Trailer connector for motor vehicle and load carrier holding device for trailer connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a trailer connector for a motor vehicle and a load bearing piece retaining device for the trailer connector. In order to improve the trailer connector in such a way that the load carrier can be mounted and safely held in a simple manner, the trailer connector comprises a ball neck, which can be mounted at a first end on the rear of the motor vehicle by means of a ball neck carrier, which ball neck carries a coupling ball at a second end, at least one first positioning body is arranged on the ball neck at a defined distance from the coupling ball for positioning a load carrier holding device which can be placed on the coupling ball and on the ball neck, the at least one first positioning body is arranged on a ball neck section of the ball neck, and the ball neck section adjoins a ball projection of the ball neck bearing the coupling ball, the at least one first positioning body extends, in particular from the ball projection, along the ball neck by a distance corresponding to at most one fifth times the diameter of the coupling ball, and extends transversely to and away from the ball neck section bearing the positioning body.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle, which trailer coupling comprises a ball neck that can be mounted in a vehicle-fixed manner at the rear of the motor vehicle at a first end by means of a ball neck carrier, and the ball neck carries a coupling ball at a second end. Background Art

[0002] Such trailer couplings are known in the prior art.

[0003] Such trailer couplings are mainly used for towing a trailer, which trailer engages on the coupling ball by means of a drawbar ball coupling.

[0004] However, in many cases, the trailer coupling is also used for mounting load carriers, for example for bicycles, skis or other sports equipment, in order to be able to transport these items conveniently. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object on which the present invention is based is to improve a trailer coupling of the above-mentioned type such that it can mount and reliably hold a load carrier in a simple manner.

[0006] In the case of a trailer coupling of the type mentioned at the beginning, this object is achieved according to the invention in that at least one first positioning body for positioning a load carrier holding device, which can be placed on the coupling ball and the ball neck, is arranged on the ball neck at a defined spacing from the coupling ball, at least one first positioning body is arranged on a ball neck section of the ball neck, which ball neck section adjoins a ball projection of the ball neck carrying the coupling ball and in particular extends along the ball neck from the ball projection over a distance which at most corresponds to 1.5 times the diameter of the coupling ball, preferably at most corresponds to the diameter of the coupling ball, and at least one first positioning body extends transversely to the run of the ball neck section carrying the positioning body and away from the ball neck section.

[0007] This means that starting from the run of the ball neck or the ball neck section, the first positioning body is placed on or projects from the ball neck or the ball neck section, or completely or partially surrounds the ball neck section.

[0008] This arrangement of the first positioning body also has the advantage that the first positioning body can always be arranged at the same defined spacing from the coupling ball and as independent as possible of the shape of the ball neck, in particular independent of the curvature of the ball neck, and the standardized position of the first positioning body relative to the coupling ball can be maintained, in the case of a very large number of shapes of the ball neck.

[0009] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that such a first positioning body creates the possibility of positioning the load carrier holding device in a simple manner and positioning it relative to the ball neck, i.e. orienting and holding it in the oriented position.

[0010] In particular, the load carrier retaining device is also positioned in such a way that the load carrier retaining device is supported on the coupling ball, such that the positioning of the load carrier retaining device is effected on the one hand via the support on the coupling ball and on the other hand via the support on the first positioning body.

[0011] Here, at least one first positioning body can be an independent body that is connected to the spherical neck section by means of a mounting element or is held on the spherical neck section in a form-fitting manner.

[0012] However, it is also conceivable to mold at least one positioning body onto the spherical neck section, for example integrally molded, for example as a material buildup or thickening.

[0013] In terms of the construction of at least one first positioning body, it is particularly advantageous if at least one first positioning body has at least one first positioning surface via which the load carrier retaining device can be positioned.

[0014] For example, it is proposed for this purpose that at least one first positioning surface lies outside the projection contour of the coupling ball, which projection contour is formed by projecting the coupling ball onto the first positioning body, wherein the projection contour in particular intersects at least one first positioning body.

[0015] The projection of the coupling ball onto the positioning body is preferably parallel to the placement direction along which the load carrier retaining device can be moved in order to place it onto the coupling ball and the spherical neck.

[0016] In particular, the placement direction extends substantially parallel to the ball center axis and the ball protrusion of the coupling ball, wherein a substantially parallel run of the placement direction to the ball center line is understood to mean that the angle between the ball center axis and the placement direction is equal to or less than 20°, preferably equal to or less than 10°, and even better equal to or less than 5°, wherein a simply designable solution provides for a parallel run.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that the placement direction extends parallel to the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck and / or parallel to the transverse plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck.

[0018] This means that the first positioning surfaces are each arranged at a distance from the spherical neck or the spherical neck section such that the first positioning surfaces lie outside the projection contour of the coupling ball on the positioning body, and thus, when the load carrier retaining device is placed onto the coupling ball, i.e., overlaps or surrounds the coupling ball to be supported on the coupling ball, the first positioning surfaces can be simply used for positioning the load carrier retaining device.

[0019] In particular, there is thus a simple possibility to construct a load-bearing element retaining device such that the ball receptacle can be placed onto or can embrace the coupling ball, and can interact with the positioning surface of the positioning body here without impeding access to the ball receptacle, so that the load-bearing element retaining device is supported on at least one positioning surface of the positioning body.

[0020] Against the background of the previous description of the individual embodiments, no detailed statement has been made regarding the configuration of the positioning surface.

[0021] Thus, a particularly advantageous solution provides that at least one first positioning surface has at least one guide surface region extending parallel to the placement direction of the load-bearing element retaining device.

[0022] If the first positioning body is arranged at the ball neck section of the ball neck, which adjoins the ball projection of the ball neck that bears the coupling ball, it is particularly advantageous if the ball projection is a constriction provided between the coupling ball and the second end, which continues the run of the ball neck and adjoins the second end, and the coupling ball is connected to the second end via the constriction, the positioning body being close to the ball projection such that the distance between the apex line of the positioning body and the end of the ball neck at which the ball projection begins is less than 1.5 times the extent of the ball projection between the second end and the coupling ball, the positioning body extending away from the ball neck section along the extension direction starting from the ball neck section that bears the positioning body, the extension direction of the positioning body extending transversely to the ball neck section that bears the positioning body, and the positioning surface being configured on opposite sides of a transverse plane extending transversely to the longitudinal central plane of the ball neck, where the longitudinal central plane of the ball neck extends parallel to the placement direction.

[0023] Furthermore, in the previous description of the embodiments, no detailed statement has been made regarding the arrangement of at least one first positioning surface on the first positioning body.

[0024] It can thus be considered to arrange the first positioning surface inside the first positioning body, for example in a hole or in an internal space at least partially surrounded by the body to be positioned.

[0025] An advantageous solution is that at least one first positioning surface is arranged on the outside of the first positioning body, such that simple interaction with the positioning surface can thereby be achieved.

[0026] Particularly advantageously, at least one first positioning body has first positioning surfaces arranged on opposite sides of one another, which are arranged on the outside of the positioning body and are surface regions of a geometric surface that intersects the ball neck section that bears at least one positioning body.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous here to configure the first positioning body as a closed body, preferably a solid body.

[0028] In view of the foregoing description of the embodiments, it is assumed that at least one first positioning body is provided on the spherical neck section.

[0029] However, an improved or more stable positioning of the load-bearing member holding device is achieved by providing a positioning body on each of the opposite sides of the spherical neck section of the spherical neck section, so that the load-bearing member holding device can be supported via the two first positioning bodies.

[0030] For example, it is conceivable that the first positioning bodies are provided on opposite sides in the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck.

[0031] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the first positioning bodies are provided on opposite sides of the spherical neck in a transverse plane that extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck.

[0032] Particularly advantageously, the first positioning bodies are provided on opposite sides of the longitudinal central plane of the trailer coupling in the working position of the spherical neck, wherein in the working position of the spherical neck, the longitudinal central plane of the trailer coupling also coincides with the longitudinal central plane of the motor vehicle body and in particular the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck.

[0033] Here, the first positioning bodies can also be provided offset from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal central plane on the spherical neck.

[0034] Therefore, a particularly advantageous solution provides that the first positioning bodies are located in the same transverse plane, which is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal central plane and extends approximately parallel to the central axis of the coupling ball.

[0035] The following solution is particularly advantageous: wherein the first positioning bodies are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck and are thus arranged in exactly the same relative positions with respect to the coupling ball on both sides of the longitudinal central plane, since the coupling ball is inherently formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central plane.

[0036] In view of the foregoing description of the embodiments, no detailed description has been made of the function of the first positioning body.

[0037] However, another advantageous solution provides that at least one first positioning body not only serves to orient the load-bearing member holding device relative to the spherical neck and the coupling ball in a defined manner, but also absorbs the load, so that in this case the coupling ball does not contribute to carrying the load-bearing member holding device, but only serves to hold the load-bearing member holding device in a defined orientation relative to the spherical neck in cooperation with the load-bearing member holding device.

[0038] No detailed description has been made of the arrangement or orientation of at least one first positioning surface so far.

[0039] For example, the first positioning surface can thus have different symmetries or no symmetry with respect to the longitudinal central plane.

[0040] However, a particularly expedient solution provides that at least one first positioning surface of the first positioning body is configured mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central plane of the spherical neck, such that the positioning surface itself also has mirror symmetry with respect to the longitudinal central plane.

[0041] So far, no detailed description has been made of the structure and shape of at least one first positioning body itself.

[0042] Thus, a particularly advantageous solution provides that at least one first positioning body extends away from the spherical neck section in the extending direction starting from the spherical neck section carrying the first positioning body.

[0043] This is a simple and expedient design of the positioning body, which facilitates the support of the load-bearing member holding device on the positioning body.

[0044] For example, in this case, at least one first positioning body can be configured such that it extends in the branch portion of the spherical neck or in the forming portion of the spherical neck.

[0045] A particularly simple implementation provides that the extending direction of at least one first positioning body extends transversely to the spherical neck section carrying the first positioning body.

[0046] Furthermore, in such a first positioning body, no description has been made of the orientation of the first positioning surface with respect to the extending direction.

[0047] Therefore, an advantageous solution provides that at least one first positioning surface extends parallel to the extending direction, or extends at an angle of less than 30°, and even preferably less than 20°, with respect to the extending direction of the positioning body.

[0048] For example, in this case, it can be provided that at least one positioning surface is a surface region of a geometric surface that intersects the spherical neck section carrying the positioning body, i.e., extends transversely to the spherical neck section.

[0049] Regarding the arrangement of the positioning surface on the positioning body, different possibilities can be considered.

[0050] For example, it can be provided that at least one first positioning body has first positioning surfaces provided on opposite sides of each other.

[0051] In particular, the first positioning surfaces provided on opposite sides of the positioning body are configured such that they are on opposite sides of a transverse plane extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal central plane.

[0052] Preferably, the first positioning surface is also configured to extend symmetrically with respect to the transverse mirror plane.

[0053] In connection with the function of the positioning surface, the guide surface region that is to extend parallel to the placement direction has been described in the embodiments mentioned above.

[0054] However, alternatively or in addition thereto, it can also be considered that at least one first positioning surface has at least one positioning surface region that extends transversely to the placement direction.

[0055] Furthermore, in such a positioning surface region that extends transversely to the placement direction, there is the possibility of providing two positioning surface regions that extend transversely to the placement direction such that the positioning surface regions extend with an increasing or decreasing distance from each other in the placement direction as they extend, i.e., the first positioning surface regions together can present a wedge-like effect in order to achieve precise positioning on the first positioning region.

[0056] Here, the two first positioning surface regions can be conical or parabolic or hyperbolic relative to each other, or can also extend in the form of a cylindrical surface region or a spherical surface region.

[0057] Furthermore, it is expedient for such a first positioning surface region to extend symmetrically with respect to the placement direction so that precise positioning symmetric with respect to the placement direction can be achieved.

[0058] In the case of the embodiments described so far, only at least one first positioning surface has been disclosed.

[0059] In order to achieve as reliable a positioning as possible of the load-bearing member holding device, it is preferably proposed to provide at least one second positioning surface on the ball neck, which second positioning surface extends transversely to the first positioning surface.

[0060] Here, at least one second positioning surface can in principle be provided on the ball neck arbitrarily.

[0061] Particularly advantageously, at least one second positioning surface is provided on the ball neck section of the ball neck, which ball neck section adjoins the ball protrusion of the ball that bears the load connection of the ball neck and in particular bears the first positioning body.

[0062] For example, at least one second positioning surface is provided on the first positioning body such that the first positioning body bears not only the first positioning surface but also the second positioning surface.

[0063] Another advantageous solution proposes to provide at least one second positioning surface on the second positioning body.

[0064] Here, the second positioning body can be arranged directly adjacent to the first positioning body, or advantageously it is proposed that the second positioning body is arranged at a distance from the first positioning body.

[0065] A further advantageous solution provides that at least one second positioning surface lies outside a projection contour of the coupling ball, which is generated by projecting the coupling ball onto a positioning body carrying the respective second positioning surface, wherein in particular the projection contour intersects the respective positioning body.

[0066] This means that the second positioning surface is also located outside the projection contour like the first positioning surface.

[0067] For example, it is conceivable to arrange the second positioning surface even radially outside the first positioning surface.

[0068] A further advantageous solution provides that at least one second positioning surface is arranged within a projection contour of the coupling ball, which projection contour is generated by projecting the coupling ball onto a positioning body carrying the at least one second positioning surface, wherein in particular the projection contour intersects the respective positioning body.

[0069] As an alternative to designing the positioning body such that it extends in the extension direction, it is provided that the first positioning body is formed by a support body on the ball neck section carrying the positioning body, wherein the support body is formed by a material support provided on the ball neck section.

[0070] For example, in special cases it is conceivable to realize the first positioning body by a collar formed on a ball neck section which carries the first positioning body.

[0071] In this case, it is preferably provided that the at least one first positioning surface is located on an outer side of the first positioning body facing away from the ball neck section.

[0072] In this case, it is provided, for example, that at least one positioning surface is arranged on one side of a longitudinal center plane of the ball neck.

[0073] For example, it is provided in this case that at least one positioning surface has a course that deviates from a course that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a central axis of the coupling ball.

[0074] This can be achieved particularly easily if the at least one first positioning surface comprises a flattened portion of the positioning body.

[0075] In particular, this can be achieved in that the at least one first positioning surface is located on a geometrical surface which does not intersect the ball neck section carrying the first positioning body.

[0076] A particularly advantageous design scheme proposes that two first positioning bodies are arranged on the ball neck, and at least one first positioning surface of a positioning body has a facial segment, which is located in a geometric plane, and the geometric plane and the facial segment of at least one positioning surface of the other positioning body are located. The angle between each other is less than 120°.

[0077] Preferably, this angle is less than 100°, more preferably less than 90°.

[0078] At present, no detailed description has been made of the positioning surface itself.

[0079] In particular, if the positioning body is integrally molded onto the ball neck, it is advantageous that the positioning surface is a machined surface so that its position and orientation relative to the coupling ball can be accurately determined.

[0080] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally to the above features, the task described at the beginning is solved according to the invention in such a way that a socket is provided on the ball neck, and the first socket housing of the socket is held on the socket receiving part of the ball neck.

[0081] The advantage of this solution is that the power supply for the trailer or load carrier can also be achieved in a user-friendly manner.

[0082] In order to be able to implement the first socket housing on the ball neck in a visually and mechanically protected manner, it is preferably proposed that the socket receiving part surrounds the first socket housing.

[0083] Here, it is particularly advantageous that the socket receiving part has an annular body and a break-through opening through the annular body.

[0084] Furthermore, it is advantageously proposed that the socket receiving part is integrally formed into the ball neck, so that the socket receiving part is at the same time the best protection for the first socket housing and also provides the possibility to position the first socket housing on the ball neck at the most user-friendly position.

[0085] To fix the first socket housing, it is advantageous that the first socket housing has a support flange (Stützflansch) that radially protrudes from the first socket housing, and the support flange, for example, abuts against the annular body around the break-through opening to support the first socket housing outside the break-through opening.

[0086] Furthermore, it is advantageously proposed that the first socket housing has a first insertion opening for a plug connector, and the first insertion opening can be closed by a cover that is movable relative to the first socket housing.

[0087] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that the covered first insertion opening is provided on the side of the first socket housing having the support flange, so that the simple installation of the first socket housing on the socket receiving part can be achieved.

[0088] To supply power to the socket, it is preferably proposed that the supply cable to the first socket housing extends along the longitudinal side of the ball neck, so that the power supply to the socket can be achieved in a simple manner, especially as damage-proof as possible.

[0089] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that the supply cable enters the first socket housing on the following side of the first socket housing, and this side is on the same side of the ball neck as the supply cable extending along the ball neck.

[0090] In this case, the supply cable enters in particular the end region of the first socket housing, which end region is arranged opposite the first insertion opening and the cover.

[0091] Another advantageous solution provides that the supply cable enters the first socket housing on the following side of the first socket housing, which side is arranged opposite the side of the ball neck on which the supply cable extends along the ball neck.

[0092] This solution provides the possibility to arrange the first insertion opening with cover on the same side of the ball neck as the supply cable.

[0093] It is particularly advantageous here that the socket receptacle has a molded-in break for the bulging of the supply cable to the first socket housing.

[0094] Thereby, there is the possibility to mount the first socket housing together with the supply cable firmly connected to the first socket housing on the ball neck without additional measures, since the supply cable can also be guided through the molded-in bulge in the ball neck when the first socket housing is inserted into the break.

[0095] As an alternative or in addition to the above solutions, another solution to the above task provides that the ball neck is provided with fixing holes.

[0096] In particular, in the working position of the ball neck, the fixing holes are arranged on the side of the ball neck facing the roadway.

[0097] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the fixing holes are molded integrally onto the ball neck, such that the ball neck with fixing holes can be produced efficiently thereby.

[0098] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the fixing holes are arranged between the socket receptacle and at least one positioning body in the running direction of the ball neck and are thus accessible with as large a spacing as possible from the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0099] Furthermore, it is expedient that, in the working position of the ball neck, the fixing holes are arranged substantially on the side of at least one positioning body on the ball neck facing the roadway, such that the fixing holes are simply and advantageously accessible to the user thereby.

[0100] As an alternative or in addition to the embodiments described so far, another advantageous solution to the task mentioned at the beginning according to the invention provides that the ball neck is pivotably held at its first end on a pivot unit between a working position and a rest position, and that in the working position, the ball neck extends substantially in the vertical longitudinal center plane of the trailer coupling, while in the rest position, the ball neck extends substantially transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane and in particular extends approximately parallel to the bumper unit.

[0101] Here, the vertical longitudinal central plane of the trailer coupling preferably coincides with the vertical longitudinal central plane of the rear of the motor vehicle and also with the vertical longitudinal central plane of the motor vehicle.

[0102] With this solution, there are advantageous possibilities: on the one hand, the ball neck can be used in such a way that it extends rearwardly beyond the lower edge of the bumper unit and is thus easily accessible; on the other hand, in the rest position, the ball neck can be arranged between the bumper unit and the rear vehicle part so that it is not visible to the user and is also covered and protected by the bumper unit.

[0103] Here it is particularly proposed that the pivot unit is connected to the ball neck carrier, which extends transversely to the vertical longitudinal central plane, for example in the form of a crossbeam.

[0104] Preferably, the carrier flange is fixed by at least one retaining part, which is connected to the ball neck carrier on one side of the ball neck carrier.

[0105] Furthermore, it is expedient to arrange the pivot unit on the carrier flange, which extends transversely to the ball neck carrier and transversely to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the trailer coupling.

[0106] Preferably, the carrier flange is fixed by at least one retaining part, which is connected to the ball neck carrier on one side of the ball neck carrier.

[0107] In particular, in order to stabilize the carrier flange, it is advantageous for the carrier flange to be supported relative to the ball neck carrier by a support element connected to the ball neck carrier and arranged in a V-shape relative to the carrier flange, so that the forces acting on the pivot unit from the ball neck can be optimally absorbed and transmitted to the ball neck carrier.

[0108] Furthermore, in order to stabilize the carrier flange relative to the ball neck carrier, it is advantageous for the carrier flange to be supported on the ball neck carrier on the side facing away from the roadway by a reinforcement part connected to the ball neck carrier and the carrier flange.

[0109] However, preferably, the reinforcement part can also be connected to the support element so that an integral unit is formed by the carrier flange, the support element and the support part, with the carrier flange, the support element and the support part all being connected to each other and all being supported on the ball neck carrier at the same time.

[0110] For the installation of the pivot unit, it is preferably proposed that the pivot unit includes a pivot bearing unit fixedly held on the carrier flange, and a pivot element carrying the ball neck is pivotally supported on the pivot bearing unit about a pivot axis.

[0111] Here, it is particularly advantageous if the pivot bearing unit and / or the pivot element are provided with a locking device by means of which the pivot element can be fixed torsion-resistant relative to the pivot bearing unit, at least in the working position and in particular also in the rest position.

[0112] With this solution, there is the possibility of fixing the ball neck safely and stably relative to the pivot bearing unit not only in the working position but also in the rest position, in order to transfer the forces acting on the ball neck to the pivot bearing unit and from there to the ball neck carrier.

[0113] As an alternative or in addition to the embodiments described so far, another advantageous solution to the task mentioned at the beginning provides that the ball neck is detachably connected to the ball neck carrier by means of a release unit at its first end, i.e. there is the possibility of detaching the ball neck from the ball neck carrier and storing it separately.

[0114] This solution in particular has the advantage that it is technically easier to implement than the pivot unit, but this solution requires the ball neck detached from the ball neck carrier to be stored separately.

[0115] This release unit can be particularly expediently realized if it has a receiving element firmly connected to the ball neck carrier, into which an insertion element connected to the first end of the ball neck can be inserted and detachably fixed.

[0116] Furthermore, it is advantageously proposed that the receiving element is held on the ball neck carrier by means of at least one flange element and thus the receiving element is stably fixed on the ball neck carrier.

[0117] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that a holding element is connected to the ball neck carrier, which holding element is provided with a mounting base for a second socket housing.

[0118] This second socket housing is expediently configured such that it has a second insertion opening which is arranged close to the lower edge of the bumper unit, such that a plug connector can be inserted into the second insertion opening in a simple manner, and since the second insertion opening is close to the lower edge of the bumper unit, the second insertion opening only slightly affects the visual impression of the bumper unit while on the other hand enabling advantageous access.

[0119] In terms of the arrangement of the second insertion opening, it has proven to be particularly reasonable that the second insertion opening is oriented such that the insertion direction of the plug connector extends at an acute angle to the lane.

[0120] Alternatively or in addition to the solution described above, the task described at the beginning is solved in that the crossbeam is provided with a holding unit for the ball neck and with two coupling parts which are spaced apart from one another and engage on the crossbeam, which coupling parts connect the crossbeam to the mounting element which, for its part, can be mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle body.

[0121] In such a trailer coupling, not only the tensile / thrust forces which cause elastic deflection of the crossbeam act on the ball neck, but also transverse forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam, which are transferred from the crossbeam to the coupling parts and from the coupling parts to the mounting element, act on the ball neck.

[0122] However, the motor vehicle body should be subjected to as little as possible the bending moments and / or transverse forces acting parallel to the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam which are caused, for example, by deflection of the crossbeam, since otherwise damage would be caused to the rear of the motor vehicle body.

[0123] Therefore, it is advantageous to connect the crossbeam to the motor vehicle body such that the undesired moments and / or forces are transferred to the motor vehicle body to the smallest possible extent.

[0124] For this purpose, an advantageous variant of the invention provides that the connection between the crossbeam and the mounting element is effected only via the coupling parts, such that the coupling parts have a crossbeam retaining web which is connected to the crossbeam and the crossbeam retaining web extends to a mounting web via at least one arcuate web which extends to the crossbeam without connection, the mounting web being connected to the respective mounting element.

[0125] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that this configuration of the coupling parts already provides the possibility of elastically absorbing moments and / or forces, in particular moment peaks and / or force peaks, in the region of the coupling parts and transferring them to the smallest possible extent to the mounting element which is firmly connected to the motor vehicle body.

[0126] In particular in order to prevent forces from being conducted from the crossbeam into the mounting element itself, it is preferably provided that the coupling parts hold the crossbeam in a non-contact position relative to the mounting element.

[0127] Furthermore, optimal elastic behavior in the region of the coupling parts can be achieved if at least one arcuate web extends in a plane extending transversely to the crossbeam.

[0128] Furthermore, it is also advantageous if the crossbeam retaining web extends at least in part in a plane extending transversely to the crossbeam, since in this case the crossbeam retaining web can then be connected to at least one arcuate web in a simple manner.

[0129] Here, the crossbeam retaining web can have fastening shoulders which extend transversely to this plane and are connected to the crossbeam.

[0130] However, the crossbeam retaining web can also be connected to the crossbeam by using a narrow side or an edge area.

[0131] Furthermore, it is also advantageous if the mounting web extends at least in part in a plane extending transversely to the crossbeam, such that a simple connection between at least one arcuate web and the mounting web can be achieved.

[0132] Herein, the mounting web can be provided with a partial area extending transversely to this plane and connected to the mounting element.

[0133] If the crossbeam retaining web, at least one arcuate web and the mounting web form a one-piece component, a particularly cost-effective implementation of the coupling component is provided.

[0134] Regarding the connection between the crossbeam retaining web and the crossbeam, no detailed description has been made yet.

[0135] For example, it can be considered to screw the crossbeam retaining web to the crossbeam.

[0136] For example, it can be considered that the crossbeam retaining web is provided with tabs which can be placed on the crossbeam and can be screwed to the crossbeam.

[0137] However, if the crossbeam retaining web is welded to the crossbeam, a particularly cost-effective and stable connection between the crossbeam retaining web and the crossbeam can be achieved.

[0138] Furthermore, it can also be considered to screw the mounting web to the mounting element.

[0139] However, even in this case, it is advantageous in terms of manufacturing simplicity and stability to weld the mounting web to the mounting element.

[0140] In order to establish a connection between the crossbeam retaining web and the crossbeam that is as durable as possible and can withstand alternating loads, it is preferably proposed that the crossbeam retaining web engages in the circumferential surface of the crossbeam and can thus be stably and durably connected to the crossbeam.

[0141] Preferably, it is proposed that the crossbeam extends on both sides of the crossbeam retaining web, such that the connection between the crossbeam retaining web and the crossbeam does not need to be made via the end face of the crossbeam, but only via the circumferential surface.

[0142] Furthermore, it is very advantageous for the elastic behavior of the coupling component that the crossbeam retaining web engages in a circumferential area of the crossbeam, which circumferential area is outside the circumferential area facing the corresponding mounting element.

[0143] Thereby, in particular, there is the possibility to achieve an arcuate web length that is as long as possible and favorable for elastic behavior without significantly increasing the installation space for the coupling component.

[0144] In particular, it is proposed that the crossbeam holds the web in engagement with the crossbeam at the circumferential region of the crossbeam that is remote from the mounting element and is connected to the circumferential region of the crossbeam.

[0145] Regarding other configurations of the arcuate web, no further explanation is made either.

[0146] Therefore, it is preferably proposed that at least one arcuate web extends to the crossbeam in a non-contact manner and is supported by the crossbeam, so that there is also the possibility of achieving as large an arc length as possible.

[0147] Another advantageous solution proposes that at least one arcuate web overlaps the crossbeam on the side facing away from the carriageway.

[0148] Another advantageous solution proposes that at least one arcuate web overlaps the crossbeam on the side facing the carriageway.

[0149] A particularly advantageous solution proposes that the coupling member has two arcuate webs, wherein the first arcuate web overlaps the crossbeam on the side facing away from the carriageway and the second arcuate web overlaps the crossbeam on the side facing the carriageway.

[0150] Furthermore, a purposeful solution proposes that the ends of the arcuate webs facing the mounting element are connected to each other by the mounting web, so that the two arcuate webs allow the force flow from the crossbeam holding web to the mounting element to extend around the crossbeam on both sides through the mounting web and the crossbeam holding web.

[0151] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that at least one arcuate web between the crossbeam holding web and the mounting web has at least one elastic region, the flexural elasticity of which in the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam is greater than the flexural elasticity in the region of the crossbeam holding web or the mounting web.

[0152] Regarding the implementation of at least one arcuate web, it is advantageous that the arcuate web is formed without weld seams at least in its elastic region to avoid weakening the material structure in the region of the arcuate web.

[0153] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the arcuate web has a boundary profile at least in its elastic region, the radius of which is greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than 15 mm, and even more preferably greater than 20 mm, to avoid material weakening caused by the notch effect.

[0154] Furthermore, alternatively or in addition to the features described above, the task described at the beginning is also solved according to the invention by a load-bearing device for a trailer coupling having a spherical neck and a coupling ball, in particular a trailer coupling according to one or more of the features described above, in such a way that the load-bearing member holding device includes a housing having a ball receiving portion for the coupling ball of the spherical neck of the trailer coupling, and the load-bearing member holding device includes at least one position receiving element firmly connected to the housing, which position receiving element interacts with a positioning body provided on the spherical neck.

[0155] Thus, the advantage of the solution according to the invention is that, compared to known load-bearing member holding devices (wherein, for example, the housing is fixed to the coupling ball by a clamping device), the interaction of at least one position receiving element with the positioning body provides the possibility of achieving a better and more precise orientation of the load-bearing member holding device relative to the spherical neck and the coupling ball, wherein in particular the position receiving element and the positioning body enable a defined and additional support of the load-bearing member holding device on the spherical neck by means of the coupling ball.

[0156] Furthermore, another advantage of the solution according to the invention is that there is the possibility, on the one hand, to connect the load-bearing member holding device to the spherical neck carrying the coupling ball in a simple manner and, on the other hand, to establish a stable and safe connection therebetween as stably as possible.

[0157] In particular, the position receiving element and the positioning body interact to form a form-fit.

[0158] In particular, it is proposed here that the position receiving element interacts with the positioning body, in particular to form a form-fit interaction, such that the housing is fixed relative to the spherical neck against tilting movements about a tilting axis extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the central axis of the coupling ball.

[0159] Thereby, all tilting movements of the housing can be defined by the position receiving element and the positioning body.

[0160] Alternatively or in addition, it is proposed that the positioning body and the position receiving element interact, in particular to form a form-fit interaction, such that the housing is fixed against torsion against rotational movements about an axis of rotation parallel to the central axis of the coupling ball or an axis of rotation enclosing an angle of at most 20° with the central axis of the coupling ball.

[0161] Thereby, there is also the possibility of simply fixing the housing to the spherical neck against rotational movements about the axis of rotation by the interaction of the positioning body with the position receiving element of the housing.

[0162] Particularly advantageously, the position receiving element interacts with the positioning body without clamping, that is to say, the interaction takes place not via a clamping connection but only via a form-fit interaction, and only the tilting movement about the tilting axis and / or the rotational movement about the possible rotational axis is eliminated by form-fit, without clamping between the position receiving element and the positioning body.

[0163] In particular, the position receiving element is configured such that it has at least one receiving surface which interacts with at least one positioning surface of at least one positioning body in the load-bearing element holding position.

[0164] By placing the receiving surface against the positioning surface, the form-fit fixation can eliminate the movement about the tilting axis and / or the rotation about the rotational axis.

[0165] Here, an advantageous solution lies in firmly connecting two position receiving elements to the housing.

[0166] In this case, it is preferably proposed that the two position receiving elements are rigidly arranged relative to each other.

[0167] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that the two position receiving elements are rigidly arranged relative to the housing.

[0168] Particularly advantageously, the position receiving element has two receiving surfaces facing each other.

[0169] In principle, it can be considered that the positioning body is configured such that it holds the load-bearing element holding device in a defined orientation relative to the ball neck without carrying it, such that for example the load-bearing element holding device rests on the coupling ball and is carried by the coupling ball, and by carrying the load-bearing element holding device from the side of the coupling ball, the positioning body limits the non-fixed degrees of freedom of movement of the load-bearing element holding device relative to the coupling ball and the ball neck to a defined orientation of the load-bearing element holding device.

[0170] In the case of the previous solution, the interaction between the positioning body and the position receiving element was not explained in more detail.

[0171] Preferably, it is proposed that the corresponding positioning body is arranged in the load-bearing element holding position between the receiving surfaces of the position receiving element in the region bearing the positioning surface.

[0172] Particularly advantageously, the position receiving element has receiving surfaces facing each other, and the positioning body is arranged between the receiving surfaces in the load-bearing element holding position.

[0173] Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that the receiving surfaces of the position receiving element have two guide surface regions facing each other and extending substantially parallel to the placement direction.

[0174] Such a guide surface region enables the load-bearing member retaining device to be anti-rotationally fixed to the ball neck by means of the positioning body and the position receiving element.

[0175] For example, in this case, it is proposed that the receiving surface, in particular the guide surface region, guides the corresponding positioning body with a small clearance in the load-bearing member retaining position.

[0176] In order to also be able to support the position receiving element on the positioning body, it is preferably proposed that at least one of the receiving surfaces in the receiving surface has a support surface region extending transversely to the placement direction.

[0177] Such a support surface region provides the possibility of also transferring the load from the load-bearing member retaining device via the positioning body to the ball neck.

[0178] Particularly advantageously, each of the receiving surfaces in the receiving surface has a support surface region extending transversely to the placement direction.

[0179] Particularly advantageously, the support surface regions extend with an increasing spacing from each other in the placement direction as the extension increases, such that the support surface regions can not only be used to support the load-bearing member retaining device on the positioning body, but also to orient it relative to the positioning body in a defined manner.

[0180] The support surface regions can extend relative to each other in a conical, parabolic, cylindrical or conical shape here.

[0181] An advantageous solution proposes that the support surface regions extend arcuately relative to each other, for example in a parabolic arc, circular arc or hyperbolic arc.

[0182] A particularly advantageous solution proposes that the support surface regions can fix the housing relative to the positioning body with a small clearance in the load-bearing member position.

[0183] No detailed description has been made so far regarding the arrangement of the stabilizing element and the position receiving element.

[0184] Thus, a structurally advantageous solution proposes that at least one position receiving element is located on one side of the ball neck when the load-bearing member retaining device is arranged on the ball neck in the load-bearing member retaining position.

[0185] Another expedient solution, in particular a solution in which the positioning surface basically has a guide surface region, proposes that in the load-bearing member retaining position, the two positioning bodies are located between the receiving surfaces of the two position receiving elements by means of their positioning surfaces.

[0186] In this solution, there is thus the possibility that by moving the load-bearing member holding device in the placement direction and placing the load-bearing member holding device onto the spherical neck with the coupling ball, the receiving surface interacts with the positioning surface in such a way that the housing with the position receiving element is simply placed onto the coupling ball and the spherical neck in the placement direction by means of the positioning body, and for this purpose no other movement of the load-bearing member holding device is required.

[0187] The solution is then particularly advantageous in the case where the two positioning surfaces of the two positioning bodies and / or the two receiving surfaces of the two position receiving elements have face segments, in particular wedge-shaped face segments, which widen or narrow as they extend in the wedging direction extending transversely to the placement direction.

[0188] There is thus the possibility that by a movement transversely to the placement direction, the position receiving elements are brought into abutment with each other and wedge into each other in the wedging direction relative to the positioning body, in order to thereby achieve a positioning with a small clearance of the position receiving elements relative to the positioning body on the spherical neck and thus generally also to be able to position the housing relative to the spherical neck with a small clearance or essentially without clearance by means of the positioning body.

[0189] In the context of the foregoing description of the load-bearing member holding device, only how the load-bearing member holding device is positioned relative to the spherical neck has been discussed.

[0190] However, no introduction has been made to fixing the load-bearing member holding device to the spherical neck.

[0191] An advantageous solution provides that the load-bearing member holding device has a fixing device for fixing the housing to the spherical neck.

[0192] Such a fixing device preferably has a fixing element which fixes the housing relative to the spherical neck in the load-bearing member holding position.

[0193] Here, the fixing element can become effective in different ways and methods.

[0194] A purposeful solution provides that the fixing element interacts with the coupling ball or the spherical neck such that the housing is loaded with a fixing force relative to the coupling ball or the spherical neck in the placement direction or in the direction opposite to the placement direction and thus does not move away from the spherical neck in the direction opposite to the placement direction.

[0195] In particular, as long as the load-bearing member holding device is in the load-bearing member holding position and the fixing element is in the fixing position, the placement force is always effective.

[0196] Another advantageous solution provides that the fixing element interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck such that the housing is subjected to a clamping force acting transversely to the placement direction and thus effective with respect to the coupling ball or the ball neck, and the clearance between the coupling ball receptacle and the coupling ball and / or between the positioning body and the position receiving element is reduced or eliminated.

[0197] In particular, the clamping force is always effective as long as the load-bearing element holding device is in the load-bearing element holding position and the fixing element is in the fixed position.

[0198] The placement direction and / or the clamping force is in particular generated by the interaction of the fixing element with a surface on the coupling ball or the ball neck that extends inclined or bent with respect to the placement direction, where the surface can be arranged directly on the ball neck or also on a body located on the ball neck, such as the positioning body.

[0199] A first advantageous solution provides here that the fixing element engages on the positioning body in the fixed position and thus the load-bearing element holding device is also fixed to the ball neck via the positioning body.

[0200] In particular, this can be achieved in such a way that the fixing element overlaps at least one positioning body from the rear on the front side along the placement direction and can thus load the load-bearing element holding device along the placement direction.

[0201] However, it is also conceivable that the fixing element engages on the ball neck with the coupling ball at another location, for example on a projection or groove provided specifically for this purpose on the ball neck.

[0202] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element engages with the ball neck or the coupling ball in the fixed position.

[0203] This can in particular also be achieved in such a way that the fixing element overlaps the undercut on the ball neck from the rear, or engages into the undercut on the ball neck, or overlaps the coupling ball from the rear on the front side along the placement direction, i.e., on the lower side when placed vertically from top to bottom.

[0204] This engagement on the ball neck or the coupling ball in the fixed position can in particular be achieved in such a way that the fixing element extends into the ball receptacle of the housing in the fixed position.

[0205] In order to be able to move the fixing element between the fixed position and the release position, it is preferably proposed to guide the fixing element movably in a guide channel between the fixed position and the release position.

[0206] In a particularly simple solution, the guide channel can be realized as a guide hole in the housing.

[0207] The guide channel preferably extends transversely to the ball receiving part of the housing here, so that the fixing element can be inserted into the ball receiving part of the housing in a simple manner in the fixed position or retractably positioned from the ball receiving part in the release position.

[0208] In the case of the previous embodiments, no detailed description was made regarding the mode of action of the fixing element.

[0209] Therefore, an advantageous solution provides that the fixing element can be moved along the guide direction between the release position and the fixed position, and the fixing element can be moved along the guide direction by an operating device.

[0210] The fixing element can be moved here in different ways and methods.

[0211] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element is movably guided in the guide channel between the fixed position and the release position.

[0212] The guide channel can be provided in different ways and methods.

[0213] An advantageous solution provides that the guide channel extends transversely to the ball receiving part.

[0214] Here, the fixing element can be configured in different ways.

[0215] One embodiment provides that the fixing element is configured as a fixing screw.

[0216] Another solution provides that the fixing element is configured as a fixing body, such as a fixing ball.

[0217] Another solution provides that the fixing element is configured as a fixing bolt.

[0218] Another solution provides that the fixing element is configured as a fixing bracket, which is preferably placed reliably on the coupling ball and at least partially surrounds the coupling ball.

[0219] Another advantageous solution provides that the fixing element is configured as a fixing finger, which can move transversely, preferably radially, to the central axis and is, for example, placed reliably on the coupling ball.

[0220] Another solution for the operating device provides that the operating device has a crank lever drive for moving the fixing element between the release position and the fixed position.

[0221] Preferably, the crank lever drive is in the top dead center position in the fixed position and holds the fixing element in its fixed position here.

[0222] Thereby, the load-bearing member holding device can be operated simply during lifting.

[0223] Accordingly, the above description of the solution according to the invention in particular includes various combinations of features defined by the numbered embodiments below.

[0224] 1. A trailer coupling (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a ball neck (12), which can be mounted in a vehicle-fixed manner at the rear (18) of the motor vehicle at a first end (14) by means of a ball neck carrier (16), the ball neck carrying a coupling ball (26) at a second end (24), wherein at least one first positioning body (54) is provided on the ball neck (12) at a defined distance from the coupling ball (26) for positioning a load carrier holding device (50) which can be placed on the coupling ball (26) and the ball neck (12), at least one first positioning body (54) being provided on a ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12), which ball neck section adjoins a ball projection (28) of the ball neck (12) carrying the coupling ball (26) and in particular extends along the ball neck (12) from the ball projection (28) by a distance which at most corresponds to one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball (26), at least one first positioning body (54) extending transversely to the orientation of the ball neck section (52) carrying the positioning body (54) and extending away from the ball neck section.

[0225] 2. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 1, wherein at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) is located outside a projection contour (PK) of the coupling ball (26), which projection contour is produced by projecting the coupling ball (26) onto at least one first positioning body (54), wherein in particular the projection contour (PK) intersects at least one first positioning body (54).

[0226] 3. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 1 or 2, wherein at least one first positioning body (54) has first positioning surfaces (64, 66) arranged on opposite sides of each other, the first positioning surfaces being provided at the outer side (55, 255) of the positioning body (54) and being surface regions of a geometric surface which intersects the ball neck section (52) carrying at least one positioning body (54).

[0227] 4. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding embodiment forms, wherein at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one guide surface region (76, 78) which extends parallel to the placement direction (82) of the load carrier holding device (50).

[0228] 5. The trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding embodiment forms, wherein first positioning bodies (54) are respectively provided on opposite sides of a longitudinal central plane (30) of the ball neck (12) on the ball neck section (52), and in particular the first positioning bodies (54, 254) are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central plane (30) of the ball neck (12).

[0229] 6. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one positioning surface region (72, 74) that extends transversely to the placement direction (82).

[0230] 7. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the first positioning body is provided on the spherical neck section (52) of the spherical neck (12), which abuts the spherical protrusion (28) of the load-bearing coupling ball (26) of the spherical neck (12), the spherical protrusion (28) being a constriction provided between the coupling ball (26) and the second end (24), the constriction adjoining the second end (24) in continuation of the run of the spherical neck (12), and the coupling ball (26) being connected to the second end (24) via the constriction, the positioning body (54a, 54b) being close to the spherical protrusion (28) such that the apex line (62) of the positioning body (54a, 54b) has a spacing from the end of the spherical neck (12) at which the spherical protrusion (28) begins that is less than 1.5 times the extent of the spherical protrusion (28) between the second end (24) and the coupling ball (26), such that the positioning body (54) extends away from the spherical neck section (52) in the extension direction (59) starting from the spherical neck section (52) that bears the positioning body, the extension direction (59) of the positioning body (54) extending transversely to the spherical neck section (52) that bears the positioning body, the positioning surfaces (64, 66) being configured such that they are on opposite sides of a transverse plane (60) that extends transversely to the longitudinal central plane (30) of the spherical neck (12), wherein the longitudinal central plane (30) of the spherical neck (12) extends parallel to the placement direction (82).

[0231] 8. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein at least one second positioning surface (142) is provided on the spherical neck (12), the second positioning surface extending transversely to the first positioning surfaces (64, 66), and at least one second positioning surface (142) is provided on the spherical neck section (52) of the spherical neck (12), which abuts the spherical protrusion (28) of the load-bearing coupling ball (26) of the spherical neck (12) and bears the first positioning body (54).

[0232] 9. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein at least one second positioning surface (142) is provided on the first positioning body (54).

[0233] 10. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the second positioning surface (142) is provided on the second positioning body (144).

[0234] 11. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the second positioning surface (142) is located outside the projection contour (PK) of the coupling ball (26), which projection contour is produced by projecting the coupling ball (26) onto the positioning body (54, 142) carrying it.

[0235] 12. The trailer coupling according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the second positioning surface (142) is located within the projection contour of the coupling ball (26), which projection contour is produced by projecting the coupling ball (26) onto the positioning body (144) carrying the second positioning surface.

[0236] 13. The trailer coupling according to the preamble of embodiment 1 or according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a socket (280) is provided on the ball neck (12), and the first socket housing (282) of the socket is held on the socket receiving portion (53) of the ball neck (12).

[0237] 14. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 13, wherein the socket receiving portion (53) surrounds the first socket housing (282).

[0238] 15. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the socket receiving portion (53) has an annular body (266) and a break (268) passing through it.

[0239] 16. The trailer coupling according to embodiments 13 to 15, wherein the socket receiving portion (53) is integrally formed into the ball neck (12).

[0240] 17. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the first socket housing (282) has a support flange (284) that projects radially out of the first socket housing (282), and the support flange abuts outside the break (268) to support the socket housing (282).

[0241] 18. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the first socket housing (282) has a first insertion opening (285) for a plug connector, and the first insertion opening can be closed by a lid (286) movable relative to the first socket housing (282).

[0242] 19. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 18, wherein the first insertion opening (285) with the lid (286) is provided on the side of the first socket housing (282) having the support flange (284).

[0243] 20. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 13 to 19, wherein the supply cable (292) extends along the longitudinal side of the ball neck (12) to the first socket housing (282).

[0244] 21. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 20, wherein the supply cable (292) enters the first socket housing (282) on the following side of the first socket housing (282), the side being on the same side of the ball neck (12) as the supply cable (292) extending along the ball neck (12).

[0245] 22. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 13 to 21, wherein the supply cable (292) enters the first socket housing (282) on the side of the first socket housing (282) that faces away from the ball neck (12) and on which the supply cable extends along the ball neck (12).

[0246] 23. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 22, wherein the socket receiving part (270) has a bulge (322) molded on the notch (268) for the supply cable (292) to the first socket housing (282).

[0247] 24. The trailer coupling according to the foregoing part of embodiment 1 or according to any one of the foregoing embodiment forms, wherein the ball neck (12) is provided with a fixing eyelet (276).

[0248] 25. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 24, wherein the fixing eyelet (276) is provided on the side of the ball neck (12) facing the carriageway in the working position (A) of the ball neck (12).

[0249] 26. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 24 or 25, wherein the fixing eyelet (276) is molded integrally onto the ball neck (12).

[0250] 27. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 24 to 26, wherein the fixing eyelet (270) is provided between the socket receiving part (53) and at least one positioning body (54) in the running direction of the ball neck (12).

[0251] 28. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 24 to 27, wherein in the working position (A) of the ball neck (12), the fixing eyelet (276) is substantially provided on the side of at least one positioning body (54) on the ball neck (12) facing the carriageway.

[0252] 29. A trailer coupling according to the preamble of embodiment 1 or according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the ball neck (12) is pivotally held at its first end (14) on a pivot unit (220) between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), and extends substantially in the vertical longitudinal central plane (30) of the trailer coupling (10) in the working position (A), while extending substantially transversely to the vertical longitudinal central plane (30) in the rest position (R).

[0253] 30. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 29, wherein the pivot unit (220) is connected to the ball neck carrier (16), and the ball neck carrier extends transversely to the vertical longitudinal central plane (30).

[0254] 31. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 30, wherein the pivot unit (220) is arranged on a carrier flange (244), and the carrier flange extends transversely to the ball neck carrier (16) and transversely to the vertical longitudinal central plane (30) of the trailer coupling (10).

[0255] 32. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 31, wherein the carrier flange (244) is fixed by at least one holding member (232, 234) connected to the ball neck carrier (16) on one side.

[0256] 33. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 31 or 32, wherein the carrier flange (244) is supported by a support element (284) connected to the ball neck carrier (16) and arranged in a V-shape relative to the carrier flange (244).

[0257] 34. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 31 to 33, wherein the carrier flange (244) is supported on the side facing away from the road lane on the ball neck carrier (16) by a reinforcement member (332) connected to the ball neck carrier (16) and the carrier flange (244).

[0258] 35. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 29 to 34, wherein the pivot unit (220) includes a pivot bearing unit (254) fixedly held on the carrier flange (244), and a pivot element (252) supporting the ball neck (12) is pivotally supported on the pivot bearing unit about a pivot axis (222).

[0259] 36. The trailer coupling according to embodiment 35, wherein the pivot bearing unit (254) and / or the pivot element (252) is provided with a locking device by which the pivot element (252) can be fixed against torsion relative to the pivot bearing unit (284) at least in the working position (A) and especially also in the rest position (R).

[0260] 37. A trailer coupling according to the preamble of Embodiment Form 1 or any of the foregoing embodiment forms, wherein the ball neck (12) is releasably connectable to the ball neck carrier (16) at its first end (14) by means of a release unit (340).

[0261] 38. A trailer coupling according to Embodiment Form 37, wherein the release unit (340) has a receiving element (344) firmly connected to the ball neck carrier (16), and an insertion element (243) connected to the first end (14) of the ball neck (12) can be inserted into and releasably fixed in the receiving element.

[0262] 39. A trailer coupling according to Embodiment Form 37 or 38, wherein the receiving element (344) is held on the ball neck carrier (16) by means of at least one flange element (346, 348).

[0263] 40. A trailer coupling according to any of Embodiment Forms 37 to 39, wherein a holding member (442) is connected to the ball neck carrier (16), and the holding member is provided with a mounting base (444) for a second socket housing (446).

[0264] 41. A trailer coupling according to Embodiment Form 40, wherein the second socket housing (446) has a second insertion opening (448), and the second insertion opening is arranged close to the lower edge (23) of the bumper unit (22).

[0265] 42. A trailer coupling according to Embodiment Form 41, wherein the second insertion opening (448) is oriented such that the insertion direction (454) for the plug connector extends at an acute angle to the traffic lane.

[0266] 43. A trailer coupling according to the preamble of Embodiment Form 1 or according to any of the foregoing embodiment forms, wherein a cross member (210) provided with a holding unit (224") for the ball neck (12) has two coupling members (346) engaging on the cross member (210) at a distance from each other, and the coupling members connect the cross member (210) to a mounting element (342) which can itself be mounted on the rear part (18) of the motor vehicle body.

[0267] 44. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 43, wherein the connection between the cross member (210) and the mounting element (342) is effected only by means of a coupling part (346), the coupling part (346) having a cross member retaining web (350) connected to the cross member (210), and the cross member retaining web (350) extending to a mounting web (378) by means of at least one arcuate web (374, 376) which extends without connection to the cross member (210), the mounting web (378) being connected to the respective mounting element (342).

[0268] 45. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 43 or 44, wherein the coupling part (346) holds the cross member (210) positioned relative to the mounting element (342) without contact.

[0269] 46. The trailer coupling according to embodiment form 44 or 45, wherein at least one arcuate web (374, 376) extends in a plane extending transversely to the cross member (210).

[0270] 47. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiment forms 43 to 46, wherein the cross member retaining web (350) extends at least in part in a plane extending transversely to the cross member (210).

[0271] 48. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiment forms 43 to 47, wherein the mounting web (378) extends at least in part in a plane extending transversely to the cross member (210).

[0272] 49. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiment forms 43 to 48, wherein the cross member retaining web (350), at least one arcuate web (374, 376) and the mounting web (378) form a one-piece part.

[0273] 50. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiment forms 43 to 49, wherein the cross member retaining web (350) is welded to the cross member (210).

[0274] 51. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiment forms 43 to 50, wherein the mounting web (378) is welded to the mounting element (342).

[0275] 52. The trailer coupling according to any one of embodiment forms 43 to 51, wherein the cross member retaining web (350) engages on the circumferential surface (358) of the cross member (210).

[0276] 53. A trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 43 to 52, wherein the crossmember retaining web (350) engages on a circumferential region (370) of the crossmember (210), said circumferential region being outside the circumferential region (372) of the crossmember (210) facing the respective mounting element (342).

[0277] 54. A trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 43 to 53, wherein the crossmember retaining web (350) engages on the crossmember (210) on a circumferential region (370) of the crossmember (210) facing away from the mounting element (342) and is connected to these circumferential regions (370) of the crossmember (210).

[0278] 55. A trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 43 to 54, wherein at least one arcuate web (374, 376) extends from the crossmember retaining web (350) to the mounting web (378) in a manner that non - contactingly overlaps the crossmember (210).

[0279] 56. A trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 43 to 55, wherein at least one arcuate web (374) overlaps the crossmember (210) on the side facing away from the carriageway.

[0280] 57. A trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 43 to 55, wherein at least one arcuate web (376) overlaps the crossmember (210) on the side facing towards the carriageway.

[0281] 58. A trailer coupling according to embodiment 56 or 57, wherein the ends of the arcuate webs (374, 376) facing the mounting element (342) are connected to each other by the mounting web (378).

[0282] 59. A trailer coupling according to any one of embodiments 43 to 58, wherein at least one arcuate web (374, 376) between the crossmember retaining web (350) and the mounting web (378) has at least one elastic region, the bending elasticity of which in the longitudinal direction (352) of the crossmember (210) is greater than the bending elasticity in the region of the crossmember retaining web (350) or the mounting web (378).

[0283] 60. A load-bearing member holding device for a trailer coupling (10), the trailer coupling having a ball neck (12) and a coupling ball (26), the load-bearing member holding device for a trailer coupling (18) according to any of the foregoing embodiments, the load-bearing member holding device including a housing (84) provided with a holding element (96), the housing having a ball receiving portion (86) for the coupling ball (26) of the ball neck (12) of the trailer coupling (10), wherein the holding element (96) respectively has at least one position receiving element (104), the position receiving element being firmly connected to the housing (84), and the position receiving element cooperating with a positioning body (54) provided on the ball neck (12), the position receiving element (104) having receiving surfaces (114, 116), the receiving surfaces cooperating with a first positioning surface (64, 66) of at least one positioning body (54, 144) in a load-bearing member holding position, and the holding element (96) having an inner side (98) or a wall region (146), at least one second positioning surface (142) provided on a ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12) being supported on the inner side or the wall region (146).

[0284] 61. The load-bearing member holding device according to embodiment 60, wherein the position receiving element (104) cooperates with the positioning body (54), in particular by forming a form fit, such that the housing (84) is fixed relative to the ball neck (12) against tilting movements about a tilting axis KAK extending transversely, in particular perpendicular to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26).

[0285] 62. The load-bearing member holding device according to embodiment 60 or 61, wherein the positioning body (54) and the position receiving element (104) cooperate, in particular by forming a form fit, such that the housing (84) is fixed against torsion against rotational movements about a rotational axis (D) parallel to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) or enclosing an angle of at most 20° with the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26).

[0286] 63. The load-bearing member holding device according to any one of embodiments 60 to 62, wherein two position receiving elements (104) are firmly connected to the housing (84), the two position receiving elements (104) being rigidly arranged relative to each other, and in particular the two position receiving elements (104) being rigidly arranged relative to the housing (84).

[0287] 64. The load carrier holding device according to any one of embodiments 60 to 63, wherein the position receiving element (104) has two receiving surfaces (114, 116) facing each other, and in particular the corresponding positioning body (54) is arranged in the region of its load-bearing positioning surfaces (64, 66) between the receiving surfaces (114, 116) of at least one position receiving element (104) in the load carrier holding position.

[0288] 65. The load carrier holding device according to any one of embodiments 60 to 64, wherein the load carrier holding device (50) has a fixing device (160) for fixing the housing (84) to the ball neck (12), the fixing device (160) having fixing elements (164, 192) for fixing the housing (84) relative to the ball neck (12) in the load carrier holding position, wherein the fixing elements (164, 192) engage in the fixed position on the ball neck (12) or the positioning body (54) or the coupling ball (26), and in particular the fixing elements (164, 192) are movable along a guiding direction (165) between a release position and a fixed position, and in particular the fixing elements (164, 192) are movable in the guiding directions (165, 172) by an operating device (170). Description of the Drawings

[0289] Other features and advantages of the present invention are the subject of the subsequent description and the graphical views of several embodiments.

[0290] Shown in the drawings:

[0291] Figure 1 A side view of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, having a trailer coupling in the working position and a load carrier unit held on the trailer coupling;

[0292] Figure 2 Shows a top view of a first embodiment of the ball neck in the direction of arrow X in Figure 1 when the load carrier holding device is not placed on the ball neck;

[0293] Figure 3 A partially disassembled view of a first embodiment of the load carrier holding device placed on the ball neck of a first embodiment of the trailer coupling;

[0294] Figure 4 Shows a view similar to Figure 3 of a second embodiment of the load carrier holding device placed on the ball neck of the first embodiment;

[0295] Figure 5 Shows a view similar to Figure 2 of a second embodiment of the ball neck and a second embodiment of the load carrier holding device;

[0296] Figure 6 shows a view of a first embodiment of a load-bearing member holding device for a third embodiment of a ball neck similar to Figure 2 ;

[0297] Figure 7 shows a view of a first embodiment of a load-bearing member holding device for a fourth embodiment of a ball neck similar to Figure 2 ;

[0298] Figure 8 shows a view of a third embodiment of a load-bearing member holding device for a fifth embodiment of a ball neck similar to Figure 2 ;

[0299] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a load-bearing member holding device;

[0300] Figure 10 shows a cross-section along line 10 - 10 in Figure 9 having a first embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention;

[0301] Figure 11 shows a longitudinal cross-section through a third embodiment of a load-bearing member holding device of a first embodiment of a ball neck and an eighth embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention;

[0302] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a trailer coupling with a pivoting unit according to the invention and its arrangement on a ball neck carrier formed by a crossbeam;

[0303] Figure 13 shows a view of an embodiment of a trailer coupling as seen in the direction B along Figure 12 ;

[0304] Figure 14 shows a side view of a trailer coupling as seen in the direction C along Figure 12 ;

[0305] Figure 15 shows a side view as seen in the direction D along Figure 12 ;

[0306] Figure 16 shows a top view of a trailer coupling as seen in the direction E along Figure 12 ;

[0307] Figure 17 shows a perspective view similar to another embodiment of a trailer coupling according to the invention Figure 12 ;

[0308] Figure 18 shows a view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 17 direction B in

[0309] Figure 19 shows a side view of the trailer hitch along Figure 17 direction C in

[0310] Figure 20 shows a side view of the trailer hitch according to the present invention when viewed along Figure 17 direction D in

[0311] Figure 21 shows a top view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 17 direction E in

[0312] Figure 22 shows a similar Figure 12 perspective view of another embodiment of the trailer hitch according to the present invention;

[0313] Figure 23 shows a view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 22 direction B in

[0314] Figure 24 shows a side view of the trailer hitch root Figure 22 when viewed along direction C in Figure 22 the trailer hitch;

[0315] Figure 25 shows a side view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 22 direction D in

[0316] Figure 26 shows a top view of the trailer hitch according to Figure 22 when viewed along direction E;

[0317] Figure 27 shows a similar Figure 12 perspective view of another embodiment of the trailer hitch according to the present invention;

[0318] Figure 28 shows a top view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 27 direction B in

[0319] Figure 29 shows a side view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 27 direction C in

[0320] Figure 30 shows a side view of the trailer hitch when viewed along Figure 27 direction D in

[0321] Figure 31 shows a top view of a trailer coupling according to Figure 27 in the direction E along Figure 27 ;

[0322] Figure 32 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a trailer coupling according to the invention;

[0323] Figure 33 shows Figure 32 a top view of the trailer coupling in the direction B in

[0324] Figure 34 shows Figure 32 a side view of the trailer coupling in the direction C along

[0325] Figure 35 shows Figure 32 a side view of the trailer coupling in the direction D along

[0326] Figure 36 shows a top view of a trailer coupling according to Figure 32 in the direction E along DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0327] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the trailer coupling, generally designated 10, of the first embodiment shown includes a ball neck 12 which is connected at a first end 14 to a ball neck carrier 16 which itself is firmly held at the rear end 18 of a motor vehicle body generally designated 20, wherein the ball neck carrier 16 is preferably firmly connected to the rear end 18 in a covered manner by a rear bumper unit 22.

[0328] For example, the ball neck carrier 16 may include a common cross member which extends below the bumper unit 22 and parallel to the bumper unit and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body 20, which cross member itself is connected to the rear end 18 and may also include a receiving portion in which the ball neck 12 is firmly or releasably held at the end 14, or may include a pivot unit by means of which the ball neck 12 can pivot about one or more axes relative to the rear end 18 between a working position A (as Figure 1 shown) and a rest position A not shown, in which working position A it extends from the first end located below the bumper unit 22 below the lower edge 23 of the bumper unit in the opposite direction to the travel direction, wherein in the rest position the ball neck 12 extends substantially parallel to the bumper unit 22 and is arranged to be largely covered by the rear bumper unit 22 between the rear bumper unit 22 and the rear end 18 of the motor vehicle body 20.

[0329] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 the ball neck 12 is bent between its first end 14 and the opposite second end 24 such that the end 24 extends away from the carriageway in the working position, and the ball neck bears a coupling ball, designated as a whole by 26, wherein a constriction, designated as ball projection 28, is provided between the coupling ball 26 and the end 24, which constriction adjoins the end 24 in the form of an extension of the run of the ball neck 12 and connects the coupling ball 26 to the second end 24 of the ball neck 12 via this constriction.

[0330] The coupling ball 26 is generally used here for towing a trailer, wherein the trailer has a towing ball coupling which can be connected to the ball neck 12 in such a way that it overlaps the coupling ball 24.

[0331] In the working position of the ball neck shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 the ball neck 12 is configured symmetrically with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, like the coupling ball 26, wherein the longitudinal center plane 30 is not only the longitudinal center plane 30 of the ball neck 12 and the trailer coupling 10, but also coincides with the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 of the tail 18 and the motor vehicle body 20 in the working position of the trailer coupling.

[0332] In particular, the central axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 is located in the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 here, wherein the central axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 is determined in such a way that this central axis is simultaneously the central axis 32 of the ball projection 28, and / or furthermore in such a way that this central axis extends centrally and perpendicular to the flattened portion 34 of the coupling ball 26, which flattened portion is provided at the coupling ball 26 on the side opposite to the ball projection 28, such that the shape of the coupling ball 26 deviates from the complete spherical surface 38 extending around the ball center point 36 located on the central axis 32, on the one hand in the region of the ball projection 28 and on the other hand in the region of the flattened portion 34.

[0333] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the trailer coupling 10 can be used not only for connecting a trailer to the motor vehicle body 20, but also for fixing a load carrier, designated as a whole by 40, to the motor vehicle body 20.

[0334] For example, the load carrier 40 is used here for transporting a bicycle 42, but it is also conceivable to use the load carrier 40 for transporting any other type of load.

[0335] The load-bearing member 40 includes a load-bearing member base 44, which is configured, for example, in the form of a basic frame for accommodating various loads. The load-bearing member is provided with a load-bearing member retaining device 50 by means of which the load-bearing member 40 can be fixed to the ball neck 12.

[0336] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the first embodiment, as shown, the ball neck 12 is provided in a ball neck section 52 adjacent to the end 24 and the ball projection 28 with positioning elements 54a and 54b that project laterally from this ball neck section. The positioning elements are formed, for example, by solid bolts 56a and 56b that are molded onto the ball neck section 52 and project laterally from the ball neck section 52. The solid bolts particularly have a cylindrical peripheral surface.

[0337] In the case where the ball neck is provided with a socket receiving portion 53 for a socket, the ball neck section 52 is located between the socket receiving portion 53 and the end 24.

[0338] Furthermore, the ball neck section 52 preferably extends from the end 24 along the ball neck 12 over a distance that corresponds at most to 1.5 times the diameter of the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.

[0339] The ball neck section 52 preferably extends from the end 24 only over a distance that corresponds to the diameter of the spherical surface 38.

[0340] Here, the solid bolts 56a and 56b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane 30 and also extend symmetrically from the ball neck section 52 with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30.

[0341] However, as an alternative to molding the positioning elements 54 onto the ball neck section 52, there is also the possibility of realizing the positioning body 54 by means of pins that pass through the ball neck section 52 in holes. The pins, for example, have a cylindrical peripheral surface, and the pins then form bolts 56a, 56b with their two end portions.

[0342] Preferably, the positioning body 54, in particular the bolts 56, is configured such that the shapes of the positioning elements 54a and 54b are designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center plane 30, respectively.

[0343] As shown in particular in Figure 3 and Figure 4 the positioning elements 54a and 54b extend with their longitudinal axes 58 in an extension direction 59 that is transverse to, preferably perpendicular to, the longitudinal center plane 30.

[0344] For example, the longitudinal axis 58 lies in a particularly vertical transverse plane 60 that extends transversely to, preferably perpendicular to, the longitudinal center plane 30 and that also extends parallel to the central axis 32 of the coupling ball 26, in particular extends spaced apart from the central axis 32 of the coupling ball 26.

[0345] The positioning body 54 includes first positioning surfaces 64, 66 on both sides of its outer side 55, which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 and thus parallel to the extending direction of the positioning body 54.

[0346] In particular, the first positioning surfaces 64, 66 extend from the vertex line 62 located on the outer side and facing the coupling ball 26.

[0347] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the vertex line 62 is particularly located in the transverse plane 60 here, which on the one hand extends parallel to the longitudinal central plane 30 of the coupling ball 26 and on the other hand intersects the positioning bodies 54a and 54b particularly centrally.

[0348] The first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b are located on opposite sides of the transverse plane 60. The first positioning surfaces preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b or at an angle of at most 20° relative to the longitudinal axis. The positioning surfaces 64 and 66 are partial surfaces of the geometric outer peripheral side surfaces of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, which are collectively denoted by 68, and the partial surfaces intersect the spherical neck section 52.

[0349] In the case where the positioning bodies 54a and 54b are configured in the form of cylindrical bolts, the outer peripheral surfaces 68 of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b are cylindrical outer peripheral surfaces, and the longitudinal axis 58 forms the column axis relative to the cylindrical outer peripheral surfaces.

[0350] The positioning surfaces 64 and 66 extend from both sides of the vertex line 62 with an increasing spacing particularly relative to the vertical transverse plane 60. The first positioning surfaces 62 and 64 have positioning surface regions 72 and 74 that first extend transversely to the transverse plane 60, and also transversely to the longitudinal central plane 30 and with an increasing spacing from the coupling ball 26, and also with an increasing spacing from the transverse plane 60. The positioning surface regions transition into the guide surface regions 76 and 78 of the first positioning surfaces 64 and 66, and the guide surface regions extend substantially parallel or parallel to the transverse plane 60.

[0351] For example, the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 transition into the guide surface regions 76 and 78 steplessly.

[0352] In Figures 2 to 3 In the first embodiment of the spherical neck 12 according to the present invention shown in, the positioning bodies 54a and 54b approach the spherical protrusion 28 such that the spacing between the vertex line 62 of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the end 24 of the spherical neck 12 (where the spherical protrusion 28 starts) is less than 1.5 times the extension amplitude of the spherical protrusion 28 between the second end 24 and the coupling ball 26.

[0353] Furthermore, in particular, the distance between the positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the equatorial plane 80 that passes through the center point 36 of the connecting ball 26 and extends perpendicular to the central axis 32 is less than 1.5 times the diameter of the spherical surface 38 of the connecting ball 26.

[0354] In particular, the first positioning surfaces 64, 66 with the positioning surface regions 72, 74 and the guiding surface regions 76, 78 are located outside the projection contour PK, that is, on the side of the projection contour PK facing away from the spherical neck section 52, and the projection contour is formed by projecting the connecting ball 26 onto the positioning body 54, in particular its outer surface.

[0355] Thus, in particular, the spherical neck section 52 carrying the positioning bodies 54a, 54b is located within the projection contour PK and the positioning bodies 54a, 54b extend from this spherical neck section 52 to the first positioning surfaces 64, 66.

[0356] Here, the projection of the connecting ball 26 is carried out parallel to the placement direction 82, in which the load-bearing element holding device 50 can be placed on the connecting ball 26 and the ball neck 12.

[0357] The placement direction 82 preferably extends approximately parallel to the central axis 32, in particular parallel to the central axis 32.

[0358] According to Figure 3 , the load-bearing element holding device 50 of the first embodiment can be placed on the above-mentioned ball neck 12, which carries the connecting ball 26 at the second end 24 and the positioning bodies 54a and 54b in the spherical neck section 52 near the second end 24, and the load-bearing element holding device 50 is placed along the placement direction 82, which extends in particular parallel to the longitudinal central plane 30 and approximately parallel to the central axis 32.

[0359] The approximately parallel extension of the placement direction 82 should be understood as that the maximum angle between the central axis 32 of the connecting ball 26 and the placement direction 82 is less than 30°, more preferably less than 10°, so that the placement direction 82 can extend parallel and / or inclined, or even curved, with respect to the central axis 32.

[0360] The load-bearing element holding device 50 itself has a housing 84, in which a ball receiving portion 86 for the connecting ball 26 is provided, and the ball receiving portion 86 has a cylindrical ball guiding surface 92 extending into the housing 84 starting from the receiving opening 88 of the housing 84.

[0361] The housing 84 is also provided with a holding element 96, and each holding element 96 has a position receiving element 104, which cooperates with each of the positioning bodies in the positioning body 54.

[0362] In particular, the element 96 is held in a rigid connection with the housing 84 such that the position receiving elements 104 are rigidly arranged not only relative to the housing 84 but also relative to each other.

[0363] Figure 3 The position receiving element 104a shown in co-operates with the positioning body 54a, the position receiving element extending, for example, from the receiving opening 106 to the receiving base 108 opposite the receiving opening 106.

[0364] The position receiving element 104a includes receiving surfaces 114 and 116 extending from the receiving opening 106 to the receiving base 108, the receiving surfaces being configured as support surface regions 122 and 124 in the region of the receiving base 108, the support surface regions extending in a direction opposite to the placement direction 82 relative to each other and, for example, being able to merge with each other or terminate spaced apart from each other in the region of the baseline 112 of the receiving base 108.

[0365] Furthermore, the receiving surfaces 114 and 116 include guide surface regions 126 and 128 extending from the support surface regions 122 and 124 to the receiving opening 106, the guide surface regions extending, in particular, parallel to the placement direction 82.

[0366] The guide surface regions 126 and 128 guide through the receiving opening 106 into the positioning body 54 of the position receiving element 104 in such a way that the guide surface regions are applied to the guide surface regions 76 and 78 of the positioning body 54 and thus guide the load carrier holding device 50 in the placement direction 82 during placement, while the support surface regions 122 and 124 of the position receiving element 104 are designed such that they are applied as flat as possible to the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning body 54.

[0367] Thus, in the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50 according to the invention according to Figure 3 the entire load of the load carrier 40 rests on the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, i.e. the support surface regions 122 and 124 of the position receiving element 104 are applied as flat as possible to the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning body 54.

[0368] Furthermore, the run of the support surface regions 122 and 124 extending in the placement direction 82 and the run of the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 having at least approximately the same extension in the placement direction 82 enable an exact orientation of the position receiving element 104 relative to the positioning body 54 transversely to the placement direction 82 and transversely to the transverse plane.

[0369] On the other hand, the guiding surface regions 126 and 128 guide the position receiving element 104 on the positioning body 54, in particular on its guiding surface regions 76 and 78, when placing along the placing direction 82, such that the position receiving element 104 is placed with its supporting surface regions 122 and 124 against the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning body 54.

[0370] When the housing 84 is placed onto the ball neck 12 having the coupling ball 26, first the coupling ball 26 is introduced through the receiving opening 88 into the ball receiving part 86, wherein the ball guiding surface 92 rests with a clearance against the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 and guides the coupling ball 26 in the direction towards the end face 94 when the coupling ball 26 moves into the ball receiving part 86, until the position receiving element 104 touches the positioning body 54 with its receiving opening 106 and subsequently the positioning body 54 moves into the position receiving element 104 until the supporting surface regions 122 and 124 place the position receiving element 104 against the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning body 54, such that the load-bearing element holding position is reached.

[0371] In this load-bearing element holding position of the first embodiment of the load-bearing element holding device 50, the entire load is transferred from the position receiving element 104 to the positioning body 54 and from the positioning body 54 to the ball neck 12, while the coupling ball 26 only rests against the ball guiding surface 92, such that the support of the housing 84 relative to the ball neck 12 prevents the housing 84 from tilting around the positioning body 54, in particular around the tilting axis KAP formed by its longitudinal axis 58 extending transversely to the central axis 32.

[0372] Furthermore, the described interaction of the positioning body 54 and the position receiving element 104 can prevent the housing 84 from rotating around a rotation axis D extending approximately parallel to the placing direction 82.

[0373] In this case, the alignment approximately parallel to the placing direction 82 is to be understood as the alignment of the rotation axis D, in which alignment the rotation axis D encloses an angle of at most 30° with the placing direction.

[0374] But alternatively in Figure 4In a second embodiment of the load-bearing member holding device 50' shown, it is also conceivable that the end face 94 of the ball receiving portion 86, which is disposed opposite the receiving opening 88, is configured, for example, as a conical surface or a spherical crown surface, and the housing 84, the stabilizing element 96, and the position receiving element 104 are configured such that the entire load of the load-bearing member 40 is transmitted from the end face 94 to the coupling ball 26, and the positioning body 54 only serves to support the housing 84 against omnidirectional tilting about the tilting axis KAK that passes through the coupling ball 26 and extends transversely to the central axis 32. In this case, on the one hand, the guiding surface regions 126 and 128 mainly prevent the housing 84 from tilting about the coupling ball 26 by abutting against the guiding surface regions 76 and 78 of the positioning body 54, and on the other hand, prevent the housing 84 from rotating about the rotation axis D that extends substantially parallel to the placement direction 82. For example, the supporting surface regions 122 and 124 of the receiving surfaces 114 and 116 can be placed flat on the corresponding positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning body 54 on one side, that is, on one side of the ball neck 12 or on one side of the transverse plane 60, to achieve additional support.

[0375] In Figure 5 In the second embodiment of the ball neck 12' according to the invention shown, the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b are each configured such that their outer surfaces 55'a, 55'b do not extend cylindrically about the longitudinal axis 58, but taper conically away from the ball neck section 52' as the extension in the extension direction increases, such that the outer surfaces 55'a and 55'b extend with a smaller radial distance from the longitudinal axis 58 as the distance from the ball neck section 52' in the extension direction 59 increases.

[0376] This achieves that in a third embodiment of the load-bearing member holding device 50" according to the invention, the supporting surface regions 122' and 124' located on the positioning surfaces 64' and 66' formed by the outer surfaces 55'a and 55'b are subjected to forces oriented parallel to the extension direction in addition to serving for support, thereby centering the housing 84 relative to the vertical longitudinal central plane 30, especially when the supporting surface regions 122' and 124' are adapted to the conical curves of the outer surfaces 55'a and 55'b of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b. The centering results in an improvement in the fixation of the housing 84' on the ball neck 12'.

[0377] Therefore, this configuration of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b improves the orientation of the housing 84' or the centering of the housing 84' relative to the vertical longitudinal central plane 30 in the region of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b, thereby fixing the housing 84' more gaplessly on the ball neck.

[0378] Different from the first embodiment, in the second embodiment of the ball neck 12', the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b are provided on the second positioning bodies 144a and 144b. The second positioning bodies extend from the ball neck section 52' parallel to the extending direction of the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b, but are provided beside the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b, for example, between the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the ball protrusion 28.

[0379] In this second embodiment, the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b are abutted against the inner side 98 of the holding element 96, resulting in a defined positioning of the holding element 96 relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, such that the holding element 96 is fixed by the support surface regions 122 and 124 transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 through the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b to prevent such movement.

[0380] In Figure 6 In the third embodiment of the ball neck 12" according to the present invention shown in

[0381] However, different from the first embodiment, the second positioning bodies 144a, 144b and the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b belong to the same positioning bodies 54a and 54b as in the first embodiment. The second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b extend perpendicular to the outer surfaces 55a and 55b of the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b and, for example, extend parallel to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30.

[0382] These additional second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b are adapted to the spacing between each other and the holding element 96, and are abutted against the inner side 98 of the holding element 96 facing these positioning surfaces 142a, 142b of the ball neck section 52, such that the holding element 96 is fixed by the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b to prevent lateral movement relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 with respect to the ball neck section 52".

[0383] Due to the combined action of the first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning elements 54a and 54b and the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b, the load-bearing member holding device 50 according to the first embodiment form can be reliably fixed within the regions of the first positioning elements 54a and 54b, to prevent movement parallel to the longitudinal center plane 30 through the combined action of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the position receiving elements 104a and 104b, and to prevent movement transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 through the combined action of the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b and the inner side 98 of the holding element 96.

[0384] Here, the load-bearing member holding device 50 is also configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0385] Furthermore, all elements identical to those of the ball neck 12 of the first embodiment also have the same reference signs, so that the description thereof can be fully referred to the first embodiment.

[0386] In Figure 7 the fourth embodiment of the ball neck 12"', elements identical to those of the ball neck 12 of the first embodiment are also provided with the same reference signs, so that the description thereof can be fully referred to the implementation manners of the first embodiment of the ball neck 12 and the first embodiment of the load-bearing member holding device 50.

[0387] Different from the first and fourth embodiments of the ball neck 12"', in the fourth embodiment of the ball neck 12"', the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b are provided on the second positioning bodies 144a and 144b, which extend from the ball neck section 52 parallel to the extending direction of the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b, but are arranged at a distance from the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b, and are located, for example, between the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the ball protrusion 28.

[0388] In the fourth embodiment, the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b also rest on the inner sides 98 of the holding element 96, and thus cause the holding element 96 to be positioned relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, such that the supporting surface areas 122 and 124 of the holding element 96 do not have to be supported on the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, but are fixed by the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b against such movement.

[0389] In Figure 8 the fifth embodiment of the ball neck 12" according to the invention as shown, the second supporting surfaces 142'a and 142'b are not provided on the ball neck section 52" or on specially provided second positioning bodies, but are at a defined distance from the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 at the ends of the first positioning bodies 54"a and 54"b, and also extend transversely to the outer surfaces 55"a and 55"b and thus especially also transversely to the longitudinal axis 58. The interaction between these second positioning surfaces 142'a and 142'b and the holding element 96 of the fourth implementation form of the load-bearing member holding device is carried out in such a way that the holding element 96 has wall regions 146, which overlap the second positioning surfaces 142'a and 142'b and are supported on the second positioning surfaces in the placed state of the fourth implementation form of the load-bearing member holding device 50"'.

[0390] Therefore, the holding element 96 is fixed thereby against movement transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, and thus the third implementation form of the load-bearing member holding device 50"' is stably received on the ball neck 12".

[0391] Furthermore, elements that are the same as those in the foregoing embodiments of the ball neck and the foregoing embodiments of the load carrier retaining device are also provided with the same reference numerals, so that the description thereof can be fully referred to the description of the first embodiment.

[0392] In order to fix the housing 84 on the ball neck 12 in the load carrier retaining position, as in Figure 9 and Figure 10 a first embodiment of the load carrier retaining device 50 shown, a first embodiment of a fixing device, designated as a whole by 160, is provided, which fixing device has a fixing element 164 movably arranged in a guide 162.

[0393] The guide 162 forms a guide channel here, in which the fixing element 164 moves between a release position and a fixing position along a guide direction 165.

[0394] The fixing element 164 is provided on the one hand with an operating element 166, which is part of a manually operable mechanism or can be operated by a drive device, and on the other hand has a head 168, which in Figure 11 the fixing position shown, presses against the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26, more precisely between the equatorial plane 8 and the ball projection 28, in particular in the transition region close to the ball projection 28.

[0395] The operating element 166 and the guide 162 together with the fixing element 164 form an operating device 170.

[0396] By the head 168 pressing against the spherical surface 38, on the one hand a force component acting as a fixing force FK in the placing direction 82 on the load carrier retaining device 50 is generated, and on the other hand a force component acting transversely to the placing direction 82 and acting as a clamping force VK is generated, which force component causes, for example, the load carrier retaining device 50 to rest with the housing 84 against the coupling ball 26, more precisely on the side opposite to the fixing element 164, such that the load carrier retaining device 50 is fixed without play thereby, wherein the fixing element 164 thereby firmly connects the load carrier retaining device 50 to the ball neck 12 and the coupling ball 26.

[0397] In a further embodiment of the fixing device 160' according to the invention integrated into a second embodiment 50' of the load carrier retaining device, the fixing device is modified such that the housing 84' is placed on the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.

[0398] The fixing device 160' includes a fixing body 192 as a fixing element, which fixing body can be moved or displaced in the direction 172 towards the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 or away from said spherical surface by means of a crank lever device 194 as an operating device 170'.

[0399] The fixing element 192 preferably bears on the spherical surface 38 in the region of the transition of the spherical surface 38 to the spherical projection 28 here, in order to fix the load-bearing element retaining device 50' on the coupling ball 26.

[0400] In order to fix the fixing body 192, the crank lever device 194 can be moved into Figure 12 the dead center position shown by the dashed line in the figure, in which the crank lever device presses the fixing element 192 against the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.

[0401] If the crank lever device 194 is moved into the folded position, as Figure 12 shown in the figure, the fixing body 192 is spaced apart from the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26, so that the load-bearing element fixing device 50' can be removed from the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12.

[0402] The crank lever device 194 is operated by an operating lever 196, and the operating lever 196 acts on the hinge joint 202 of the crank lever device via an intermediate lever 198, so as to move the hinge joint 202 into the bent position or into Figure 12 the dead center position shown by the dashed line in the figure.

[0403] The trailer coupling according to the invention of the first embodiment marked with 10 includes a cross member 210 as a ball neck carrier 16, which extends transversely to the longitudinal center plane of the motor vehicle body 20, and the longitudinal center plane coincides with the longitudinal center plane 30 of the trailer coupling 10.

[0404] The ball neck 12 is held at its first end 14 on a pivot unit 220 here, and the ball neck 12 can be pivoted from Figure 12 the working position A shown in the figure (in which the central axis of the coupling ball 26 is at least located in the longitudinal center plane 30) to the rest position R (in the rest position the ball neck extends transversely to the longitudinal center plane 30 and extends substantially parallel to the cross member 210), more precisely such that the coupling ball 26 faces the carriageway as a whole.

[0405] As shown in Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 the pivot unit 220 is held on a carrier flange 224.

[0406] The carrier flange 224 extends perpendicular to the pivot axis 222 and thus extends at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal center plane 30 on the one hand and at an acute angle with respect to the cross member 210 on the other hand, and also as shown in Figures 13 to 15As shown in [reference], with respect to the crossbeam 232, the components 232 and 234 are also stabilized, where the retaining component 232 is arranged on the side facing the tail 18 and is connected to the longitudinal side 236 of the carrier flange 224 facing the tail 18, while the retaining component 234 is connected to the longitudinal side 238 of the carrier flange 224 facing away from the tail 18.

[0407] Here, the two retaining components 232 and 234 are connected to the crossbeam 210 with their upper sides 242 and 244 extending parallel to the crossbeam 210, for example, welded to the crossbeam.

[0408] As can also be seen especially from Figure 13 As seen, the pivot unit 220 is configured such that it carries the ball neck 12 at the end 14 by means of a pivot element 252 firmly connected to the end 14 and also connected around the pivot axis 222. The pivot element surrounds a pivot bearing unit 254 enclosed within the pivot element 252. The pivot bearing unit penetrates the carrier flange and carries a drive unit 256 on its side opposite to the pivot element 252. The drive unit, for example, has drive means for locking the pivot element 252 relative to the pivot bearing unit 254 and also has drive means for pivoting the pivot element 252 relative to the pivot bearing unit 254.

[0409] Here, the entire pivot bearing unit 254 is preferably only held on the carrier flange 224 and is firmly connected to the crossbeam 210 by means of the carrier flange 224 and thus firmly connected to the ball neck carrier 16.

[0410] As already described, the ball neck 12 includes a socket receiving portion 53 for the socket 280 between the first end region 14 and the second end region 24. The socket receiving portion 53 is configured to be integrated into the structure of the ball neck 12 in such a way that the ball neck 12 has a lower longitudinal strut 262 and an upper longitudinal strut 264. An annular body 266 forming the socket receiving portion 53 extends between the upper and lower longitudinal struts and surrounds a break 268 passing through the ball neck 12. As described in detail below, the socket 280 is inserted into this break 268.

[0411] Preferably, in the region between the first end 14 and the annular body 266, there is a groove 272 between the lower longitudinal strut 262 and the upper longitudinal strut, and between the annular body 266 and the second end 24, especially between the annular body 266 and the positioning body 54, there is a groove 272 or 277.

[0412] In addition, the ball neck 12 includes a fixing hole 276 on its side facing the carriageway in the working position A. The fixing hole is preferably located on the side of the positioning body 54 opposite to the coupling ball 26 and especially on the side of the groove 274 and the positioning body 54 facing the carriageway.

[0413] As shown in Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, the first socket housing 282 is inserted into the socket receiving portion 53, as shown in Figure 14 shown, the first socket housing is placed by means of a support flange or collar 284, and in particular encircles the annular body 266 and also bears on the side carrying the support flange 184 a foldable cover 286, as shown in Figure 14 shown.

[0414] On opposite sides of each other, the first socket housing 282 only has an end region 288 protruding from the annular body 266, on the side of the end region 288, the supply cable 292 enters the first socket housing 282, wherein the supply cable 292 is guided along the ball neck 12 and, for example, through a groove 272 towards the pivot element 252.

[0415] In Figures 17 to 21 shown in another embodiment of the trailer coupling 10 with a ball neck 12 according to the invention, the same elements as those of the trailer coupling according to the embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 16 shown are provided with the same reference numerals, so that the description thereof can refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0416] In particular, in this embodiment, the pivot unit 220 with the pivot element 252 and the pivot bearing unit 254 surrounded by the pivot element 252 is also held on the carrier flange 224', wherein in this case the carrier flange 224' bears on the outer side of the cross member 210 with two fingers 302 and 304 and is firmly connected to the outer side of the cross member 210.

[0417] Furthermore, in this case the carrier flange 224' is also supported by a support flange 306 supported on the cross member 210, which also encircles the cross member with two fingers 312 and 314 and is firmly connected to the cross member, and is connected to the side 306 of the carrier flange 224 facing away from the cross member 210 by means of a support side 316 facing away from the fingers 312 and 314, so that the carrier flange 224 and the support flange 306 extend V-shapedly towards the cross member 210 starting from the support side 316 and the side 306 and are firmly connected to the cross member 210 at intervals from each other by means of their fingers 312 and 314 or 302 and 304.

[0418] In this embodiment, the ball neck 12 also has an annular body 266 for receiving the first socket housing 282, wherein a cover of the first socket housing 282 is also provided on the side 286, as shown in Figure 17 and Figure 19 shown, while on opposite sides of each other as shown in Figure 20The end region 288 shown in the figure is where the supply cable 292 enters the end region, as shown in Figure 20 In this case, the supply cable is guided along the ball neck 12 towards the pivot element 252 on the side facing away from the cover 286.

[0419] In Figures 22 to 26 In another embodiment of the trailer connector 10" according to the invention shown in, the same elements as in the foregoing embodiments of the trailer connectors 10 and 10' are provided with the same reference numerals, so that the description completely refers to the description of these embodiments in terms of illustration.

[0420] Different from the embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 21 the ball neck 12 does not have a circular annular body 266, but has a droplet-like annular body 266', which includes a circular break 268', and a bulge 322' extending in the direction towards the first end 14 is connected to the circular break.

[0421] As shown in Figure 25 This solution creates the possibility to convey the supply cable 292 to one side of the ball neck 12 and then through the bulge 322', so that it enters the end region 288 of the first socket housing 282 not on the side along which the supply cable 292 was originally conveyed on the ball neck 12 but on the opposite side.

[0422] This then also further results in that the cover 288 is located on the following side of the ball neck 12, on which side the supply cable 292 was originally conveyed and on which side the first socket housing 282 can also be supported on the annular body 266' by the support flange 284.

[0423] This has the advantage that there is the possibility to insert the first socket housing together with the supply cable mounted thereon into the break 268 with the bulge 322.

[0424] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pivot element 252 around the pivot bearing unit 254 is also supported on the carrier flange 224", and as can be seen from Figure 22 this carrier flange 224" is supported in addition to the cross beam by a V-shaped support flange 306" preferably extending at an approximate right angle with respect to the carrier flange 224", and the carrier flange 324" and the support flange 306" are firmly connected to the cross beam 210, for example, connected, especially welded.

[0425] As can be seen especially from Figures 23 to 26As can be seen, for further stabilization, the carrier flange 224" is supported on the crossbeam 210 by a retaining member 232" towards the tail region 18, the retaining member being welded to the longitudinal side of the carrier flange 224, and in addition an upper member 332 is provided which is firmly connected to the carrier flange 224" and the support flange 306" and the crossbeam 210, such that additional reinforcement of the carrier flange 224" and the support flange 306" is allowed.

[0426] In Figures 27 to 31 In a further embodiment of the trailer coupling 10"' according to the invention as shown, elements which are the same as those of the embodiments of the trailer couplings 10, 10', 10" described above are provided with the same reference numerals, such that reference can be made to the relevant description.

[0427] In particular, in this embodiment, the notch 268' is likewise provided with a bulge 322', such that from an overall view of the course of the supply cable 292 it can be seen that the supply cable 292 can pass through the ball neck starting from the side of the ball neck 12 which conveys the supply cable by means of the bulge 322' and can enter the end region 288 of the first socket housing 282, more precisely on the side opposite to the side which conveys the supply cable 292.

[0428] In addition, this also results in that the cover 286 of the first socket housing 282 is located on the side along which the supply cable 292 is guided along the ball neck 12, and thus, as in the above-described embodiment of the ball neck 10", the supply cable 292 which is fully mounted on the first socket housing 282 can also be mounted on the ball neck 12.

[0429] In accordance with Figures 17 to 21 and Figures 27 to 31 In the embodiment, the ball neck carrier 16 can be mounted on the tail 18 of the motor vehicle body, in particular on the motor vehicle body, wherein the trailer coupling 10 has mounting elements 342 for this purpose, which in the embodiment shown are designed as flange plates 344 which can be mounted, for example, by means of screws in a correspondingly reinforced mounting region of the tail 18.

[0430] However, it is also conceivable that instead of the flange plate 344, mounting elements 342 are provided which are designed as longitudinal carriers and which can be mounted at a body part of the motor vehicle body which extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0431] A coupling part 346, designated as a whole, engages with the mounting element 342, the coupling part connecting the crossbeam 210 to the mounting element 342.

[0432] The ball neck 12 in the working position extends symmetrically with respect to the trailer coupling 10 and the longitudinal central plane 30 of the motor vehicle body, such that the coupling ball 26 is also arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central plane 30, while the cross member 210 extends with its longitudinal axis 352 transversely to the longitudinal central plane 30, preferably extending approximately perpendicularly.

[0433] In the shown embodiment of the trailer coupling according to the invention, the cross member 210 also extends from the holding unit configured as the carrier flange 224" in the direction towards the coupling member 346 and projects beyond the coupling member 346 respectively, such that the outer end of the cross member 210 projects beyond the coupling member 346 on the side facing away from the carrier flange 224", or at least penetrates the coupling member 346, so that the coupling member 346 does not engage with the end side 348 of the outer end, but engages with the cross member 210 at a distance from the corresponding end side 348 of the cross member 210.

[0434] Each of the two coupling members 346 includes a cross member holding web 350, which extends in a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal axis 352 of the cross member 210, where this plane is configured as a plane in the simplest case and extends, for example, parallel to the longitudinal central plane 30 or at an acute angle, especially less than 45°, thereto.

[0435] The cross member holding web 350 is, for example, plate-shaped and abuts against the circumferential surface 358 of the cross member 210 with an abutting edge 356, where the abutting edge 356 extends, for example, against the circumferential surface 358 of the cross member 210 at a wrap angle ɑ, where the wrap angle ɑ is measured as the angle surrounding the longitudinal axis 352.

[0436] Preferably, the wrap angle ɑ is greater than 90°, preferably greater than 180°, preferably less than 270°, more preferably less than 230°.

[0437] The connection between the cross member holding web 350 and the cross member 210 is realized, for example, via weld seams 362 extending on both sides of the cross member holding web 350, where the weld seams are, for example, continuously extending weld seams, and the continuously extending weld seams extend along the cut between the circumferential surface 358 and the side surface 364 of the cross member holding web 350.

[0438] However, alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cross member 210 is not supported by the continuously abutting abutting edge 356 of the cross member holding web 350 against the circumferential surface 358, but by individual support edges formed by the cross member holding web 350 and extending in successive angular segments via the desired wrap angle ɑ, and the weld seams are also provided in the region of the support edges, such that the connection between the cross member holding web 350 and the cross member 210 is made by non - continuous and interrupted weld seams.

[0439] Furthermore, the cross member retaining web 350 does not engage in the region of the circumferential surface 358 of the cross member 210 facing the respective mounting element 342 , but rather in a circumferential region 370 which is located outside a circumferential region 372 facing the respective mounting element 342 .

[0440] In the connection part 346 according to the present invention, the cross beam retaining web 350 is connected to the mounting web 378 by means of the upper curved web 374 and the lower curved web 376, wherein the mounting web 378 is connected to the mounting element 342, for example, to the flange plate 344, by a welding connection 380.

[0441] In this case, the mounting web 378 extending between the mounting element 342 , in particular the flange plate 344 thereof, and the cross member 210 extends without contact with the cross member 210 , so that a free space 382 remains between the mounting web 378 and the cross member 210 .

[0442] Likewise, the arcuate webs 374 and 376 extend without contact with the cross beam 210 and embrace arcuate free spaces 384 and 386 which are connected on both sides to the free space 382 and are bounded by the arcuate webs 374 and 376 , and which extend to the cross beam retaining web 350 .

[0443] The arcuate webs 374 and 376 are preferably constructed so that their boundary edges facing toward or away from the arcuate free spaces 384, 386 have a contour whose radius is no greater than 10 mm, preferably no greater than 15 mm, and even preferably no greater than 20 mm, so as to avoid areas caused by notch effects when the radius is too small or even at a corner.

[0444] Preferably, in the connecting part 346 according to the present invention, the mounting web 378 and the two curved webs 374 and 376 extend in a surface in which the cross-beam retaining web 350 also extends, and the surface extends transversely to the longitudinal axis 352 of the cross-beam 210, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 352 of the cross-beam 210.

[0445] In order to avoid material fractures, preferably no weld seams are provided in the region of the curved webs in order to avoid weakening of the material structure.

[0446] The mounting web 378 and the curved webs 374 and 376 as well as the cross-beam retaining web 350 are preferably manufactured as a one-piece component, preferably cut from a plate-like component.

[0447] In the coupling part 346 according to the invention, the forces acting on the coupling ball 26 during the coupling operation or the load-bearing operation, such as tensile / thrust forces or transverse forces, are introduced into the crossbeam 210 via the ball neck 12 and the carrier flange 224", and are transferred from the crossbeam 210 to the mounting element 342 via the coupling part 346. The mounting element 342 then introduces the forces into the rear part 18 of the motor vehicle body.

[0448] Here, the tensile / thrust force acting in the direction of the longitudinal center plane 30 causes the crossbeam 210 to flex. The flexing movement lies in the plane formed by the force and the longitudinal direction, and thus generates a bending moment in the region of the coupling part 346. The transverse force acting transversely to the longitudinal center plane 30 respectively causes a transverse force acting on the coupling part 346. These bending moments and transverse forces are transmitted to the mounting element 342 by the coupling part 346 as little as possible and / or with elastic damping, so that the rear part 18 of the motor vehicle body does not bear peak moments and peak forces.

[0449] For the reasons stated above, the coupling part 346 absorbs the bending moment and / or the transverse force as elastically as possible and transmits it to the mounting element 342 in as damped a manner as possible.

[0450] The bending moment and the transverse force are transmitted to the corresponding crossbeam retaining web 350. Due to the welded connection with the crossbeam 210, the crossbeam retaining web 350 absorbs and transfers the transverse force without change.

[0451] However, the bending moment and / or the transverse force are spring-elastically absorbed by the arcuate webs 374 and 376 which also extend parallel to the crossbeam retaining web 350, so that especially these bending moments and / or transverse forces are only partially and / or dampedly transmitted to the mounting web 378.

[0452] In Figures 32 to 36 In a further embodiment of the trailer coupling 10"' according to the invention as shown, the ball neck 12 is connected to the crossbeam 210 at its first end 14 by means of a release unit 400. The release unit includes an insertion element 402 which can be inserted into a receiving element 404 and is fixed in the receiving element 404 by fixing bodies 406a, 406b provided on both sides of the insertion element 402. The fixing bodies are embedded in receiving parts 408a, 408b facing the fixing bodies 406a, 406b. The receiving parts are formed into the receiving element starting from the lower end 412 of the receiving element 404, so that the insertion element 402 can be torsionally fixed in the receiving element 404 by the fixing bodies 406a, 406b embedded in the receiving parts 408a, 408b.

[0453] For example, the insertion element 402 has a cylindrical body here, which can be inserted into the cylindrical hole of the receiving element 404 and can be fixed in the cylindrical hole by a locking device 414 acting radially together with the receiving element 404, wherein an operating element 416 is provided in the region of the first end 14 of the ball neck 12 for operating the locking device 414.

[0454] The receiving element 404 itself is firmly connected to the cross member 210 by flange plates 422 and 424 provided on both sides thereof, wherein the flange plates 422 and 424 respectively have fingers 432 and 434 and fingers 436 and 438, and the fingers surround the cross member 210 on a partial circumference.

[0455] In this embodiment of the ball neck 10", a holder 442 for the mounting plate 444 is provided on one of the flange plates (for example, the flange plate 422), and a second socket housing 446 is mounted on the holder. The second insertion opening 448 of the second socket housing can be closed by means of a cover 452, wherein Figures 22 to 36 the cover 452 in the open position is shown in.

[0456] The second socket housing 446 having the second insertion opening 448 is oriented here such that the insertion direction 454 of the plug connector forms an acute angle with the carriageway.

[0457] Preferably, the second socket housing 446 is arranged here such that its second insertion opening 448 is only slightly below the lower edge 23 of the bumper unit 22 in the case of the set insertion direction 454.

[0458] Regarding other features of the embodiment of the trailer connector 10", elements having the same features as those of the foregoing embodiments of the trailer connectors 10, 10', 10" and 10'" are provided with the same reference numerals, and thus reference is made to the foregoing embodiments with respect to these features.

Claims

1. A trailer coupling (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a ball neck (12), which can be mounted in a vehicle-fixed manner at a rear end (18) of the motor vehicle at a first end (14) by means of a ball neck carrier (16), and which bears a coupling ball (26) at a second end (24), characterized in that At least one first positioning body (54) is provided on the spherical neck (12) at a defined spacing from the coupling ball (26) for positioning a load-bearing member holding device (50) that can be placed on the coupling ball (26) and the spherical neck (12). The at least one first positioning body (54) is provided on a spherical neck section (52) of the spherical neck (12), which abuts against a spherical protrusion (28) of the spherical neck (12) that bears the coupling ball (26), and extends a distance along the spherical neck (12) starting from the spherical protrusion (28), the distance corresponding at most to one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball (26). The at least one first positioning body (54) extends transversely to the orientation of the spherical neck section (52) that bears the first positioning body (54) and extends away from the spherical neck section.

2. The trailer connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one first positioning surface (64, 66) lies outside a projection contour (PK) of the coupling ball (26), which is produced by projecting the coupling ball (26) onto the at least one first positioning body (54).

3. The trailer connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The projection contour (PK) intersects the at least one first positioning body (54).

4. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The at least one first positioning body (54) has first positioning surfaces (64, 66) provided on opposite sides of each other, which are provided at an outer side (55) of the first positioning body (54) and are surface regions of a geometric surface that intersects the spherical neck section (52) that bears the at least one first positioning body (54).

5. The trailer connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one guiding surface region (76, 78), which extends parallel to a placement direction (82) of the load-bearing member holding device (50).

6. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, First positioning bodies (54) are respectively provided on opposite sides of a longitudinal central plane (30) of the spherical neck (12) on the spherical neck section (52).

7. The trailer connector according to claim 6, wherein The first positioning bodies (54) are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central plane (30) of the spherical neck (12).

8. The trailer connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one positioning surface region (72, 74), which extends transversely to the placement direction (82).

9. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first positioning body is arranged on the spherical neck section (52) of the spherical neck (12). The spherical protrusion (28) is a constriction arranged between the connecting sphere (26) and the second end (24). The constriction adjoins the second end (24) in continuation of the orientation of the spherical neck (12), and the connecting sphere (26) is connected to the second end (24) via the constriction. The first positioning body (54) is close to the spherical protrusion (28), such that the distance between the apex line (62) of the first positioning body (54) and the end of the spherical neck (12) where the spherical protrusion begins is less than 1.5 times the extent of the spherical protrusion (28) between the second end (24) and the connecting sphere (26). The first positioning body (54) extends away from the spherical neck section (52) in the extension direction (59) starting from the spherical neck section (52) carrying the first positioning body. The extension direction (59) of the first positioning body (54) extends transversely to the spherical neck section (52) carrying the first positioning body. The first positioning surfaces (64, 66) are configured such that they are located on opposite sides of a transverse plane (60) extending transversely to the longitudinal central plane (30) of the spherical neck (12), wherein the longitudinal central plane (30) of the spherical neck (12) extends parallel to the placement direction (82).

10. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, At least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the spherical neck (12). The second positioning surface extends transversely to the first positioning surfaces (64, 66), and the at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the spherical neck section (52) of the spherical neck (12). The spherical neck section adjoins the spherical protrusion (28) of the spherical neck (12) carrying the connecting sphere (26) and carries the first positioning body (54).

11. The trailer connector according to claim 10, characterized in that, The at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the first positioning body (54).

12. The trailer connector according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second positioning surface (142) is arranged on a second positioning body (144).

13. The trailer connector according to claim 10, wherein, The second positioning surface (142) is located outside the projected contour (PK) of the connecting sphere (26), which is produced by projecting the connecting sphere (26) onto the first positioning body (54) or the second positioning body (144) carrying it.

14. The trailer connector according to claim 10, wherein, The second positioning surface (142) is located within the projected contour of the connecting sphere (26), which is produced by projecting the connecting sphere (26) onto the second positioning body (144) carrying the second positioning surface.

15. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A socket (280) is arranged on the spherical neck (12). The first socket housing (282) of the socket is held on the socket receiving portion (53) of the spherical neck (12).

16. The trailer connector according to claim 15, wherein, The socket receiving portion (53) surrounds the first socket housing (282).

17. The trailer connector according to claim 15, wherein, The socket receiving portion (53) has an annular body (266) and a break (268) passing through it.

18. The trailer connector according to claim 16, characterized in that, The socket receiving portion (53) has an annular body (266) and a break (268) passing through it.

19. The trailer connector according to claim 15, characterized in that, The socket receiving portion (53) is integrally formed into the spherical neck (12).

20. The trailer connector according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first socket shell (282) has a supporting flange (284), the supporting flange radially extending out of the first socket shell (282), and the supporting flange rests outside the breach (268) to support the first socket shell (282).

21. The trailer connector according to claim 15, wherein, The first socket housing (282) has a first insertion opening (285) for a plug-in connector, which can be closed by a cover (286) that is movable relative to the first socket housing (282).

22. The trailer connector according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first insertion opening (285) with the cover (286) is provided on the side of the first socket housing (282) having the supporting flange (284).

23. The trailer connector according to claim 15, characterized in that, A supply cable (292) extends along a longitudinal side of the ball neck (12) to the first socket housing (282).

24. The trailer connector according to claim 23, wherein The supply cable (292) enters the first socket housing (282) on a side of the first socket housing (282) that is on the same side of the ball neck (12) as the supply cable (292) that extends along the ball neck (12).

25. The trailer connector according to claim 15, characterized in that, A supply cable (292) enters the first socket housing (282) on a side of the first socket housing (282) facing away from the ball neck (12) and arranged on the side on which the supply cable extends along the ball neck (12).

26. The trailer connector according to claim 25, wherein, The socket receptacle (53) has a bulge (322) formed on the opening (268) for supplying a cable (292) to the first socket housing (282).

27. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The ball neck (12) is provided with a fixing eyelet (276).

28. The trailer connector according to claim 27, wherein, The fastening eye (276) is arranged in the operating position (A) of the ball neck (12) on the side of the ball neck (12) facing the roadway.

29. The trailer connector according to claim 27, wherein, The fixing eye (276) is molded in one piece onto the ball neck (12).

30. The trailer connector according to claim 28, characterized in that, The fixing eye (276) is molded in one piece onto the ball neck (12).

31. The trailer connector according to claim 27, characterized in that, The fixing eye (276) is arranged between the socket receiving portion (53) and the at least one first positioning body (54) in the extension direction of the ball neck (12).

32. The trailer connector according to claim 27, wherein, In the operating position (A) of the ball neck (12), the fastening eye (276) is arranged on the side of at least one first positioning body (54) on the ball neck (12) that faces the roadway.

33. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The ball neck (12) is pivotally held with its first end (14) on a pivot unit (220) between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), and in the working position (A) extends in a vertical longitudinal center plane (30) of the trailer connector (10), while in the rest position (R) extends transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane (30).

34. The trailer connector according to claim 33, characterized in that, The pivot unit (220) is connected to the ball neck carrier (16), which extends transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane (30).

35. The trailer connector according to claim 34, wherein, The pivot unit (220) is arranged on a carrier flange (244) which extends transversely to the ball neck carrier (16) and transversely to a vertical longitudinal center plane (30) of the trailer connector (10).

36. The trailer connector according to claim 35, wherein, The carrier flange (244) is fixed by at least one holding member (232, 234) connected to the ball neck carrier (16) on one side.

37. The trailer connector according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The carrier flange (244) is supported by a support element connected to the ball neck carrier (16) and arranged in a V-shape relative to the carrier flange (244).

38. The trailer connector according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The carrier flange (244) is supported on the side facing away from the roadway on the ball neck carrier (16) by a reinforcement member (332) connecting the ball neck carrier (16) and the carrier flange (244).

39. The trailer connector according to claim 33, characterized in that, The pivot unit (220) includes a pivot bearing unit (254) fixedly held on the carrier flange (244), and a pivot element (252) carrying the ball neck (12) is pivotally supported on the pivot bearing unit about a pivot axis (222).

40. The trailer connector according to claim 39, characterized in that, The pivot bearing unit (254) and / or the pivot element (252) is provided with a locking device by which the pivot element (252) can be fixed torsion-resistant relative to the pivot bearing unit (254) at least in the working position (A).

41. The trailer connector according to claim 40, wherein, The pivot element (252) can also be fixed torsion-resistant relative to the pivot bearing unit (254) in the rest position (R) by means of the locking device.

42. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The ball neck (12) can be releasably connected to the ball neck carrier (16) at its first end (14) by means of a release unit (400).

43. The trailer connector according to claim 42, wherein, The release unit (400) has a receiving element (404) firmly connected to the ball neck carrier (16), and an insertion element (402) connected to the first end (14) of the ball neck (12) can be inserted and releasably fixed in the receiving element.

44. The trailer connector according to claim 42, characterized in that, The receiving element (404) is held on the ball neck carrier (16) by at least one flange element (422, 424).

45. The trailer connector according to claim 43, characterized in that, The receiving element (404) is held on the ball neck carrier (16) by at least one flange element (422, 424).

46. The trailer connector according to claim 42, wherein, A holding member (442) is connected to the ball neck carrier (16), and the holding member is provided with a mounting base (444) for a second socket housing (446).

47. The trailer connector according to claim 46, characterized in that, The second socket housing (446) has a second insertion opening (448) arranged close to the lower edge (23) of the bumper unit (22).

48. The trailer connector according to claim 47, characterized in that, The second insertion opening (448) is oriented such that the insertion direction (454) for a plug connector extends at an acute angle to the roadway.

49. The trailer connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A cross member (210) provided with a holding unit (224") for the ball neck (12) has two coupling members (346) engaging on the cross member (210) at a distance from each other, and the coupling members connect the cross member (210) to a mounting element (342) which can itself be mounted on the rear part (18) of the motor vehicle body.

50. The trailer connector according to claim 49, characterized in that, The connection between the crossbeam (210) and the mounting element (342) is effected only by the coupling member (346), which has a crossbeam retaining web (350) connected to the crossbeam (210), and the crossbeam retaining web (350) extends to a mounting web (378) by means of at least one arcuate web (374, 376) extending without connection to the crossbeam (210), and the mounting web (378) is connected to the respective mounting element (342).

51. The trailer connector according to claim 49, characterized in that, The coupling member (346) holds the crossbeam (210) positioned relative to the mounting element (342) without contact.

52. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, The coupling member (346) holds the crossbeam (210) positioned relative to the mounting element (342) without contact.

53. The trailer coupling according to any one of claims 50 - 52, wherein the at least one arcuate web (374, 376) extends in a plane extending transversely to the crossbeam (210).

54. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, The crossbeam retaining web (350) extends at least in part in a plane extending transversely to the crossbeam (210).

55. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, The mounting web (378) extends at least in part in a plane extending transversely to the crossbeam (210).

56. The trailer connector according to claim 50, wherein, The crossbeam retaining web (350), the at least one arcuate web (374, 376) and the mounting web (378) form a one-piece component.

57. The trailer connector according to claim 50, wherein The crossbeam retaining web (350) is welded to the crossbeam (210).

58. The trailer connector according to claim 50, wherein, The mounting web (378) is welded to the mounting element (342).

59. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, The crossbeam retaining web (350) engages on the circumferential surface (358) of the crossbeam (210).

60. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, The crossbeam retaining web (350) engages on the circumferential region (370) of the crossbeam (210), which circumferential region lies outside the circumferential region (372) of the crossbeam (210) facing the respective mounting element (342).

61. The trailer connector according to claim 50, wherein, The crossbeam retaining web (350) engages the crossbeam (210) on the circumferential region (370) of the crossbeam (210) facing away from the mounting element (342) and is connected to these circumferential regions (370) of the crossbeam (210).

62. The trailer connector according to claim 50, wherein, The at least one arcuate web (374, 376) extends from the crossbeam retaining web (350) to the mounting web (378) in such a way as to lap the crossbeam (210) without contact.

63. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, At least one first arcuate web (374) laps the crossbeam (210) on the side facing away from the carriageway.

64. The trailer connector according to claim 50, wherein, At least one second arcuate web (376) laps the crossbeam (210) on the side facing the carriageway.

65. The trailer connector according to claim 63, wherein The ends of the arcuate webs (374, 376) facing the mounting element (342) are connected to one another by the mounting web (378).

66. The trailer connector according to claim 64, wherein, The ends of the arcuate webs (374, 376) facing the mounting element (342) are connected to one another by the mounting web (378).

67. The trailer connector according to claim 50, characterized in that, At least one arcuate web (374, 376) between the beam-retaining web (350) and the mounting web (378) has at least one elastic region that is more flexurally elastic in the longitudinal direction (352) of the beam (210) than in the region of the beam-retaining web (350) or the mounting web (378).

68. A load bearing member retaining device for a trailer hitch (10), the trailer hitch having a ball neck (12) and a coupling ball (26), the load bearing member retaining device for a trailer hitch according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, The load-bearing member retaining device includes a housing (84) provided with a retaining element (96), the housing having a ball receptacle (86) for a coupling ball (26) of a ball neck (12) of the trailer coupling (10), wherein the retaining element (96) respectively has at least one position-receiving element (104), the position-receiving element being firmly connected to the housing (84), and the position-receiving element cooperating with a first positioning body (54) provided on the ball neck (12), the position-receiving element (104) having receiving surfaces (114, 116), the receiving surfaces cooperating with first positioning surfaces (64, 66) of the at least one first positioning body (54) in a load-bearing member retaining position, and the retaining element (96) having an inner side (98) or a wall region (146) against which at least one second positioning surface (142) provided on a ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12) abuts.

69. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 68, characterized in that, The position-receiving element (104) cooperates with the first positioning body (54) such that the housing (84) is fixed relative to the ball neck (12) against tilting movements about a tilting axis KAK extending transversely to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26).

70. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 68, characterized in that, The position-receiving element (104) cooperates with the first positioning body (54) such that the housing (84) is fixed relative to the ball neck (12) against tilting movements about a tilting axis KAK extending perpendicular to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26).

71. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 69 or 70, characterized in that, The position-receiving element (104) and the first positioning body (54) cooperate by forming a form fit.

72. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 68, characterized in that, The first positioning body (54) and the position-receiving element (104) cooperate such that the housing (84) is torsionally fixed against rotational movements about a rotational axis (D) parallel to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) or enclosing an angle of at most 20° with the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26).

73. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 72, characterized in that, The first positioning body (54) and the position-receiving element (104) cooperate by forming a form fit.

74. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 68, characterized in that, Two position-receiving elements (104) are firmly connected to the housing (84), and the two position-receiving elements (104) are rigidly arranged relative to each other.

75. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 74, characterized in that, The two position-receiving elements (104) are rigidly arranged relative to the housing (84).

76. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 68, characterized in that, The position-receiving element (104) has two receiving surfaces (114, 116) facing each other.

77. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 76, characterized in that, The corresponding first positioning body (54) is arranged, in the load-bearing member holding position, with the region thereof carrying the first positioning surfaces (64, 66) between the receiving surfaces (114, 116) of the at least one position receiving element (104).

78. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 68, characterized in that, The load-bearing member holding device (50) has fixing means (160) for fixing the housing (84) to the ball neck (12), the fixing means (160) having fixing elements (164, 192) for fixing the housing (84) relative to the ball neck (12) in the load-bearing member holding position, wherein the fixing elements (164, 192) engage, in the fixed position, on the ball neck (12) or the first positioning body (54) or the coupling ball (26).

79. The load-bearing member holding device according to claim 78, characterized in that, The fixing elements (164, 192) are movable along a first guiding direction (165) between a release position and a fixed position.

80. The load-bearing member retaining device according to claim 79, characterized in that, The fixing elements (164, 192) are movable by an operating device (170) in the first guiding direction (165) and a second guiding direction (172).

Images