Towbar

Abstract

To improve a trailer coupling comprising a ball neck movable between a working position and a rest position, which is connected at a first end to a swivel bearing unit and carries a coupling ball at a second end, wherein the ball neck can be pivoted about a pivot axis between the working position and the rest position by means of the swivel bearing unit to execute a pivoting movement, and a rotary locking device acting between a guide body and a swivel bearing body of the swivel bearing unit, with at least two rotary locking units, each of which has a rotary locking element that is movably guided in a guide direction by means of a guide receptacle of the guide body and that is movable in the guide direction by means of a pressure surface provided on an actuating body extending transversely to the guide direction,To achieve a simple locking mechanism for the actuator in the rotary locking positions, it is proposed that a locking device be provided which includes a locking element that can be moved into a locking position securing the actuator in the rotary locking positions and a ready position located outside the locking position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a trailer coupling comprising a ball neck movable between a working position and a rest position, which is connected at a first end to a pivot bearing unit and carries a coupling ball at a second end, wherein the ball neck can be pivoted by means of the pivot bearing unit to perform a pivoting movement about a pivot axis between the working position and the rest position, and a rotary locking device acting between a guide body and a pivot bearing body of the pivot bearing unit, with at least two rotary locking units, each of which has a rotary locking element which is guided movably in a guide direction by means of a guide receptacle of the guide body and which is movable in the guide direction by means of a pressure surface provided on an actuating body extending transversely to the guide direction.wherein by a movement of the actuating body in an actuating direction the rotary locking elements of all rotary locking units are movable and actuated in the guide direction, and wherein the rotary locking elements of all rotary locking units can be brought into a rotary locking position in the working position or the rest position by movement in the guide direction, and in this position each rotary locking element engages with one of the at least two working position receptacles or one of the at least two rest position receptacles in order to block a pivoting movement of the pivot bearing body and the guide body about the pivot axis relative to each other, and wherein the rotary locking elements can be brought into a release position and in this position are disengaged from the respective working position receptacle or the respective rest position receptacle and release the pivoting movement between the pivot bearing body and the guide body,wherein in all intended relative pivot positions between the pivot bearing body and the guide body, except for the working position and the rest position, movement of the actuating body in the actuating direction and consequently also force-actuated engagement of the rotary locking elements of each of the rotary locking units in one of the working position receptacles or the rest position receptacles is blocked.

[0002] Starting from the known solutions, the task of the invention is to optimize their functions.

[0003] This task is solved in a trailer coupling of the generic type by providing a locking device which includes a locking element that can be moved into a locking position securing the actuating element in the rotary locking positions and a ready position lying outside the locking position.

[0004] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is therefore that it allows for a simple locking of the actuating body in the rotational locking positions.

[0005] In particular, the actuating body is secured in the rotational locking positions both in the working position and in the rest position.

[0006] It is particularly advantageous if the blocking element is guided on, and especially in, the guide body of the swivel bearing unit.

[0007] In particular, it is advantageous if the blocking element is guided in a guide arranged on the guide body.

[0008] No further details have yet been provided regarding the arrangement of the guide for the blocking element on the guide body.

[0009] One advantageous solution provides that the guide for the blocking element is arranged in a wall area of ​​the guide body adjacent to the actuating element.

[0010] In particular, this wall area of ​​the guide body lies between the actuating body on the one hand and on the pivot bearing body, especially in an end flange of the same, on the other.

[0011] The movements of the blocking body in the guide could be realized in a wide variety of ways.

[0012] However, a particularly advantageous design solution provides that the blocking element in the guide can be moved in a direction approximately parallel to the pivot axis.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the locking element engages in a receptacle in the actuating body in the respective locking position in order to secure it in the rotary locking position.

[0014] Furthermore, no further details were provided regarding the standby status.

[0015] One advantageous solution is to position the blocking body adjacent to the actuating body in the ready position.

[0016] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous with regard to the simplicity of the solution to be implemented if the locking element, in the locking position, engages with one end in the receptacle of the actuating element, starting from and guided by the guide.

[0017] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the blocking element can be locked in the secure position by an actuating device.

[0018] Such an operating device can be designed in a wide variety of ways.

[0019] One particularly advantageous solution provides that the actuating device includes a cam guide and a cam follower that can be moved by it and is coupled to the blocking body.

[0020] Preferably, the cam follower can be moved approximately parallel to the pivot axis by means of the cam guide.

[0021] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the cam track can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if the scenery can be moved by an operating device.

[0023] For example, the actuating device is designed to include a body that supports the camber and is rotatable relative to the camber follower.

[0024] In particular, it is stipulated that the scenery track must include at least one scenery track that acts on the scenery follower.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the scenery track has two scenery tracks acting on the scenery follower and guiding it between them, as this makes it possible to always position the scenery follower in a defined manner, if necessary.

[0026] In particular, this makes it possible for both cam tracks to jointly fix the cam follower in a position that specifies the safety position.

[0027] Furthermore, an advantageous solution provides that a first cam track includes a track section that can move the cam follower from the position defining the safety position to a position defining a ready position.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a second cam track has a track section which moves the cam follower from the position corresponding to the ready position to a position in which the cam follower is spring-elastically acted upon in the direction of the safety position.

[0029] This means that the cam follower is subjected to spring-elastic action through this section of track in order to move into the safety position - provided this is possible due to the position of the actuating body.

[0030] Furthermore, it is provided that the first cam track is effective through a movement of the cam guide in a first direction of rotation, and the second cam track is effective through a movement of the cam guide in a direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating device can be driven by an actuating unit for the rotary locking device, in particular that the actuating device is coupled to the actuating unit.

[0032] This solution has the major advantage that it allows the actuation of the locking body to be directly coupled with the actuation unit for the rotary locking device.

[0033] In particular, it is provided that the cam track is arranged on a rotatable body of a planetary gear unit of the actuating unit for the rotary locking device.

[0034] In particular, the rotatable body of the planetary gear is a ring gear of the same, which carries the cam track on its circumference.

[0035] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the blocking device has a sensor that detects the positions of the blocking body.

[0036] The sensor is designed in such a way that it detects the safe position and the ready position through different influences on them.

[0037] In particular, the cam follower is coupled to the blocking body by means of a transmission element, so that the blocking body follows all movements of the cam follower.

[0038] Furthermore, the transmission element is preferably coupled with a sensor actuation element, which performs the actuation of the sensor.

[0039] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that blocking surfaces extend between the working position mounts and the rest position mounts, against which the rotary locking elements can be applied and from which the working position mounts and the rest position mounts extend, that the rotary locking units and the working position mounts and the rest position mounts are arranged around the pivot axis at angular intervals from one another such that in all intended pivot positions of the pivot bearing body and the guide body relative to each other, except for the working position and the rest position, the rotary locking element of at least one of the rotary locking units is opposite one of the blocking surfaces and thus this blocking surface, particularly when force is applied to the actuating body,a movement of the actuating body in the direction of actuation and consequently also a force-induced engagement of the rotary locking elements of each of the rotary locking units in one of the working position or rest position positions is blocked.

[0040] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is therefore that the fixing of the actuating body in the release position can be realized in a simple and reliable manner by means of the already existing rotary locking elements, and that, in addition, a significant reduction in noise occurs during the transition of this trailer coupling from the release position to the rotary locking position of the rotary locking elements, since the rotary locking elements can easily slide from the locking surfaces into the receptacles.

[0041] The solution according to the invention is further achieved in a trailer coupling of the type described above, alternatively or additionally, by arranging the rotary locking units to form a rotary locking configuration at angular intervals around the pivot axis, by arranging the working position receptacles and the rest position receptacles to form a receptacle configuration for the working position and the rest position at the same angular intervals around the pivot axis as the rotary locking units, and by ensuring that the rotary locking configuration and the receptacle configuration (working position receptacles in the working position and rest position receptacles in the rest position) are congruent with each other, so that the rotary locking elements can engage in the working position receptacles and rest position receptacles, respectively.and that the angular distances between the rotary locking units of the rotary locking configuration and the angular distances between the working position mounts or rest position mounts of the mount configurations are selected such that the rotary locking configuration and the mount configurations are congruent with each other only in the working position or the rest position and thus only in these allow a transition of the actuating body from the release position to the rotary locking position, while in the other pivot positions of the pivot bearing body and the guide body relative to each other a transition of the actuating body from the release position to the rotary locking position is not possible.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally to the solutions according to the invention described above, a further advantageous solution provides that the angular distances of at least one of the rotary locking units to the rotary locking units arranged adjacent in one direction of rotation around the pivot axis and to the rotary locking units arranged opposite to this direction of rotation are unequal, and that in the working position the working position receptacles are arranged such that the rotary locking elements of each of the rotary locking units can be brought into engagement with one of the working position receptacles, that in the rest position the rest position receptacles are arranged such that the rotary locking element of each of the rotary locking units can be brought into engagement with one of the rest position receptacles, and that in all pivot positions of the pivot bearing body and the guide body intended for operation relative to each other, which lie outside the working position and the rest position,the rotary locking element is opposite at least one of the rotary locking units of a locking surface located between the working position mounts and the rest position mounts, and the locking surface, in particular when force is applied to the actuating element, blocks movement of the actuating element from the release position to the rotary locking position.

[0043] Starting from equal angular distances, the inequality of the angular distances is, for example, at least a deviation from equal angular distances on the order of half the angular range over which each of the recordings extends, preferably up to the angular range over which each of the recordings extends.

[0044] The advantage of all the aforementioned solutions according to the invention is that they provide a structurally simple solution for keeping the actuating body in the release position and allowing it to move into the rotational locking position only in the working position and in the rest position, whereby it is particularly advantageous that the rotational locking elements already available for the rotational locking device can be used.

[0045] Within the framework of the solution according to the invention, it has proven particularly advantageous if the number of rotary locking units corresponds to the number of working position recordings and the number of rest position recordings.

[0046] Furthermore, in order to obtain a spatially compact solution, especially in the direction of the pivot axis, it is advantageous if the rotary locking bodies of all rotary locking units are designed and arranged symmetrically to a geometric plane perpendicular to and intersecting the pivot axis.

[0047] A particularly advantageous solution provides that the blocking surfaces face the rotary blocking bodies of the rotary blocking units, in particular transversely, preferably perpendicularly to the guide direction, so that the rotary blocking bodies can be moved over the blocking surfaces with little or almost no resistance to movement when in contact with them.

[0048] It is particularly advantageous if the blocking surfaces extend in a defined radius around the pivot axis, so that during the pivoting movement the rotating blocking bodies adjacent to these blocking surfaces do not perform any additional radial movement towards the pivot axis.

[0049] Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the blocking surfaces extend to and merge into the opening edges of the working position recordings and the resting position recordings.

[0050] In particular, it is preferably provided that the opening edges of the working position receptacles and the rest position receptacles are at the same radial distance from the pivot axis as the locking surfaces, so that the rotating locking elements bearing against the locking surfaces can be moved across the opening edges into the receptacles without additional resistance to movement, such as would occur, for example, with different distances of the opening edges from the pivot axis in relation to the distance of the locking surfaces from the pivot axis.

[0051] In particular, this solution also has the advantage that it allows for a simple and resistance-free transition of the pivot bearing body from the working position to a pivoting position, since in this case, too, the rotary locking elements can leave the working position mounts and the rest position mounts essentially without resistance to movement over the opening edges and move in the direction of the locking surfaces.

[0052] It is particularly advantageous if at least one of the rotary locking elements of the rotary locking units bears against one of the locking surfaces during a relative pivoting movement between the pivot bearing body and the guide body in the direction of the working position, especially during the pivoting movement from the rest position to the working position, and is subjected to force, in particular by the action of the actuating body, wherein the force is applied, for example, by means of retraction receptacles in the actuating body provided for the release position of the rotary locking elements, which act on the rotary locking elements with surfaces extending transversely to the guide direction.

[0053] In particular, it is advantageous if the rotary locking elements are in contact with the locking surfaces under force before reaching the working position and then enter the receptacles under force at the opening edges of the receptacles, so that the noise level during the transition of the rotary locking elements from the release position to the rotary locking position can be kept as low as possible, in contrast to a case in which the rotary locking elements initially contact the locking surfaces with play, are then pressed against the locking surfaces under force and then enter the working position receptacles from the locking surfaces, or the case in which the rotary locking elements move into the working position with play relative to the locking surfaces and are pressed against the working position in order to enter the working position receptacles.

[0054] With regard to the design of the working position mounts, it is particularly advantageous if the working position mounts extend from the blocking surfaces in the guide direction, in particular with at least one component in the radial direction to the pivot axis, so that the rotary blocking bodies do not experience any additional deflection when entering the working position mounts during movement in the guide direction.

[0055] It is particularly advantageous if at least one of the rotary locking elements of the rotary locking units bears against one of the locking surfaces during a relative pivoting movement between the pivot bearing body and the guide body in the direction of the rest position, especially during the pivoting movement from the working position to the rest position, and is subjected to force, in particular by the action of the actuating body, wherein the force is applied, for example, by means of retraction receptacles in the actuating body provided for the release position of the rotary locking elements, which act on the rotary locking elements with surfaces extending transversely to the guide direction.

[0056] In particular, it is advantageous if the rotary locking elements bear against the locking surfaces under force before reaching the rest position and then, bearing against the opening edges of the rest position receptacles, enter the rest position receptacles under force, so that the noise level during the transition of the rotary locking elements from the release position to the rotary locking position can be kept as low as possible, in contrast to a case in which the rotary locking elements initially bear against the locking surfaces with play, are then pressed against the locking surfaces under force and then enter the rest position receptacles from the locking surfaces, or the case in which the rotary locking elements move into the rest position with play relative to the locking surfaces and are pressed against the rest position in order to enter the rest position receptacles.

[0057] With regard to the design of the rest position receptacles, it is particularly advantageous if the rest position receptacles extend from the blocking surfaces in the guide direction, in particular with at least one component in the radial direction to the pivot axis, so that the rotating blocking elements do not experience any additional deflection when entering the rest position receptacles during movement in the guide direction.

[0058] Furthermore, no further details were given regarding the alignment of the working position mounts, the resting position mounts, and the blocking surfaces relative to the guide sleeve.

[0059] One advantageous solution provides that the working position mounts and the rest position mounts and the locking surfaces are arranged facing the guide sleeve, so that a deflection-free movement of the rotary locking elements can take place in the direction of the locking surfaces or in the direction of the working position mounts and the rest position mounts.

[0060] In general, the swivel bearing body and the guide body can pivot relative to each other about the swivel axis.

[0061] However, a particularly advantageous design solution involves the guide body being part of the swivel bearing unit.

[0062] Furthermore, with regard to the design of the guide body, it is provided that all guide receptacles for the rotary locking elements of the rotary locking units are arranged in the guide body.

[0063] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide direction runs with at least one component in a radial direction to the pivot axis, so that the rotary locking elements are moved with at least one component in a radial direction to the pivot axis between the rotary locking position and the release position, and thus there is no exclusive movement of the rotary locking elements in the direction of the pivot axis in order to move them between the rotary locking position and the release position.

[0064] A particularly advantageous design solution provides that the guide body has a guide sleeve with guide receptacles for the rotary locking elements of the rotary locking units and that, in particular, the rotary locking elements are guided by the guide body which extends radially to the pivot bearing body.

[0065] In connection with the explanation of the preceding embodiments, it was not discussed in detail how the pivot bearing body is to be pivotably mounted on the pivot bearing unit.

[0066] For this purpose, for example, a dedicated bearing could be provided on the swivel bearing unit, which is independent of the guide body.

[0067] However, from a design perspective, it is particularly simple if the guide body has a pivot bearing for the pivot bearing body, i.e., either carries a pivot bearing for the pivot bearing body or itself forms a pivot bearing for the pivot bearing body with an outer surface.

[0068] No further details were provided regarding the movement of the actuating elements in relation to the guide element.

[0069] One advantageous solution provides that the actuating body is guided so that it can move relative to the guide body.

[0070] The actuating body could be movable relative to the guide body in the direction of the pivot axis between the rotational locking position and the release position in order to move the rotational locking bodies into the corresponding positions.

[0071] A solution that is particularly optimized with regard to space requirements provides that the actuating body is rotatably arranged around the pivot axis and in particular has wedge surfaces extending over an angular range around the pivot axis and varying in the direction parallel to the guide direction, preferably combined with retraction receptacles.

[0072] Furthermore, no further details were provided regarding the arrangement of the recordings and the blocking areas.

[0073] One advantageous solution involves arranging the mounts and the locking surfaces on the swivel bearing body.

[0074] Furthermore, a constructive solution regarding the absorption of the acting forces is particularly advantageous if the actuating body is enclosed by the guide body and, in particular, if the pivot bearing body surrounds the guide body.

[0075] No further details were provided regarding the arrangement of the rotary locking elements relative to the actuating element.

[0076] In principle, the rotary locking elements could be arranged in such a way that they are encompassed by the actuating element.

[0077] For the spatial arrangement of the trailer coupling according to the invention, it has also proven advantageous if the rotary locking elements are arranged around the actuating element.

[0078] It has proven to be particularly advantageous in terms of design if the pivot bearing body forms an outer body that surrounds the guide body and is arranged so as not to move relative to the pivot bearing unit in the direction of the pivot axis, and in particular if the pivot bearing body forms an outer body that surrounds at least a partial area of ​​the rotary locking unit and is arranged so as not to move relative to the guide body in the direction of the pivot axis, so that the pivot bearing body does not move in the direction of the pivot axis when the rotary locking elements transition from the rotary locking position to the release position and vice versa, but can be arranged so as not to move in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0079] Such an arrangement of the swivel bearing body has the advantage of a favorable spatial structure of the swivel bearing unit itself and the advantage of a relatively simple sealing of the swivel bearing unit, since the swivel bearing body does not perform any movements in the axial direction of the swivel axis.

[0080] Preferably, a seal circumferential around the pivot axis is provided between a housing of the swivel bearing unit and at least one end side of the outer body, with which a seal against penetrating dirt and moisture is provided.

[0081] In such a solution, the pivot bearing body simultaneously represents the outer body protecting and enclosing the pivot bearing unit, and by ensuring that the outer body is arranged immovably relative to the pivot bearing unit in the direction of the pivot axis, it is particularly possible to achieve a simple seal between the outer body and the pivot bearing unit.

[0082] A particularly advantageous design solution is one in which the swivel bearing body forms at least one outer body that surrounds a partial area of ​​the rotary locking device and is arranged immovably relative to the guide body in the direction of the swivel axis.

[0083] In particular, it is provided that the rotary locking elements can be moved from the release position to the rotary locking position by the actuating element.

[0084] Preferably, the actuating body is designed in such a way that, in the release position, it allows the release position of the rotary locking elements.

[0085] In particular, a further design of the rotary locking element provides that it holds the rotary locking elements in their rotary locking position.

[0086] To ensure that the rotary locking elements always return to their rotary locking position, especially when there is no active actuation of the actuating element, it is preferably provided that the actuating element is actuated in the direction of its rotary locking position by an elastic energy storage device.

[0087] In order to be able to move the actuating body from the rotational locking position to the release position, it is preferably provided that the actuating body can be moved from the rotational locking position to the release position by an actuating unit.

[0088] In particular, such movement of the actuating body by the actuating device occurs against the action of the energy storage device, meaning that the actuating unit counteracts the action of the energy storage device and thus must overcome the forces applied by the energy storage device.

[0089] In particular, in the case of a rotatable actuating body, it is preferably provided that the actuating unit rotates the actuating body in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation caused by the elastic energy storage device.

[0090] Such an elastic energy storage device can, in principle, be located in several places.

[0091] From a design perspective, it is particularly advantageous if the elastic energy storage device is arranged within the swivel bearing unit.

[0092] Another structurally advantageous solution involves arranging the elastic energy storage device on one side of the actuator.

[0093] In this case, the elastic energy storage device can be advantageously coupled with the actuating element.

[0094] Regarding the effect on the actuator, a wide variety of solutions are conceivable.

[0095] One advantageous solution provides that the actuating unit has an output element which is coupled to the actuating body.

[0096] In principle, it would be possible to rigidly couple the output element and the actuating body together.

[0097] However, it is particularly advantageous if the output element and the actuating body are coupled to each other via a drive coupling device which, depending on the position of the output element and the position of the actuating body, in particular its rotational position, allows a relative movement around a limited angle of rotation.

[0098] The coupling device could act as an elastic connecting element.

[0099] However, it is particularly easy if the coupling device has a free-running state and a carrying state, meaning that either the free-running state or the carrying state is present.

[0100] In connection with the previous solutions, only the drive of the rotary locking device was explained in general terms, which makes it possible to realize a transition of the rotary locking device from at least one rotary locking position to a release position and vice versa.

[0101] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating unit for the rotary locking device comprises a motorized drive unit.

[0102] This could involve a motorized drive unit exclusively assigned to the actuating unit for the rotary locking device.

[0103] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the reduction gear is arranged on a side of the actuating element of the rotary locking device facing the motor drive.

[0104] For a compact design, it is particularly advantageous if, viewed in the direction of the pivot axis, the reduction gear is driven on one side by the motor drive unit and has an output for the actuating element on the opposite side.

[0105] Thus, the reduction gear is preferably arranged between the motor drive unit and the actuating element when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0106] Furthermore, the reduction gear, the elastic energy storage device and the actuating element are preferably arranged successively in the direction of the pivot axis, in particular within the pivot bearing unit.

[0107] The foregoing description of solutions according to the invention thus includes in particular the various combinations of features defined by the following numbered embodiments: 1. Trailer coupling comprising a ball neck (10) movable between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), the ball neck being connected at a first end to a pivot bearing unit (20) and carrying a coupling ball (18) at a second end, wherein the ball neck (10) is pivotable by means of the pivot bearing unit (20) to perform a pivoting movement about a pivot axis (22) between the working position (A) and the rest position (R), and a rotary locking device (50) acting between a guide body (40) and a pivot bearing body (14) of the pivot bearing unit (20), with at least two rotary locking units (80), each of which has a rotary locking element (54) which is movably guided in a guide direction (58) by means of a guide receptacle (56) of the guide body (40) and which is provided on an actuating body (52) in the guide direction (58) by means of a pressure surface (66) extending transversely to the guide direction (58). is movablewherein by a movement of the actuating body (52) in an actuating direction (72) the rotary locking elements (54) of all rotary locking units (80) are movable and actuated in the guide direction (58) and wherein the rotary locking elements (54) of all rotary locking units (80) in the working position (A) or the rest position (R) can be brought into a rotary locking position by movement in the guide direction (58) and in this position each rotary locking element (54) engages with one of the at least two working position receptacles (60) or one of the at least two rest position receptacles (60R) in order to block a pivoting movement of the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40) relative to each other about the pivot axis (22),and wherein the rotary locking elements (54) can be brought into a release position and in this position are disengaged from the respective working position receptacle (60) or the respective rest position receptacle (60R) and release the pivoting movement between the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40), wherein in all provided relative pivoting positions between the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40), except for the working position (A) and the rest position (R), movement of the actuating element (52) in the actuating direction (72) and consequently also force-actuated engagement of the rotary locking elements (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) in each of the working position receptacles (60A) or the rest position receptacles (60R) is blocked, characterized in that a locking device (270) is provided which comprises a locking element (272),which is movable into a locking position that secures the actuating body (52) in the rotational locking positions and into a ready position located outside the locking position. 2. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 1, wherein the locking element (272) is guided on the guide element (40) of the swivel bearing unit (20). 3. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the locking element (272) is guided in a guide (274) arranged on the guide body (40), in particular that the guide (274) is arranged in a wall area (104) of the guide body (40) adjacent to the actuating element (52) and in particular that the wall area (104) is arranged between the actuating element (52) and the pivot bearing body (14). 4. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 3, wherein the locking element (272) is movable in the guide (274) in a direction approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22). 5. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking element (272) engages in a receptacle (282) in the actuating body (52) in the respective locking position. 6. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking element (272) is positioned adjacent to the actuating element (52) in the ready position. 7. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the guide (274) for the locking body (272) is arranged in a wall area (104) of the guide body (40) adjacent to the actuating body (52). 8. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 3 to 7, wherein the locking element (272) in the locking position engages with one end (276) in the respective receptacle (282) of the actuating element (52) starting from and guided by the guide (274). 9. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking element (272) can be fixed in the locking position by an actuating device (280). 10. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 9, wherein the actuating device (280) comprises a cam guide (290) and a cam follower (292) movable by this cam, which is coupled to the locking body (272). 11. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 10, wherein the cam follower (292) is movable by means of the cam guide (290) approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22). 12. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 10 or 11, wherein the cam guide (290) is movable in a plane transverse to the pivot axis (22). 13. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the cam guide (290) is movable by an actuating device (280). 14. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 13, wherein the actuating device (280) comprises a body (142) which carries the cam guide (290) and is rotatable relative to the cam follower (292). 15. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 10 to 14, wherein the cam guide (290) has at least one cam track (312, 314) acting on the cam follower (292). 16. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 10 to 15, wherein the cam guide (290) has two cam tracks (312, 314) acting on the cam follower (292) and guiding it between themselves. 17. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 16, wherein both cam tracks (312, 314) together fix the cam follower (292) in a position specifying the locking position. 18. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 16 or 17, wherein a first cam track (312) comprises a track section (312b) moving the cam follower (292) from the position defining the locking position to a position defining the ready position. 19. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein a second cam track (314) has a track section (314b) which moves the cam follower (292) from the position corresponding to the ready position to a position in which the cam follower (292) is spring-elastically acted upon in the direction of the locking position. 20. Trailer coupling according to one of embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the first cam track (312) is effective by a movement of the cam guide (290) in a first direction of rotation (322) and that the second cam track (314) is effective by a movement of the cam guide (290) in a first direction of rotation (322) opposite direction of rotation (324). 21. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 20, wherein the actuating device (280) can be driven by an actuating unit (180) for the rotation locking device (50). 22. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 21, wherein the actuating device (280) is coupled to the actuating unit (180). 23. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 21 or 22, wherein the cam track (290) is arranged on a rotatable body (142) of a planetary gear (130) of the actuating unit (180) for the rotation locking device (50). 24. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 23, wherein the cam track (290) is arranged on a ring gear (142) of a planetary gear (130) of the actuating unit (180). 25. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking device (270) has a sensor (300) that detects the positions of the locking body (272). 26. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 25, wherein the sensor (300) detects the locked position and the ready position. 27. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments 9 to 26, wherein the cam follower (292) is coupled to the locking body (272) by means of a transmission element (294). 28. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 27, wherein the transmission element (294) is coupled to a sensor actuation element (296). 29. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein locking surfaces (90) extend between the working position mounts (60A) and the rest position mounts (60R), against which the rotary locking elements (54) can be applied and from which the working position mounts (60A) and the rest position mounts (60R) extend, such that the rotary locking units (80) and the working position mounts (60A) as well as the rest position mounts (60R) are arranged around the pivot axis (22) at angular distances (W) from one another, such that in all intended pivot positions of the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40) relative to each other, except for the working position (A) and the rest position (R), the rotary locking element (54) is opposite at least one of the rotary locking units (80) and thus these locking surfaces (90),In particular, when force is applied to the actuating body (52) in the direction of actuation (72), movement of the actuating body (52) in the direction of actuation (72) and consequently also a force-applied engagement of the rotary locking elements (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) in one of the working position receptacles (60A) or the rest position receptacles (60R) is blocked. 30. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the rotary locking units (80) are arranged at angular intervals (W) around the pivot axis (22) to form a rotary locking configuration, the working position receptacles (60A) and the rest position receptacles (60R) are arranged at the same angular intervals (W) around the pivot axis (22) to form a receptacle configuration for the working position (A) and the rest position (R) as the rotary locking units (80), and the rotary locking configuration and the receptacle configuration of the working position receptacle (60A) in the working position (A) and of the rest position receptacles (60R) in the rest position (R) are congruent with each other, so that the rotary locking elements (54) can engage in the working position receptacles and rest position receptacles, respectively.and that the angular distances (W) between the rotation locking units (80) of the rotation locking configuration and the angular distances between the working position fixtures (60) and the rest position fixtures (60R) of the fixture configurations are selected such that the rotation locking configuration and one of the fixture configurations are congruent with each other only in the working position (A) or the rest position (R). 31. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the angular distances (W) of at least one of the rotary locking units (80) to the rotary locking units (80) arranged adjacent in a direction of rotation about the pivot axis (22) and to the rotary locking units (80) arranged opposite to this direction of rotation are unequal, such that in the working position (A) the working position receptacles (60A) are arranged such that the rotary locking element (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) can be brought into engagement with one of the working position receptacles (60A), that in the rest position (R) the rest position receptacles (60R) are arranged such that the rotary locking element (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) can be brought into engagement with one of the rest position receptacles (60R), and that in all pivot positions of the pivot body (14) and the guide body (40) intended for operation relative to each other,which are outside the working position (A) or the rest position (R), the rotary locking element (54) is opposite at least one of the rotary locking units (80) of a locking surface (90) extending between the working position supports (60A) and the rest position supports (60R), and the locking surface (90), in particular when force is applied to the actuating element (52), blocks movement of the actuating element (52) from the release position to the rotary locking position. 32. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking surfaces (90) face the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80). 33. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking surfaces (90) extend in a defined radius around the pivot axis (22). 34. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the locking surfaces (90) extend to and merge into the opening edges (92) of the working position receptacles (60A) and the rest position receptacle (60R). 35. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 34, wherein the opening edges (92) of the working position receptacles (60A) and the rest position receptacle (60R) are at the same radial distance from the pivot axis (22) as the locking surfaces (90). 36. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one of the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) bears against one of the locking surfaces (90) during a relative pivoting movement between pivot bearing body (14) and guide body (40) in the direction of the working position (A), in particular by the action of the actuating body (52). 37. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the rotating locking elements (54) are applied to the locking surfaces (90) before reaching the working position (A) and subsequently enter the working position receptacles (60A) under force at the opening edges (92) of the working position receptacles (60A). 38. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the working position receivers (60A) extend from the locking surfaces (90) in the guide direction (58), in particular with at least one component in the radial direction to the pivot axis (22). 39. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one of the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) bears against one of the locking surfaces (90) during a relative pivoting movement between pivot bearing body (14) and guide body (40) in the direction of the rest position (R), in particular by the action of the actuating element (52). 40. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the rotating locking elements (54) are subjected to force against the locking surfaces (90) before reaching the rest position (R) and subsequently enter the rest position receptacles (60R) subjected to force against the opening edges (92) of the rest position receptacles (60R). 41. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the rest position receptacles (60R) extend from the locking surfaces (90) in the guide direction (58), in particular with at least one component in the radial direction to the pivot axis (22). 42. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the working position receptacles (60A), the rest position receptacles (60R) and the locking surfaces (90) are arranged facing the guide sleeve (40). 43. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the guide body (40) is part of the swivel bearing unit (20). 44. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein all guide receptacles (56) for the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) are arranged in the guide body (40). 45. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the guide direction (58) extends with at least one component in a radial direction to the pivot axis (22). 46. ​​Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the guide body (40) has a guide sleeve (44) with guide receptacles (56) for the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) and in particular the rotary locking elements (54) are guided by the guide body (40) which extends radially to the pivot bearing body (14). 47. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the guide body (40) has a pivot bearing for the pivot bearing body (14). 48. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuating body (52) is guided movably relative to the guide body (40). 49. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuating body (52) is rotatably arranged about the pivot axis (22) and in particular has wedge surfaces (66) extending over an angular range about the pivot axis (22) and varying in the direction parallel to the guide direction (58), preferably combined with retraction receptacles (62). 50. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the receptacles (60) and the locking surfaces (90) are arranged on the pivot bearing body (14). 51. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuating body (52) is enclosed by the guide body (40) and in particular the pivot bearing body (14) encompasses the guide body (40). 52. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the rotary locking elements (54) are arranged around the actuating element (52). 53. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the pivot bearing body (14) forms an outer body surrounding the guide body (40) on the outside, which is arranged so as to be immovable relative to the pivot bearing unit (20) in the direction of the pivot axis (22), and in particular, the pivot bearing body (14) forms an outer body surrounding at least a partial area of ​​the rotary locking unit (50) on the outside, which is arranged so as to be immovable relative to the guide body (40) in the direction of the pivot axis (22). 54. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuating body (52) is acted upon by an elastic energy storage device (114) in the direction of its rotational locking position. 55. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuating body (52) can be moved from the rotationally locked position to the release position by an actuating unit (180). 56. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 54 or 55, wherein the actuating body (52) is movable by the actuating unit (180) against the action of the energy storage device (114). 57. Trailer coupling according to one of the embodiments 54 to 56, wherein the actuating body (52) can be rotated by the actuating unit (180) in the opposite direction to the actuating direction (72) effected by the elastic energy storage device (114). 58. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuating unit (180) has an output element (142) which is coupled to the actuating body (52). 59. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 58, wherein the output element (142) and the actuating body (52) are coupled to each other via a drive coupling device (156, 158). 60. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 59, wherein the coupling device (156, 158) has a free-running state and a carrying state.

[0108] Further features and advantages of the solution according to the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment.

[0109] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a rear view of a motor vehicle with a trailer coupling according to the invention; Fig. 2 a top view of a first embodiment of a trailer coupling according to the invention, looking in the direction of travel at the trailer coupling mounted on the rear of a vehicle, wherein the trailer coupling is in its working position; Fig. 3 a top view of the trailer hitch in Fig. 2 in the direction of the pivot axis; Fig. 4 a view accordingly Fig. 2 of the trailer coupling in the rest position; Fig. 5 a top view of the trailer coupling according to the trailer coupling in the rest position according to Fig. 4 in the direction of the pivot axis; Fig. 6 a representation of a section along line 6-6 in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 a cut along line 7-7 in Fig. 6 in the working position when rotation is blocked by rotary blocking bodies in a rotary blocking position; Fig. 8 a representation of a section similar to Fig. 7 in the released position with the actuating body rotated into a released position and the rotary locking bodies in the released position; Fig. 9 a representation similar Fig. 8 when the pivot bearing body is slightly swivelled out of the working position, with the actuating body blocked under the influence of the torsion spring; Fig. 10 a representation similar Fig. 8 with the pivot bearing body rotated further towards the rest position, but in the release position; Fig. 11 a representation similar Fig. 10 with the swivel bearing body rotated further in the direction of the rest position; Fig. 12 a representation similar Fig. 11 with the pivot bearing body rotated further in the direction of the rest position; Fig. 13 a representation similar Fig. 7 in the resting position; Fig. 14 a representation similar Fig. 8 in the resting position; Fig. 15 a cut along line 15-15 in Fig. 6 without support plate and retaining ring; Fig. 16 a perspective view of a ring gear and a drive sleeve interacting with it; Fig. 17 a perspective exploded view of the pivot bearing body with the cover; Fig. 18 an enlarged section according to Fig. 6 in the working position; Fig. 19 an enlarged section similar Fig. 18 in the rest position with the blocking body in the release position without locking or safety function; Fig. 20 in the starting position; Fig. 20a a perspective view of the interaction of the ring gear in the position according to Fig. 20b with a locking device and with the rotary locking device; Fig. 20b a top view of the ring gear of the planetary gear from the side of the drive sleeve; Fig. 20c a perspective view of the sensor's operation; Fig. 21 in the first position of the ring gear rotated relative to the starting position to release the locking device and without affecting the rotary locking device; Fig. 21a a perspective view of the interaction of the ring gear in the position according to Fig. 21b with the locking device and with the rotary locking device; Fig. 21b a top view of the ring gear of the planetary gear from the side of the drive sleeve; Fig. 21c a perspective view of the sensor's operation; Fig. 22 in a position of the ring gear rotated relative to the starting position when the release position of the rotational locking direction is reached; Fig. 22a a perspective view of the interaction of the ring gear in the position according to Fig. 22b with a safety device and with the rotary locking device; Fig. 22b a top view of the ring gear of the planetary gear from the side of the drive sleeve; Fig. 22c a perspective view of the sensor's operation; Fig. 23 in a position opposite the position in Fig. 22 position of the ring gear rotated back towards the starting position when the swivel bearing body reaches its rest position; Fig. 23a a perspective view of the interaction of the ring gear in the position according to Fig. 23b with a safety device and with the rotary locking device; Fig. 23b a top view of the ring gear of the planetary gear from the side of the drive sleeve; Fig. 23c a perspective view of the sensor's operation; Fig. 24 in a position of the ring gear rotated to the starting position; Fig. 24a a perspective view of the interaction of the ring gear in the position according to Fig. 24b with a safety device and with the rotary locking device; Fig. 24b a top view of the ring gear of the planetary gear from the side of the drive sleeve; Fig. 24c a perspective view of the sensor's operation; Fig. 25 in a position that is in the starting position according to Fig. 20 rotated position of the ring gear during a transition of the rotary locking device into the rotary locking position and the locking device into the safety position; Fig. 25a a perspective view of the interaction of the ring gear in the position according to Fig. 25b with a safety device and with the rotary locking device; Fig. 25b a top view of the ring gear of the planetary gear from the side of the drive sleeve; Fig. 25c a perspective view of the sensor's operation.

[0110] A first embodiment of a trailer coupling AK according to the invention for a motor vehicle, shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in a working position A and in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in a rest position R, comprises a ball neck designated as a whole by 10, which is held at a first end 12 on a swivel bearing unit 20 and carries at a second end 16 a coupling ball designated as a whole by 18, on which a coupling ball receptacle of a trailer can be fixed.

[0111] The ball neck 10 is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 22 relative to a vehicle-mounted support 24 by a pivot bearing unit designated as a whole by 20, wherein the support 24 preferably has a support plate 26 holding the pivot bearing unit 20, which preferably extends in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis 22, and has a vehicle-mounted cross member 28, which can be attached in a known manner to a rear area H of a vehicle body F, such that the pivot bearing unit 20 and the support 24 lie on the side of a lower edge 30 of a bumper unit 36 ​​facing away from a road surface FO, and are covered by the bumper unit 36 ​​( Fig. 3).

[0112] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the working position shown in Figure 2, the ball neck 10, with a section 32 adjoining the first end 12, engages the lower edge 30 of the bumper unit 36, so that the second end 16 and the coupling ball 18 together with a socket receptacle 34 are located on a side of the rear bumper unit 36 ​​facing away from the vehicle body F, while in the rest position both the swivel bearing unit 20 and the entire ball neck 10 together with the coupling ball 18 are covered by the rear bumper unit 36 ​​against view from behind.

[0113] The swivel bearing unit 20 comprises, as shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 shows, on the one hand a pivot bearing body 14 and on the other hand a guide body 40.

[0114] For example, the guide body 40 is fixedly connected to the support plate 26 by a flange 42 and a guide sleeve 44 extending from the flange 42 away from the support plate 26, on which the pivot bearing body 14 is rotatably mounted about the pivot axis 20, the ball neck 10 being held on this.

[0115] Alternatively, it is also conceivable to firmly connect the swivel bearing body 14 to the flange 42 and to arrange the ball neck 10 on the guide body 40.

[0116] The guide sleeve 44 comprises a cylindrical outer surface 46, against which the swivel bearing body 14 with a cylindrical inner surface 48 abuts in order to obtain a rotary guide about the pivot axis 22, so that the swivel bearing body 14 and the guide body 40 are rotatable relative to each other and thus the ball neck 10 can be pivoted from the working position A to the rest position R and vice versa.

[0117] In the case of its fixed mounting, the guide body 40 comprises a projection 41 extending through an opening 27 in the support plate 26, which carries a receptacle 43 on a side opposite the flange 42 for a retaining ring 45 that can be fixed to it, so that the guide body 40 is guided by the projection 41 due to its non-rotationally symmetrical but radially varying outer contour 47 ( Fig. 15) is securely locked in the support plate 26 by means of a positive locking mechanism in the appropriately shaped opening 27 and is fixed to the support plate 26 by means of the flange 45 and the retaining ring 43, which are located on opposite sides of the support plate 26.

[0118] The guide body 40 thus forms the vehicle-mounted rotary bearing for the swivel bearing body 14 through its fixed connection with the support plate 26 and the carrier 24.

[0119] To fix the swivel bearing body 14 in the working position A, the swivel bearing unit 20 is equipped with a rotary locking device designated as a whole by 50 ( Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. 14) provided with an actuating body 52, several rotary locking bodies 54 which can be actuated by the actuating body 52, each of which is guided in a guide receptacle 56 of the guide sleeve 44 in a guide direction 58 which is substantially radial to the pivot axis 22.

[0120] Preferably, at least the rotary locking elements 54 and the guide receptacles 56 are arranged symmetrically to a geometric plane perpendicular to the pivot axis 22 and intersecting the rotary locking elements 54, which are located in the Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. 14 corresponds to the character plane.

[0121] Furthermore, the rotary locking device 50 comprises working position receptacles 60A extending into the inner surface 48 of the pivot bearing body 14, particularly in the radial direction to the pivot axis 22, with which the rotary locking elements 54 can be engaged in the working position A, wherein the working position receptacles 60A have wall surfaces that are increasingly closer together in the radial direction to the pivot axis 22. In addition to the working position receptacles 60A, the rotary locking device 50 also comprises rest position receptacles 60R, which in the simplest case are designed in the same way as the working position receptacles 60A.

[0122] For example, does the rotary locking device 50 include, as in connection with Fig. 7 to Fig. As shown in the first embodiment, the guide sleeve 44 has a set of three rotary locking elements 54a, 54b and 54c, and the guide sleeve 44 has a corresponding set of three guide receptacles 56a, 56b and 56c in which the rotary locking elements 54a, 54b and 54c are slidably guided in the guide direction 58 which extends substantially radially to the pivot axis 22. The pivot bearing body 14 is provided with a set of working position receptacles 60Aa, 60Ab and 60Ac with which the rotary locking elements 54a, 54b and 54c can be engaged in the working position A. Fig. 7), and provided with a set of rest position receptacles 60Ra, 60Rb, 60Rc, with which the rotation locking elements 52 can be engaged in the rest position R ( Fig. 13).

[0123] For suitable movement and positioning of the rotary locking elements 54 in the guide direction 58, the actuating body 52 is provided with a set of, for example, three retraction receptacles 62a, 62b and 62c corresponding to the number of rotary locking elements 54, and pressure surfaces 66a, 66b and 66c adjoining the respective retraction receptacles 62a, 62b, 62c in a direction of rotation 64, which are designed as wedge surfaces acting radially to the pivot axis 22, wherein the rotary locking elements 54 can immerse themselves in the retraction receptacles 62a, 62b, 62c to such an extent ( Fig. 8) that they no longer protrude beyond the outer surface 46 of the guide sleeve 44, and wherein the pressure surfaces 66a, 66b, 66c each extend from a radially inner initial area 68a, 68b and 68c immediately adjoining the respective retraction receptacles 62, with increasing extension in the direction of rotation 64 increasingly radially outwards to the pivot axis 22, up to a radially outer end area 70a, 70b and 70c, and thus, in the event of a rotational movement of the actuating body 52, act as wedge surfaces on the rotary locking elements 54 to move them into their rotary locking position.

[0124] Preferably, the pressure surfaces 66 extend as spiral or involute segments relative to the pivot axis 22.

[0125] In order to either hold the rotary locking elements 54 in their rotary locking position by applying pressure to them with the pressure surfaces 66 between the initial region 68 and the final region 70, or to allow them to retract into the retraction recesses 62 in the release position, the actuating element 52 is also rotatable about the pivot axis 22, in particular coaxially to it, such that either the set of retraction recesses 62a, 62b and 62c faces the rotary locking elements 54 and engages them, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, in its inactive or release position, it allows the retraction receptacles 62 to move radially towards the pivot axis 22 when transitioning to the release position, thus enabling the respective rotary locking elements 54 to leave the working position receptacles 60A or the rest position receptacles 60R and to release the pivot bearing body 14 with respect to rotation about the pivot axis 22 relative to the guide body 40, so that the pivot bearing body 14 with the ball neck 10 can rotate freely and without hindrance relative to the guide sleeve 44, as shown in Figure 8. Fig. 8 and Fig. 14 shown, in which case the rotational locking elements 54 do not extend beyond the outer surface 46 of the guide sleeve 44.

[0126] A rotation of the actuating body 52 with rotary locking elements 54 seated in the retraction receptacles 62 in a direction of rotation 72 opposite to the direction of rotation 64 causes the rotary locking elements 54 to be moved out of the retraction receptacles 62 and initially, in the active position or rotary locking position of the actuating body 52, to rest on the initial areas 68 of the pressure surfaces 66, but in doing so, for example, already plunge into the receptacles 60 and thus, in their rotary locking position, prevent the free rotation of the pivot bearing body 14 relative to the guide body 40.

[0127] If the actuating body 52 is rotated further in the direction of rotation 72 opposite to the direction of rotation 64, the areas of the pressure surfaces 66 that are increasingly radially outward from the pivot axis 22 act on the rotary locking elements 54 and thus increasingly press the rotary locking elements 54 into the working position receptacles 60Aa, 60Ab and 60Ac in the working position A or the rest position R of the ball neck 10. Fig. 7, or into the resting position shots 60Ra, 60Rb and 60Rc, Fig. 13, into, in order to achieve an essentially backlash-free fixation of the swivel bearing body 14 relative to the guide body 40, in this case to the guide sleeve 44.

[0128] In the rotary locking position of the rotary locking elements 54, the actuating element 52 is in its active position such that the rotary locking elements 54, as in Fig. 7 and Fig. 13 shown, approximately on central areas 76, which lie between the initial areas 68 and the final areas 70, on which the pressure surfaces 66 sit and are acted upon.

[0129] To enable the actuating body 52 to optimally actuate each of the three rotary locking elements 54, it is provided that, in the active position, the actuating body 52 centers itself according to the position of the rotary locking elements 54. In particular, the actuating body 52 is mounted in the guide sleeve 44 such that, due to the radial play, the actuating body 52 can self-center relative to the position of the rotary locking elements 54 within the guide body 40, which is determined by manufacturing tolerances. The self-centering of the actuating body 52 may deviate slightly from a coaxial arrangement with respect to the geometric pivot axis 22.

[0130] Due to self-centering, the rotary locking elements 54a, 54b and 54c exert approximately equal forces on the working position mounts 60Aa, 60Ab and 60Ac or the rest position mounts 60Ra, 60Rb and 60Rc in the respective guide direction 58a, 58b and 58c, so that the reaction forces acting on the actuating element 52 are also approximately equal.

[0131] Preferably the rotary locking elements 54 are designed as balls, which thus bear against the actuating element 52 on one side and against the receptacles 60 on the other.

[0132] Thus, only a play-in rotatable bearing of the actuating body 52 relative to the pivot axis 22 occurs, which is primarily relevant when the actuating body 52 holds the rotary locking elements 54 in a release position in which the rotary locking elements 54 immerse in the retraction receptacles 62 of the actuating body 52.

[0133] In order to cause the actuating body 52 to always move in the direction of rotation 72 without external influence, whereby the rotary locking elements 54 move in the direction of the rotary locking position, the actuating body 52 is actuated by a torsion spring 114 ( Fig. 6), which acts on the actuating body 52 on the one hand and is supported radially on the outside of the guide body 40 on the other hand.

[0134] The torsion spring 114 also causes the actuating body 52 to press the rotary locking elements 54 into the working position mounts 60A or the rest position mounts 60R with force, thus fixing the swivel bearing body 14 without play, whereby the freedom from play is maintained even if the geometry of the working position mounts 60A or the rest position mounts 60R changes due to the loads during operation by further rotating the actuating body 52 in the direction of rotation 72.

[0135] The three guide receptacles 56 and the rotary locking elements 54 arranged in them, as well as the retraction receptacles 62 assigned to these rotary locking elements 54 with the pressure surfaces 66 adjoining them in the actuating body 52, each form three rotary locking units 80 and these are arranged around the pivot axis 22 at unequal angular distances Wab, Wbc, Wca (relative to the respective central axes Ma, Mb, Mc) relative to each other, whereby, with reference to the pivot axis 22 as the axis of rotation, a rotary locking configuration of the rotary locking units 80 only results in an identical arrangement of the rotary locking units 80 when the rotary locking configuration is rotated by 360°.

[0136] For example, the angular distance Wab = 120°, the angular distance Wbc = 137° and the angular distance Wca = 103°, meaning that the deviation from equal angular distances is 17°.

[0137] For example, with three rotary locking units, deviations from equal angular distances of up to 30° or more are possible, so that, for example, angular distances of Wab = 120°, Wbc = 150° and Wca = 90° are possible.

[0138] Likewise, the working position mounts 60A and the rest position mounts 60R are each arranged relative to each other with respect to the pivot axis 22 in a mount configuration with the same angular distances as the rotation locking units 80 relative to each other, which, with respect to the pivot axis 22, also only result in an identical arrangement of the respective mount configuration when rotated 360°, so that in the working position A or the rest position R, this is identical to the rotation locking configuration, so that in the working position A or the rest position R, a rotation locking element 54 of one of the rotation locking units 80 is opposite one of the working position mounts 60A or one of the rest position mounts 60R and can engage with it in the rotation locking position, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 13 shows that the pivot bearing body 14 can only be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the pivot bearing unit 20 in the working position and in the rest position ( Fig. 7, Fig. 13).

[0139] However, if the actuating body 52 in the working position A or the rest position R is moved against the force of the torsion spring 114 into the release position, as described below, each of the rotary locking bodies 54 of the respective rotary locking unit 80 has the possibility of immersing itself in the retraction receptacle 62 assigned to it, and leaving the respective working position receptacle 60A or rest position receptacle R, so that the pivot bearing body 14 can be pivoted out about the pivot axis 22 in the working position A or the rest position R ( Fig. 8, Fig. 14).

[0140] As soon as the pivot bearing body 14 has left the working position A or the rest position R ( Fig. 9) The assembly of rotary locking units 80 arranged in the rotary locking configuration relative to the pivot axis 22 no longer has the possibility of engaging with the assembly of working position receptacles 60A or rest position receptacles 60R arranged in the respective receptacle configuration in any of the pivot positions between the working position A or the rest position R, so that when the actuating body 54 is actuated in the direction of rotation 72, the assembly of rotary locking elements 54 seated in the retraction receptacles 62 can no longer engage with the assembly of working position receptacles 60A or rest position receptacles 60R, since the rotary locking elements 54 can indeed be actuated by the actuating body 52, which is actuated by the torsion spring 114 in the direction of rotation 72, in particular by the curved base surfaces of the retraction receptacles 62 which run obliquely to the guide direction 58, in the direction of the pivot bearing body 14,However, in each of the rotational positions of the pivot bearing body 14 outside the working position A, no receptacle from the working position receptacles 60A or the rest position receptacles 60R ever faces the entirety of the rotational locking elements 54, and thus at least one of the rotational locking elements 54 is always blocked by a blocking surface 90 extending between the working position receptacles 60A and rest position receptacles 60R, in the simplest case formed by the cylindrical inner surface 48 of the pivot bearing body 14, and thereby prevents a rotation of the actuating element 52 in the direction of rotation 72 caused by the torsion spring 114.so that the actuating body 52 is held in the release position in all pivot positions of the pivot bearing body 14 outside the working position A and the rest position R, even when the torsion spring 114 acts in the direction of rotation 72, and consequently can only return to the rotationally locked position when the working position A is reached.

[0141] Preferably, the deviation of the rotary locking configuration of the rotary locking unit 80 and the receiving configuration of the receivings 60 from a symmetrical design is so large that, when one of the rotary locking units 80 is opposite one of the working position receivings 60A or the rest position receivings 60R, such that the rotary locking element 54 could engage with this working position receiving 60A or the rest position receivings 60R, at least one, preferably at least two, rotary locking units 80 are offset in the direction of rotation relative to the nearest receiving of the working position receiving 60A or the rest position receivings 60R to such an extent that a contact point of the rotary locking element 54 associated with this rotary locking unit 80 is already located on one of the locking surfaces 90 and cannot come to rest in the area of ​​one of the receivings 60, so that reliable locking of the actuating element 52 is ensured, particularly whenwhen the actuating body 52 is acted upon by the torsion spring 114 in the direction of rotation 72, this is ensured by the locking surfaces 90 effective in the release position.

[0142] If the actuating body 52 is acted upon with a direction of rotation 64 opposite to the action of the torsion spring 114 and is rotated to its maximum extent, the rotary locking elements 54 lie in all pivot positions of the pivot bearing body 14 with play between the respective locking surface 90 and the retraction receptacles 62.

[0143] However, if the effect of the torsion spring 114 dominates in the direction of rotation 72, then, even when pivoting between the working position A and the rest position R, the conditions in the respective pivot positions of the pivot bearing body 14 are as described in Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. 12 are shown.

[0144] The Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. Figure 12 shows that the actuating element 52 is held in the release position in each of the pivot positions of the pivot bearing body 14 by at least one, preferably two, rotary locking elements 54 which bear against one of the locking surfaces 90, and prevent one of the rotary locking elements 54, for example the rotary locking element 54b, from moving. Fig. 10 or the rotating locking body 54a in Fig. 11, cannot intervene in the respective recording 60 that is aligned with this.

[0145] In any case, the circumstances are as follows Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. 14 during pivoting between the rest position R and the working position A, whereby the rotational locking elements 54 bear against the locking surfaces 90 according to Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. 12 when pivoting between the rest position R and the working position A, the rotary locking elements 54 slide with low noise from the locking surfaces 90 directly and, in particular, steplessly onto the opening edges 92 of the working position receptacles 60A and the rest position receptacles 60R into the working position receptacles 60A or the rest position receptacles 60R and into the rotary locking position according to Fig. 7 or Fig. Skip to 13.

[0146] The guide sleeve 44 preferably extends with a section forming a receptacle 102 for the actuating body 52 between the flange 42 and a flange 104 which closes off the guide sleeve 44 and extends radially towards the pivot axis 22, which is preferably integrally formed on the guide sleeve 44 and limits the receptacle 102 for the actuating body 52, so that the actuating body 52 is guided radially to the pivot axis 22 through the receptacle 102 of the guide sleeve 44 and is guided axially in the direction of the pivot axis 22 by contact with an inner surface 108 of the flange 104.

[0147] The flange 104 also has a receptacle 106 coaxial to the pivot axis 22, in which an insert 110 through which a standing shaft 100 is inserted, in particular screwed in, which sits in the receptacle 106 and fixes the shaft 100 in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the guide sleeve 44.

[0148] On a side of the receptacle 102 for the actuating body 52 opposite the flange 104, the guide sleeve 44, for example with a section passing through the flange 42, forms a torsion spring receptacle 112 in which the torsion spring 114 is arranged following the actuating body 52, which is fixed at one end in the torsion spring receptacle 112 and is connected at one end to a drive sleeve 122 which is rotationally fixed to the actuating body 52.

[0149] For this purpose, the drive sleeve 122 is used, as shown in the Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 16 shown, for example provided with extensions 124 which engage in corresponding recesses 126 in the actuating body 52 to create a positive locking connection.

[0150] Because the torsion spring 114 acts on the drive sleeve 122, which is rotationally fixed to the actuating body 52, the action of the torsion spring 114 on the drive sleeve 122 causes the actuating body 52 to rotate in the direction 72, so that, with the torsion spring 114 acting unimpeded on the drive sleeve 122, the actuating body 52 is always subjected to rotation in the direction 72, thus tending to move the rotation-locking elements 54 radially outwards away from the pivot axis 22 in the guide direction 58, whereby this movement is prevented by the locking surfaces 90 in all intended pivot positions of the pivot bearing body 14, with the exception of the working position A and the rest position R.is prevented and consequently the rotary locking elements 54 are only pressed into the working position receptacles A and the rest position receptacles R in the working position A and the rest position receptacles R, thus fixing the swivel bearing body 14 relative to the guide sleeve 44 in a rotationally fixed and, in particular, backlash-free manner.

[0151] In order to move the rotary locking elements 54 into the release position, an action on the actuating element 52 opposite to the direction of rotation 72 and thus also opposite to the effect of the torsion spring 114 is required.

[0152] For this purpose, the drive sleeve 122 can be driven by means of a planetary gear set 130 designated as a whole as 130 ( Fig. 6), which is arranged in a gearbox receptacle 132 of the guide sleeve 44, in particular coaxial to the pivot axis 22, which is arranged, for example, partially within the opening 27 of the carrier plate 26 and preferably extends away from the opening 27 of the carrier plate 26 on a side opposite the flange 42.

[0153] The planetary gear 130 ( Fig. 15) in turn comprises a ring gear 142, which is guided in the gear receptacle 132 and is provided with an internal toothing 144, with which planet gears 146 engage with their external toothing 148.

[0154] The planet gears 146 are rotatably held on a planet gear carrier 152, which in turn is non-rotatably connected to the standing shaft 100.

[0155] Furthermore, it includes - as in Fig. Figure 16 shows the ring gear 142 having a flange body 154 located between the planet carrier 152 and the torsion spring 114, which also extends in the direction of the shaft 100, surrounds it, but is rotatable relative to it and forms an output of the planetary gear 130 for actuating the rotary locking device 50.

[0156] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 16, the flange body 154 has circular arc-shaped drive slots 156a, 156b arranged circumferentially around the pivot axis 22, which interact with drive fingers 158a, 158b of the drive sleeve 122 engaging in them, and which are designed such that the difference between the angular range around the pivot axis 22 over which the drive slots 156 extend and the angular range around the pivot axis 22 over which the drive fingers 158 extend allows for clearance of the drive sleeve 122 relative to the ring gear 142, which will be explained in detail below.

[0157] The planet gears 146 are furthermore engaged with their external teeth 148 with an external tooth 164 of a sun gear 162 of the planetary gear 130, which sits on a drive shaft designated as a whole by 166, which is arranged coaxially to the pivot axis 22 and is supported, for example, by means of an end shaft stub 168 which engages in a face bore 172 of the stationary shaft 100, but is mounted coaxially to it.

[0158] The drive shaft 166 carries a drive gear 174, for example a bevel gear, at a distance from the planetary gear 130, which is driven by an output gear of a motor drive unit 182, which, for example, comprises on the one hand a drive motor, preferably an electric motor, and on the other hand a reduction gear for driving the drive gear.

[0159] The drive unit 182 is, for example, held on a cover body 184, which extends from the carrier plate 126 over the drive shaft 166 with the drive gear 174 and the output gear meshing with it, and also supports the drive shaft 166 on a side facing away from the shaft stub 168.

[0160] Thus, the planetary gear 130 and the drive unit 182, for example, form an actuating device 180 for the rotary locking device 50.

[0161] The stationary shaft 100, which is coupled to the planetary gear carrier 152 in a rotationally fixed manner, is connected to the flange 104 of the guide body 40 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0162] An end flange 198 of the swivel bearing body 14 overlaps the flange 104 of the guide body 40 in the outer area 200 and extends to a guide projection 202 of the flange 104, wherein the end flange 198, for example, with a radially inner cylindrical surface 204, encompasses an outer cylindrical surface 206 of the guide projection 202 and, for example, rests against it and is thereby also additionally guided coaxially to the swivel axis 22 at the guide projection 202.

[0163] Furthermore, a thread 212 extends into the receptacle 106 of the guide extension 202, in which the insert 110 is fixed, in particular screwed in, which with an outer flange 214 partially overlaps the end flange 198 in a radially inner area, so that the end flange 198 of the swivel bearing body 14 is axially non-displaceable between the flange 104 and the outer flange 214 of the insert 110 and thus is axially non-displaceable relative to the guide body 40.

[0164] Furthermore, a cover 222 is mounted on the end flange 198 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the cover 222 forms a unit with the pivot bearing body 14 which is rotatable about the pivot axis 22 ( Fig. 17).

[0165] The cover 222 sits on the end flange 198 and is fixed to it in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0166] In the solution described above, a set of working position holders 60A is provided for the rotationally fixed fixing of the swivel bearing body 14 in the working position A, as well as a set of rest position holders 60R for the rotationally fixed fixing of the swivel bearing body 14 in the rest position R.

[0167] For the safe operation of the trailer coupling according to the invention, a locking device designated as a whole by 270 is provided, which comprises a locking body 272, which in turn is guided in a guide 274, for example designed as a bore on the flange 104 of the guide sleeve of the guide body 40, in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 22.

[0168] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 18, the locking body 272 can be fixed in such a way that, in a locking position, with an end 276 facing the actuating body 52, it is able to engage from the guide 274 into a receptacle of the actuating body 52 when the latter is in the rotary locking position and thus fixes the pivot bearing body 14 and the guide body 40 relative to each other.

[0169] The actuating body 52 assumes this rotational locking position in both the working position and the rest position, so that both the working position and the rest position are additionally secured by the actuating body 52, even though the actuating body is already biased in the direction of the rotational locking position due to the force exerted by the torsion spring 114.

[0170] Furthermore, the locking body 272 can be moved from the locking position into a ready position, in which its end 276 no longer engages in the recess 282 of the actuating body 52, but is preferably positioned within the extension of the flange 104 in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 22.

[0171] The blocking element 272 remains in the ready position without a blocking effect and is preferably also positioned within the extent of the flange 104, as shown in Fig. 19 is shown.

[0172] For moving the locking body 272 between the ready position and the secured position, an actuating device 280 is provided, which is coupled to the actuating unit 180 for the rotary locking device.

[0173] The actuating device 280 comprises a cam guide designated as a whole by 290, wherein the cam guide 290 acts on a cam follower 292, which in turn acts on a transmission element 294 coupled to the blocking body 272, so that the blocking body 272 can be moved into the secured position and into the ready position.

[0174] Preferably, the cam guide 290 is arranged circumferentially of the ring gear 142 of the actuating unit 180, which is part of the planetary gear 130, which on the one hand serves via the drive sleeve 122 to drive the actuating body 52 of the rotary locking device 50.

[0175] As in Fig. 20, in particular Fig. 20a, shown, the actuating body 52 is in the rotary locking position of the rotary locking device 50 such that it acts on the rotary locking bodies 54 in a radial direction to the pivot axis 22 and moves them in the guide direction 58 into the provided receptacles in order to fix the pivot bearing body 14 rotationally fixed relative to the pivot axis 22 either in the working position A or in the rest position R.

[0176] In this regard, the pressure surfaces 66 of the actuating body act in particular on the rotary locking elements 54, in Fig. 20a shown.

[0177] For example, the recess 282, into which the locking body 272 engages with its first end 276 to secure the rotational position of the actuating body 52, is located between the retraction receptacle 62 of one of the rotary locking bodies 541 and a pressure surface 66 of a rotary locking body 542 that follows in the circumferential direction.

[0178] Furthermore, the guided tour includes 290 scenes, as in Fig. Figure 20a shows cam tracks 312 and 314 arranged circumferentially on the ring gear 142, facing each other, which, for positioning the cam follower 292 in the locking position of the blocking body, run relative to each other with positioning sections 312a and 314f such that the cam follower 292 is positioned exactly between these positioning sections 312a and 314c of the two cam tracks 12 and 14 in the locking position and is thus defined and has no possibility of moving, for example, in the direction parallel to the pivot axis 22 into the ready position, but remains fixed in the locking position, so that, through this exactly defined positioning of the cam follower 292, the transmission element 294 positions the blocking body 272 immovably in the locking position and thus additionally secures the actuating body 52.

[0179] Furthermore, the transmission element 294 extends, as in Fig. 20c shown, up to a sensor actuation element 296, which actuates a sensor 300 when the transmission element 294 is moved by means of a position indication element 298 movable relative to the sensor 300, wherein the position indication element 298 in the illustrated case of a sensor 300 designed as a push button has a first touch surface 302 and a second touch surface 304.

[0180] For example, the first touch surface 302 is used to detect the safe position and the second touch surface 304 is used to detect the ready position, whereby the touch surfaces 302 and 304 serve to actuate the sensor 300 to different degrees.

[0181] However, the sensor 300 can also be a magnetic field sensor that detects differently magnetized areas of the position indicator element 298.

[0182] As further in Fig. As shown in Figure 20b, in the initial position of the ring gear 142 of the planetary gear 130, the drive fingers 158a and 158b, which engage in drive slots 156a and 156b, rest against the drive webs 157a and 157b separating the drive slots 156a and 156b in such a way that driving the ring gear 142 in the direction of rotation 322 initially does not cause the drive fingers 158a and 158b to be driven, since the ring gear 142 moves in the direction of rotation 322 in which the drive webs 157a and 157b move away from the drive fingers 158a and 158b, as shown in Figure 20b. Fig. 21b is shown.

[0183] This in turn has the consequence that, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 21a, the cam follower 292 moves along an extension section 312b of the cam guide 290, which displaces the cam follower 292 in the direction of the locking body 272 and thus moves the locking body 272 with its end 276 out of the receptacle 282 of the actuating body 52 and the in Fig. 21a assumes the ready position shown upon reaching positioning section 312c.

[0184] Since the locking element 272 cannot move beyond the ready position in the guide 274 due to the end flange 198 of the pivot bearing body 14, the positioning section 312c, together with the end flange 198, holds the locking element 272 in the ready position, as shown in Fig. 21a shown.

[0185] In this ready position, defined by the positioning section 312c, the sensor actuation element 296 was also moved relative to the sensor 300 due to the transmission element 294, so that it is now actuated by the touch surface 304 and recognizes that the ready position has been reached.

[0186] In this ready position, the actuating body 52 is unlocked, so that a further rotation of the ring gear 142 now results in the drive webs 157b and 157a causing the drive fingers 158a and 158b to move from their contact position against the drive fingers 158a and 158b, so that now, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 22b, further rotation of the ring gear 142 in the direction of rotation 322 leads to a release of the rotary locking position, since the actuating body 52 is moved against the force of the torsion spring 114 from the rotary locking position to the release position.

[0187] The sidecar follower 292 moves as in Fig. 22c shown, still on the positioning section 312c and, as already described, holds the locking body 272 in the ready position, with the rotary locking bodies 54 in their release position in this case.

[0188] As soon as the rotational locking position is released, the ball neck 14 has the possibility, due to the influence of gravity, to leave the working position or rest position and thus pivot from the working position or rest position towards the roadway into an intermediate position, whereby due to the arrangement of the working position supports 60 A and the rest position supports 60 R as well as the rotational locking elements 54 which are prevented in the intermediate positions between these at the transition from the release position to the rotational locking position, the rotational locking elements 54 have no possibility of leaving the release position before reaching the working position or the rest position.

[0189] Starting from the working or rest position, it is therefore usually to be expected that the user of the trailer coupling will move the ball neck 14 from its downward-hanging position in the direction of gravity towards the rest position or the working position.

[0190] The drive of the actuating unit 180 has therefore already changed its direction of rotation upon reaching the positioning section 312c and has rotated the ring gear 142 back in the direction of rotation 324 opposite to the direction of rotation 322 to such an extent that the cam follower 292 is acted upon by a spring-elastic extension section 314b of the cam track 314, which acts on the cam follower 292 in the direction of the locking position, but cannot yet move the cam follower 292 into the locking position, since the locking element 272 is prevented from moving into the rotational locking position by the still existing release position of the actuating element 52, as shown in Fig. 23a and Fig. 23c shown.

[0191] In the Fig. 23a to 23c the ball neck 10 is not yet in the intended end position, i.e. for example the working position or the rest position, because the rotary locking device 50 is still in the release position and has not had the chance to move into the rotary locking position.

[0192] On the other hand, in this position the cam follower 292 is spring-elastically acted upon in the direction of the locking position by the spring-elastic extension section 314b, but cannot yet move into the locking position, since the actuating body 52 is also still in the release position.

[0193] Furthermore, the motor can only turn the ring gear 142 back to the position mentioned above, since further turning of the ring gear 142 in the direction of rotation 324 by the drive fingers 158a and 158b, which are coupled to the rotational position of the actuating body 52, prevents it from turning further back towards the starting position.

[0194] Only when the ball neck 14 has reached its rest or working position through the manually initiated pivoting movement, can the actuating body 52, actuated by the torsion spring 114, move from the release position to the rotation-lock position, and in this position the drive sleeve 122 with the drive fingers 158a and 158b is in the position corresponding to the rotation-lock position, as shown in Fig. 24a shows that the rotary locking elements 54 are acted upon by the pressure surfaces 66 and are thus displaced radially in the direction of their rotary locking position.

[0195] This rotational locking position of the actuating body 52 now allows the elastically acting extension section 314b to act on the cam follower 292 in such a way that it pushes the locking body 272 with the end 276 into the receptacle 282 in the actuating body 52 into the locking position and thus secures the actuating body 52 in addition to the torsion spring 114, which already acts on the actuating body 52 in this position.

[0196] This means that now the blocking body 272, starting from the position in the Fig. 24a and Fig. 24c interferes with recording 282 and, as in Fig. 25a shows the actuating body 52 securing it in the rotational locking position.

[0197] In this case, the sensor actuation element 296 with the position indication element 298 acts on the sensor 300 in such a way that the latter now detects the secured position of the blocking body 272.

[0198] In this case, however, as in Fig. 25b shows the ring gear 142, which is driven solely by the drive motor, still in a rotational position that does not yet correspond to the final starting position.

[0199] For this reason, sensor 300 triggers a short drive signal for the drive motor, which causes the drive motor to rotate further in the direction of 324, thus returning the cam follower 292 to the position in Fig. The rotational position shown in 20 is reached, in which the drive webs 157a and 157b are in contact with the drive fingers 158a and 158b.

[0200] Furthermore, in this rotational position, as in Fig. 20a and Fig. 20c recognizable, the cam follower 292 is permanently and reliably positioned in a position by the two positioning sections 312a and 314c in which the blocking body 272 cannot leave the safety position.

Claims

[1] Trailer coupling comprising a ball neck (10) movable between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), the ball neck being connected at a first end to a pivot bearing unit (20) and carrying a coupling ball (18) at a second end, wherein the ball neck (10) is pivotable by means of the pivot bearing unit (20) to perform a pivoting movement about a pivot axis (22) between the working position (A) and the rest position (R), and a rotary locking device (50) acting between a guide body (40) and a pivot bearing body (14) of the pivot bearing unit (20), with at least two rotary locking units (80), each of which has a rotary locking element (54) which is movably guided in a guide direction (58) by means of a guide receptacle (56) of the guide body (40) and which is provided on an actuating body (52) in the guide direction (58) by means of a pressure surface (66) extending transversely to the guide direction (58) is movablewherein by a movement of the actuating body (52) in an actuating direction (72) the rotary locking elements (54) of all rotary locking units (80) are movable and actuated in the guide direction (58) and wherein the rotary locking elements (54) of all rotary locking units (80) in the working position (A) or the rest position (R) can be brought into a rotary locking position by movement in the guide direction (58) and in this position each rotary locking element (54) engages with one of the at least two working position receptacles (60) or one of the at least two rest position receptacles (60R) in order to block a pivoting movement of the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40) relative to each other about the pivot axis (22),and wherein the rotary locking elements (54) can be brought into a release position and in this position are disengaged from the respective working position receptacle (60) or the respective rest position receptacle (60R) and release the pivoting movement between the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40), wherein in all provided relative pivoting positions between the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40), except for the working position (A) and the rest position (R), movement of the actuating element (52) in the actuating direction (72) and consequently also force-actuated engagement of the rotary locking elements (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) in each of the working position receptacles (60A) or the rest position receptacles (60R) is blocked, , characterized by, that a locking device (270) is provided which comprises a locking element (272) which is movable into a locking position securing the actuating element (52) in the rotary locking positions and a ready position lying outside the locking position. [2] Trailer coupling according to claim 1, characterized by , that the blocking body (272) is guided on the guide body (40) of the pivot bearing unit (20). [3] Trailer coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the locking element (272) is guided in a guide (274) arranged on the guide body (40), that in particular the guide (274) is arranged in a wall area (104) of the guide body (40) adjacent to the actuating element (52), and that in particular the wall area (104) is arranged between the actuating element (52) and the pivot bearing body (14). [4] Trailer coupling according to claim 3, characterized by, that the blocking body (272) is movable in the guide (274) in a direction approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22). [5] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking element (272) engages in a receptacle (282) in the actuating element (52) in the respective locking position. [6] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the blocking body (272) is positioned adjacent to the actuating body (52) in the ready position. [7] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide (274) for the blocking body (272) is arranged in a wall area (104) of the guide body (40) adjacent to the actuating body (52). [8] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by, that the locking body (272) in the locking position, starting from and guided by the guide (274), engages with one end (276) in the respective receptacle (282) of the actuating body (52). [9] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the blocking body (272) can be fixed in the locking position by an actuating device (280). [10] Trailer coupling according to claim 9, characterized by , that the actuating device (280) comprises a cam guide (290) and a cam follower (292) movable by this cam follower, which is coupled to the blocking body (272). [11] Trailer coupling according to claim 10, characterized by , that the cam follower (292) can be moved approximately parallel to the pivot axis (22) by means of the cam guide (290). [12] Trailer coupling according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by , that the scenery guide (290) is movable in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (22). [13] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by , that the scenery guide (290) can be moved by an actuating device (280). [14] Trailer coupling according to claim 13, characterized by , that the actuating device (280) comprises a body (142) which carries the cam guide (290) and is rotatable relative to the cam follower (292). [15] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by , that the scenery control (290) has at least one scenery track (312, 314) acting on the scenery follower (292). [16] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by , that the scenery mechanism (290) has two scenery tracks (312, 314) acting on the scenery follower (292) and leading it between themselves. [17] Trailer coupling according to claim 16, characterized by, that both cam tracks (312, 314) together fix the cam follower (292) in a position specifying the safety position. [18] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized by , that a first cam track (312) comprises a track section (312b) moving the cam follower (292) from the position defining the safety position to a position defining the ready position. [19] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by , that a second cam track (314) has a track section (314b) which moves the cam follower (292) from the position corresponding to the ready position, into a position in which the cam follower (292) is spring-elastically acted upon in the direction of the safety position. [20] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized by, that the first cam track (312) is effective by a movement of the cam guide (290) in a first direction of rotation (322) and that the second cam track (314) is effective by a movement of the cam guide (290) in a direction of rotation (324) opposite to the first direction of rotation (322). [21] Trailer coupling according to claim 20, characterized by , that the actuating device (280) can be driven by an actuating unit (180) for the rotary locking device (50). [22] Trailer coupling according to claim 21, characterized by , that the actuating device (280) is coupled to the actuating unit (180). [23] Trailer coupling according to claim 21 or 22, characterized by , that the cam track (290) is arranged on a rotatable body (142) of a planetary gear (130) of the actuating unit (180) for the rotary locking device (50). [24] Trailer coupling according to claim 23, characterized by, that the cam track (290) is arranged on a ring gear (142) of a planetary gear (130) of the actuating unit (180). [25] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking device (270) has a sensor (300) that detects the positions of the locking body (272). [26] Trailer coupling according to claim 25, characterized by , that the sensor (300) detects the safe position and the ready position. [27] Trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 26, characterized by , that the cam follower (292) is coupled to the blocking body (272) by means of a transmission element (294). [28] Trailer coupling according to claim 27, characterized by , that the transmission element (294) is coupled with a sensor actuation element (296). [29] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that between the working position supports (60A) and the rest position supports (60R) there are locking surfaces (90) against which the rotary locking elements (54) can be applied and from which the working position supports (60A) and the rest position supports (60R) extend, that the rotary locking units (80) and the working position supports (60A) as well as the rest position supports (60R) are arranged around the pivot axis (22) at angular distances (W) from each other such that in all intended pivot positions of the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40) relative to each other, except for the working position (A) and the rest position (R), the rotary locking element (54) is opposite at least one of the rotary locking units (80) and one of the locking surfaces (90) and thus these locking surfaces (90), in particular when force is applied to the actuating body (52) in the direction of the actuating direction (72),a movement of the actuating body (52) in the actuating direction (72) and consequently also a force-actuated engagement of the rotary locking bodies (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) in one of the working position receptacles (60A) or the rest position receptacles (60R) is blocked. [30] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the rotation locking units (80) are arranged at angular intervals (W) around the pivot axis (22) to form a rotation locking configuration, that the working position receptacles (60A) and the rest position receptacles (60R) are arranged at the same angular intervals (W) around the pivot axis (22) as the rotation locking units (80) to form a receptacle configuration for the working position (A) and the rest position (R), respectively, that the rotation locking configuration and the receptacle configuration of the working position receptacle (60A) in the working position (A) and of the rest position receptacles (60R) in the rest position (R) are congruent with each other, so that the rotation locking elements (54) can engage in the working position receptacles and rest position receptacles, respectively.and that the angular distances (W) between the rotation locking units (80) of the rotation locking configuration and the angular distances between the working position fixtures (60) and the rest position fixtures (60R) of the fixture configurations are selected such that the rotation locking configuration and one of the fixture configurations are congruent with each other only in the working position (A) or the rest position (R). [31] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the angular distances (W) of at least one of the rotary locking units (80) to the rotary locking units (80) arranged in one direction of rotation around the pivot axis (22) and to the rotary locking units (80) arranged adjacent to it in the opposite direction to this direction of rotation are unequal, that in the working position (A) the working position receptacles (60A) are arranged such that the rotary locking element (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) can be engaged with one of the working position receptacles (60A), that in the rest position (R) the rest position receptacles (60R) are arranged such that the rotary locking element (54) of each of the rotary locking units (80) can be engaged with one of the rest position receptacles (60R), and that in all pivot positions of the pivot bearing body (14) and the guide body (40) intended for operation relative to each other, which lie outside the working position (A) or the rest position (R),the rotary locking element (54) is opposite at least one of the rotary locking units (80) to a locking surface (90) extending between the working position supports (60A) and the rest position supports (60R), and the locking surface (90), in particular when force is applied to the actuating element (52), blocks movement of the actuating element (52) from the release position to the rotary locking position. [32] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the blocking surfaces (90) face the rotational blocking bodies (54) of the rotational blocking units (80). [33] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the blocking surfaces (90) extend in a defined radius around the pivot axis (22). [34] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the blocking surfaces (90) extend to and merge into the opening edges (92) of the working position mounts (60A) and the rest position mount (60R). [35] Trailer coupling according to claim 34, characterized by , that the opening edges (92) of the working position fixtures (60A) and the rest position fixture (60R) are at the same radial distance from the pivot axis (22) as the locking surfaces (90). [36] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) bears against one of the locking surfaces (90) during a relative pivoting movement between pivot bearing body (14) and guide body (40) in the direction of the working position (A), in particular due to the action of the actuating body (52). [37] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the rotating locking elements (54) are subjected to force against the locking surfaces (90) before reaching the working position (A) and subsequently enter the working position receptacles (60A) subjected to force against the opening edges (92) of the working position receptacles (60A). [38] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the working position recordings (60A) extend from the blocking surfaces (90) in the guide direction (58), in particular with at least one component in the radial direction to the pivot axis (22). [39] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one of the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) bears against one of the locking surfaces (90) during a relative pivoting movement between pivot bearing body (14) and guide body (40) in the direction of the rest position (R), in particular due to the action of the actuating body (52). [40] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the rotational locking elements (54) are subjected to force against the locking surfaces (90) before reaching the rest position (R) and subsequently enter the rest position receptacles (60R) subjected to force against the opening edges (92) of the rest position receptacles (60R). [41] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the rest position recordings (60R) extend from the blocking surfaces (90) in the guide direction (58), in particular with at least one component in the radial direction to the pivot axis (22). [42] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the working position mounts (60A), the rest position mounts (60R) and the locking surfaces (90) are arranged facing the guide sleeve (40). [43] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide body (40) is part of the pivot bearing unit (20). [44] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in the guide body (40) all guide receptacles (56) for the rotary locking bodies (54) of the rotary locking units (80) are arranged. [45] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the guide direction (58) extends with at least one component in a radial direction to the pivot axis (22). [46] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide body (40) has a guide sleeve (44) with guide receptacles (56) for the rotary locking elements (54) of the rotary locking units (80) and that, in particular, the rotary locking elements (54) are guided by the guide body (40) which extends radially to the pivot bearing body (14). [47] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide body (40) has a pivot bearing for the pivot bearing body (14). [48] ​​Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating body (52) is guided so as to be movable relative to the guide body (40). [49] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the actuating body (52) is rotatably arranged about the pivot axis (22) and in particular has wedge surfaces (66) extending over an angular range about the pivot axis (22) and varying in the direction parallel to the guide direction (58), preferably combined with retraction receptacles (62). [50] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the receptacles (60) and the locking surfaces (90) are arranged on the pivot bearing body (14). [51] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating body (52) is enclosed by the guide body (40) and that in particular the pivot bearing body (14) encompasses the guide body (40). [52] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the rotary locking elements (54) are arranged around the actuating element (52). [53] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pivot bearing body (14) forms an outer body surrounding the guide body (40) on the outside, which is arranged so as to be immovable relative to the pivot bearing unit (20) in the direction of the pivot axis (22), and that in particular the pivot bearing body (14) forms an outer body surrounding at least a partial area of ​​the rotary locking unit (50) on the outside, which is arranged so as to be immovable relative to the guide body (40) in the direction of the pivot axis (22). [54] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating body (52) is acted upon by an elastic energy storage device (114) in the direction of its rotational locking position. [55] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating body (52) can be moved from the rotationally locked position to the release position by an actuating unit (180). [56] Trailer coupling according to claim 54 or 55, characterized by , that the actuating body (52) can be moved by the actuating unit (180) in the opposite direction to the action of the energy storage device (114). [57] Trailer coupling according to one of claims 54 to 56, characterized by , that with the actuating unit (180) the actuating body (52) can be rotated in the opposite direction to the actuating direction (72) effected by the elastic energy storage device (114). [58] Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating unit (180) has an output element (142) which is coupled to the actuating body (52). [59] Trailer coupling according to claim 58, characterized by , that the output element (142) and the actuating body (52) are coupled to each other via a drive coupling device (156, 158). [60] Trailer coupling according to claim 59, characterized by, that the coupling device (156, 158) has a free-running state and a carrying state.

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