Towbar for a vehicle with a two-stage locking device

Abstract

Towbar for a vehicle, with - a pivoting element (1) on which a ball neck (10) is provided and which is externally actuated between a first pivoting position, which is assigned to a use position of the ball neck (10), and a second pivoting position, which is assigned to a non-use position of the ball neck (10), relative to a holder part (H) of the trailer coupling (K) about a pivot axis (D), - a locking device (V) by which the pivoting element (1) can be fixed relative to the holder part (H) after assuming the operating position by the ball neck (10), characterized in that the locking device (V) is provided for fixing the pivoting element (1) relative to the holder part (H) for at least two-stage locking, by - the locking device (V) comprises at least one locking component (3) by which the pivoting element (1) assuming the first pivoting position can initially be locked against pivoting about the axis of rotation (D) with respect to the holder part (H), and - the locking device (V) comprises at least one locking element (7A, 7B, 7C, 7G) by which the pivoting element (1) which is already locked against pivoting about the axis of rotation (D) can be fixed with respect to the holder part (H).

Description

[0001] The proposed solution concerns a trailer hitch for a vehicle.

[0002] A trailer coupling known, for example, from EP 2 567 836 A1, comprises a swivel element on which a ball neck is provided and which, by external force, can be pivoted about a rotational axis between a first swivel position, which corresponds to the operating position of the ball neck, and a second swivel position, which corresponds to the non-operating position of the ball neck. In the operating position of the ball neck, with the trailer coupling properly mounted on the vehicle, it is then possible, for example, to couple a trailer to the vehicle or to attach a bicycle carrier to the trailer coupling. In the non-operating position of the ball neck, the ball neck is retracted, so that the ball neck and its ball head do not protrude from the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] By allowing the swivel element supporting the ball neck (which can also be called a swivel arm) to pivot between the first and second swivel positions using external power, a user can fully extend and retract the ball neck electronically. This typically requires a drive unit with at least one electric motor.

[0004] Particularly in the operating position of the ball neck, it must be ensured in every case that the swivel element cannot be improperly or uncontrollably adjusted towards the non-operating position. Rather, the operating position of the ball neck must be mechanically secured. For this purpose, a locking device is known in particular from EP 2 567 836 A1, by means of which the swivel element is fixed after the ball neck has assumed its operating position.In this context, EP 2 567 836 A1 proposes, to reduce the complexity of the locking device and potentially lower costs, to move a pivoting element from its first pivot position, in which the pivoting element with the ball neck can still be freely displaced towards the second pivot position, axially parallel to the axis of rotation into a locking position. In this position, positive locking areas provided at the base of the pivoting element are engaged with a retaining part that is fixed to the vehicle body when the trailer coupling is properly mounted. Thus, the pivoting element switches directly from an unlocked to a locked state. Conversely, the pivoting element is immediately released again with an axial displacement and can therefore pivot towards the second pivot position when the ball neck is to be moved into its non-use position.

[0005] Against this background, there is still a need for a trailer hitch with an improved locking device.

[0006] A proposed trailer hitch for a vehicle comprises a swivel element to which a ball neck (with ball head) is attached. This swivel element is externally actuated and pivots relative to a mounting part of the trailer hitch about a pivot axis between a first swivel position, corresponding to the ball neck's operating position, and a second swivel position, corresponding to the ball neck's non-operating position. The first swivel position of the swivel element does not necessarily have to correspond to the ball neck's operating position. Likewise, the second swivel position does not necessarily have to coincide with the ball neck's non-operating position. While both are theoretically possible, they are not mandatory.However, it is not excluded that, for example, starting from the respective first or second swivel position, an additional adjustment of the swivel element, for example axial, is required so that the ball neck is in the operating or non-operating position.

[0007] Furthermore, a proposed trailer coupling includes a locking device by which the swivel element can be fixed relative to the mounting part by the ball neck after it has assumed the operating position. The locking device is designed for at least two-stage locking, by - the locking device comprises at least one locking component by which the pivoting element assuming the first pivoting position can initially be locked against pivoting about the axis of rotation with respect to the holder part, and - the locking device comprises at least one locking element different from the locking component, by means of which the pivoting element, which is already locked against pivoting about the axis of rotation, can be fixed with respect to the holder part.

[0008] The locking device, with its at least one locking component, thus provides a kind of pre-locking mechanism in the proposed trailer hitch before the swivel element is finally fixed. This ensures that the swivel element is no longer freely rotatable even before it is finally fixed by the at least one locking element. The at least one locking component provides a mechanical lock for the swivel element in its first swivel position before the at least one locking element provides additional fixation of the swivel element relative to the mounting bracket.

[0009] The at least one locking component can be positively locked to a holder-part fixed element for the pre-locking provided here, for example. A holder-part fixed element is understood to be, for example, an element formed on the holder part or a component rigidly connected to the holder part.

[0010] Both the at least one locking component and the at least one locking element provide a mechanical fix to the mounting part, so that in the operating position of the ball neck, at least a double mechanical lock is provided, which blocks the ball neck against unwanted displacement towards the non-operating position. Thus, in one embodiment of a proposed trailer coupling, both the fixation via the at least one locking element and the locking mechanism via the at least one locking component must be released before the swivel element with the ball neck can be pivoted around the pivot axis into the second pivot position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a drive element that is coupled to a motorized drive unit of the trailer coupling for the externally actuated pivoting of the swivel element in its first pivot position. A drive torque can thus be introduced into the drive element to adjust the swivel element. In this embodiment, the drive element is further designed to successively adjust the at least one locking component and the at least one locking element after the swivel element has been pivoted into its first pivot position by the drive element. Consequently, the drive element is not only designed to pivot the swivel element, but also to actuate the at least two-stage locking mechanism of the locking device, which is provided by the at least one locking component and the at least one locking element.The single drive element thus performs several functions within the locking device. Using this drive element, the at least one locking component for pre-locking is actuated to engage and fix the ball neck in the operating position. Subsequently, the at least one locking element is actuated for additional fixation with respect to the holder part. The successive actuation of the at least one locking component and the at least one locking element occurs, for example, by rotating the drive element in a first direction of rotation, along which the drive element can also be rotated by the drive unit, in order to move the pivoting element from its second pivot position to the first pivot position.

[0012] As explained above, the proposed two-stage locking mechanism can be designed so that, with the ball neck in the operating position, the at least one locking element must first be adjusted to release the fixation with respect to the holder part. Subsequently, the lock must be released against rotation about the axis of rotation by adjusting the at least one locking component before the pivot element can be moved into its second pivot position. The release of the locking element and the subsequent release of the lock via the at least one locking component occur, for example, by further rotating the drive element in a second direction of rotation, opposite to a first direction of rotation along which the drive element can be rotated, in order to move the pivot element (back) into its first pivot position.

[0013] In this context, it can also be provided that, during adjustment of the pivoting element from the second pivot position to the first pivot position or vice versa, the drive element and the at least one locking component are rotatable together about the axis of rotation. Thus, after the release of the pre-lock provided by it (for moving the pivoting element to its second pivot position) or until the pre-lock provided by it (when returning the pivoting element to its first pivot position) is engaged, the at least one locking component is rotatable together about the axis of rotation by the drive element. In such an embodiment, the at least one locking component therefore does not prevent rotation of the pivoting element as long as the pivoting element has not assumed either the first or the second pivot position.This ensures that the swivel element and thus the ball neck cannot be locked arbitrarily, but only in defined swivel positions, preferably only in the first and second swivel positions, each of which defines an end position of an approved adjustment range around the axis of rotation.

[0014] For the rotation of the at least one locking component, it can, for example, be positively connected to a coupling section of the swivel element and furthermore be designed to transmit a torque generated by the drive unit (hereinafter also referred to as drive torque) from the drive element to the swivel element for pivoting the swivel element. In such an embodiment, the at least one locking component is therefore also designed to transmit a torque generated by the drive unit to the swivel element and thus ensures a force flow into the swivel element, at least if there is no locking mechanism via the at least one locking component with respect to the holder part. The at least one locking component can thus be axially adjustable, in particular slidably mounted, on the coupling section with respect to the axis of rotation between a first axial position and a second axial position.In the first axial position, the pivoting element is then locked against rotation about the axis of rotation, while in the second axial position, the pivoting element can be pivoted into at least one locking component with the pivoting element by the drive element about the axis of rotation.

[0015] In its first axial position, the at least one locking component is fixed, for example, to a pre-locking part of the trailer coupling, e.g., positively connected to it. The pre-locking part is formed on the holder part or rigidly connected to it in order to lock the pivoting element against pivoting (about the axis of rotation) relative to the holder part by fixing the at least one locking component to it.

[0016] To allow, as mentioned above, the adjustment of the at least one locking component from the second axial position to the first axial position only in the first and second pivot positions of the pivot element, one embodiment blocks such adjustment in a rotational position between the first and second pivot positions of the pivot element. Therefore, if the pivot element is neither in the first nor the second pivot position, the at least one locking component cannot be adjusted from its second axial position to its first axial position.Such a blocking action can be achieved, for example, by the pre-locking part, which only in the first pivot position and / or the second pivot position allows adjustment of the at least one locking component to the first axial position on the coupling section, in which the at least one locking component is brought into a locking, in particular positive locking, engagement with the pre-locking part.

[0017] In one embodiment, the at least one locking component is axially preloaded towards the drive element with respect to the axis of rotation. This preloading can be achieved, for example, magnetically and / or elastically, particularly by means of a spring, such as via at least one tension spring.Due to the axial preload of the at least one locking component towards the drive element, the drive element and the at least one locking component are automatically brought into engagement under the effect of the preload when the drive element – ​​with the ball neck in the operating position and for pivoting the swivel element into the second swivel position – is first adjusted relative to the still stationary locking component until the drive element assumes a predetermined relative position with respect to the at least one locking component, in which the (axially adjustable) locking component is coupled to the drive element under the effect of the preload. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the drive element and the at least one locking component can be automatically coupled to each other in order to transmit a drive torque to the swivel element for rotation between the first and second swivel positions.On the other hand, the at least one locking component can also be decoupled from the drive element (contrary to the axial preload force) in order to achieve a pre-locking of the pivoting element, so that the pivoting element can be locked against rotation about the axis of rotation at least in its first pivoting position by the at least one locking component before an (additional) fixing of the pivoting element takes place via the at least one locking element.

[0018] For example, the at least one locking component is designed with a rotating ring that is provided on a pin-shaped coupling section of the pivoting element and is positively locked and axially displaceable to the coupling section via at least one connecting section of the rotating ring. For this purpose, the rotating ring has, for example, at least one connecting section provided radially inside the rotating ring, which engages in a positive-locking area of ​​the coupling section designed as a recess and is held axially displaceable therein. In this way, the rotating ring always remains positively locked to the pivoting element at the coupling section, but is displaceable along the axis of rotation between the first axial position (the engagement position) and the second axial position (the release position).

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one locking component and the pivoting element are preloaded against each other. This includes, in particular, an embodiment in which at least one spring element, for example in the form of a compression spring acting as a tension spring, is supported on one side by the pivoting element and on the other side by the locking component, and the at least one locking component is thereby preloaded with respect to the pivoting element. It can be provided, in particular, that by preloading the at least one locking component and the pivoting element against each other, the at least one locking component is preloaded in the direction of the drive element, namely when the at least one locking component is arranged along the axis of rotation between the drive element and a section of the pivoting element against which the at least one spring element is supported.The at least one locking component is therefore pre-tensioned in the direction of the drive element via the at least one spring element which is supported on the pivoting element on one side and the at least one heavy component on the other, and the at least one locking component is arranged between the drive element and a section of the pivoting element which supports the locking component.

[0020] To fix the swivel element in the operating position of the ball neck via the at least one locking element, the at least one locking element can be adjustable from an unlocked position to a locked position. In its locked position, the at least one locking element engages with a coupling section of the swivel element in a fixing manner. For example, the at least one locking element engages in a locking receptacle on the coupling section of the swivel element in its locked position. Such a locking receptacle is designed, for example, as a recess, trough, opening, or a groove circumferentially around the axis of rotation on the coupling section.

[0021] To fix the pivot element via the at least one locking element, the at least one locking element can be adjustable from its unlocked position to its locked position with a movement component that extends radially to the axis of rotation. The at least one locking element is thus, for example, displaced radially inwards at least partially with respect to the axis of rotation and thereby brought into engagement with a coupling section of the pivot element, so that the pivot element, without adjusting the at least one locking element to its unlocked position, is neither axially adjustable with respect to the axis of rotation nor circumferentially adjustable around the axis of rotation. For example, the at least one locking element can be designed with a pivotably mounted (locking) lever or a (locking) ball.A pivotable bearing of the lever of the at least one locking element can be provided on the holder part or on an adjusting element of the locking device that is adjustable relative to it.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the at least one locking element, with a movement component extending axially to the axis of rotation, is adjustable from the unlocked position to the locked position. Thus, while in a previously described embodiment the at least one locking element, with a movement component extending radially to the axis of rotation, engages with a coupling section of the pivot element in a positive-locking and / or force-locking manner, here, an axial adjustment of the at least one locking element is provided as an alternative means of fixing the pivot element.In this configuration, the at least one locking element can, for example, be rotatable about the axis of rotation and have at least one internal thread section meshing with an external thread section of the coupling section, so that by rotating the at least one locking element – ​​with the pivoting element locked against rotation – the pivoting element (and thus the ball neck) can be axially adjusted in the manner of a spindle drive. In particular, the at least one locking element can be designed with a continuous or interrupted internal thread. Likewise, the coupling section can be designed with a continuous or interrupted external thread.

[0023] For controlling the adjustment movements of the at least one locking element, the locking device can include an adjustable adjustment element. This adjustment element is externally actuated to move the at least one locking element from its locked position to its unlocked position and / or from its unlocked position to its locked position. Thus, the adjustment element of the locking device can be externally actuated to adjust the at least one locking element and thereby release and / or bring about a locking of the pivot element via the at least one locking element.The adjustment movement of the at least one locking element, as well as the adjustment of the at least one locking component and the adjustment of the pivoting element between the first and second pivoting positions, can be controlled by a single drive unit, in particular a single electromechanical drive unit. A single drive unit thus provides a drive torque which is controlled by the locking device. a) when moving the ball neck into its operating position to pivot the pivoting element into its first pivoting position, a pre-locking via at least one locking component and a subsequent actuation of the at least one locking element can be implemented, and / or, b) when the ball neck is in its operating position, first a fixation can be released via the at least one locking element, then the lock can be released via the at least one locking component, and then the pivoting element can be pivoted from its first pivoting position towards its second pivoting position.

[0024] For example, one design variant may provide that the adjusting element can be externally actuated (i.e., driven in particular by a motorized drive unit) and adjusted from a rest position to an actuated position, for example via the drive element coupled to the drive unit, which also allows the released pivoting element to pivot between the pivot positions. The adjusting element can then, on the one hand, move the locking element, which is in its locked position, to its unlocked position when the adjusting element is moved towards the actuated position. On the other hand, the adjusting element can also move the locking element, which is in its unlocked position, back to its locked position when the adjusting element is moved into the actuated position.Depending on the design variant, the adjusting element can therefore, by moving into the actuating position, release a lock via the at least one locking element or effect the lock via the at least one locking element.

[0025] In the first case, where the adjusting element in the actuating position allows the at least one locking element to be adjusted to its unlocked position, adjustment of the at least one locking element to its locked position is permitted, for example, when the adjusting element has been returned to its rest position. The adjustment to the locked position then occurs automatically, for example, driven by at least one pre-tensioned spring element, such as at least one tension spring, but not directly by adjusting the adjusting element. Thus, if the at least one locking element in the locking device is no longer prevented from returning from the unlocked position to the locked position by the adjusting element – ​​after the ball neck has assumed its operating position – the at least one locking element automatically returns to the locked position.

[0026] In the previously mentioned other case, where the adjusting element, in its actuating position, moves the at least one locking element into its locked position, a movement of the at least one locking element into its unlocked position is permitted when the adjusting element is moved back to its rest position. This movement of the at least one locking element into its unlocked position can also occur automatically, for example, driven by at least one pre-tensioned spring element, such as at least one tension spring. If the at least one locking element is not forced into the locked position by the adjusting element, it will consequently move into its unlocked position automatically under the action of the at least one pre-tensioned spring element.The at least one pre-tensioned spring element can, for example, axially load the pivoting element. When the adjusting element is in its rest position, and the pivoting element undergoes an axial adjustment (with respect to the axis of rotation) caused by the action of the at least one spring element, the at least one locking element is driven or forced into its unlocked position. Thus, a force can be applied to the at least one locking element via the axial adjustment of the pivoting element, leading to a radially outward movement of the at least one locking element into the unlocked position. In the rest position of the adjusting element, the at least one locking element is no longer prevented from moving into the unlocked position by the adjusting element.

[0027] Regardless of the operating principle of the adjusting element, one embodiment may provide that the locking device includes a drive element which is coupled to a motorized drive unit of the trailer coupling for the externally actuated pivoting of the pivoting element into its first pivoting position, and that a transmission mechanism is provided via which the adjusting element can be externally actuated by the drive element. The drive element for transmitting a drive torque to the adjusting element via the transmission mechanism may be the same drive element by which the at least one locking component is also adjustable.

[0028] The transmission mechanism can comprise one or more adjustable transmission elements for the mechanical transmission of an adjustment torque from the drive element to the adjustment element and for at least temporary coupling of the drive element to the adjustment element, in order to mechanically control an adjustment of the at least one locking element during an adjustment phase when locking the ball neck in its operating position or when pivoting the ball neck from its operating position towards the non-operating position using the drive element, the transmission mechanism, and the adjustment element. For this purpose, the transmission mechanism can comprise at least one pivotably mounted lever, at least one rotatably mounted gear, or at least one drive element rotatable about the axis of rotation as a transmission element mechanically coupling to the drive element.In one embodiment, a pivotally mounted lever of the transmission mechanism is pivotally mounted about a lever pivot axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation, for example, on the aforementioned pre-locking element. The at least one gear can, in turn, be rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation. The drive element can, for example, be designed with a rotating ring.

[0029] In principle, the adjusting element can be externally actuated relative to the mounting part via the drive element. For moving the at least one locking element from its unlocked position to its locked position, or vice versa, the adjusting element can be radially adjustable or rotatable about the axis of rotation. The type of adjustability of the adjusting element can be important for the complexity and / or compactness of the locking device, the reliability of the externally actuated adjustment of the ball neck between the operating and non-operating positions, and / or for securing the fixed state of the pivoting element in the operating position of the ball neck.

[0030] In one embodiment, after pivoting from the second pivot position to the first pivot position, the swivel element can be axially adjusted to a locking position relative to the axis of rotation to define the operating position of the ball neck. In this embodiment, the ball neck is therefore only brought into its operating position and then fixed in this position by an axial adjustment of the swivel element that occurs either after or superimposed on the pivoting movement of the swivel element. The axial adjustment of the swivel element can have the particular advantage that the swivel element can also be positively locked to the mounting part. Thus, by axially adjusting the swivel element, a base of the swivel element can be positively locked to the mounting part in the locking position.A corresponding positive locking mechanism thus provides additional security against unwanted or unauthorized displacement of the ball neck from its operating position.

[0031] In such a design variant, the at least one locking component can also be designed to lock the pivot element against rotation about the axis of rotation during axial adjustment into the locking position. Consequently, once the pivot element has assumed its first pivot position, it is locked against rotation about the axis of rotation by the at least one locking component and remains locked even during axial adjustment of the pivot element into its locking position.

[0032] Additionally, it can be provided that the pivot element is adjustable in the direction of the locking position by adjusting the at least one locking element into its locking position. The locking device is therefore configured to axially adjust the pivot element in the direction of its locking position after the pivot element has assumed its first pivot position, specifically by adjusting the at least one locking element into its locking position. The locking element, adjusted into its locking position (for example, by external force and controlled via an adjusting element), applies an adjusting force to the pivot element, resulting in an axial adjustment of the pivot element in the direction of its locking position.

[0033] In one embodiment, the pivoting element (for example, on the coupling section) has an additional adjusting element which, when the pivoting element is pivoted towards the first pivot position, in conjunction with a fixed section of the holder, causes an axial displacement of the pivoting element into a pre-locking position. In this pre-locking position, the pivoting element is thus, on the one hand, in its first pivot position with respect to a rotational position about the axis of rotation, but is simultaneously already at least slightly axially displaced into a pre-locking position in which the pivoting element is already blocked against displacement into the second pivot position and from which the pivoting element can be adjusted axially (further) into the locking position.For example, it is intended that the axial adjustment using the additional adjusting element brings the swivel element, in the pre-locking position, at least slightly into engagement with positive locking areas on the holder part. This means the swivel element is no longer freely pivotable, but must first be axially adjusted in the opposite direction, i.e., extended, before free pivoting of the swivel element relative to the holder part is possible again.In the pre-locking position, the lock can also act via the at least one locking component, so that the pivoting element is already doubly and thus redundantly secured against free pivoting about the axis of rotation before, after further axial displacement of the pivoting element into the locking position, the pivoting element with the ball neck is fixed both via the at least one locking element which has been moved into its locking position and via at least a positive locking connection between the pivoting element and the holder part.

[0034] The additional adjusting element can, for example, project radially from the coupling section with respect to the axis of rotation, perhaps in the form of a pin. The section fixed to the holder, which together with the additional adjusting element causes the axial displacement of the pivoting element into the pre-locking position, can in turn be designed with a ramp-shaped approach surface. This approach surface runs at an inclination to the axis of rotation, so that the additional adjusting element, which slides along the approach surface when the pivoting element rotates towards its first pivot position, experiences an axially acting adjusting force.As the radially projecting additional adjusting element runs onto the running surface, an axial movement component is forced upon the additional adjusting element, and thus upon the pivoting element to which the additional adjusting element is rigidly connected, in the direction of the locking position, until the pivoting element assumes the pre-locking position. From this pre-locking position, the pivoting element can then be further adjusted into the locking position, as explained above, for example, by further motor-controlled rotation of the drive element in the same direction of rotation.

[0035] The proposed solution also concerns a vehicle with a variant design of a proposed trailer hitch.

[0036] The attached figures illustrate possible implementation variants of the solution in question.

[0037] This shows: Fig. 1A-1C an embodiment of a proposed trailer coupling in different perspective views, wherein the trailer coupling here has a locking device with two pivotably mounted locking levers elastically pre-tensioned in a locking position, which can be adjusted to an unlocking position via a radially adjustable adjusting element, wherein the adjusting element can be adjusted via a transmission mechanism with a pivotable lever as transmission element from a drive element which can be driven by a motor drive unit of the trailer coupling; Fig. 2A-2B Exploded views of the trailer hitch Fig. 1A to 1C; Fig. 3A in side view a pre-locking part, a locking component in the form of a rotating ring and the drive element of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 1A to 2B, if the rotating ring is positively locked to the pre-locking part; Fig. 3B in with the Fig. 3A, according to the concurring view, the rotating ring is disengaged from the pre-locking part and positively coupled to the drive element in order to pivot a swivel element of the trailer coupling about a pivot axis; Fig. 4. The rotating ring in a perspective view; Fig. 5A-5C the pre-locking part, the rotating ring and the drive element in a front view along the axis of rotation, with the rotating ring in positive engagement with the pre-locking part ( Fig. 5A), during a rotation of the swivel element around the axis of rotation ( Fig. 5B) and engages again with the pre-locking part when the pivoting element has assumed a second pivoting position ( Fig. 5C); Fig. 6A the swivel element of the trailer coupling Fig. 1A to 5C in a first pivot position, which here corresponds to a service position of a ball neck of the pivoting element, looking towards a rear side of a holder part on which the pivoting element is pivotably mounted about the axis of rotation and with the locking levers in their locking position; Fig. 6B in with the Fig. 6A according to concurring opinion, the swivel element during an adjustment into the second swivel position, which corresponds to a non-use position of the ball neck; Fig. 6C in with the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, according to concurring opinion, the pivoting element in the second pivoting position, with relocking locking levers; Fig. 7. Sectional view and enlarged scale of the swivel element with a view to a coupling section and the base of the swivel element that follows axially towards the ball neck; Fig. 8 the locking levers in individual view; Fig. 9A in cutaway view the coupling section of the pivoting element before the locking levers engage in a groove-shaped locking receptacle of the coupling section; Fig. 9B in with the Fig. 9A according to the concurring opinion, the coupling section with locking levers engaging here in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner to fix the pivoting element in the pivoted position adopted; Fig. Figures 10A-10C, in various perspective views, show a further variant of a proposed trailer coupling, with differences compared to the variant of the Fig. 1A to 9B differently designed locking levers and an additional positive locking fixation of the base of the swivel element to the holder part in a service position of the ball neck; Fig. 11A-11B Exploded views of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 10A to 10C; Fig. 12. In section and on an enlarged scale, the coupling section and the base of the swivel element together with the rotating ring and the tension springs of the trailer coupling which elastically preload it against the coupling section. Fig. 10A to 11B; Fig. 13 an enlarged representation of the holder part with the swivel element when the base does not engage with the holder part in a form-fitting manner; Fig. 14A the drive element and the locking levers of the trailer coupling Fig. 10A to 13 with an adjusting element in the form of an adjusting lever and the lever of a transmission mechanism with a fixed swivel element (without illustration of the holder part or the swivel element); Fig. 14B in with the Fig. 14A according to concurring opinion the drive element, the locking levers, the lever of the transmission mechanism and the adjusting element in the unlocked position of the locking levers; Fig. 15A-15B, looking at the rear of the holder part, the pivoting element, the locking levers, the adjusting element and the lever of the transmission mechanism, as well as an axial locking device of the locking device in the parts with the Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B depicted states; Fig. 16 the coupling section and the base of the swivel element of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 10A to 15B in top view; Fig. 17 in perspective view one of the locking levers; Fig. 18A in partial sectional view the coupling section of the swivel element with a locking lever in the unlocked position with respect to the holder part; Fig. 18B in with the Fig. 18A In accordance with the concurring view, the locking lever is adjusted in the direction of its locking position, thereby subjecting the pivoting element to an axial adjusting force in the direction of a locking position; Fig. 18C in with the Fig. 18A and Fig. 18B, according to the concurring opinion, the locking levers shortly before reaching their respective locking positions; Fig. Figures 19A-19C in various perspective views show a further embodiment of a proposed trailer coupling in which a transmission mechanism for adjusting an adjusting element is formed in the form of a rotating ring with two gears which can be driven via the drive element; Fig. 20A-20B Exploded views of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 19A-19C; Fig. 21 perspectively and individually the drive element with the rotating ring of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 19A to 20B; Fig. 22 on an enlarged scale the coupling section of the swivel element with the axially displaceable rotating ring mounted thereon and showing locking receptacles designed as pocket-shaped locking openings, which are for locking elements designed as (locking) balls of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 19A to 20B are provided for; Fig. 23 the pre-locking part of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 19A to 20B with the rotating ring in positive engagement; Fig. 24. The base of the swivel element is shown in a partial and enlarged scale view in positive engagement with the holder part when the ball neck is in its operating position; Fig. 25. Excerpts and enlarged individual views of the rotating ring of the trailer coupling. Fig. 19A to 20B with regard to a slide provided on its outer surface with an external toothing for interaction with a gear of the transmission mechanism; Fig. 26 the drive element of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 19A to 20B in front view showing a gear of the transmission mechanism meshing with a toothed section of the drive element; Fig. 27A on an enlarged scale, the gear and the drive element of the Fig. 26 before the toothed section of the drive element engages with the gear; Fig. 27B the rotating drive element of the Fig. 27A during a first engagement of the gear; Fig. 27C the continuing to rotate drive element and the gear engage with each other, so that the continuing to rotate drive element rotates the gear; Fig. Figures 28A-28B in various perspective views show another variant of a proposed trailer coupling, in which the (locking) balls of the trailer coupling are replaced by the Fig. 19A to 27C several locking levers pivotally mounted on the holder part are used; Fig. 29 the retaining part with positive locking elements provided for a fixing locking with the base of the pivoting element and the pivoting element with a view to its coupling section and its base in an unmounted state; Fig. 30A enlarged scale and side view of the swivel element during a swivel movement in the direction of a first swivel position; Fig. 30B in with the Fig. 30A according to concurring opinion the swivel element with the ball neck in the operating position, wherein the coupling section of the swivel element is locked to the holder part via the locking levers which are each clamped into their locking position and in addition the base of the swivel element is locked to the holder part at least positively; Fig. 31A in rear view the pivoting element with the rotating ring and the locking levers distributed around the circumference in the unlocked position of the locking levers; Fig. 31B in with the Fig. 31A according to the concurring view, the pivoting element with the ball neck in the operating position and the locking levers each in their locking position; Fig. 32 in perspective view and single view a locking lever of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 28A to 31B; Fig. 33A in perspective view another embodiment of a proposed trailer coupling with the ball neck in the operating position, wherein the transmission mechanism is designed with a drive element in the form of a rotating ring rotatable about the axis of rotation; Fig. 33B the trailer hitch of the Fig. 33A when releasing the positive locking mechanism between the base of the pivot element and the holder part as a result of an axial displacement of the pivot element in response to an adjustment of the locking levers into their respective unlocking position; Fig. 33C the trailer hitch of the Fig. 33A and Fig. 33B with the rotary ring in a second axial position (release position) to be moved axially onto the drive element, into which the rotary ring is taken by the rotary ring provided as a locking component, which is moved axially to release a lock of the pivoting element against rotation with respect to the holder part; Fig. 33D the trailer hitch of the Fig. 33A to 33C during the pivoting of the pivoting element towards its second pivot position; Fig. 33E the trailer hitch of the Fig. 33A to 33D with the swivel element reset to the first swivel position before pre-locking by the rotary ring; Fig. 34A the trailer hitch of the Fig. 33A to 33E in side view with the ball neck in the operating position and without depiction of a pre-locking part and the rotating ring; Fig. 34B in with the Fig. 34A according to the concurring opinion, the trailer coupling with the swivel element already axially displaced outwards and still existing pre-locking or locking via the rotating ring; Fig. 34C in with the Fig. 34A and Fig. 34B according to concurring opinion, the trailer coupling during the pivoting of the swivel element in the direction of the second pivot position; Fig. 34D in with the Fig. 34A to 34C, according to the concurring view, the trailer coupling with the swivel element swung back into the first swivel position, with pre-locking already having taken place via the rotary ring and with positive locking between the base of the swivel element and the holder part; Fig. 35 in cutaway view of the rotating ring and the radially outer rotating ring of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 33A to 34D illustrating the engagement of a radially outwardly projecting coupling pin of the rotating ring in a circumferential inner groove of the rotating ring; Fig. 36A in the direction of view along the axis of rotation, the pre-locking part and the rotating ring of the trailer coupling which engages positively in the pre-locking position Fig. 33A to 34D, with the locking levers in their locked position; Fig. 36B in with the Fig. 36A according to concurring opinion the pre-locking part and the rotating ring with the locking levers in their respective unlocked positions with a positive connection still existing between the rotating ring and the pre-locking part; Fig. 36C in with the Fig. 36A and Fig. 36B according to concurring view the pre-locking part and the rotating ring with the locking levers remaining in the unlocked position during a rotation of the rotating ring to pivot the pivoting element towards its second pivot position; Fig. 36D in with the Fig. 36A to 36C, according to the concurring view, the pre-locking part and the rotating ring engage in a positive-locking manner with each other to pre-lock the reset pivoting element before the locking levers are moved into their respective unlocking positions; Fig. 37. Enlarged scale, a section of a sectional view of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 33A to 36D with regard to an additional adjusting element projecting radially outwards on the coupling section of the pivoting element in the form of a pre-locking pin, which, when the pivoting element is rotated in the direction of its first pivot position, runs up against a ramp-shaped run-up surface of the pre-locking part, thereby displacing the pivoting element axially inwards; Fig. 38A in a partially perspective view the bracket part of the trailer hitch of the Fig. 33A to 37, with the swivel element fixed thereon in the operating position of the ball neck; Fig. 38B in with the Fig. 38A According to the concurring view, the pivoting element is in the axially outwardly displaced position of the first pivot position, after the locking levers have each assumed an unlocked position; Fig. 38C in with the Fig. 38A and Fig. 38B according to concurring view the retaining part with the locking levers and the pivoting element, during an adjustment of the pivoting element towards its second pivoting position; Fig. 38D in with the Fig. 38A to 38C, according to the concurring view, the holder part and the swivel element swung back into the first swivel position before being fixed via the locking levers; Fig. 39A the retaining part with the rotating ring rotatably fixed thereto and several locking levers in their respective locking positions, wherein, in contrast to the design variant of the trailer coupling, the Fig. 33A to 38D the locking levers are not mounted on the holder part, but pivotably mounted on the rotating ring; Fig. 39B in with the Fig. 39A according to concurring opinion the retaining part with the rotating ring and the locking levers in their unlocked position; Fig. Figures 40A-40B in various perspective views show a further variant of a proposed trailer coupling, in which a locking ring with an internal thread is used as the locking element, wherein the Fig. 40A and Fig. 40B show the trailer coupling with the ball neck in the operating position; Fig. 41 an exploded view of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 40A and Fig. 40B; Fig. 42A in enlarged scale and in section as well as in side view the holder part, the drive element and the rotating ring of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 40A to 41 in the operating position of the ball neck; Fig. 42B in with the Fig. 42A according to the concurring view, a relative position of the drive element and the rotating ring to each other with the pivoting element already axially displaced outwards, but with pre-locking or locking still existing via the rotating ring; Fig. 42C in with the Fig. 42A and Fig. 42B, according to concurring opinion, the positively connected state of the drive element and the rotating ring for the rotation of the swivel element about the axis of rotation of the trailer coupling; Fig. 43A in perspective view and looking at the inside of the holder part where the locking device is provided, the state of the locking device at the time of Fig. 42A; Fig. 43B in with the Fig. 43A According to the concurring view, the retaining part, the swivel element, the drive element and the rotating ring of the trailer coupling at the time of Fig. 42B; Fig. 43C in with the Fig. 43A and Fig. 43B according to concurring opinion, the retaining part, the swivel element, the drive element and the rotating ring of the trailer coupling at the time of Fig. 42C; Fig. 44 in enlarged scale and in side view the coupling section of the swivel element of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 40A to 43C with regard to an external thread formed on the coupling section; Fig. 45 in perspective view and detail view the locking ring of the trailer coupling of the Fig. 40A to 43C with an internal thread meshing with the external thread of the coupling section; Fig. 46A in enlarged scale and in perspective view the pivoting element looking towards its base and the coupling section, with the locking ring in the locking position and the drive element coupled to the locking ring; Fig. 46B in with the Fig. 46A according to concurring opinion, the rotating ring during a rotation caused by the drive element in the direction of its unlocking position; Fig. 46C in with the Fig. 46A and Fig. 46B according to concurring opinion, the pivoting element during a pivoting in the direction of the second pivoting position, driven by the drive element; Fig. 47A in section and in perspective view looking at a rear side of the holder part, a further development of the design variant of the Fig. 40A to 46C, in which the locking ring is designed with an interrupted internal thread; Fig. 47B the pivoting element with its base and coupling section, showing the locking ring fixed to the coupling section; Fig. 48 in part and in detail the swivel element with its coupling section, on which an interrupted external thread with three external thread sections is formed; Fig. 49A Front view of the locking ring of the Fig. 47A and Fig. 47B in single view; Fig. 49B the locking ring in perspective view looking at an internal thread section; Fig. 50 in enlarged scale the swivel element of the Fig. 47A, Fig. 47B and Fig. 48 on the holder part and with a difference from the version of the Fig. 40A to 46C modified drive element and with a difference compared to the version of the Fig. 40A to 46C modified rotating ring.

[0038] The Fig. Figures 1A to 9B illustrate, in various views, a first embodiment of a trailer hitch K according to the proposed solution. The trailer hitch K has a swivel element 1 with a ball neck 10. A ball head is formed on the ball neck 10, via which, for example, a trailer can be connected to a vehicle equipped with the trailer hitch K, or to which a bicycle carrier can be attached. In the perspective views of the Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. Figure 1C shows the ball neck 10 in a working position in which the ball neck 10 can be used for a corresponding function on the vehicle. A locking device V is provided to secure the working position 10, by means of which the pivoting element 1 forming the ball neck 10 is locked in the position shown in the Fig. The position shown in Figures 1A to 1C is fixed. This fixation is achieved with respect to a retaining part H, which, when the trailer coupling K is mounted to the vehicle as intended, is rigidly fixed to the vehicle body. The pivoting element 1 is pivotally mounted on the retaining part H via a pin-shaped coupling section 12 (see in particular Figure 1A to 1C). Fig. 2A-2B).

[0039] The swivel element 1, and thus the ball neck 10, can be removed from the into the Fig. The ball neck 10, as shown in Figures 1A to 1C, can be pivoted about an axis of rotation D into a position in which it is retracted onto the vehicle and thus does not protrude from the rear of the vehicle. The ball neck 10 is then in a non-use position, for which the pivoting element 1 must be pivoted into a second pivoting position about the axis of rotation D. An electric motor drive unit A of the trailer coupling K is provided for the externally operated adjustment between the use position and the non-use position of the ball neck 10. This drive unit A also interacts with the locking device V to release the fixation of the pivoting element 1 relative to the retaining part 1 under external force and to re-establish this fixation both after the ball neck 10 has been moved into the non-use position and when it has been moved into the use position.

[0040] The drive unit A is fixed to an inner side of the holder part H via a motor mount P. In the version of the Fig. In parts 1A to 9B, the motor mount P is designed as a plate-shaped component. The locking device V is arranged between the motor mount P and the mounting part H along the axis of rotation D.

[0041] On one outer side of the holder part H, in the operating position of the ball neck 10, as shown in the illustration of the Fig. 1A to 1C form a base 11 of the pivoting element 1. From this base 11, the coupling section 12 extends in a pin-like manner through the holder part H into the locking device V.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, two rib-shaped stops 110A and 110B are formed at the base 11, projecting radially with respect to the axis of rotation D. Depending on whether the ball neck 10 is in the operating position or the non-operating position, a stop section HA of the holder part H, extending along a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation D and projecting axially in a circular segment shape from the outside of the holder part H, is attached to one of the stops 110A, 110B at one end face.

[0043] As can also be seen from the exploded views of the Fig. 2A and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2B, the drive unit A is coupled to a drive element in the form of a drive disc 2. For this purpose, a drive shaft of the drive unit A engages in a pinion receptacle 20 of the drive disc 2 (see also Figure 2B). Fig. 5A to 5C). By rotating the drive disc 2 about the axis of rotation D, the locking device V can be actuated, and in particular the locking mechanism provided by it can be released or activated. When the locking mechanism is released, the rotation of the drive disc 2 about the axis of rotation D also allows the pivoting element 1 to rotate. Accordingly, the single motorized drive unit A can control both the locking unit V and the pivoting movement of the pivoting element 1.

[0044] Part of the locking device V is a locking component in the form of a rotating ring 3. The rotating ring 3 is arranged adjacent to the drive disc 2 along the axis of rotation D and is located between the drive disc 2 and an annular pre-locking section 43 of a pre-locking part of the locking device V, which is designed as a housing part 4. Along the axis of rotation D, following the pre-locking section 43 in the direction of the holder part H, is a pair of locking elements pivotably mounted on the holder part H, here in the form of two locking levers 7A, 7B. Each locking lever 7A, 7B is curved and extends along a semicircular line, similar to a brake lever. The locking levers 7A and 7B are radially biased towards each other by spring elements F1, F2 supported on the inside of the holder part H, thus each being held in a locking position.The spring elements F1 and F2 are supported at bearing points L1, L2 of the holder part H.

[0045] The rotating ring 3 is elastically preloaded against the coupling section 12, in this case by several – here three – tension springs 8. This elastic preload of the rotating ring 3 axially preloads it towards the drive disk 2, with respect to the axis of rotation D, as will be explained in more detail below. The tension springs 8 are supported on one side by the coupling section 12, specifically by a spring receptacle of a positive-locking area 128 of the coupling section, and on the other side by a radially inner connecting section 38 of the rotating ring 3, which also forms a spring receptacle 380. The rotating ring 3 is also positively connected to the coupling section 12 of the pivoting element 1 via a sleeve-shaped connecting section 38.Each connecting section 38 engages in a corresponding positive-locking area 128 of the coupling section 12 in a positive-locking manner, but is axially displaceable. The rotating ring 3 can thus be moved along the coupling section 12 between at least a first axial position (engagement position) and a second axial position (release position), but always remains positively locked to the coupling section 12 and therefore rotationally fixed.

[0046] The locking device V further comprises an adjusting element in the form of a U-shaped adjusting bracket 6 in cross-section. This adjusting bracket 6 is coupled to a lever 5, which forms a transmission element of a transmission mechanism. This mechanism allows a portion of the drive torque acting on the drive disc 2 via the motor drive unit A to be converted into an adjusting torque for adjusting the adjusting bracket 6. The lever 5 is articulated to the adjusting bracket 6 at one end and pivotably mounted on a pivot bearing section 45 of the pre-locking part 4 about a pivot axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation D. At one end of the lever, which is spaced apart from the other end connected to the adjusting bracket 6, the lever 5 is in contact with an eccentrically shaped contact section 25 of the drive disc 2.Due to the contact section 25, which is eccentrically formed around the circumference of the drive disc 2 and defines its outer contour, a radially projecting portion of the contact section 25 acts on one end of the lever 5 when the drive disc 2 is rotated about the axis of rotation D from a certain rotational position. This causes the lever 5 to pivot about the pivot bearing axis on the pivot bearing section 45. The other end of the lever, which is moved in the same way, in turn moves the adjusting bracket 6, which is radially displaceable on the inside of the holder part H, radially inwards in an adjustment direction R3. Thus, if one end of the lever 5, which rests against the drive disc 2, is moved radially outwards, the adjusting bracket 6 is moved radially inwards into an actuating position.

[0047] When adjusted radially inwards, the adjusting bracket 6 acts on the opposing lever ends of the locking levers 7A, 7B, increasing the distance between them. This causes the locking levers 7A, 7B to move away from each other, thus shifting a radial outwards component of the movement towards an unlocked position. In this position, the locking levers 7A, 7B no longer engage positively or non-positively in a locking receptacle in the form of a circumferential locking groove 1270N on the coupling section 12. The pivoting element 1 becomes pivotable about the axis of rotation D – at least if a positive connection between the rotating ring 3 and the housing part 4 has also been broken.

[0048] Thus, in the version variant of the trailer hitch K, the Fig. Figures 1A to 9B provide that the swivel element 1 is mechanically secured against swiveling movement in two ways when the ball neck 10 is in its operating position. In this position, a locking mechanism must first be released via the locking levers 7A and 7B, followed by an additional (pre-)lock via the rotating ring 3, before the swivel element 1 with the ball neck 10 can be swiveled around the axis of rotation D. The release of the locking mechanism via the locking levers 7A and 7B, and the release of the additional anti-rotation lock via the rotating ring 3, are successively performed by the drive disc 2 as it is rotated around the axis of rotation D, for example, with the ball neck 10 in its operating position, along a first direction of rotation R1.When the drive disc 2 is rotated by the motor drive unit A along the first direction of rotation R1, the drive disc 2 acts on the lever 5 via its outer circumference, specifically via its eccentric contact section, and adjusts the adjusting bracket 6 radially inwards along the adjustment direction R3 (see . Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B). This causes the locking levers 7A, 7B to pivot radially outwards and thus be released from fixed engagement with the coupling section 12.

[0049] During this adjustment phase of the drive disc 2, the drive disc 2 is rotated relative to the still stationary rotating ring 3. As can be seen from the side view of the Fig. 3A and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3B, during this adjustment phase, positive-locking projections 210.1, projecting radially towards the rotating ring 3 on the drive disc 2, engage with positive-locking projections 310.1 of the rotating ring 3, which project onto a first end face 31 of the rotating ring 3 facing the drive disc 2. This prevents the rotating ring 3 from axially displacing onto the drive disc 2 under the action of the tension springs 8.

[0050] However, if the drive disc 2 reaches the position shown in the illustration... Fig. 3B, upon further rotation along the direction of rotation R1, into a relative position to the rotating ring 3 in which the drive-disc-side positive locking projections 210.1 and the positive locking recesses 310.2 of the first end face 31 of the rotating ring 3 are opposite each other, the rotating ring 3 can be displaced axially along the axis of rotation D in an adjustment direction R2 towards the drive disc 2 into a second axial position (the release position) under the action of the tension springs 8. Thus, on the first end face 31 of the rotating ring 3, axially projecting positive locking projections 310.1 and recessed positive locking recesses 310.2 alternate circumferentially, just as the axially projecting positive locking projections 210.1 and positive locking recesses 210.2 alternate on the end face of the drive disc 2 facing the rotating ring 3.

[0051] The positive locking elements 210.1, 210.2 on the drive disc 2 and the positive locking elements 310.1, 310.2 on the rotary ring 3 can be designed asymmetrically to prevent mutual engagement of the drive disc 2 and the rotary ring 3 outside the two pivot positions of the pivot element 1. When the drive disc 2, after adjustment of the locking levers 7A, 7B to its respective unlocked position, assumes a relative position to the rotary ring 3 in which the positive locking projections 210.1 and positive locking recesses 210.2 of the drive disc 2 and the positive locking projections 310.1 and positive locking recesses 310.2 of the rotary ring 3 are no longer prevented from mutual engagement, the rotary ring 3 is axially displaced along the coupling section 12 of the pivot element 1 under the action of the tension springs 8.This disengages axially projecting pre-locking elements in the form of positive-locking pins 330 with pre-locking openings 430.1 on the opposite second end face 33 of the rotating ring 3, which faces the holder part H. These pre-locking elements are formed on the annular pre-locking section 43 of the housing part 4. As a result, the pivoting element 1 is no longer locked relative to the holder part H and can pivot along with the drive disc 2 about the axis of rotation D. The drive disc 2 then engages the pivoting element 1 via the positive locking with the rotating ring 3.

[0052] As can be seen from the views of the Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5C, two sets of pre-locking openings 430.1 and 430.2 are provided around the circumference of the pre-locking section 43 of the housing part 4. The positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 can only engage positively in one set of pre-locking openings 430.1 when the pivoting element 1 is in the first pivot position, which is shown in the Fig. 1A to 1C is shown and corresponds to the operating position of the ball neck 10. This state of the locking device V corresponds to the illustration of the Fig. 5A.

[0053] During rotation of the pivoting element 1 along the direction of rotation R1, all three positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 33 are never opposite the pre-locking openings 430.1 or 430.2; they are arranged asymmetrically to each other. Therefore, it is not possible for the rotating ring 3 to be displaced axially towards the holder part H along the coupling section 12. This is in the Fig. 5B illustrated.

[0054] Only when a second pivot position of the pivot element 1 is reached, which here is not only assigned to a predefined non-use position of the ball neck 10 but coincides with it, in which the ball neck 10 is retracted and stowed at the rear of the vehicle, do the positive locking pins 330 face a second set of pre-locking openings 430.2 of the pre-locking section 43. This results in the Fig. In the state illustrated in Figure 5C, axial adjustment of the rotating ring 3 back to its first axial position (the engagement position) is also possible, since such axial adjustment is no longer blocked by the pre-locking section 43. The axial adjustment of the rotating ring 3 against the preload force applied by the tension springs 8 occurs under the action of the drive disc 2, which continues to rotate in the direction of rotation R1. For this purpose, each positive-locking projection 210.1 of the drive disc 2 and each positive-locking recess 310.2 of the rotating ring 3 is designed with ramp surfaces 210A, 210B or 310A, 310B. The ramp surfaces 210A, 310A and 210B, 310B of the drive disk 2 and the rotating ring 3 can slide against each other, so that during a rotation the drive disk 2 always tends to move the rotating ring 3 axially away from the drive disk 2 and thus decouple the drive disk 2 from the rotating ring 3 again.However, a corresponding axial displacement is only possible in the first and second pivot positions of the pivoting element 1, in which the rotating ring 3 is (again) axially displaced in the direction of the base 11 of the pivoting element 1 and can be brought into positive engagement with a set of pre-locking openings 430.1 or 430.2 of the housing part 4.

[0055] Is the second pivot position of the pivot element 1 corresponding to the Fig. 5C or Fig. When position 6C is reached, the pivoting element 1 is initially pre-locked via the rotary ring 3, which is axially returned to its first axial position, and thus locked against rotation relative to the retaining part H. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the drive disc 2 is designed such that, during the pivoting movement, until the second pivot position is reached, the lever 5 is deflected by the pivoting element 1, and thus the adjusting bracket 6 remains radially inwardly adjusted. However, once the second pivot position of the pivoting element 1 is reached and the ball neck 10 assumes its predetermined non-use position (after the stop 110B of the base 11 has also struck the stop section HA), the drive disc 2 allows the lever 5 to pivot back again.The lever 5, in its deflected position, is always forced back to its initial position by the spring-loaded locking levers 7A, 7B, which are radially inwardly biased towards each other, and by the force acting radially outwards on the adjusting bracket 6 along an adjustment direction -R3, as long as the locking levers 7A, 7B are in their unlocked position. Consequently, if the lever 5 is no longer prevented from pivoting back via the outer contour of the drive disc 2, the adjusting bracket 6 moves radially along the adjustment direction -R3 accordingly. Fig. 6C returns outwards to a rest position. The locking levers 7A, 7B then engage positively and non-positively with the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12 under the action of springs F1 and F2. For this purpose, the locking levers 7A, 7B each pivot about a pivot bearing pin 127A or 127B on the inside of the holder part H. The pivotable mounting of a locking lever 7A, 7B on an associated pivot bearing pin 127A, 127B is effected by a bearing eye 72A or 72B of each locking lever 7A or 7B.

[0056] As shown by the Fig. As illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9A-9B, the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12 is designed with a cylindrical surface 1270 extending obliquely to the axis of rotation D in order to support the force-fit with a locking arm 71A, 71B of a locking lever 7A, 7B. Additionally, axially extending detent grooves 1270R are formed in the cylindrical surface 1270, into which detent lugs 710A or 710B projecting on the inside of the locking arms 71A and 71B can engage in a form-fit manner in the first pivot position and the second pivot position of the pivoting element 1, when the locking levers 7A, 7B have been moved into their locking position.

[0057] The sectional views of the Fig. 9A and Fig. Figure 9B illustrates the insertion of the locking arms 71A and 71B into the locking groove 1270N after the pivoting element 1 has assumed a first or second pivot position and is already locked against rotation relative to the retaining part H by the rotary ring 3, which is positively connected to the housing part 4, and thus decoupled from the drive unit A. Under the action of the spring elements F1, F2, the two locking arms 71A, 71B are brought radially inwards and towards each other along engagement directions R7A, R7B with the locking groove 1270N, which runs circumferentially around the coupling section 12. In the corresponding Fig. In the locked position 9B, the swivel element 1, and thus also the ball neck 10, is mechanically fixed relative to the holder part H. To swivel the ball neck 10, the locking mechanism must first be released by rotating the drive disc 2 – then in the opposite direction – using the adjusting bracket 6 and the locking levers 7A and 7B. Following this, the rotating ring 3, relative to which the drive disc 2 has initially rotated about the axis of rotation D, is axially displaced onto the drive disc 2 by spring force, so that the swivel element 1 with the ball neck 10 is no longer decoupled from the drive unit A and can be swivelled by further rotation of the drive disc 2.

[0058] The Fig. Figures 10A to 18C show a further embodiment of a trailer coupling K according to the proposed solution, in which two locking levers 7A, 7B, pivotably mounted on the holder part H, are also provided as part of the locking device V for the final fixing of the pivoting element 1 with the ball neck 10 in the operating position. Furthermore, the locking device V of the trailer coupling K also features Fig. 10A to 18C feature a two-stage locking mechanism and thus a pre-locking mechanism via the rotary ring 3. The rotary ring 3 locks the pivoting element 1 relative to the retaining part H against rotation about the axis of rotation D after the pivoting element 1 has pivoted in the direction of its first rotation. Fig. The first pivot position shown in 10A to 10C is already engaged by a positive locking mechanism in the housing part 4, thus decoupling the pivot element 1 from the motorized drive unit A, before the locking levers 7A, 7B assume their locking position. The adjustment of the locking levers 7A, 7B also occurs in the embodiment of Fig. 10A to 18C are connected via a transmission mechanism with a lever 5 as the transmission element, which couples an adjusting element – ​​here in the form of an adjusting wedge 6 – to the drive disc 2. In contrast to the previously described embodiment, the adjusting wedge 6 is provided as the adjusting element for acting on the locking levers 7A, 7B, instead of an adjusting bracket. Furthermore, the locking levers 7A, 7B are each designed with an engagement section 711A or 711B that projects at least partially radially. In conjunction with the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12, this engagement section causes an axial displacement of the pivot element 1 when the locking levers 7A, 7B are moved into their locking position. This displacement provides an additional positive locking connection between the base 11 of the pivot element 1 and the outer surface of the holder part H. This will be discussed in more detail below.

[0059] The Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. Figure 10C shows the further variant of the trailer coupling K in various perspective views, in particular with a view of the outside of the bracket part ( Fig. 10A) and with a view to the inside of the holder part H ( Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C), where the locking device V and the drive unit A are located.

[0060] The Fig. 11A and Fig. Figure 11B shows exploded views of the trailer coupling K. In particular, an additional axial locking device AS is also visible here, which secures the coupling section 12 of the swivel element 1, inserted through the through-opening on the holder part H, against being pulled out along the axis of rotation D after the trailer coupling K has been mounted (see also Figure 11B). Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B).

[0061] The Fig. Figure 12 shows the pivoting element 1 on an enlarged scale with the rotating ring 3, which is axially pre-tensioned against the coupling section 12 via the tension springs 8 (in the assembled state then again in the direction towards the drive disc 2).

[0062] In the excerpt of Fig. Figure 13 shows the outer side of the holder part H with the swivel element 1 and its base 11. The swivel element 1 is located here in an adjustment position, i.e., a pivot or rotation position about the axis of rotation D, between the two pivot positions that form the end positions. In the Fig. In the adjustment position shown in Figure 13, the base 11 of the swivel element 1 and the holder part H are therefore not positively locked to each other. The positive locking projections 111.1 projecting axially on the base 11 thus do not engage positively with the positive locking recesses HF.2 on the outside of the holder part H. Conversely, the positive locking projections HF.1 projecting on the outside of the holder part H also do not engage with the positive locking recesses 111.2 of the base 11. A corresponding reciprocal engagement of the positive locking projections and positive locking recesses, which are formed alternately around the axis of rotation D on the base 11 and the holder part H, only occurs in the operating position of the ball neck 10 and in the pivoted-in state of the non-operating position of the ball neck 10.The necessary axial displacement of the pivoting element 1 is achieved via the locking levers 7A, 7B which engage in the locking position on the coupling section 12.

[0063] As shown by the Fig. 14A, Fig. 14B and Fig. 15A, Fig. 15B and the Fig. As illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and 18A to 18C, the locking levers 7A, 7B are biased towards each other in their locking position by the spring elements F1, F2. Under the action of the eccentric drive disc 2, the lever 5 of the transmission mechanism can also be deflected when one free end 52 of the lever 5 contacts the radially projecting contact section 25 of the drive disc 2. The deflection of the lever 5 causes the adjusting wedge 6 to move radially inwards, which is articulated to the other end 56 of the lever 5. In this movement, the adjusting wedge 6 displaces the Fig. 14B and Fig. 15B the ends of the locking levers 7A, 7B. The locking levers 7A, 7B are thus moved outwards and into their respective unlocked position by the radially inwards displaced adjusting wedge 6 via the respective pivotally mounted bearing eye 72A and 72B, in which the locking levers 7A, 7B are disengaged from the coupling section 12.

[0064] When the pivoting element 1 with the ball neck 10 assumes a first or second pivot position about the axis of rotation D (and the pre-locking is achieved via the rotary ring 3, which engages positively in the housing part 4), the locking levers 7A, 7B are each pressed into the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12 by the action of their respective spring elements F1 or F2. In the first and second pivot positions of the pivoting element 1, the locking levers 7A, 7B are no longer prevented from returning to their locking position by the adjusting wedge 6 and the lever 5, since the free lever end 52 of the lever 5 no longer rests against the radially projecting contact section 25 of the drive disk 2.

[0065] As in the Fig. As illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and 18A to 18C, when the locking levers 7A, 7B are adjusted radially inwards, an insertion ramp 7110 of an engagement section 711A or 711B of a locking arm 71A, 71B of the respective locking lever 7A or 7B engages an engagement ramp 1270E at the edge of the locking groove 1270N. By sliding along the circumferential engagement ramp 1270E, the coupling section 12 and thus the pivoting element 1 are subjected to an axially acting adjustment force inwards, i.e., along an adjustment direction R2, and thus towards the drive unit A. The locking levers 7A and 7B thus assume the locking position, resulting in an axial displacement of the pivoting element 1 and consequently its base 11 towards the outside of the holder part H. Then, in the first or second pivoting position of the pivoting element 1, the positive locking projections 111...Since the positive locking recesses HF.2 of the holder part H and the positive locking projections HF.1 of the holder part H are opposite the positive locking recesses 111.2 of the base 11, the axial displacement of the pivoting element 1 relative to the holder part H, controlled by the locking levers 7A, 7B, results in an additional positive locking of the pivoting element 1 to the holder part H via the base 11. The pivoting element 1, which is already decoupled from the motor drive unit A via the axially adjusted rotary ring 3, which is positively engaged with the housing part 4, and secured against rotation about the axis of rotation D, is thus not only fixed relative to the holder part by the locking levers 7A, 7B, which engage positively and forcefully in the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12, but also by a positive locking Locking of the base 11 on the outside of the holder part H.This also allows for a particularly efficient, backlash-free locking of the swivel element 1 to the holder part H.

[0066] The further variant of a trailer coupling K of the Fig. Sections 19A to 27C also provide that the swivel element 1, via its coupling section 12 and its interaction with locking elements – here in the form of locking balls 7A, 7B and 7C – is axially displaced after assuming a swivel position defining the end position about the axis of rotation D, in order to assign the ball neck 10 its operating or non-operating position and then finally fix the swivel element 1 to the holder part H. In contrast to the embodiments described above, the trailer coupling of Fig. 19A to 27C not only provide differently designed locking elements 7A to 7C, but also a differently designed transmission mechanism to adjust the locking elements 7A to 7C between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0067] Regarding the trailer hitch K of the Fig. As explained, locking elements in the form of locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C are provided in sections 19A to 27C. These locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C are mounted on axially offset bearing openings H7A, H7B, and H7C on a sleeve-ring-shaped section projecting inwards from the holder part H, which forms a guide sleeve H7. The bearing openings H7A, H7B, and H7C are each designed as through-holes in the guide sleeve H7, so that a locking ball 7A, 7B, or 7C can be moved radially towards or away from the pin-shaped coupling section 12 of the pivot element 1.

[0068] In a locking position, a locking ball 7A, 7C or 7B is inserted into a pocket-shaped locking opening 1271, 1272 or 1273 and thereby locks the coupling section 12 with respect to the guide sleeve H7 and thus the pivoting element 1 with respect to the holder part H. Two sets of locking openings 1271, 1272 and 1273 are provided distributed around the circumference of the coupling section 12, wherein at least one of the locking openings 1271, 1272, 1273 is axially offset from the other locking openings on the coupling section 12. In this way, the locking balls 7A, 7B and 7C can only engage together in their respective locking openings 1271, 1272, 1273 when the pivoting element 1 is in either its first pivot position or its second pivot position.The locking balls 7A, 7B and 7C are pressed into their respective locking openings 1271, 1272 or 1273 by means of an adjusting element in the form of an adjusting ring 6R. This adjusting ring 6R is arranged radially on the outside of the guide sleeve H7 and is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation D.

[0069] To adjust the adjusting ring 6R, and thus the locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C, into their locking position, the adjusting ring 6R is coupled to the drive disc 2 via a transmission mechanism. This transmission mechanism comprises two gears 5.1 and 5.2, which are non-rotatably connected to each other via a connecting shaft 55. In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the connecting shaft 55 is rotatably mounted on a bearing section H5 of the mounting part H, while the other end of the connecting shaft 55 is rotatably mounted on the motor mount P. Between the two gears 5.1 and 5.2, the connecting shaft 55 is additionally supported on a bearing section 45 of a housing part 4, which here again forms a pre-locking element of the locking device V. In the illustrated trailer coupling K, the housing part 4 encloses the adjusting ring 6R.

[0070] A (first) gear 5.1 of the transmission mechanism is rotatable by the drive disc 2 about the shaft axis defined by the connecting shaft 55. For this purpose, a tooth segment 25R, which is formed on the outer circumference of the drive disc 2, can be brought into meshing engagement with the (first) gear 5.1 over a specific angular range of the drive disc 2 about the axis of rotation D. The other (second) gear 5.2, in turn, engages with a segment-shaped slide 6S. This slide 6S is arranged in a slide groove 6R formed over part of the circumference of the adjusting ring R. When the first gear 5.1 is rotated under the influence of the drive disc 2, the second gear 5.2 is also rotated, which meshes with a tooth 60S of the slide 6S, so that the adjusting ring 6R is rotated about the axis of rotation D.

[0071] As particularly evident in the detailed presentation of the Fig. As illustrated in Figure 25, the slide 6S is displaceable in the slide groove 60R of the adjusting ring 6R by a defined free travel against a restoring force applied by a compression spring 60F. This free travel must therefore be bridged when the gears 5.1, 5.2 are rotated before the adjusting ring 6R is moved from an actuated position to a rest position by the slide 6S meshing with the second gear 5.2 in the direction of rotation about the axis of rotation D, along which the drive disc 2 is also rotated by the drive unit A. This additionally ensures that the locking mechanism provided by the locking balls 7A, 7B, 7C does not release before the drive slide has been rotated a certain distance about the axis of rotation D. Furthermore, this ensures permanent readjustment of the locking mechanism in the operating position, which would otherwise, for example,The applied locking force would decrease due to wear and tear.

[0072] In the perspective representation of the Fig. 19A, Fig. 19B and Fig. In the locked state of the pivoting element 1 shown in Figure 19C, in which the ball neck 10 is in its operating position, the locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C are radially biased inwards via an inner sleeve section 62R of the adjusting ring 6R, which is in its actuating position, and thus pressed through the bearing openings H7A, H7B, and H7C of the holder part H into the locking openings 1271, 1272, and 1273 of the coupling section 12. If the drive disc 2 is now rotated by the drive unit A in the direction of rotation R1, this rotation initially occurs relative to the still stationary rotating ring 3, which is (still) positively engaged with the housing part 4 and thus keeps the pivoting element 1 decoupled from the drive unit A. If one of the possibly several local tooth sections 25R, distributed around the outer circumference of the drive disc 2, engages with the first gear 5.When the transmission mechanism engages, further rotation of the drive disc 2 rotates gears 5.1 and 5.2. As gears 5.1 and 5.2 rotate, the adjusting ring 6R is in turn rotated by the drive disc 2 towards its rest position, at least as long as the tooth section 25R is still meshing with the first gear 5.1. The length of the tooth section 25R on the outer circumference of the drive disc 2 determines the range of rotation and thus the duration of rotation of the adjusting ring 6R. In this case, the adjusting ring 6R rotates until recesses 61R on the inside of the adjusting ring 6R are opposite the locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C, which are recessed relative to the inner sleeve sections 26R. This means that the locking balls 7A, 7B and 7C are no longer blocked against radial outward displacement by the locking ring 6R.

[0073] The tension springs 8 (in the exploded view of the Fig. 20A and Fig. (20B not shown) between the coupling section 12 of the pivot element 1 and the rotating ring 3, the pivot element 1 is subjected to an axial outward load. Via an insertion ramp 1271E, which is inclined to the axis of rotation D on a pocket-shaped locking opening 1271, 1272, 1273, a radial outward load also acts on the locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C. Consequently, when the locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C are no longer prevented from radially moving outward into their respective unlocked positions by the adjusting ring 6R, the locking balls 7A, 7B, and 7C are each moved into their unlocked positions by axially moving the pivot element 1 outward (along an adjustment direction -R2). The axial adjustment of the swivel element 1 outwards also means that the base 11 is no longer positively locked to the outside of the holder part H.

[0074] A radially inwardly inclined insertion ramp 1271B of a locking opening 1271, 1272, 1273 relative to the axis of rotation D is shown in particular by reference to the enlarged representation of the coupling section 12 of the Fig. 22. As can be seen in particular from this, each pocket-shaped locking opening 1271, 1272, 1273 extends via its respective insertion ramp 1271 towards the base 11 of the pivoting element 1.

[0075] As can be seen from the representations of the Fig. 21 and Fig. As can be seen in section 23, this also applies to the trailer coupling K. Fig. Figures 19A to 27C provide that the drive disc 2 and the rotating ring 3, under preload of the tension springs 8, can be brought into positive engagement with each other at their opposite end faces in (exactly) one or two relative positions, and that the drive disc 2 can also move the rotating ring 3 axially along the coupling section 12 back into its first axial position. In the first axial position, positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 engage positively with pre-locking openings 430.1 or 430.2 formed as recesses in the pre-locking section 43.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the positive locking pins 330 and the connecting sections 38 for the positive locking, sliding engagement in the positive locking areas 128 of the coupling section 12 of the swivel element 1 are each provided at the same locations on the inner circumference of the rotating ring 3. Furthermore, the trailer coupling K also features Fig. 19A to 27C, two sets of locking openings 430.1 or 430.2 are provided on the housing part 4. These allow the pivoting element 1 to be locked against rotation about the axis of rotation D relative to the retaining part H, both in the first pivoting position associated with the ball neck 10 being in use and in the second pivoting position associated with the ball neck 10 being out of use.

[0077] The enlarged section of the Fig. Figure 24 illustrates that in the operating position of the ball neck 10, the base 11 of the swivel element 1 and the retaining part H are positively locked together. If the swivel element 1 is pivoted towards its first pivot position by means of the motor drive unit A, for example to move the ball neck 10 from a non-operating position below a rear bumper of the vehicle into its operating position, several successive adjustments of various components of the locking device V are controlled by the drive disc 2.Under the action of the drive disc 2, (a) the rotation of the pivoting element 1 is carried out, (b) the rotation ring 3 is axially displaced into its first axial position along the coupling section 12, so that the pivoting element 1 is decoupled from the drive unit A and is locked against rotation about the axis of rotation by means of the positive locking of the rotation ring 3 on the housing part 4, before (c) the adjusting ring 6R is rotated along with the gears 5.1, 5.2, so that the locking balls 7A, 7B and 7C are forced radially inwards into their respective locking positions in the corresponding locking openings 1271, 1272, 1273 and thereby cause an axial displacement of the pivoting element 1, by means of which the base 11 is positively locked to the outside of the holder part H.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the geometry of the adjusting ring 6R allows a comparatively large travel distance for the locking balls 7A, 7B, 7C through the initially very steep insertion ramp 1271E. The insertion ramp 1271E becomes shallower towards the base 11 of the pivoting element 1, so that at the end of the adjustment travel, the respective locking ball 7A, 7B, 7C is pressed into the respective locking opening 1271, 1272, 1273 with a comparatively high force under the action of the adjusting ring 6R. Furthermore, the inclination of the insertion ramp 1271E is selected such that the respective locking ball 7A, 7B, 7C is self-locking in its respective locking opening 1271, 1272, 1273 in its locked position. This prevents the locking ring 6R from being turned backwards by the locking balls 7A, 7B, 7C.

[0079] Based on the Fig. Figures 26 and 27A to 27C illustrate again that the drive disc 2 comprises tooth sections 25R only at specific points along its outer circumference in order to drive the adjusting ring 6R into a rotary motion via the transmission mechanism with gears 5.1 and 5.2. The first gear 5.1, which can mesh with a tooth section 25R of the drive disc 2, additionally has flattened teeth 5Z2 to prevent unintentional rotation of the gear 5.1 when the drive disc 2 rotates. An outer diameter of the drive disc 2 outside a tooth section 25R is selected such that the outer diameter corresponds to the pitch circle diameter of the toothing of the tooth section 25R. The flattened teeth 5Z2, compared to the normal, i.e., non-flattened teeth 5Z1 of the first gear 5.1, can thus rest on the outer circumference of the drive disk 2 away from a tooth section 25R, without the gear 5.1 rotating.The gear 5.1 thus remains blocked when the drive disc 2 is rotating, unless a tooth section 25R engages a first flattened tooth 5Z2 as shown in the enlarged illustration. Fig. 27A / 27B is brought into position and then the drive disc 2 - with further rotation of the drive disc 2 according to the Fig. 27C - via its tooth section 25R meshes with the further teeth 5Z1 of the gear 5.1 and thereby drives the gear 5.1 to a rotation.

[0080] The in the Fig. Figures 28A to 32 of the illustrated embodiment of a trailer coupling K provide a transmission mechanism identical to the previously described embodiment, with gears 5.1 and 5.2 for interaction with a partially externally toothed drive disc 2. In contrast to the previously described embodiment, however, locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C are provided as locking elements instead of locking balls. These levers are pivotably mounted on an inner side of the holder part H about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation D. The adjusting ring 6R, which is driven by the gears 5.1 and 5.2 of the transmission mechanism, is therefore used to adjust the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C.

[0081] As particularly in addition to the perspective representation of the Fig. 28A, Fig. 28B and the individual views of the coupling section 12 and the base 11 of the holder part H of the Fig. 29 in the Fig. As illustrated in Figures 30A-30B, 31A-31B and 32, the locking levers 7A, 7B, 7C are mounted on the holder part H in this version of the trailer coupling K, distributed around the circumference. The adjusting ring 6R again extends completely around the guide sleeve H7 of the holder part H, in which bearing openings H7A, H7B and H7C for the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C are formed. The locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C can be engaged via the inner sleeve section 62R of the adjusting ring 6R when the adjusting ring 6R is rotated in the adjustment direction -R1 (see Figure 32). Fig. 31B) through the respective associated bearing openings H7A, H7B, H7C, they are pressed radially inwards into the circumferential locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12. The adjusting ring 6R then blocks the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C in their respective locked positions against pivoting out of the locking groove 1270N.

[0082] When the adjusting ring 6R is rotated relative to the coupling section 12 into a rest position (in this case by an angle of rotation of less than 20°), a radially outwardly recessed recess 61R is located opposite each of the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C on the inside of the adjusting ring 6R. The free ends of the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C can pivot radially outward into this recess 61R. In other words, in the rest position and the rotational position of the adjusting ring 6R defined by this position, the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C are no longer locked against being moved into the unlocked position. However, the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C are forced into this unlocked position by the coupling section 12, which is axially pre-tensioned outward by the tension springs 8.

[0083] Simultaneously, the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C, under the engagement ramp 7110, which is formed on each engagement section 711 of a locking lever 7A, 7B, and 7C, ensure on the engagement ramp 1270E of the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12 that, with an adjustment of the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C driven by the adjusting ring 6R from an unlocked position to their respective locked positions, the pivot element 1 is also moved axially inwards again in order to positively lock the base 11 of the pivot element 1 with the holder part H on its outer side. Fig. Figure 32 shows, as an example, one of the locking levers 7A, 7B, 7C in a single view.

[0084] Regarding the trailer hitch K of the Fig. Sections 33A to 39B again feature pivotally mounted locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C, which are adjustable by means of an adjusting ring 6R that can be set between an actuating position and a rest position. Analogous to the previously described embodiment, when moved into their locking position, they cause an axial adjustment of the pivoting element 1 in order to positively lock its base 11 with the retaining part H. However, in contrast to the previously described embodiment, a differently designed transmission mechanism with a drive element in the form of a rotating ring 9 is provided.

[0085] The rotary ring 9 is arranged along the axis of rotation D of the pivoting element 1 between the drive disc 2 and the adjusting ring 6R. The rotary ring 9 is always positively connected to the drive disc 2 by means of radially projecting drive lugs 29 on the drive disc 2 engaging in drive pockets 92 of the rotary ring 9. In the illustrated embodiment, several such drive lugs 29, in this case three, are provided around the circumference of the drive disc 2, each engaging in a corresponding drive pocket 92 of the rotary ring 9. The rotary ring 9 is also axially displaceable, so that – while maintaining the positive connection with the drive disc 2 – the rotary ring 9 can be selectively coupled to the adjusting ring 6R in a rotationally fixed manner or decoupled from the adjusting ring 6R.

[0086] The rotating ring 9 also surrounds the trailer coupling K. Fig. Figures 33A to 38D describe the rotating ring 3 of the locking device V, which again functions as a locking component. For the connection between the rotating ring 3 and the rotating ring 9, the rotating ring 3 has at least one coupling element in the form of a coupling pin 39 projecting radially on its outer circumference. In this case, several such coupling pins 39, a total of three, are provided around the circumference of the rotating ring 3. Each coupling pin 39 engages in an internal groove 93 formed on an inner surface of the rotating ring 9. Within the internal groove 93, which extends along a circumferential direction, a coupling pin 39 is guided so as to be displaceable in the circumferential direction that the rotating ring 9 can be rotated relative to the rotating ring 3. At the same time, a coupling pin 39 projects so far into the inner groove 93 of the rotating ring 9 that, when the rotating ring 3 is axially adjusted, the rotating ring 9 is carried along and thus also axially adjusted.

[0087] When the rotating ring 9 is in a first axial position together with the rotating ring 3, in which the rotating ring 3 is positively locked to the housing part 4, the rotating ring 9 is also coupled to the adjusting ring 6R. In this first axial position, at least one drive element in the form of an axially extending drive pin 69R of the adjusting ring 6R engages in a drive recess 96 of the rotating ring 9, so that when the rotating ring 9 is rotated about the axis of rotation D by the drive disc 2, the adjusting ring 6R is driven along and rotated in the same direction.

[0088] When the rotary ring 9 is moved axially towards its second axial position on the drive disc 2 by the axial displacement of the rotary ring 3, the several drive pins 69R of the adjusting ring 6R, distributed around the circumference, are also disengaged from the rotary ring 9. The axial movement of the rotary ring 3 together with the rotary ring 9 towards the drive disc 2 thus decouples the rotary ring 9 from the adjusting ring 6R. The interaction of the individual components of the locking device V is explained in more detail below. Fig. 33A to 33E, 34A to 34D, 35 and 36A to 36D illustrated.

[0089] The Fig. Figure 33A shows the trailer coupling K with the ball neck 10 of the swivel element 1 in its operating position. In the operating position of the ball neck 10, the base 11 is positively locked to the retaining part H. The locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C are each in their restricted locking position and the rotating ring 3 is positively locked to the (in the Fig. 33A (not shown) housing part 4 specified.

[0090] When the drive disc 2 is rotated around the axis of rotation D in the direction of rotation R1 by the motor drive unit A, the drive disc 2 carries along the rotating ring 9, which is non-rotatably connected to the drive disc 2. The rotating ring 9, in turn, carries the adjusting ring 6R along in the direction of rotation R1 via the coupling through the drive pins 69R of the adjusting ring 6R. The resulting rotation of the adjusting ring 6R causes the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C to be positioned opposite each other in the recesses 61R provided on its inner cylindrical surface. Under preload of the tension springs 8, which are supported on the coupling section 12 on one side and on the rotating ring 3 on the other, the pivoting element 1 is then no longer prevented from axially adjusting outwards in the adjustment direction -R2, thereby disengaging the base 11 from the retaining part H. This axial adjustment of the pivoting element 1, which is described in the Fig. As shown in 33B, this further leads (via the interaction of the engagement chamfer 1270E with the engagement chamfers 7110 of the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C) to the pushing out of the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C from the locking groove 1270N of the axially displaced coupling section 12.

[0091] In the first pivot position of the pivoting element 1 thus assumed, the following applies: Fig. 33C then, also under the action of the tension springs 8, the rotating ring 3 is adjusted along the coupling section 12 to its second axial position and thus brought into positive engagement with the drive disc 2. In this way, the rotating ring 3, in the rotational position then assumed by the drive disc 2, is no longer prevented from a corresponding axial displacement. During the axial adjustment to the second axial position, the rotating ring 3 assumes the Fig. 33C also the rotating ring 9 along the axially extending adjustment direction R2, since the coupling pins 39 of the rotating ring 3 are in the inner groove 93 of the rotating ring 9 (see also Fig. 35) are only adjustable in the circumferential direction relative to the rotary ring 9. With the axial adjustment along the adjustment direction R2 into the second axial position, the rotary ring 9 is decoupled from the adjusting ring 6R, so that a further rotation of the drive disk A no longer leads to a rotation of the adjusting ring 6R.

[0092] After the spring-driven adjustment of the rotary ring 3 to its second axial position releases the lock of the pivoting element 1 against rotation about the axis of rotation D on the housing part 4, the pivoting element 1 can pivot along the direction of rotation R1 when the drive disc 2 is rotated further. The drive disc 2 then rotates (see corresponding illustration). Fig. 33D not only the rotating ring 9, but also the rotating ring 3 which engages positively in the coupling section 12.

[0093] Is the swivel element 1 adjusted according to the Fig. 33E pivots back and thus the positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 are positioned opposite the locking openings 430.1 of the housing component 4, the drive disc rotating in the opposite direction of rotation -R1 can, via the design of the positive locking elements of the drive disc 2 on the one hand (positive locking projections 210.1, positive locking recesses 210.2) and the positive locking elements of the rotating ring 3 on the other hand (positive locking projections 310.1, positive locking recesses 310.2), displace the rotating ring 3 axially back to its first axial position at the coupling section 12.

[0094] The associated axial adjustment of the rotating ring 3 along the adjustment direction -R2 is described in the Fig. Figure 33E shows that the rotating ring 3 also axially engages the rotating ring 9. The axial adjustment of the rotating ring 9, in turn, causes the drive pins 69R of the adjusting ring 6R to engage with the drive recesses 96 of the rotating ring 9.

[0095] Once the axial adjustment of the rotary ring 3 and the rotary ring 9 is complete, the rotary ring 3 is positively locked to the housing part 4, thus preventing the pivoting element 1 from rotating about the axis of rotation D relative to the holder part H. Furthermore, the pivoting element 1 is decoupled from the motor drive unit A. The rotary ring 9 and the adjusting ring 6R are also connected, so that when the drive disc 2 rotates further along the direction of rotation -R1, the adjusting ring 6R is driven along in the direction of rotation -R1 by the rotary ring 9. This rotation of the adjusting ring 6R then exerts an adjusting force of 1270 N radially inward on the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C into the locking groove, thus axially displacing the pivoting element 1 in the adjustment direction R2 to positively lock the base 11 to the holder part H.Consequently, in this embodiment as well, the drive disc 2, when rotated by the motor drive unit A, leads to a successive adjustment of first the rotation ring 3, in order to pre-lock the pivoting element 1 with respect to the holder part H and decouple it from the motor drive unit A, and then to move the locking elements in the form of the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C into their locking position, in order to finally fix the pivoting element 1 with respect to the holder part H, here again in addition to the positive and force-locking engagement of the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C in the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12 with additional positive locking of the base 11 on the holder part H.

[0096] The Fig. Figure 34A shows a side view of the trailer coupling K without the motor drive unit A and without the rotary ring 9 in the section with the Fig. 33A corresponding operating position of the ball neck 10. in the Fig. 34A thus shows in particular the first axial position of the rotating ring 3.

[0097] In the Fig. In 34B, the locking mechanism is released via the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C by adjusting the adjusting ring 6R. In this case, the adjusting ring 6R—analogous to the previously described embodiments having an adjusting ring 6R—has been rotated by less than 30°, in particular less than 20°, by the drive disc 2. The pivoting element 1 has been adjusted outwards along the axis of rotation D in the adjustment direction -R2. The rotating ring 3, in turn, with its positive locking elements 310.1, 310.2, is positioned opposite the positive locking elements 210.1, 210.2 of the drive disc 2 such that, under the action of the tension springs 8, the rotating ring 3 is adjusted axially towards the drive disc 2 along the adjustment direction R2 and brought into positive engagement with the drive disc 2.

[0098] In the Fig. 34C is in with the Fig. 34A and Fig. 34B, according to the concurring view, the rotation of the swivel element 1 by the motor drive unit A according to the Fig. 33D illustrated.

[0099] The Fig. 34D shows in with the Fig. 34A to 34C, according to the concurring view, the trailer coupling K with the swivelled pivoting element 1 in front of a locking via the locking levers 7A, 7B, 7C.

[0100] The Fig. Figure 35 shows a cutaway view and partial view of the rotary ring 9 with the rotating ring 3, in particular showing a coupling pin 39 guided circumferentially in the inner groove 93. As explained above, the rotary ring 9 can be rotated relative to the rotary ring 3 by means of this coupling pin 39 in order to drive the adjusting ring 6R for locking or unlocking. At the same time, the rotating ring 3 and the rotary ring 9 are axially fixed to each other by this coupling pin 39, so that an axial adjustment of the rotary ring 3 also results in an axial adjustment of the rotary ring 9.

[0101] The Fig. Figure 36A shows, with a view along the axis of rotation D, the housing part 4 for the trailer coupling K. Fig. 33A to 38D with the pre-locking section 43, on which the pre-locking openings 430.1 for the positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 are formed, together with the rotating ring 3 and the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C. The Fig. Figure 36A shows an adjustment position of the aforementioned components in the operating position of the ball neck 10. Accordingly, the positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 engage positively in their respective pre-locking openings 430.1, and the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C are pivoted radially inwards in their respective locking positions. Bearing pins, by means of which a bearing eye 72 of a locking lever 7A, 7B, or 7C is pivotably mounted on the inside of the holder part H, are not shown.

[0102] In the Fig. 36B is in with the Fig. 36A shows the condition when the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C have already been pivoted outwards into their respective unlocked positions by adjusting the adjusting ring 6R and axially adjusting the pivoting element 1.

[0103] In the Fig. At step 36C, the drive disc 2 has already rotated the rotary ring 3 by more than 120° around the axis of rotation D. The locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C remain in their unlocked position.

[0104] In the one with the Fig. In the state illustrated in Figure 36D, the rotating ring 3 is again in the rotational position with respect to the axis of rotation D in which a positive engagement with the pre-locking section 43 of the housing part 4 is possible. With further rotation of the drive disc 2, the adjusting ring 6R is again engaged from the state shown here, thereby forcing the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C radially inwards into their respective locking positions.

[0105] The Fig. Figures 37 and 38A to 38D show a further detail of the design variant of the trailer coupling K. Fig. 33A to 38D, with which the pivoting element 10 is additionally secured against rotation in an assumed pivot position before the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C are moved into their locking position. Thus, on the coupling section 12 of the pivoting element 1, two additional adjusting elements in the form of pre-locking pins 124 project radially, axially offset from the guide sleeve H7 of the holder part H. The pre-locking pins 124 are arranged offset from each other by 180° about the axis of rotation D. One additional pre-locking pin 124 is provided for an additional pre-locking for exactly one pivot position of the pivoting element. Consequently, if necessary, only exactly one pre-locking pin 124 could be provided, for example, if an additional pre-locking (i.e.,, a pre-locking mechanism in addition to the pre-locking mechanism provided by the rotary ring 3 fixed in its first axial position on the housing part 4) is desired.

[0106] A (first) pre-locking pin 124, when the pivoting element 1 is moved back to its first pivot position, interacts with a ramped approach surface 42 on an inner side of the pre-locking section 43 facing the drive disc 2. The approach surface 42 extends circumferentially around the axis of rotation D at an inclination to the axis of rotation D, such that when the pre-locking pin 124 runs onto the approach surface 42, it experiences an axially inward adjusting force in the adjustment direction R2. Thus, when the pre-locking pin 124 runs onto the approach surface 42 of the housing part 4, which is rigidly connected to the holder part H, the pivoting element 1 is subjected to at least a slight axial inward adjustment in the adjustment direction R2, even before the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C are moved into their respective locking positions. This results in the following: the form-fitting projections 111.1 of the base 1 and the positive locking projections HF.1 of the holder part H each engage at least slightly in the associated positive locking recesses HF.2 of the holder part H or the positive locking recesses 111.2 of the base 11, respectively, before further axial adjustment of the pivoting element 1 and elimination of play between the base 11 and the holder part H is effected by adjusting the locking levers 7A, 7B, 7C.

[0107] Therefore, according to the partial sectional view of the Fig. 37 When the pivoting element 1 is pivoted in the direction of rotation R1 towards its first pivot position associated with the operating position of the ball neck 10, the (first) pre-locking pin 124 runs onto the run-up surface 42 of the housing part 4 towards the end of the pivoting movement and thus causes an axial adjustment along the adjustment direction R2 of the pivoting element 1. Thus, the pivoting element 1 is already secured against unlimited rotation of the pivoting element 1 about the axis of rotation D by means of a positive locking between the base 11 and the holder part H - in addition to the fixing of the rotation ring 3 on the housing part 4 - when the pivoting element 1 is decoupled from the motor drive unit A.

[0108] Under the action of the motorized drive unit A, the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C are then adjusted to their locking position to establish a positive and non-positive connection with the coupling section 12. This further axially displaces the pivoting element 1 along the adjustment direction R2 to eliminate any play between the positive locking elements of the holder part H and the base 11.

[0109] The Fig. Figure 38A shows the holder part H from its inner side, where the coupling section 12 protrudes, guided by the guide sleeve H7. The pivoting element 1 is in the operating position with the ball neck 10. The locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C engage in the circumferential locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12 through their respective bearing openings H7A, H7B, or H7C of the guide sleeve H7.

[0110] In the Fig. In the state shown in 38B, the locking mechanism is released via the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C and the pivoting element 1 is already axially displaced outwards along the adjustment direction -R2.

[0111] In the Fig. 38C, the pivoting element 1 is pivoted in the direction of its second pivot position about the axis of rotation D. The non-use position of the ball neck 10 has not yet been reached. Before reaching the non-use position, the other (second) of the two locking pins 124 would move onto a (towards the run-up surface 42 of the Fig. 37 opposing) run-up surface of the housing part 4 to displace the pivoting element 1 at least slightly axially inwards again, before with further rotation of the drive disc 2 along the direction of rotation R1 the rotation ring 3 is successively brought into engagement with the pre-locking section 43 of the housing part 4, the motor drive unit A is decoupled from the pivoting element 1 and the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C are adjusted in their locking position.

[0112] The Fig. 38D again shows in with the Fig. 38A to 38C, according to the concurring view, the swivel element 1, returned to its first swivel position.

[0113] The Fig. 39A and Fig. Figure 39B shows a possible further development for a trailer coupling K, in which locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C are pivotably mounted between a locking position and an unlocking position, and which includes an adjusting ring 6R* to control this adjustment. In contrast to the embodiment described above, here the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C are not pivotably mounted on the inside of the holder part H, but on the adjusting ring 6R*. For this purpose, the adjusting ring 6R* has several pivot bearing areas 67RA, 67RB, 67RC, to each of which a locking lever 7A, 7B, 7C is articulated, for example via a pivot bearing pin. Each locking lever 7A, 7B, 7C is mounted on a recess of the adjusting ring 6R* and, in a locking position, protrudes through an associated bearing opening H7A, H7B or H7C of a guide sleeve H7 of the holder part H.

[0114] The Fig. Figure 39A shows the locking levers 7A, 7B and 7C in a locked position. Fig. Figure 39B shows the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C in their unlocked position when the adjusting ring 6R* has been rotated about the axis of rotation D along a direction of rotation -R1. This rotation of the adjusting ring 6R*, for example, due to a rotation of the rotary ring 9 and its coupling to the adjusting ring 6R* at the drive pins 69R, causes the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C to rotate along in the direction of rotation -R1. During the displacement movement about the axis of rotation D, the locking levers 7A, 7B, and 7C each slide onto a run-up surface H70 at an edge of an associated bearing opening H7A, H7B, or H7C. This run-up then results in each locking lever 7A, 7B, 7C being subjected to an adjusting force radially outward.The locking levers 7A, 7B, 7C are thus moved into their unlocked position by turning the adjusting ring 6R*, in which a locking lever 7A, 7B or 7C is no longer engaged with the locking groove 1270N of the coupling section 12.

[0115] The Fig. Figures 40A to 46C show a further embodiment of a proposed trailer coupling K, in which, instead of a locking element or several locking elements, which are each radially adjustable with at least one movement component between a locking position and an unlocking position, an axially adjustable locking element in the form of a locking ring 7G is used.

[0116] The Fig. 40A and Fig. Figure 40B shows the embodiment designed with a locking ring 7G in various perspective views in the operating position of the ball neck 10. In the operating position of the ball neck 10, the base 11 of the swivel element 1 is again positively locked to the outside of the holder part H with the holder part H.

[0117] The motor drive unit A is again rigidly connected to the inside of the holder part H via a motor mount P. The motor mount P is formed by a circular disk. The locking device V is located between the motor mount P and the inside of the holder part H. The locking device V includes, among other things, a housing-like connecting component 4*, which connects the motor mount P to the holder part H and which surrounds the other components of the locking device V on the outside.

[0118] The locking device V also includes a drive disc 2 as the drive element and a rotary ring 3 as the locking component. The rotary ring 3 can again be selectively coupled to the drive disc 2 to pivot the swivel element 1 about the axis of rotation D by rotating the drive disc 3 and to provide a pre-locking mechanism. In a first axial position, the rotary ring 3, which is axially displaceable and positively locked (and thus rotationally fixed) at positive-locking areas 128 of the coupling section 12 of the swivel element 1, is fixed to a positive-locking section on the inside of the holder part H.

[0119] The positive locking section is formed by a positive locking sleeve H7*. The positive locking sleeve H7* has recessed pre-locking receptacles H71* on its end face along a circumferential rim. In the first axial position of the rotating ring 3, the axially projecting positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 engage positively in these pre-locking receptacles H71* to lock the coupling section 12, and thus the pivoting element 1, against rotation about the axis of rotation D. The rotating ring 3 is again elastically pre-tensioned against the coupling section 12 in the direction of the drive disc 2 by tension springs 8.

[0120] As can be seen in particular from the exploded view of the Fig. As is clearly shown in Figure 41, the locking ring 7G, through which the coupling section 12 extends, is received within the positive locking sleeve H7* of the retaining part H in the trailer coupling K in its intended assembled state. The locking ring 7G has an internal thread 72G, which is screwed onto an external thread 12G of the coupling section 12 when the ball neck 10 is in its operating position. The external thread 12G is formed on an outer cylindrical surface of the coupling section 12. The cylindrical surface forming the external thread lies between the base 11 and a front end of the coupling section 12, where the positive locking areas 128 for the positive engagement of the connecting sections 38 of the rotating ring 3 and for supporting the tension springs 8 (in the Fig. 41 (not shown) are provided.

[0121] The locking ring 7G is coupled to the drive disc 2, in this case via several axially extending coupling elements KS. These coupling elements KS each extend through an elongated through-opening 3K of the rotating ring 3. Each through-opening 3K is formed in the rotating ring 3 with a longitudinal extension along a circumferential direction. In this way, a coupling element KS can be displaced circumferentially relative to the rotating ring 3 when the drive disc 2 rotates and the rotating ring 3 is still fixed to the positive locking sleeve H7*.

[0122] In the operating position of the ball neck 10, the following applies according to the illustrations of the Fig. 42A, Fig. 43A and 46A: The locking ring 7G is screwed onto the external thread 12G of the coupling section 12 until the base 11 of the swivel element 1 is axially displaced inwards and positively locked to the holder part H. The locking ring 7G thus acts like a locking nut and, for this purpose, has, for example, a trapezoidal thread as its internal thread 72G. The thread pairing results in self-locking and thus prevents the locking ring 7G from rotating unintentionally due to force being applied to the ball neck 10, without a drive torque being applied by the motor drive unit A.

[0123] To adjust the swivel element 1, the drive disc 2 is rotated about the axis of rotation D along the direction of rotation R1, and then also relative to the rotating ring 3, which is shown in the illustration. Fig. 42B, Fig. 43B and Fig. 46B remains fixed to the positive locking sleeve H7* of the holder part Z. However, when the drive disc 2 rotates, the locking ring 7G is already driven along in the direction of rotation R1 via the coupling elements KS. Since the pivoting element 1 is prevented from rotating by the rotating ring 3, which is still fixed to the positive locking sleeve H7*, the rotation of the locking ring 7G – similar to a spindle drive – leads to an axial displacement of the pivoting element 1 outwards along the adjustment direction -R2. This disengages the base 11 from the holder part H.

[0124] If the drive disc 2 is rotated to such an extent that, under the action of the tension springs 8, the rotation ring 3 can be moved axially along the adjustment direction R2 into its second axial position and thus engage positively with the drive disc 2, the pivoting element 1 is no longer locked against rotation about the axis of rotation D. Further rotation of the drive disc 2 then proceeds as shown in the illustration. Fig. 42C and Fig. 43C for rotating the rotary ring 3 and thus the pivoting element 1 about the axis of rotation D. This is also shown in the Fig. 46C shown without illustration of the rotating ring 3 and the holder part H.

[0125] When the pivoting element 1 is pivoted back to its first pivot position, the sequence is reversed. Thus, under the influence of the drive disc 2, which is rotated in the opposite direction -R1, the rotary ring 3 with its positive locking pins 330 engages again with the positive locking sleeve H7* of the holder part H, provided that axial adjustment of the rotary ring 3 back to a first axial position is permitted. With the pivoting element 1 then locked against rotation about the axis of rotation D, the further rotation of the drive disc 2 along the direction of rotation -R1 subsequently leads to a rotation of the locking ring 7G relative to the stationary rotary ring 3 and the stationary coupling section 12.The interlocking of the internal thread 72G of the locking ring 7G with the external thread 12G of the coupling section 12 causes the pivoting element 1 to be displaced axially inwards along the adjustment direction R2, thereby locking the base 11 of the pivoting element 1 positively to the holder part H.

[0126] By designing the coupling elements KS for the connection between the drive disc 2 and the locking ring 7G not only as pin-shaped as shown, but also as flexible elements, for example in the form of spring elements, a permanent preload can be applied to the locking ring 7G via the drive disc 2 in the operating position of the ball neck 10. Thus, when the pivot element 1 is locked, the drive disc 2 is always rotated at least slightly by a defined amount when the locking ring 7G has already reached its axial end position on the coupling section 2. This facilitates readjustment or the elimination of backlash in the operating position of the ball neck 10.

[0127] The Fig. Figure 44 shows, on an enlarged scale, the coupling section 12 with the external thread 12G and the base 11.

[0128] The Fig. Figure 45 again shows, in perspective view, the locking ring 7G with its internal thread 72G. From the Fig. 45. Furthermore, coupling openings 71G, distributed around the circumference, are visible on the inner side of the locking ring 7G facing the drive disc 2. A coupling element KS engages in these coupling openings 71G when the trailer coupling K is mounted.

[0129] The Fig. 47A to 50 show a further development of the execution variant of the Fig. 40A to 46C, in which a modified locking ring 7G* is used. Instead of a continuous internal thread 72G, the locking ring 7G* of the variant of Fig. Figures 47A to 50 show an interrupted internal thread with several – in this case three – internal thread sections 72.1G, 72.2G, and 72.3G offset from one another along a circumferential direction. Similarly, in this embodiment, the coupling section 12G of the swivel arm 1 no longer has a continuous external thread 12G, but rather an interrupted external thread, defined by three external thread sections 12.1G, 12.2G, and 12.3G. When the locking ring 7G* is rotated by a drive disk 2, the internal thread sections 72.1G–72.3G and the external thread sections 12.1G–12.3G can mesh with each other, thus generating an axial displacement of the coupling section 12G and consequently of the base 11 of the swivel arm 1.

[0130] The Fig. Figure 47A shows, looking at the back of the holder part H, its positive locking sleeve H7* with the locking ring 7G* screwed onto the coupling section 12 as far as possible, so that the base 11 is positively locked to the outside of the holder part H. Fig. 47B shows in slightly opposite direction Fig. 47A rotated view, same position without the positive locking sleeve H7*.

[0131] The Fig. Figure 48 shows a section of the swivel arm 1 with a view to its base 11 and the coupling section 12. In the Fig. Figure 48 clearly shows the radially outwardly projecting and circumferentially offset external thread sections 12.1G to 12.3G. Each of the external thread sections 12.1G to 12.3G has a flank facing the base 11 with a circumferential slope. A flank of an internal thread section 72.1G to 72.3G of the locking ring can slide along the respective flank to generate an axial adjusting force for adjusting the swivel arm 1 along the axis of rotation D and, in particular, to lock the swivel arm 1 in its operating position.

[0132] In the Fig. 49A and Fig. 49B shows the locking ring 7G* in different views, each shown individually. Fig. Figure 49A shows the locking ring 7G* in a front view with the three spaced-apart internal thread sections 72.1G, 72.2G and 72.3G, each projecting radially inwards. In the perspective view of the Fig. 49B shows one internal thread section 72.3G in a top view. In the Fig. Figure 49B thus also shows, by way of example, one of the inclined flanks 720G of the internal thread sections 72.1G-72.3G. A flank of an internal thread section 72.1G, 72.2G or 72.3G can interact with a corresponding inclined flank of an external thread section 12.1G, 12.2G, 12.3G of the coupling section 12 in order to exert the axially acting adjusting force on the coupling section 12 when the locking ring 7G* is rotated.

[0133] As can be seen from the depiction of the Fig. As can be seen in the 50th version, this is the case with the execution variant of the Fig. 47A to 50 furthermore, compared to the version of the Fig. 40A to 46C features a modified design of the drive disc 2 and the rotating ring 3. The axially projecting positive locking pins 330 of the rotating ring 3 are formed on radially projecting, and in this example, wing-like, radial sections 330A, 330B of the rotating ring 3. In this way, the coupling elements KS for the rotationally fixed connection between the drive disc 2 and the locking ring 7G* do not extend through through-openings 3K in the rotating ring 3, but are arranged in spaces between two successive radial sections 330A, 330B. The coupling elements KS are connected to the drive disc 2 in the embodiment of the Fig. 47A to 50 are connected to radially projecting connector sections 23A, 23B and 23C of the drive pulley 2. A gap is provided between connector sections 23A, 23B and 23C on the drive pulley 2 to save material. Compared to the design variant of the Fig. 40A to 46C are therefore included in the version variant of the Fig. 47A to 50 the drive disc 2 and the rotating ring 3 can be manufactured with less material and are therefore lighter. Reference symbol list 1 Swivel arm (swivel element) 10 ball neck 11 Basic 110A, 110B stop 111.1 Form-fit projection 111.2 Form-fit recess 12 Coupling section 124 Pre-locking pins (additional adjustment element) 1270 lateral surface area 1270E Inclination Bevel 1270N locking groove (locking receptacle) 1270R Raster groove 1271, 1272, 1273 Locking opening (locking receptacle) 1271E Lead-in chamfer 127A, 127B, 127C Swivel bearing pin 128 Positive locking area 12G external thread 12.1G, 12.2G, 12.3G external thread section 2 Drive pulley (drive element) 20 sprocket mount 210.1 Form-fit projection 210.2 Positive locking recess 210A, 210B Ramp area 23A, 23B, 23C connector section 25 Contact section 25R tooth section 29 Drive bridge 3 Rotating ring (locking component) 31 First front 310.1 Form-fit projection 310.2 Form-fit recess 310A, 310B Ramp area 33 Second front 330 Positive locking pins (pre-locking element) 330A, 330B radial section 38 Connecting section 380 spring mount 39 coupling pin (coupling element) 3K through-hole 4 Housing part (pre-locking part) 4* Connecting component 42 Ramp-shaped approach area 43 Pre-locking section 430.1, 430.2 Pre-locking opening 45 (swivel) bearing section 5 levers (transmission element) 5.1, 5.2 Gear (transmission element) 52 Lever end 55 Connecting shaft 56 Lever end 5Z1 tooth 5Z2 (flattened) tooth 6 Adjustment brackets / adjustment wedges (adjustment element) 60F compression spring 60R slide groove 60S gearing 61R recess 62R Inner jacket section 67RA, 67RB, 67RC Swivel bearing area 69R Drive pin (drive part) 6R, 6R* Adjustment ring (adjustment element) 6S slider 710A, 710B Raststeg 711, 711A, 711B Intervention section 7110 Inclination angle 71A, 71B Locking arm 71G coupling opening 72, 72A, 72B Bearing eye 72G internal thread 72.1G, 72.2G, 72.3G Internal thread section 720G flank 7A, 7B, 7C locking element 7G, 7G* Locking ring (locking element) 8 tension springs 9 Rotating ring (drive element) 92 Carrying bag 93 Inner groove 96 Drive recess A drive unit AS Axial locking D axis of rotation F1, F2 spring element H holder part H5 storage section H7 guide sleeve H7* Positive locking sleeve (positive locking section) H70 ramp H71* Pre-locking receptacle H7A, H7B, H7C bearing opening HA stop section HF.1 Form-closing advantage HF.2 Positive locking recess K trailer hitch KS coupling element L1, L2 Storage location P Motor mount R1 Direction of rotation R2 (axial) adjustment direction R3 (radial) adjustment direction R7A, R7B Direction of intervention S5 lever pivot axis V locking device QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 567 836 A1 [0002, 0004]

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