Trailer device and vehicle

Abstract

This application relates to the field of trailer towing technology and provides a trailer towing device and vehicle. The trailer towing device of this application includes a mounting frame assembly and a trailer hook. The trailer hook includes a hook body, and mounting seats and trailer balls respectively disposed at both ends of the hook body. The mounting seats are rotatably mounted on the mounting frame assembly. The trailer balls are used to connect to the towed vehicle, and the hook body is provided with a connecting seat. The connecting seat is provided with a safety hook hole for connecting the safety chain of the towed vehicle, and a sensor for detecting the safety chain is installed in the safety hook hole. The trailer towing device of this application, by providing a connecting seat with a sensor on the trailer hook, can use the sensor to detect the connection status of the safety chain on the connecting seat. In the event that the trailer ball breaks and detaches from the towed vehicle, the safety chain can temporarily provide a connecting and towing function for the towed vehicle, avoiding the risk of the towed vehicle losing control and overturning, thus improving the safety and reliability of the trailer hook.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of trailer towing technology, and in particular to a trailer towing device and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Trailer towing devices are mainly used to tow RVs, luggage racks, bicycle racks, and small trucks. They are an important component for expanding the cargo capacity of vehicles. Their main purpose is to provide convenient and reliable cargo towing solutions for consumers with needs such as camping, travel, and cargo transportation.

[0003] A trailer towing device mainly includes a mounting bracket fixed to the rear of the tractor unit and a trailer hook mounted on the mounting bracket. The trailer hook has a trailer ball at its end, and the towed vehicle is connected to the trailer ball, enabling the tractor unit to tow the towed vehicle. However, due to the complexity of road conditions, there is a risk that the trailer ball at the end of the trailer hook may break during towing, causing the trailer ball to detach from the tow frame of the towed vehicle. While some related technologies incorporate a safety chain between the trailer hook and the tow frame, there is still the possibility of the user forgetting to fasten the safety chain, posing a potential risk to the towing process. Furthermore, if the trailer ball breaks due to a strong impact, there is a risk that the towed vehicle may detach from the traction, leading to loss of control or rollover. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, this application aims to provide a trailer hitch device to improve the safety and reliability of trailer hitches.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this application is implemented as follows:

[0006] A trailer hitch includes a mounting bracket assembly and a trailer hook; the trailer hook includes a hook body, and mounting seats and trailer balls respectively disposed at both ends of the hook body; the mounting seats are rotatably disposed on the mounting bracket assembly, the trailer balls are used to connect to a towed vehicle, and the hook body is provided with a connecting seat; the connecting seat is provided with a safety hook hole, the safety hook hole is used to connect the safety chain of the towed vehicle, and the safety hook hole is provided with a sensor for detecting the safety chain.

[0007] Furthermore, the mounting bracket assembly includes a crossbeam, body connecting brackets disposed at both ends of the crossbeam, and a trailer hitch connecting bracket disposed in the middle of the crossbeam; the mounting seat is disposed on the trailer hitch connecting bracket, and the body connecting bracket is used to connect the body of the tractor vehicle.

[0008] Furthermore, the trailer hitch connecting frame includes a base plate fixed to the bottom of the crossbeam and a side reinforcing plate connected between the crossbeam and the side of the base plate, and the mounting seat is disposed on the base plate; and / or, the vehicle body connecting frame includes a bent and connected bottom plate and an end plate, and a reinforcing rib plate connected between the bottom plate and the end plate, the bottom plate being used to connect the vehicle body of the tractor, and the end plate being connected to the end of the crossbeam.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a transmission locking mechanism disposed on the trailer hook connecting frame, and the mounting base is mounted on the transmission locking mechanism; under the drive of the transmission locking mechanism, the trailer hook can swing between the extended position and the retracted position, and the trailer hook can be locked and held in the extended position or the retracted position.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmission locking mechanism and the trailer hook are suspended below the crossbeam via the trailer hook connecting frame, and there is an angle between the swing axis of the trailer hook and the projection of the axis of the crossbeam in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the hook body is provided with a power socket mounting hole, and / or the trailer ball is connected to the end of the hook body via a neck rod.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting seat is integrally formed on the outer side of the hook body and is located close to the trailer ball; the sensor is embedded in the inner wall of the safety hanging hole.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting seat includes a connecting plate protruding from the hook body, the connecting plate extending from the side of the hook body opposite to the mounting seat in a direction away from the mounting seat, and the safety hanging hole is formed on the connecting plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting seat includes a connecting plate protruding from the hook body, and a connecting arm integrally connected to the connecting plate. The connecting arm is arranged perpendicular to the connecting plate, and the safety hanging hole is provided on the connecting arm located on both sides of the connecting plate.

[0015] Compared with related technologies, this application has the following advantages:

[0016] (1) The trailer hitch of this application, by setting a connector seat with a sensor on the trailer hook, can connect the towed vehicle to the safety hook hole on the connector seat while using the trailer ball to connect and tow the towed vehicle. The sensor can detect the connection status of the safety chain in the safety hook hole and can remind and warn the user if he forgets to connect the safety chain, thereby ensuring that a double connection of trailer ball and connector seat can be formed between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. When the trailer ball breaks and is disconnected from the towed vehicle, the safety chain can temporarily play the role of connecting and towing the towed vehicle, avoiding the risk of the towed vehicle losing control and overturning during the towing process, which is conducive to improving the safety and reliability of the trailer hitch.

[0017] (2) The mounting frame assembly adopts a crossbeam and body connecting frame structure, which not only enables reliable installation and fixation of the mounting frame assembly on the tractor, but also provides a good installation foundation and reasonable setting position for the installation of the trailer hook by setting the trailer hook connecting frame in the middle of the crossbeam.

[0018] (3) The trailer hook connecting frame adopts a structure of base plate and side reinforcing plate, which can effectively increase the connection area between the trailer hook connecting frame and the crossbeam. The base plate and the side reinforcing plate can also form a "T"-shaped support structure, thereby greatly improving the structural stability of the base plate and providing a more stable installation foundation for the trailer hook. The bottom plate and end plate of the vehicle body connecting frame adopt a bent structure. By adding reinforcing ribs between the two, a stable support structure can be formed to ensure the structural stability of the vehicle body connecting frame, thereby ensuring the structural reliability of the crossbeam.

[0019] (4) A transmission locking mechanism is provided for the trailer hook, which enables automatic control of the trailer hook. When the trailer hook needs to be used, the transmission locking mechanism is controlled to drive the trailer hook to the extended position so that the towed vehicle can be attached to the trailer hook, enabling the towing vehicle to tow the towed vehicle. When the trailer hook is not needed, the transmission locking mechanism is controlled to drive the trailer hook to the retracted position, preventing the trailer hook from always being exposed outside the vehicle and improving the vehicle's external cleanliness. The entire process of using the trailer hook does not require manual operation for adjustment and disassembly, greatly improving ease of use.

[0020] (5) The trailer hook and its transmission locking mechanism are hoisted under the crossbeam using the trailer hook connecting frame. At the same time, there is a certain angle between the swing axis of the trailer hook and the axis of the crossbeam. When the trailer hook is swung out to the unfolded position, it can be located directly behind the vehicle. When the trailer hook is swung to the retracted position, it can be well retracted to the side of the trailer hook connecting frame, thus avoiding the serious problem of reduced vehicle ground clearance caused by the presence of the trailer hook.

[0021] (6) A power socket mounting hole is provided on the hook body, which can be installed into the power socket mounting hole, so that the towed vehicle can draw power from the towing vehicle, thereby improving the performance of the trailer equipment. A neck bar is provided at the base of the trailer ball to ensure the structural integrity of the neck bar and provide more favorable conditions for the towed vehicle to be connected and attached to the neck bar.

[0022] (7) Setting the connecting seat on the outside of the hook body makes it easier for the safety chain to be hooked and connected on the connecting seat; embedding the sensor on the inner wall of the safety hanging hole not only makes the sensor assembly structure more compact, but also avoids the sensor from being damaged by external impact.

[0023] (8) The connecting seat adopts the form of a connecting plate protruding on the side of the hook body, which not only facilitates the integral molding of the connecting seat on the trailer hook, but also effectively ensures the structural reliability of the connecting plate; opening one or more safety hanging holes on the connecting plate can provide good conditions for the installation of the safety chain.

[0024] (9) A connecting arm is designed to be integrally connected to the connecting plate on the connecting seat. The connecting arm and the connecting plate are vertically distributed. The safety hook hole is opened on the connecting arm, making it easier to open the safety hook hole on the connecting arm in a form that is arranged along the front and rear of the vehicle. This makes it easier to hook the safety chain to the safety hook hole, thereby further improving the convenience of the safety chain on the trailer hook.

[0025] Another object of this application is to provide a vehicle equipped with the trailer hitch described in this application. The vehicle of this application possesses the technical advantages of the aforementioned trailer hitch. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application. The directional terms such as front / back, up / down, etc., used therein are only used to indicate relative positional relationships and do not constitute an improper limitation of this application. In the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the trailer device described in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The front view of the trailer assembly shown;

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the trailer assembly shown from another perspective;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a disassembly diagram of the transmission locking mechanism, trailer hook connecting frame, and trailer hook described in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the trailer hitch described in the embodiments of this application when configured with a trailer hook of another structural form.

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the trailer hitch in the retracted position.

[0033] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the trailer hook structure of the trailer hitch shown;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the trailer hitch described in the embodiments of this application when configured with a third type of trailer hook;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the trailer hitch described in the embodiments of this application when configured with a trailer hook of the fourth structural form;

[0036] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The diagram shows a partially enlarged view of the trailer hitch.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0038] 1. Mounting bracket assembly; 10. Crossbeam; 11. Body connecting bracket; 110. Base plate; 111. End plate; 112. Reinforcing rib plate; 12. Trailer hook connecting bracket; 120. Base plate; 121. Side reinforcing plate;

[0039] 2. Transmission locking mechanism; 20. Housing; 200. Main housing; 201. Motor side housing; 202. Shaft end housing; 203. Fastening screw; 21. Drive motor; 210. Motor frame; 211. Bearing; 22. Dial assembly; 23. Locking disc assembly; 231. Locking pin; 232. Locking ball; 233. Anti-locking ball; 24. Main shaft; 25. Spring;

[0040] 3. Trailer hook; 300. Mounting base; 301. Hook body; 302. Power socket mounting hole; 303. Neck bar; 304. Trailer ball; 31. Nut; 32. Sealing ring; 33. Connecting seat; 330. Connecting plate; 331. Connecting arm; 332. Safety hanging hole; 34. Sensor; 35. Wiring harness frame. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the technical solution and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0042] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be stated in the description of this application that if terms indicating orientation or positional relationship, such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "inner," and "outer," appear, they are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this application and for clarity and conciseness of expression, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Taking the vehicle described in this application as an example, the directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" used in the embodiments are defined based on the vehicle's vertical direction (also known as the height direction), horizontal direction (also known as the width direction), and front-back direction (also known as the length direction). Specifically, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the X direction is the vehicle's front-back direction, where the side pointed by the arrow is "front," and the opposite is "rear." The Y direction is the vehicle's horizontal direction, where the side pointed by the arrow is "left," and the opposite is "right." The Z direction is the vehicle's vertical direction, where the side pointed by the arrow is "up," and the opposite is "down." "," "Inner" and "outer" are defined based on the outline of the corresponding component. For example, "inner" and "outer" are defined based on the outline of the vehicle. The side of the vehicle outline closer to the middle of the vehicle is "inner", and the other side is "outer".

[0044] Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "connector" should be interpreted broadly. For example, a connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in light of the specific circumstances.

[0045] In this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0046] In related technologies, vehicles requiring towing often employ mechanical or semi-automatic trailer towing devices. Mechanical devices are more widely used, but due to limitations imposed by the vehicle's rear design, they require manual installation, adjustment, and disassembly before and after use, resulting in repeated disassembly and reassembly. This is also unfriendly to users such as women and the elderly, as most vehicle owners need to seek professional repair shops for installation and disassembly, making it inconvenient, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Semi-automatic trailer towing devices do not require professional replacement and can be concealed within the vehicle's rear design. However, lacking an internal locking mechanism, they require manual locking after falling under their own weight, posing risks of wobbling, jamming, and tilting.

[0047] Specifically, the main technical disadvantages of mechanical trailer towing devices are as follows: To ensure good off-road capability and passability, and due to limitations such as ground clearance and rear-end styling, mechanical trailer towing devices require a clearance notch in the rear bumper (usually designed as a concealed notch) to ensure no interference during frequent disassembly and assembly. Furthermore, they are often provided as on-board tools for manual disassembly and assembly, resulting in poor ease of use. In special scenarios such as mountain roads, ditches, and uneven road conditions, the application of these mechanical trailer towing devices becomes even more difficult, requiring manual installation before use. However, space constraints and installation difficulties further exacerbate these challenges. Mechanical trailer towing devices typically use plug-in or bolt connections along the X or Z direction of the vehicle, relying primarily on mechanical connections without electronic assistance. This makes it impossible to monitor or pre-tighten the towing device, requiring customers to conduct periodic self-inspections for extended use, which also increases the workload.

[0048] Semi-automatic trailer towing devices have the following technical drawbacks: Currently, most semi-automatic trailer towing devices are in the form of winches, which can automatically retract and extend without repeated disassembly and assembly, but they cannot automatically lock. Users must manually lift the trailer hook to lock it, resulting in limited ease of use. In special application scenarios such as mountain roads, ditches, and uneven road conditions, the trailer hook needs to be manually pulled to release the lock before use, which can easily cause injuries such as pinching or bumping, posing a safety hazard. Furthermore, semi-automatic trailer towing devices have high space requirements. With the development of intelligent chassis and vehicle electrification, the number of components located at the rear of hybrid and pure electric vehicles has increased, such as air suspension tanks and air compressors. The limited space required to accommodate more parts further compresses the layout space, significantly increasing the difficulty of installing trailer towing devices. Moreover, semi-automatic trailer towing devices are mostly in the form of winches, which are large, lack flexibility, and require angle compensation based on the shape of the trailer hook as they move along the winch axis.

[0049] Meanwhile, the trailer towing device mainly includes a mounting bracket fixed to the rear of the tractor unit and a trailer hook mounted on the mounting bracket. The end of the trailer hook has a trailer ball, to which the towed vehicle is connected, enabling the tractor unit to tow the towed vehicle. However, due to the complexity of road conditions, there is a risk that the trailer ball at the end of the trailer hook may break during towing, causing the trailer ball to detach from the tow frame of the towed vehicle. While related technologies include designs that incorporate a safety chain between the trailer hook and the tow frame of the towed vehicle, there is still the possibility of the user forgetting to fasten the safety chain, posing a potential risk to the towing process. Furthermore, if the trailer ball breaks due to a strong impact, there is a risk that the towed vehicle may detach from the traction, leading to loss of control or rollover.

[0050] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the related technologies, this application innovatively proposes a brand-new trailer hitch device that can improve the safety and reliability of the trailer hook 3.

[0051] The present application will now be described in detail through exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that, without further description, elements, structures, and features in one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments.

[0052] An embodiment of the first aspect of this application provides a trailer-mounted device applicable to scenarios where a tractor unit tows a towed vehicle; one exemplary structure is as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.

[0053] Overall, the trailer hitch assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly 1 and a trailer hook 3. The trailer hook 3 includes a hook body 301, and mounting seats 300 and trailer balls 304 respectively located at both ends of the hook body 301. The mounting seats 300 are rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket assembly 1, the trailer balls 304 are used to connect to the towed vehicle, and the hook body 301 is provided with a connecting seat 33. The connecting seat 33 is provided with a safety hook hole 332 for connecting the safety chain of the towed vehicle, and a sensor 34 for detecting the safety chain is provided in the safety hook hole 332.

[0054] Based on the overall design concept described above, by setting a connecting seat 33 with a sensor 34 on the trailer hook 3, while using the trailer ball 304 to connect and tow the towed vehicle, the safety chain on the towed vehicle can also be connected to the safety hook hole 332 on the connecting seat 33. The sensor 34 can detect the connection status of the safety chain in the safety hook hole 332, and can provide a warning if the user forgets to connect the safety chain. This ensures that a dual connection is formed between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle through the trailer ball 304 and the connecting seat 33. In the event that the trailer ball 304 breaks and detaches from the towed vehicle, the safety chain can temporarily connect and tow the towed vehicle, avoiding the risk of the towed vehicle losing control and overturning during towing, which helps to improve the safety and reliability of the trailer hook 3.

[0055] It should be noted that, based on the above overall design concept, the technical solution of this application can adopt a variety of different specific implementation structures, forms, or configuration sequences. For example, the above-mentioned mounting bracket assembly 1 can be in the form of a separately set crossbeam, or the trailer hook 3 can be fixed to the vehicle body frame at the rear using the trailer hook connecting bracket 12. The connecting seat 33 can adopt a variety of different specific structural forms such as plate-shaped or hook-shaped. The specific setting sequence and assembly method of the trailer hook 3 and the transmission locking mechanism 2 described below in the mounting bracket assembly 1 can also be flexibly adjusted. For the parts required for the implementation of the overall solution but not covered in the above overall setting, reasonable and flexible design can be made by referring to mature setting methods in the field and the actual situation during implementation, which will not be elaborated here. The specific implementation scheme described below in this embodiment is only one of the many solutions that can be formed by the above various combinations and variations. In actual implementation, those skilled in the art can make flexible adjustments and improvements based on the actual situation. Obviously, the various solutions that can be formed by the above-mentioned combinations and variations, as well as the specific implementation scheme of this embodiment, are all within the protection scope of this application.

[0056] For the specific configuration of mounting bracket assembly 1, there are of course many different structural options to choose from; for example, such as Figure 3 As shown, in some preferred exemplary embodiments, the mounting bracket assembly 1 includes a crossbeam 10, body connecting brackets 11 disposed at both ends of the crossbeam 10, and a trailer hitch connecting bracket 12 disposed in the middle of the crossbeam 10; the mounting seat 300 is disposed on the trailer hitch connecting bracket 12, and the body connecting bracket 11 is used to connect the body of the tractor. The mounting bracket assembly 1, with its crossbeam 10 and body connecting bracket 11 structure, not only achieves reliable installation and fixation of the mounting bracket assembly 1 on the tractor, but also provides a good installation foundation and reasonable setting position for the installation of the trailer hitch 3 by setting the trailer hitch connecting bracket 12 in the middle of the crossbeam 10.

[0057] Of course, it is also possible to use, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram, the trailer hitch connecting frame 12 includes a base plate 120 fixed to the bottom of the crossbeam 10, and a side reinforcing plate 121 connecting the sides of the crossbeam 10 and the base plate 120. A mounting base 300 is disposed on the base plate 120. The structure of the base plate 120 and the side reinforcing plate 121 effectively increases the connection area between the trailer hitch connecting frame 12 and the crossbeam 10. A "T"-shaped support structure can also be formed between the base plate 120 and the side reinforcing plate 121, thereby greatly improving the structural stability of the base plate 120 and providing a more stable installation foundation for the trailer hitch 3.

[0058] Continue as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the vehicle body connecting frame 11 includes a bent and connected base plate 110 and end plate 111, and a reinforcing rib plate 112 connecting the base plate 110 and end plate 111. The base plate 110 is used to connect the vehicle body of the tractor, and the end plate 111 connects the end of the crossbeam 10. The base plate 110 and end plate 111 of the vehicle body connecting frame 11 adopt a bent structure. By adding a reinforcing rib plate 112 between them, a stable support structure can be formed, ensuring the structural stability of the vehicle body connecting frame 11, and thus ensuring the structural reliability of the crossbeam 10.

[0059] Furthermore, to improve the ease of use of the trailer assembly and overcome the problems of poor usability of mechanical trailer towing devices and potential safety hazards during the use of semi-automatic trailer towing devices, the trailer assembly of this embodiment also includes a transmission locking mechanism 2 mounted on the trailer hook connecting frame 12. Based on the setting of the transmission locking mechanism 2, the mounting base 300 of the trailer hook 3 in this embodiment is mounted on the transmission locking mechanism 2; under the drive of the transmission locking mechanism 2, the trailer hook 3 can swing between the extended position and the retracted position, and the trailer hook 3 can be locked and held in the extended position or the retracted position.

[0060] A transmission locking mechanism 2 is configured for the trailer hook 3, enabling automatic control of the trailer hook 3. When the trailer hook 3 is needed, the transmission locking mechanism 2 drives the trailer hook 3 to swing to the extended position, allowing the towed vehicle to be hooked onto the trailer hook 3 for towing. When the trailer hook 3 is not needed, the transmission locking mechanism 2 drives the trailer hook 3 to swing to the retracted position, preventing the trailer hook 3 from being constantly exposed on the vehicle's exterior and improving the vehicle's appearance. The entire process of using the trailer hook 3 does not require manual adjustment or disassembly, greatly improving ease of use. This avoids the problems of being unfriendly to female and elderly users, where most car owners need to find a professional repair shop for disassembly and assembly, which is inconvenient, time-consuming, and laborious. Moreover, the locking function of the transmission locking mechanism 2 can reliably lock the trailer hook 3 in the required retracted or extended position, preventing the trailer hook 3 from shaking, jamming, or tilting.

[0061] For the specific structural configuration of the transmission locking mechanism 2, refer to the structural design schemes in related technologies. Specifically, the transmission locking mechanism 2 in this embodiment includes a main shaft 24 rotatably mounted on the base plate 120, a drive motor 21 for driving the main shaft 24 to rotate, and a dial assembly 22 and a locking disc assembly 23, etc., which are transmissionally disposed between the main shaft 24 and the drive motor 21. The transmission locking mechanism 2 also has a housing 20, which includes a main housing 200 disposed on one side of the base plate 120 and a motor-side housing 201. The motor-side housing 201 is fastened to the main housing 200 by multiple fastening screws 203. The drive motor 21, dial assembly 22, locking disc assembly 23, etc., are all disposed within the cavity formed between the main housing 200 and the motor-side housing 201, serving to protect the mechanism.

[0062] The drive motor 21 is fixedly mounted in the chamber via a motor frame 210. The shaft of the drive motor 21 is equipped with a bearing 211. The drive motor 21 drives the dial assembly 22 to rotate the main shaft 24. The main shaft 24 passes through the other end of the base plate 120 and is fixedly connected to the mounting base 300. The mounting base 300 is locked onto the main shaft 24 by a nut 31. This part is also covered by a shaft end housing 202 to protect the entire mechanism. A sealing ring 32 is also provided between the mounting base 300 and the base plate 120 to improve the fit between them and enhance the smoothness of the rotation of the mounting base 300.

[0063] Because the dial assembly 22 and the locking disc assembly 23 are equipped with structural components such as locking pin 231, locking ball 232, anti-mislocking ball 233 and spring 25, and in conjunction with the guide and limiting structures on the dial assembly 22 and the locking disc assembly 23, the dial assembly 22 can drive the locking disc assembly 23 and its main shaft 24 to rotate between the unfolded position and the retracted position under the drive of the drive motor 21. After reaching the unfolded position or the retracted position, the main shaft 24 can be locked in a predetermined position to ensure the stability of the trailer hook 3 in the unfolded position or the retracted position and prevent the trailer hook 3 from playing around.

[0064] Based on the configuration of the transmission locking mechanism 2, such as Figure 2 and combined Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, in some preferred exemplary embodiments, the transmission locking mechanism 2 and the trailer hook 3 of this embodiment are suspended below the crossbeam 10 via the trailer hook connecting frame 12, and there is an angle between the swing axis of the trailer hook 3 and the axis of the crossbeam 10 projected in the vertical direction of the vehicle. By using the trailer hook connecting frame 12 to suspend the trailer hook 3 and its transmission locking mechanism 2 below the crossbeam 10, and simultaneously ensuring that there is a certain angle between the swing axis of the trailer hook 3 and the axis of the crossbeam 10, when the trailer hook 3 is swung out to the extended position, it can be positioned directly behind the vehicle, and when the trailer hook 3 is swung to the retracted position, it can be well retracted to the side of the trailer hook connecting frame 12, thus avoiding the serious problem of reduced vehicle ground clearance caused by the presence of the trailer hook 3.

[0065] For the specific configuration of the trailer hook 3, there are naturally many different structural options available; for example, the trailer hook 3 can adopt a simple hook body structure, or it can have a power outlet mounting hole 302 and other supporting structures on the hook body 301. In this embodiment, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the hook body 301 is provided with a power socket mounting hole 302. The power socket mounting hole 302 on the hook body 301 allows the power socket to be installed, facilitating power access from the towing vehicle and improving the performance of the trailer hitch. Given that the trailer hook 3 has a sensor 34 and a power socket needs to be installed in the mounting hole 302, wiring naturally needs to be laid on the trailer hook 3. Therefore, it can be done as follows... Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, a wire harness bracket 35 is fixed to the side of the mounting base 300 or the shaft end housing 202 to facilitate the arrangement and fixation of the wiring.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the trailer ball 304 is preferably connected to the end of the hook body 301 via a neck bar 303. Setting the neck bar 303 at the root of the trailer ball 304 can ensure the structural integrity of the neck bar 303 and provide more favorable conditions for the towed vehicle to be connected and attached to the neck bar 303.

[0067] Regarding the specific configuration of the connecting seat 33 on the trailer hook 3, there are, of course, several different structural solutions to choose from; for example, it can be as follows: Figure 4 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, in some preferred exemplary embodiments, the connecting seat 33 is integrally formed on the outer side of the hook body 301, and preferably located near the trailer ball 304, that is, positioned on the outer side of the hook body 301 below the trailer ball 304. When the connecting seat 33 has a safety hook hole 332, the sensor 34 is preferably embedded in the inner wall of the safety hook hole 332. Positioning the connecting seat 33 on the outer side of the hook body 301 facilitates the hooking and connection of the safety chain onto the connecting seat 33; using the connection structure of the safety hook hole 332, the safety chain can be easily hooked into the safety hook hole 332 through the hook at its end, making the connection operation between the safety chain and the trailer hook 3 more convenient and reliable. Embedding the sensor 34 in the inner wall of the safety hook hole 332 not only makes the assembly structure of the sensor 34 more compact, but also prevents the sensor 34 from being damaged by external impacts. For the selection of sensor 34, various existing sensors with sensing functions such as pressure, strain, contact, photoelectric, ultrasonic, and Hall can be used to determine whether the safety chain is hooked into the safety hanging hole 332 by contact or non-contact sensing of the safety chain located in the safety hanging hole 332.

[0068] In the above form, it is still as Figure 4 and Figure 10 As shown, in some preferred exemplary embodiments, the connecting seat 33 includes a connecting plate 330 protruding from the hook body 301. The connecting plate 330 extends from the side of the hook body 301 facing away from the mounting base 300 in a direction away from the mounting base 300, and a safety hook hole 332 is formed on the connecting plate 330. The connecting seat 33, in the form of a connecting plate 330 protruding from the side of the hook body 301, not only facilitates the integral forming of the connecting seat 33 on the trailer hook 3, but also effectively ensures the structural reliability of the connecting plate 330. The presence of one or more safety hook holes 332 on the connecting plate 330 provides favorable conditions for the attachment of the safety chain. In specific implementations, of course, it can be implemented as follows... Figure 4 As shown, only a connecting plate 330 is provided on the hook body 301, and only a safety hanging hole 332 is opened on the connecting plate 330; or as shown... Figure 10As shown, two safety mounting holes 332 are spaced apart on a single connecting plate 330 (multiple safety mounting holes 332 may also be provided). Or, as... Figure 7 The trailer hook 3 shown has two connecting plates 330 spaced apart on the hook body 301, and a safety mounting hole 332 is opened on each of the two connecting plates 330 facing the ground.

[0069] In addition, the connector 33 can also be designed as follows: Figure 8 The design shown is that the connecting seat 33 includes a connecting plate 330 protruding from the hook body 301, and a connecting arm 331 integrally connected to the connecting plate 330. The connecting arm 331 is perpendicular to the connecting plate 330, and safety mounting holes 332 are provided on both sides of the connecting arm 331 located on the connecting plate 330. The connecting arm 331, integrally connected to the connecting plate 330, is designed on the connecting seat 33. The connecting arm 331 and the connecting plate 330 are perpendicularly distributed, and the safety mounting holes 332 are located on the connecting arm 331. This makes it easier to arrange the safety mounting holes 332 along the front and rear of the vehicle (when the trailer hook 3 is in the extended position), which facilitates the hooking operation of the safety chain with the safety mounting holes 332, further improving the convenience of attaching the safety chain to the trailer hook 3.

[0070] In summary, the towing device of this embodiment, by setting a connecting seat 33 with a sensor 34 on the tow hook 3, can connect the towed vehicle to the connecting seat 33 while using the tow ball 304 to connect and tow the towed vehicle. The sensor 34 can detect the connection status of the safety chain on the connecting seat 33 and can provide a warning to the user if they forget to connect the safety chain. This ensures a dual connection between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle through the tow ball 304 and the connecting seat 33. In the event that the tow ball 304 breaks and detaches from the towed vehicle, the safety chain can temporarily connect and tow the towed vehicle, avoiding the risk of the towed vehicle losing control and overturning during towing. This improves the safety and reliability of the tow hook 3.

[0071] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a vehicle equipped with the trailer device provided in Embodiment 1.

[0072] By configuring the trailer hitch of this application on the vehicle, the trailer hook 3 is driven by the transmission locking mechanism 2. With the control unit, which can be the vehicle's overall controller or a separately set trailer controller, the swing of the trailer hook 3 can be controlled via a control panel or buttons. When needed, the trailer hook 3 is swung to the extended position; when not needed, it is swung to the retracted position. The entire process is automated, freeing the driver's hands and greatly improving convenience and safety. Furthermore, by rationally setting the angle of the trailer hook connecting frame 12, the trailer hook 3 adopts single-axis rotation, with a motion curve conforming to aesthetic design. The rotation angle can be adjusted to ensure that the movement of the trailer hook 3 does not interfere with surrounding components. After the tow hook 3 is retracted to the retracted position, it is stored between the rear bumper and the crossbeam 10, without affecting the ground clearance and departure angle of the vehicle. It is suitable for hybrid vehicles, pure electric vehicles and other scenarios with limited space, meeting the towing needs of passenger cars or special vehicles, and improving the safety of passenger cars or special vehicles when towing a towed vehicle. The entire towing device has the advantages of simple structure, lighter assembly and more convenient use.

[0073] Since the trailer hook 3 is equipped with a connecting seat 33 and a sensor 34 is installed on the connecting seat 33, the connecting seat 33 can be temporarily used to pull the towed vehicle by the safety chain when the trailer ball 304 breaks, so as to ensure the safety of the towed vehicle and avoid the safety risks such as loss of control and rollover caused by the towed vehicle separating from the towing vehicle.

[0074] Meanwhile, a sensor 34 is arranged in the safety mounting hole 332 of the connector 33, which can monitor whether the safety chain has been attached in the safety mounting hole 332 during the towing process, so as to provide relevant information to the control unit to achieve the following functions: ① In trailer mode, if no safety chain is loaded, information is sent to the vehicle controller to prompt the vehicle user to attach and install the safety chain; ② When a safety chain is loaded, information is sent to the trailer controller so that the vehicle can determine whether to enter trailer mode; ③ Perform other relevant judgments on trailer status.

[0075] The aforementioned sensor 34 can take different forms such as strain sensor or contact sensor, and can be connected to the vehicle controller or a separate trailer controller to transmit relevant detection signals.

[0076] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application. Detailed explanations of configurations, examples of specific structural configurations, and descriptions of assembly and connection methods are provided to ensure sufficient disclosure so that those skilled in the art can better implement this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. In related technologies, trailer towing devices widely used in vehicles currently mainly include two categories based on their activation and installation methods: mechanical and semi-automatic.

Claims

1. A trailer assembly, characterized in that: Includes mounting bracket assembly (1) and trailer hitch (3); The trailer hook (3) includes a hook body (301), and mounting seats (300) and trailer balls (304) respectively disposed at both ends of the hook body (301); the mounting seats (300) are rotatably disposed on the mounting frame assembly (1), the trailer balls (304) are used to connect to the towed vehicle, and the hook body (301) is provided with a connecting seat (33). The connecting seat (33) is provided with a safety hanging hole (332), which is used to connect the safety chain of the towed vehicle, and a sensor (34) for detecting the safety chain is provided in the safety hanging hole (332).

2. The trailer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting bracket assembly (1) includes a crossbeam (10), a body connecting bracket (11) disposed at both ends of the crossbeam (10), and a trailer hook connecting bracket (12) disposed in the middle of the crossbeam (10); the mounting seat (300) is disposed on the trailer hook connecting bracket (12), and the body connecting bracket (11) is used to connect the body of the tractor.

3. The trailer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trailer hook connecting frame (12) includes a base plate (120) fixed to the bottom of the crossbeam (10) and a side reinforcing plate (121) connected between the crossbeam (10) and the side of the base plate (120), and the mounting base (300) is provided on the base plate (120). And / or, the vehicle body connecting frame (11) includes a bent and connected base plate (110) and end plate (111), and a reinforcing rib plate (112) connected between the base plate (110) and the end plate (111), the base plate (110) being used to connect the vehicle body of the tractor, and the end plate (111) being connected to the end of the crossbeam (10).

4. The trailer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a transmission locking mechanism (2) disposed on the trailer hook connecting frame (12), and the mounting base (300) is mounted on the transmission locking mechanism (2); Driven by the transmission locking mechanism (2), the trailer hook (3) can swing between the extended position and the retracted position, and the trailer hook (3) can be locked and held in the extended position or the retracted position.

5. The trailer assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transmission locking mechanism (2) and the trailer hook (3) are suspended below the crossbeam (10) via the trailer hook connecting frame (12), and there is an angle between the swing axis of the trailer hook (3) and the projection of the axis of the crossbeam (10) in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

6. The trailer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hook body (301) is provided with a power socket mounting hole (302), and / or the trailer ball (304) is connected to the end of the hook body (301) via a neck (303).

7. The trailer assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The connecting seat (33) is integrally formed on the outside of the hook body (301) and is located near the trailer ball (304); the sensor (34) is embedded in the inner wall of the safety hanging hole (332).

8. The trailer assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting seat (33) includes a connecting plate (330) protruding from the hook body (301). The connecting plate (330) extends from the side of the hook body (301) facing away from the mounting seat (300) in a direction away from the mounting seat (300). The safety hanging hole (332) is opened on the connecting plate (330).

9. The trailer assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting seat (33) includes a connecting plate (330) protruding from the hook body (301) and a connecting arm (331) integrally connected to the connecting plate (330). The connecting arm (331) is arranged perpendicular to the connecting plate (330), and the safety hanging hole (332) is provided on the connecting arm (331) located on both sides of the connecting plate (330).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle is equipped with a trailer hitch as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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