Electrically operated support wheel for trailers and caravans with independent power supply

Abstract

Electric lift support wheel for trailers and caravans, characterized by a drive unit consisting of a DC motor (1) and an electronic control unit including a radio receiver (6), wherein the control unit is designed for wireless control of the vertical lifting mechanism.

Description

[0001] Technical context: The invention relates to a support wheel for trailers and caravans, which serves for the vertical adjustment of the drawbar.

[0002] State of the art: Current jockey wheels are manually operated via a crank. This requires considerable effort under high loads. Furthermore, simultaneously operating the crank and precisely positioning the drawbar is difficult for a single person, as manually operating the crank mechanism requires both hands or at least a constant physical presence at the drawbar.

[0003] Problem statement: The object of the invention is to automate the lifting and lowering process of trailers, to eliminate physical strain and to enable one-handed or remote operation without relying on an external power source (e.g. from the towing vehicle).

[0004] Inventive solution: The problem is solved by an electrified support wheel system, which is characterized by the following features: 1. Drive unit: An electric motor with a downstream gearbox, flanged directly to the support wheel housing, takes over the rotational movement of the threaded spindle to raise and lower the load. 2. Control: The motor is controlled by an electronic control unit, which is operated via a radio remote control. This allows the user to monitor the coupling process from different angles while simultaneously adjusting the height. 3. Power supply: Power is supplied by a battery mounted directly (flanged) to the system. This allows the system to operate completely independently of the electrical system of the trailer or towing vehicle. 4. Universality: The device is dimensioned so that it can be exchanged for conventional standard support wheels.

[0005] Benefits achieved: • Effort required: Complete substitution of manual cranking work by electric drive. • Ease of use: Precise leveling and positioning of the trailer via radio control (optimized one-man operation). • Self-sufficiency: No wiring to the vehicle's electrical system is necessary thanks to the integrated power battery. • Uniformity: Achieving a constant lifting speed regardless of the load. Reference symbol list 1 DC Motor 12 / 24V 2 gearboxes + flange adapter 3 Power Batteries 12 / 24V 4 Support wheel 5 wheels including steel rims 6 Control electronics incl. radio receiver

Claims

[1] Electric lift support wheel for trailers and caravans, characterized by a drive unit consisting of a DC motor (1) and an electronic control unit including a radio receiver (6), wherein the control unit is designed for wireless control of the vertical lifting mechanism. [2] Electric lift support wheel according to claim 1, characterized by , that the DC motor (1) has a directly flanged gearbox (2) which transmits the rotational movement of the motor to the lifting spindle of the support wheel. [3] Electric lift support wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the control electronics including radio receiver (6) is mounted as a structural unit directly on the housing of the support wheel (4). [4] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a power battery (3) is provided for independent power supply, which supplies the DC motor (1) and the control electronics (6) with an operating voltage of 12V or 24V. [5] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the support wheel (4) is designed so that the vertical adjustment (raising and lowering) is carried out exclusively by motor and without a manual crank device. [6] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the wheel including steel rim (5) is detachably mounted and interchangeable with wheels of different designs. [7] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the gearbox (2) is designed as a self-locking gearbox to prevent unintentional lowering of the load when the motor (1) is unpowered. [8] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the power battery (3) is attached to the housing via a quick-change device which allows for tool-free replacement of the battery. [9] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control electronics (6) has a load cut-off that automatically deactivates the motor (1) when the mechanical end stops are reached or in case of overload. [10] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an optical charge level indicator for monitoring the capacity is integrated on the housing or on the power battery (3). [11] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive unit (1, 2) and the control electronics (6) are encapsulated in a weatherproof housing which is firmly connected to the outer tube of the support wheel (4). [12] Electric lift support wheel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the radio remote control is designed as a coded hand transmitter to prevent incorrect operation by external signals.

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