no possibility that it could move to an intermediate or stationary locked position in its displacement direction 295, for example, in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 22. Thus, the locking body 272 is immovably positioned in the safe position by the precisely defined positioning transmission element 294 of the slide follower 292, and thus additionally secures the operating body 52.

[0322] Furthermore, the transmission element 294, as in Figure 21c As shown, it extends to the sensor manipulation element 296, which, in the case of the first embodiment of the sensor unit 300 (including the evaluation unit 308 and the sensor 301), and in the case of the transmission element 294 moving in the displacement direction 295, manipulates the sensor 301 by means of a mechanically movable position indication element 298 relative to the sensor 301.

[0323] In particular, in the case shown where the position indicator element 298 is configured as a detector, the sensor 301 has a first detection surface 302, a second detection surface 304 protruding towards the sensor 301 transverse to the displacement direction 295' relative to the first detection surface 302, and a third detection surface 306 constructed and extended in accordance with the first detection surface. This results in the first detection surface 302 and the third detection surface 306 generating the same first signal in their cooperation with the sensor 301, while the second detection surface 304 generates a second signal different from the first signal due to its protrusion relative to the first detection surface 302 and the third detection surface 306.

[0324] For example, the first detection surface 302 is used to detect the safety position, the second detection surface 304 is used to detect the intermediate position, and the third detection surface 306 is used to detect the stationary position and the locked position. In the simplest case, the first detection surface 302 and the third detection surface 306, which extend relative to the displacement direction 295, generate the same first sensing signal of the sensor 301, while the second detection surface 304, which protrudes relative to the displacement direction 295, generates another second sensing signal of the sensor 301.

[0325] Such an external Figure 21bAs shown, in the initial position of the internal gear 142 of the planetary gear mechanism 130, the drive fingers 158a and 158b engaged in the drive slots 156a and 156b abut against the drive tabs 157a and 157b separating the drive slots 156a and 156b, that is, the drive of the internal gear 142 does not initially cause the drive fingers 158a and 158b to move, because the internal gear 142 moves in the rotational direction 322, and the drive tabs 157a and 157b in the internal gear move away from the drive fingers 158a and 158b, as shown in... Figure 22b As can be discerned in the text.

[0326] This causes the follower 292 of the slide to move along the moving section 312b of the slide guide rail 312. Figure 22a The displacement of the follower 292 and the transmission element 294 is such that the locking body 272 moves out of the recess 282 in the operating body 52 to the intermediate position, in which the locking body moves as if in Figure 19 As shown, it neither engages with the first end 276 in the recess 282 in the operating body 52 nor with the second end 278 in the recess 284 in the flange 198 of the pivot support 14.

[0327] In the intermediate position predetermined by the positioning segment 312c, the manipulator 52 is not fixed to prevent further rotation.

[0328] After cancellation is achieved by reaching the end of the removed segment 312a and the safety position, as in Figure 22b As shown, further rotation of the internal gear 142 causes the drive tabs 157a and 157b to act on the drive fingers 158b or 158a, and these drive fingers can be further rotated in the rotation direction 322.

[0329] The achievement of the intermediate position further results in the following: the displacement of the sensor manipulation element 296 is simultaneously realized through the displacement of the transmission element 294 for the movement of the locking body 272. This causes the sensor manipulation element 296 to act on the sensor 300 with the second detection surface 304 and thus be able to identify the intermediate position, as in Figure 22c As shown in the diagram.

[0330] Further rotation of the internal gear 142 in the rotation direction 322 causes the drive contacts 157a and 157b to load the drive fingers 158a or 158b and thus causes the cancellation of the rotation lock position, so that the rotation lock body 54 can be immersed in the retraction receiving portion 62 of the operating body 52 and is therefore no longer loaded in the radial direction by the bearing surface 66.

[0331] Therefore, the rotation locking position of the rotation locking device 50 is cancelled.

[0332] Through this further rotation of the internal gear 142, the slide follower 292 further follows the loading section 312d of the slide guide 312, which is constructed in the form of a spring elastic element, such as a leaf spring, however, as by Figure 23a and Figure 22a The comparison shows that the spring of the follower 292 in the groove is first elastically loaded, thereby causing it (as in...) Figure 23a and 23c As can be identified in the text, the following is first permitted: the locking body 272 is blocked by the movement of the locking body 272 through the end flange 198 of the pivot support body 14m (as in...). Figure 19 (As shown in the diagram) It remains in the middle position.

[0333] The possibility that the spring force of the loading segment 312b, which acts elastically, first loads the slide follower 292 without displacing the locking body 272 is thus necessary, that is, although the rotational locking position of the rotational locking device 50 is released, the rotation of the pivot support 14 has not yet been realized, and therefore the end flange 198 does not allow the locking body 272 to be displaced to the stationary locking position.

[0334] Such rotation of the pivot support 14 is achieved based on the following practical situation, namely, by... Figure 23b As shown in the rotation position, the manipulator 52 is moved to its release position against the force of the torsion spring 114, but remains in the release position and therefore cannot be rotated further.

[0335] This means that the drive fingers 158a and 158b thus block further rotation of the internal gear 142 in their action on the drive tabs 157b or 157a, and thus make it possible for the planetary gear carrier 152 to be driven in the case of further drive of the planetary gear transmission mechanism 130 due to the blocking of the rotational movement of the internal gear 142 in the rotational direction 292, which causes the pivot support 14 and therefore the ball neck 10 to pivot.

[0336] By pivoting the pivot support 14, its end flange 198 rotates relative to the flange 104 until the ball neck 10 reaches a stationary position. In this stationary position, the receiving portion 284 in the end flange 198 is aligned with the guide portion 274, thereby allowing the locking body 272 to enter the receiving portion 284 through the end 278, as in Figure 20 and Figure 24c As shown in the diagram.

[0337] When the receiving portion 284 is aligned with the guide portion 274 of the locking body 272, the elastic loading segment 312d of the slide rail 312 can displace the slide follower 292 toward the slide rail 314 and thus insert the operating body 272 into the receiving portion 284 at the second end 278 by means of the transmission element 294.

[0338] In this position, the rotary locking body 54 remains in its released position within the retracted receiving portion 62, as it does not possess the capability to enter into the opposing receiving portions 60 within the pivot support body 14, despite being loaded by the torsion spring 114. Figure 14 As it turned out.

[0339] In the stationary position locked at this time (in) Figure 20 (As shown in Figure 24), the elastically loaded segment 312d presses the slide follower 292 toward the slide rail 314 to such an extent that the positioning segment 312e presses the slide follower 292 toward the slide rail 314, i.e., the slide follower 292 is defined to be positioned between the positioning segment 314a and the elastic positioning segment 312e of the slide rail 314 and thus defined to be maintained in a static locked position.

[0340] Similarly, in this situation, such as in Figure 24c As shown, by means of the transmission element 294, the position indicator element 298 is displaced relative to the sensor 300 to such an extent that the detection surface 306 acts on the sensor and the sensor can in turn identify the stationary position and lock the position.

[0341] In order for the ball neck 10 and the pivot support element 14 to pivot from the rest position R back to the working position A, a reversal of the drive direction is necessary, so as in Figure 25b As shown, the internal gear 142 is now rotated in the opposite direction to the relative rotation direction 322, that is, in the rotation direction 324. Thus, initially, the drive fingers 158a and 158b are not loaded; however, the drive contacts 157a and 157b can be rotated independently of the drive fingers 158a and 158b until the drive contacts 157a and 157b again abut against the drive fingers 158a and 158b, as shown in... Figure 25b As shown in the diagram.

[0342] As in Figure 25a As shown in the diagram, this causes the following: the follower 292, starting from the locked position at rest, can be loaded via the guide rail 314, especially the outgoing segment 314b, and thus the follower 292 moves again toward the guide rail 312, thereby causing the locking body 272 to move back to the intermediate position from the locked position at rest (in Figure 25a (as shown in the image).

[0343] To reach this intermediate position, the outgoing segment 314b extends toward the slide rail 312 to the positioning segment 314c to such an extent that the slide follower 292 reaches a position that approximately corresponds to the positioning segment 312c at the end of the outgoing segment 312b, and thus the intermediate position of the locking body 272 coincides with the intermediate position in the positioning segment 312c after passing the outgoing segment 312b.

[0344] In the case of the rotational movement of the internal gear 142, the operating body 52 does not rotate, so the rotation locking body 54 remains in the retraction receiving portion 62 as always and is therefore in the released position.

[0345] However, as in Figure 25b As shown, the position indicating element 298 is displaced by the displacement of the chute follower 292, so that the second detection surface 304 acts on the sensor 300, which then detects the intermediate position.

[0346] Continued rotation of the internal gear 142 is impossible in this intermediate position because the operating body 52 remains in its released position, and therefore the drive fingers 156 and 158 prevent further rotation of the internal gear 142 until the pivot support 14 and the ball neck 10 are driven by the planetary gear carrier 152 to reach the working position A, in which the rotation locking body 50 has the possibility of shifting to the rotation locking position, and therefore the drive fingers 158a and 158b allow the internal gear 142 to rotate again, thus thus as in Figure 26a As shown, the loading segment 314d can act on the slide follower 292 and is pre-displaceable by the positioning segments 314e and 312a to a position corresponding to the locking position of the locking body 272, wherein the locking body 272 is immersed in the receiving portion 282 with its first end 276 inserted into the receiving portion 282. Figure 26a ).

[0347] Meanwhile, in this safety position, the slide follower 292 is defined and positioned between the slide rails 312 and 314.

[0348] In the rotary locking position, the rotary locking body 54 is again loaded by the bearing surface 56, thereby aligning the receiving portion 282 with the guide portion 274 for the locking body 272 and thus enabling the displacement of the locking body 272 to the safety position. Figure 26c ).

[0349] Similarly, via the transmission element 294, the position indicating element 298 is displaced to a position corresponding to the safety position, in which the first detection surface 302 acts on the sensor 301. Figure 26c ).

[0350] In the case of the second embodiment of the sensor unit 300' according to the present invention (in... Figure 27a (As shown in 27b and 27c), the position indicating element 298 is constructed in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, which means that the first detection surface 302 and the third detection surface 306 generate the same signal in the case of the sensor 301 configured as a detector, while the second detection surface 304 generates a different signal in the case of the sensor configured as a detector.

[0351] For this reason, in the second embodiment, two sensors 301a and 301b configured as detectors are provided, which are arranged side by side such that each of the sensors 301a and 301b can detect one of two corresponding side by side detection surfaces 302 and 304 or 304 and 306.

[0352] As in Figure 27a As shown, in the safe position of the locking body 272, the position indicator element 298 is positioned by the transmission element 294 such that the first sensor 301a detects the first detection surface 302 and the second sensor 301b detects the second detection surface 304.

[0353] This results in the following: the first sensor 301a generates a first signal that corresponds to one of the detection surfaces 302 or 306, while the second sensor 301b generates a second signal that corresponds to the second detection surface 304.

[0354] If the locked body 272 from Figure 27a The safety position shown has been moved to the middle position (e.g.) Figure 27b As shown), the position indicating element 298 is displaced by the transmission element 294 to such an extent that the first sensor 301a detects the second detection surface 304 and generates the corresponding second signal, while the second sensor 301b detects the third detection surface 306 and generates a first signal different from that of the second detection surface 304.

[0355] Therefore, sensors 301a and 301b generate signals in the intermediate position that are exactly opposite to those in the safety position, such as... Figure 27a As shown.

[0356] If the locking body 272 is moved to the stationary locked position, such as in Figure 27c As shown in the diagram, the first detector 301a detects the third detection surface 306 and the second sensor 301b does not detect the detection surface, thus generating the same first signal as when the first sensor detects the third detection surface 306.

[0357] This means that in this case, both sensors 301 and 301b produce the same first signal.

[0358] Therefore, according to Figure 27a The location of the insurance, according to Figure 27b The middle position and according to Figure 27c The stationary position and locked position are clearly distinguished and indicated in a simple manner by means of the evaluation unit 308' in the case of evaluating the detection signals of sensors 301a and 301b.

[0359] Therefore, the safety position, intermediate position, and stationary position lock position can be clearly identified for the evaluation unit 308' and can be communicated on the output side.

[0360] In the case of the third embodiment of the sensor unit 300 according to the present invention (in... Figure 28a (As shown in 28b and 28c), sensor 301” is configured as a magnetic field sensor that can detect different magnetic field directions in space.

[0361] Furthermore, the position indicator element 298” is configured as a magnet, with its north pole N and south pole S spaced apart from each other in the displacement direction 295 of the transmission element 294 and generating an external magnetic field extending in space around the position indicator element 298” configured as a magnet. In the region near the north pole, it extends in space laterally in a first direction that extends laterally to the displacement direction, in the region between the north and south poles it extends in space approximately parallel to the displacement direction 295, and in the region near the south pole it extends in space in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0362] Therefore, the magnetic field sensor 301 can identify different positions of the position indicator element 298” constructed as a magnet.

[0363] For example, magnetic field sensor 301" identifies a portion of magnetic field 299 in a first direction transverse to the displacement direction, such as toward a portion of the magnetic field sensor 301' extending in space, in the safety position of locking body 272.

[0364] If the locking body 272 is displaced to the intermediate position (as in...) Figure 28b As shown in the diagram, the magnetic field sensor 301” is traversed by a portion of the magnetic field extending parallel to the displacement direction 295 between the North Pole (N) and the South Pole (S), and thus identifies the direction of the magnetic field in space that has been changed by 90° relative to the orientation in the safety position.

[0365] Conversely, if the locking body 272 is displaced to the stationary locked position, then as in Figure 28cAs shown, the magnetic field sensor 301” identifies the magnetic field 299 near the south pole S in space in the direction of displacement 295, but the magnetic field sensor 301” moves away from the area it is pointing to.

[0366] Therefore, the evaluation unit 308” can identify the different directions of the magnetic field 299 in space by means of the magnetic field sensor 301” to clearly distinguish and lock the communication security position, intermediate position and stationary position.

Claims

1. A trailer coupling comprising a ball joint (10) movable between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), the ball joint being connected at a first end to a pivot support unit (20) and at a second end to carry a coupling ball (18), wherein, In the case of pivoting movement about the pivot axis (22), the ball neck (10) of the pivot support unit (20) can pivot between the working position (A) and the rest position (R), and has a rotation locking device (50) acting between the guide (40) and the pivot support body (14) of the pivot support unit (20), which on one hand has at least two rotation locking units (80), each having a rotation locking body (54) that is movably guided in the guiding direction (58) by means of the guide receiving portion (56) of the guide body (40) and in the guiding direction (58) The rotating locking body (54) of all rotating locking units (80) can be moved by a pressure-bearing surface (66) provided at the operating body (52) extending transversely to the guide direction (58), and on the other hand, it has at least two receiving portions (60), wherein the rotating locking body (54) of all rotating locking units (80) can be moved and loaded in the guide direction (58) by the movement of the operating body (52) in the operating direction (72), and wherein the rotating locking body (54) of all rotating locking units (80) can be brought to the rotating locking position in the working position (A) by the movement in the guide direction (58) and in the rotating locking position each rotating locking body (54) The pivot support (14) engages with one of the receiving portions (60) to prevent pivoting movement of the pivot support (14) and the guide (40) relative to each other about the pivot axis (22), and can be driven into a release position, in which it disengages from the corresponding receiving portion (60) and releases relative movement between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), wherein in all the provided relative pivoting positions between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), including the rest position (R) and except the working position (A), the actuator (52) is prevented from moving in the operating direction (72). The movement on the rotating locking unit (80) and thus also prevent the rotation locking body (54) of each rotating locking unit in the rotating locking unit (80) from engaging with the force-loaded engagement in each of the receiving portions (60) is characterized by the provision of a multiple locking device (270) comprising a locking body (272) movable to a stationary locking position that locks the pivot support (14) and the guide (40) relative to each other in the stationary position (R), to a safety position that secures the operating body (52) in the rotating locking position, and everywhere in an intermediate position between the stationary locking position and the safety position.

2. The trailer coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking body (272) is guided on the guide (40) of the pivot support unit (20).

3. The trailer coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The locking body (272) is guided in the guide portion (274) arranged on the guide body (40).

4. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The guide portion (274) for the locking body (272) is arranged in the wall region (104) of the guide body (40) adjacent to the operating body (52) and the pivot support body (14).

5. The trailer coupling according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The locking body (272) can be moved in the guide (274) in a direction approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22).

6. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking body (272) engages in the receiving portion (284) in the pivot support (14) in the static locked position.

7. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking body (272) engages in the receiving portion (282) in the operating body (52) in the safe position.

8. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking body (272) is arranged in the intermediate position between the receiving portion (282) in the operating body (52) and the receiving portion (284) in the pivot support unit (14).

9. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that, The locking body (272) is initiated and guided by the guide (274) in the safe position and in the static locked position, respectively engaging with the corresponding receiving portion (282, 284) at one end (276, 278).

10. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking body (272) can be fixed in the safety position, the intermediate position and the stationary position locking position by means of the locking operation device (280).

11. The trailer coupling according to claim 10, characterized in that, The locking control device (280) includes a slide guide (290) and a slide follower (292) that can be moved through the slide guide, the slide follower being connected to the locking body (272).

12. The trailer coupling according to claim 11, characterized in that, The slide follower (292) can move approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22) via the slide guide (290).

13. The trailer coupling according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The guide section (290) can move laterally to the pivot axis (22).

14. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The slide guide (290) is movable via the locking operating device (280).

15. The trailer coupling according to claim 14, characterized in that, The locking operating device (280) includes a body (142) that carries the slide guide (290) and is rotatably movable relative to the slide follower (292).

16. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The chute guide (290) has at least one chute guide rail (312, 314) acting on the chute follower (292).

17. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The chute guide (290) has two chute guide rails (312, 314) that act on the chute follower (292) and guide the chute follower therebetween.

18. The trailer coupling according to claim 17, characterized in that, The two slide rails (312, 314) together fix the slide follower (292) in the position of the pre-given safety position.

19. The trailer coupling according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The two slide rails (312, 314) together fix the slide follower (292) in the position of the pre-given static position locking position.

20. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that, The first slide rail (312) includes a rail segment (312b) that moves the slide follower (292) from a position that determines the safety position to a position that determines the intermediate position.

21. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that, The first chute guide rail (312) includes a guide rail segment (312d) that loads the chute follower (292) from the position that determines the intermediate position toward the position that corresponds to the static position locking position.

22. The trailer coupling according to claim 21, characterized in that, The guide rail segment (312d), which acts in a position corresponding to the locked position of the rest position, elastically loads the slide follower (292) in that direction.

23. The trailer coupling according to claim 22, characterized in that, The guide rail segment (312d) is composed of a spring-loaded segment of the first slide rail (312).

24. The trailer coupling according to claim 23, characterized in that, In the position corresponding to the static locked position, the slide follower (292) is fixed between the spring-loaded section of the first slide rail (312) and the second slide rail (314).

25. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that, The second slide rail (314) has a rail section (314b) that moves the slide follower (292) from a position corresponding to the static locked position to a position corresponding to the intermediate position.

26. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that, The second slide rail (314) has a rail section (314d) that moves the slide follower (292) from a position corresponding to the intermediate position to a position corresponding to the safety position.

27. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 17 to 26, characterized in that, The first slide rail (312) functions through the movement of the slide guide (290) in the first rotation direction (322), and the second slide rail (314) functions through the movement of the slide guide in the opposite rotation direction (324) to the first rotation direction (322).

28. The trailer coupling according to claim 27, characterized in that, The locking maneuver (280) can be driven by the maneuver (180) for the rotary locking device (50).

29. The trailer coupling according to claim 28, characterized in that, The locking control device (280) is connected to the control device (180).

30. The trailer coupling according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that, The slide rail (290) is arranged on the rotatable body (142) of the planetary gear transmission mechanism (130) of the operating device (180) for the rotary locking device (50).

31. The trailer coupling according to claim 30, characterized in that, The slide rail (290) is arranged on the internal gear (142) of the planetary gear transmission mechanism (130) of the operating device (180).

32. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The multiple locking device (270) has a sensor unit (300) for detecting the position of the locking body (272).

33. The trailer coupling according to claim 32, characterized in that, The sensor unit (300) detects the safety position, the stationary position, the locked position, and the intermediate position.

34. The trailer coupling according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that, The sensor unit (300) is configured such that it at least distinguishes the intermediate position from the safety position and the stationary locked position, and in particular, distinguishes all these positions from one another.

35. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that, The sensor unit (300, 300') includes at least one detector (301), and more particularly two detectors (301a, 301b).

36. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 32 to 35, characterized in that, The sensor unit (300”) includes a magnetic field sensor (301”), and in particular a magnetic field sensor (301”) for detecting the orientation of a magnetic field (298) in space.

37. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 11 to 36, characterized in that, The slide follower (292) is connected to the locking body (272) by means of a transmission element (294).

38. The trailer coupling according to claim 37, characterized in that, The transmission element (294) is connected to the sensor manipulation element (296).

39. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A blocking surface (90) extends between the receiving portions (60), to which the rotary locking body (54) may be placed and from which the receiving portion (60) extends. The rotary locking unit (80) and the receiving portion (60) are arranged about the pivot axis (22) such that in all the relative pivot positions provided between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), including the rest position (R) and at least one of the rotary locking units (80) except the working position (A), the rotary locking body (54) is opposite to one of the blocking surfaces (90), and the blocking surface (90) blocks the movement of the operating body (52) in the operating direction (72) in particular when the force of the operating body (52) is applied, and thus also blocks the force-loaded engagement of the rotary locking body (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) to each of the receiving portions (60).

40. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The rotary locking unit (80) is arranged around the pivot axis (22) with an angular interval (W) to form a rotary locking configuration, and the receiving portion (60) is arranged around the pivot axis (22) with the same angular interval (W) as the rotary locking unit (80) to form a receiving portion configuration. The rotary locking configuration and the receiving portion are arranged to overlap each other in the working position (A), so that the rotary locking body (54) can be engaged into the receiving portion (60). The angular interval (W) between the rotary locking units (80) in the rotary locking configuration and the angular interval between the receiving portions (60) in the receiving portion configuration are selected such that the rotary locking configuration and the receiving portion configuration overlap each other only in the working position (A).

41. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 or 40, characterized in that, At least one of the rotary locking units (80) is not equal in angular interval (W) relative to the rotational direction about the pivot axis (22) and relative to the adjacent rotary locking units (80) arranged opposite to the rotational direction. In the working position (A), the receiving portion (60) is arranged such that the rotary locking body (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) can be brought into engagement with each of the receiving portions (60) and in all relative pivotal positions provided for operation between the pivot support (14) and the guide (40), including the rest position outside the working position (A), the rotary locking body (54) of at least one of the rotary locking units (80) is opposite to a blocking surface (90) extending between the receiving portions (60) and the blocking surface (90) blocks the movement of the operating body (52) from the release position to the rotary locking position, especially in the case of force loading of the operating body (52).

42. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 41, characterized in that, The blocking surface (90) extends towards the rotating locking body (54) of the rotating locking device (80).

43. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 42, characterized in that, The blocking surface (90) extends around the pivot axis (22) with a defined radius.

44. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 43, characterized in that, The blocking surface (90) extends to the opening edge (92) of the receiving portion (60) and transitions into these opening edges.

45. The trailer coupling according to claim 44, characterized in that, The opening edge (92) of the receiving portion (60) is at the same radial distance from the pivot axis (22) as the blocking surface (90).

46. ​​The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 45, characterized in that, At least one of the rotation locking bodies (54) of the rotation locking unit (80) abuts against one of the blocking surfaces (90) when the pivot support (14) pivots toward the working position (A), particularly abutting against one of the blocking surfaces (90) by the force of the operating body (52).

47. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 46, characterized in that, The rotary locking body (54) is forcefully abutted against the blocking surface (90) before reaching the working position (A) and then forcefully abutted against the opening edge (92) of the receiving part (60) before entering the receiving part (60).

48. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 47, characterized in that, The receiving portion (60) extends from the blocking surface (90) in the guiding direction (58), particularly with at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis (22).

49. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 39 to 48, characterized in that, The receiving portion (60) and the blocking surface (90) are arranged facing the guide body (40).

50. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The guide (40) is part of a pivot support unit (20) that is fixedly arranged in the vehicle.

51. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, All guide receptacles (56) for the rotary locking body (54) of the rotary locking unit (80) are arranged in the guide body (40), and / or in particular the guide direction (58) extends in at least one component in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis (22), and / or in particular the guide body (40) has a guide sleeve (44) with guide receptacles (56) for the rotary locking body (54) of the rotary locking unit (80), and in particular the rotary locking body (54) is guided by the guide body (40) which is closely attached to the pivot support (14) in the radial direction.

52. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A pivot support is provided between the guide body (40) and the pivot support body (14).

53. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The manipulator (52) is movably guided relative to the guide (40), and in particular, the manipulator (52) is rotatably arranged about the pivot axis (22), and preferably has a wedge-shaped surface (66) that extends about the pivot axis (22) through a certain angle range and varies parallel to the guide direction (58) in combination with the retraction receiving portion (62).

54. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The receiving portion (60) and the blocking surface (90) are arranged on the pivot support (14).

55. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The manipulator (52) is surrounded by the guide (40), and in particular the pivot support (14) surrounds the guide (40), and in particular the rotation lock (54) is arranged around the manipulator (52).

56. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The pivot support (14) forms an outer body that surrounds the pivot support unit (20) and is arranged immovably relative to the pivot support unit (20) in the direction of the pivot axis (22). In particular, the pivot support (14) forms an outer body that surrounds at least a portion of the rotation locking unit (50) and is arranged immovably relative to the guide (40) in the direction of the pivot axis (22).

57. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The manipulator (52) is loaded in the direction of its rotationally locked position by the elastic accumulator (114), and in particular, the manipulator (52) can be moved from the rotationally locked position to the released position by the manipulator (180), and in particular, the manipulator (52) can be moved by the manipulator (180) in the opposite direction of the loading by the accumulator (114), and in particular, the manipulator (52) can be moved by the manipulator (180) in the opposite direction (72) of the manipulator (72) acted by the elastic accumulator (114).

58. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The operating body (180) has a driven element (142) connected to the operating body (52). In particular, the driven element (142) and the operating body (52) are connected to each other via drive coupling devices (156, 158). In particular, the drive coupling devices (156, 158) have an idle state without drive and a driven state. In particular, the operating device (180) for the rotary locking body (50) includes a motor drive unit. In particular, the motor drive unit (182) is also configured as a pivot drive for implementing the pivot movement of the pivot support (14). In particular, the driven element (142) for driving the rotary locking device (50) and the driven element (152) for driving the pivot movement of the pivot support (14) are connected via a rotary gear transmission mechanism (130).

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