TRAILER COUPLING AND LOAD-BEARING DEVICE FOR A TRAILER COUPLING

Abstract

To improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, comprising a ball neck that can be mounted at a first end to the rear of a motor vehicle by means of a ball neck carrier and that carries a coupling ball at a second end, in such a way that load carriers can be easily mounted and securely held, it is proposed that at least one first positioning element for positioning a load carrier holding device that can be placed on the coupling ball and the ball neck is arranged on the ball neck at a defined distance from the coupling ball, that the at least one first positioning element is arranged on a ball neck section of the ball neck which adjoins a ball projection of the ball neck that carries the coupling ball and in particular extends from the ball projection along the ball neck over a distance that corresponds to a maximum of one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball.and that the at least one first positioning body extends transversely to and away from the course of the ball neck section carrying this positioning body.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a trailer hitch for motor vehicles comprising a ball neck which can be fixedly mounted on a rear section of a motor vehicle with a first end by means of a ball neck carrier and carries a coupling ball at a second end.

[0002] Such hitches are known from the prior art.

[0003] Such hitches are primarily used to attach a trailer, which engages with a tow ball hitch on the hitch ball.

[0004] In many cases, however, a trailer coupling is also used to mount a load carrier, for example for bicycles or skis or other sports equipment, in order to be able to transport it in a simple manner.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a trailer hitch of the type described above in such a way that load carriers can be mounted and held securely in a simple manner.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention with a trailer hitch of the type described above in that at least one first positioning body for positioning a load carrier holding device that can be placed on the coupling ball and the ball neck is arranged on the ball neck at a defined distance from the coupling ball, that the at least one first positioning body on a ball neck section of the ball neck is arranged, which adjoins a ball socket of the ball neck that carries the coupling ball and, in particular, starting from the ball socket, extends along the ball neck over a distance that corresponds at most to one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball, preferably at most the diameter of the coupling ball, and that the at least one first positioning body extends transversely to and away from a course of the ball neck section carrying this positioning body.

[0007] This means that, starting from a course of the ball neck or the ball neck section, the first positioning body rests on it or protrudes from it or completely or partially encloses the ball neck section.

[0008] The arrangement of the first positioning body also has the advantage that it is possible with a large number of shapes of the ball neck to always arrange the first positioning body at the same defined distance from the coupling ball and largely independently of the shape of the ball neck, in particular an offset of the same, and to comply with standardized position of the first positioning body relative to the coupling ball.

[0009] The advantage of the solution according to the invention can be seen in the fact that such a first positioning body opens up the possibility of simply positioning the load carrier holding device and relative to the ball neck, ie aligning it and holding it in the aligned position.

[0010] In particular, the positioning of the load carrier holding device also takes place in that it is supported on the coupling ball, so that the positioning of the load carrier holding device takes place on the one hand by being supported on the coupling ball and on the other hand by being supported on the first positioning body.

[0011] The at least one first positioning body can be a separate body, which is connected to the ball neck section by assembly elements or is held on the ball neck section by a positive fit.

[0012] However, it is also conceivable for the at least one positioning body to be formed onto the ball neck section, for example formed in one piece, for example as a material accumulation or thickening.

[0013] With regard to the design of the at least one first positioning body, it is particularly favorable if the at least one first positioning body has at least one first positioning surface, via which the load carrier holding device can be positioned.

[0014] For example, it is provided that the at least one first positioning surface lies outside a projection contour of the hitch ball, which is created by projecting the hitch ball onto the first positioning body, with the projection contour in particular intersecting the at least one first positioning body.

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

[0016] In particular, the placement direction runs approximately parallel to a central ball axis of the coupling ball and the ball attachment, whereby an approximately parallel course of the placement direction to the ball center axis means that the angle between the ball center axis and the placement direction is equal to or smaller than 20°, preferably equal to or smaller than 10°, even better equal to or less than 5°, with an easily designed solution providing for a parallel course.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the placement direction runs parallel to a longitudinal center plane of the ball neck and / or parallel to a transverse plane which is aligned perpendicularly to a longitudinal center plane of the ball neck.

[0018] This means that the first positioning surface is arranged at such a distance from the ball neck or the ball neck section that it lies outside the projection contour of the coupling ball onto the positioning body and is therefore easily available for positioning the load carrier holding device when the load carrier holding device is placed on the Hitch ball is placed, that is, the hitch ball overlaps or encompasses to support itself on the hitch ball.

[0019] In particular, there is the simple possibility of designing the load carrier holding device in such a way that a ball receptacle can be placed on the coupling ball or encompasses it and interaction with the positioning surfaces of the positioning body is possible without impairing access to the ball receptacle, in order to hold the load carrier holding device on the at least one Support positioning surface of the positioning body.

[0020] With regard to the formation of the positioning surface, no further details have been given in connection with the previous explanation of the individual embodiments.

[0021] A particularly favorable solution provides that the at least one first positioning surface has at least one guide surface area, which runs parallel to a placement direction of the load carrier holding device.

[0022] Furthermore, in connection with the previous explanation of the individual embodiments, no further details were given on the arrangement of the at least one first positioning surface on the first positioning body.

[0023] It would thus be conceivable for the first positioning surface to be arranged in an interior of the first positioning body, for example in a bore or in an interior space which is at least partially enclosed by the positioning body.

[0024] An advantageous solution provides that the at least one first positioning surface is arranged on an outside of the first positioning body, so that a simple interaction with the positioning surface is thereby possible.

[0025] It is particularly favorable when the first positioning body is designed as a closed body, preferably as a solid body.

[0026] In connection with the previous explanations of the individual embodiments, it was assumed that at least one first positioning body is arranged on the ball neck section.

[0027] However, improved positioning or more stable positioning of the load carrier holding device is possible by arranging a positioning body on the ball neck section on opposite sides thereof, so that the load carrier holding device can be supported by two first positioning bodies.

[0028] For example, it would be conceivable to arrange the first positioning bodies on opposite sides in a longitudinal center plane of the ball neck.

[0029] Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to arrange the first positioning bodies on the ball neck on opposite sides of a transverse plane of the ball neck running transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal center plane.

[0030] In particular, it is favorable if the first positioning bodies are arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal center plane of the trailer hitch in a working position of the ball neck, with the longitudinal center plane of the trailer hitch also coinciding with a longitudinal center plane of the motor vehicle body and in particular the longitudinal center plane of the ball neck in the working position of the ball neck.

[0031] In this case, the first positioning bodies could also be arranged offset from one another on the ball neck in a direction parallel to the longitudinal center plane.

[0032] A particularly favorable solution provides that the first positioning bodies lie in the same transverse plane, which runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal center plane and in particular approximately parallel to the center axis of the coupling ball.

[0033] A solution is particularly favorable in which the first positioning bodies are arranged mirror-symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane of the ball neck and are thus arranged on both sides of the longitudinal center plane in exactly the same position relative to the coupling ball, since the coupling ball is already mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal center plane.

[0034] With regard to the function of the first positioning body, no further details have been given in connection with the previous description of the individual exemplary embodiments.

[0035] However, another advantageous solution provides that the at least one first positioning body is not only used for the defined alignment of the load carrier holding device relative to the ball neck and the coupling ball, but at the same time also absorbs the load, so that in this case the coupling ball does not contribute to the load carrier holding device carry, but in cooperation with the load carrier holding device only to keep the load carrier holding device defined aligned to the ball neck.

[0036] Also with regard to the arrangement or the course of the at least one first positioning surface, no further details have so far been given.

[0037] For example, the first positioning surfaces could have a different symmetry relative to or no symmetry relative to the longitudinal center plane.

[0038] A particularly expedient solution, however, provides that the at least one first positioning surface of the first positioning body is mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal center plane of the ball neck, so that the positioning surfaces themselves also have mirror symmetry to the longitudinal center plane.

[0039] With regard to the design and shape of the at least one first positioning body itself, no further details have so far been given.

[0040] A particularly favorable solution provides that the at least one first positioning body, starting from a ball neck section carrying it, extends in a direction of extension away from the ball neck section.

[0041] This is a simple and expedient design of the positioning body, which makes it easier to support the load carrier holding device on it.

[0042] For example, it would be possible in this context to design the at least one first positioning body in such a way that it extends in such a branch of the ball neck or in such a formation of the ball neck.

[0043] A particularly simple form of realization provides that the extension direction of the at least one first positioning body runs transversely to the ball neck section carrying it.

[0044] In the case of a first positioning body of this type, no information has yet been given about the course of the first positioning surface relative to the direction of extension.

[0045] An advantageous solution provides that the at least one first positioning surface runs parallel to the direction of extent or at an angle of less than 30°, even better less than 20°, to the direction of extent of the positioning body.

[0046] In this case, it is provided, for example, that the at least one positioning surface is a surface area of ​​a geometric surface which intersects the ball neck section carrying the positioning body, ie extends transversely to this ball neck section.

[0047] With regard to the arrangement of the positioning surfaces on the positioning body, the most varied of options are conceivable.

[0048] For example, it is provided that the at least one first positioning body has first positioning surfaces arranged on opposite sides.

[0049] In particular, the first positioning surfaces arranged on opposite sides of the positioning body are designed in such a way that they lie on opposite sides of a transverse plane running transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal center plane.

[0050] The first positioning surfaces are preferably also designed in such a way that they are mirror-symmetrical to the transverse plane.

[0051] In connection with the function of the positioning surfaces, guide surface areas that are intended to run parallel to the placement direction have been described in an exemplary embodiment mentioned above.

[0052] As an alternative or in addition to this, however, it is also conceivable for the at least one first positioning surface to have at least one positioning surface region which runs transversely to the placement direction.

[0053] Furthermore, with such positioning surface areas that extend transversely to the placement direction, there is the possibility of arranging two positioning surface areas that run transversely to the placement direction in such a way that, with increasing extension in the placement direction, they run at an increasing distance or at a decreasing distance relative to one another, i.e. that the first positioning surface areas together form one can develop a wedge-like effect in order to achieve precise positioning on this.

[0054] The two first positioning surface areas can run conically or parabolic or hyperbolically or in the form of cylindrical or spherical surface areas relative to one another.

[0055] Furthermore, it is expedient if such first positioning surface areas run symmetrically to the placement direction, so that an exact positioning that is symmetrical to the placement direction can be implemented.

[0056] In connection with the exemplary embodiments described so far, only at least one first positioning surface has been disclosed.

[0057] In order to achieve the safest possible positioning of a load carrier holding device, it is preferably provided that at least one second positioning surface is arranged on the ball neck, which runs transversely to the first positioning surface.

[0058] In principle, the at least one second positioning surface can be arranged arbitrarily on the ball neck.

[0059] It is particularly favorable if the at least one second positioning surface is arranged on a ball neck section of the ball neck, which adjoins a ball shoulder of the ball neck that carries the coupling ball and in particular carries the first positioning body.

[0060] The at least one second positioning surface is arranged, for example, on the first positioning body, so that the first positioning body carries both the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface.

[0061] Another advantageous solution provides that the at least one second positioning surface is arranged on a second positioning body.

[0062] The second positioning body can be arranged following the first positioning body or it is advantageously provided that the second positioning body is arranged at a distance from the first positioning body.

[0063] A further advantageous solution provides that the at least one second positioning surface lies outside a projection contour of the hitch ball, which is produced by projection of the hitch ball onto the positioning body carrying the respective second positioning surface, with the projection contour in particular intersecting the respective positioning body.

[0064] This means that the second positioning area also lies outside of this projection contour, in the same way as the first positioning area.

[0065] For example, it would be conceivable to provide the second positioning surface even radially outside of the first positioning surface.

[0066] Another advantageous solution provides that the at least one second positioning surface lies within a projection contour of the hitch ball, which is created by projection of the hitch ball onto the positioning body carrying the at least one second positioning surface, with the projection contour in particular intersecting the respective positioning body.

[0067] As an alternative to the configuration of the positioning body such that it extends in a direction of extension, it is provided that the first positioning body is formed by a support body seated on the ball neck section carrying the positioning body, such a support body being formed by a material support arranged on the ball neck section.

[0068] In a special case, it is conceivable, for example, to implement the first positioning body by a collar formed on the ball neck section that supports it.

[0069] In this case, it is preferably provided that the at least one first positioning surface lies on an outside of the first positioning body that faces away from the ball neck section.

[0070] It is provided, for example, that the at least one positioning surface is arranged on one side of the longitudinal center plane of the ball neck.

[0071] In this case, for example, it is provided that the at least one positioning surface has a course that deviates from a rotationally symmetrical course with respect to the central axis of the coupling ball.

[0072] This can be implemented particularly easily if the at least one first positioning surface comprises a flattening of the positioning body.

[0073] In particular, this can be realized in that the at least one first positioning surface lies in a geometric surface that does not intersect the ball neck section carrying the first positioning body.

[0074] A particularly favorable design provides that two first positioning bodies are provided on the ball neck and that the at least one first positioning surface of one positioning body has a surface section that lies in a geometric plane that is aligned with the geometric plane in which a surface section of the at least one Positioning surface of the other positioning body is, encloses an angle of less than 120 ° with each other.

[0075] Preferably the angle is less than 100°, more preferably less than 90°.

[0076] With regard to the positioning surfaces themselves, no further details have been given so far.

[0077] In particular when the positioning body is integrally formed on the ball neck, it is advantageous if the positioning surfaces are machined surfaces in order to be able to precisely determine their position and orientation relative to the coupling ball.

[0078] In addition, the object mentioned at the beginning is also achieved according to the invention by a load carrier device for a trailer coupling having a ball neck and a coupling ball, in particular for a trailer coupling according to one or more of the features described above, according to the invention in that the load carrier holding device has a housing body with a ball receptacle for the coupling ball of the ball neck of the trailer hitch and that the load carrier holding device comprises at least one position receiving element which is fixedly connected to the housing body and which interacts with the positioning body arranged on the ball neck.

[0079] The advantage of the solution according to the invention can therefore be seen in the fact that, in contrast to the known load carrier holding devices, in which the housing body is fixed to the coupling ball itself, for example by a clamping device, the interaction of the at least one position recording element with the positioning body makes it possible is to achieve a better and more precise alignment of the load carrier holding device relative to the ball neck and the coupling ball, with the position receiving element and the positioning body in particular achieving a defined and additional support of the load carrier holding device on the ball neck with the coupling ball.

[0080] The advantage of the solution according to the invention can also be seen that it is possible on the one hand to connect the load carrier holding device to the ball neck carrying the coupling ball in a simple manner and on the other hand as stable as possible and to establish a stable and secure connection between them.

[0081] In particular, the interaction between the position receiving element and the positioning body takes place with the formation of a form fit.

[0082] In particular, it is provided that the position receiving element interacts with the positioning body, in particular with the formation of a form fit, in such a way that the housing body is fixed relative to the ball neck against tilting movements about tilting axes running transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the central axis of the coupling ball.

[0083] All tilting movements of the housing body can thus be eliminated by the position receiving element and the positioning body.

[0084] As an alternative or in addition to this, it is provided that the positioning body and the position-receiving element interact, in particular with the formation of a form fit, in such a way that the housing body resists a rotational movement about a rotational axis that is parallel to the central axis of the coupling ball or at an angle of no more than 20° with the central axis of the coupling ball is rotatably fixed.

[0085] This also makes it possible, through the interaction of the positioning body with the position receiving element of the housing body, to fix it in a simple manner against rotary movements about the axis of rotation on the ball neck.

[0086] It is particularly favorable if the position receiving element interacts with the positioning body without jamming, i.e. the interaction does not take place via a clamp connection, but only via a form-fitting interaction, the tilting movements about the tilting axes and / or the rotary movements about the possible axes of rotation only by means of a form-fitting connection be eliminated without a clamp between the position receiving element and the positioning body is necessary.

[0087] In particular, the position receiving element is designed in such a way that it has at least one receiving surface which interacts with the at least one positioning surface of the at least one positioning body in a load carrier holding position.

[0088] By placing the receiving surface against the positioning surface in this way, the form-fitting fixations against movements about the tilting axis and / or rotations about the axis of rotation can be eliminated.

[0089] An advantageous solution provides that two position recording elements are permanently connected to the housing body.

[0090] In this case, it is preferably provided that both position recording elements are arranged rigidly relative to one another.

[0091] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the two position recording elements are arranged rigidly relative to the housing body.

[0092] It is particularly favorable if the position receiving element has two receiving surfaces facing one another.

[0093] In principle, it would be conceivable to design the positioning bodies in such a way that they hold the load carrier holding device in a defined, aligned position relative to the ball neck, but do not support it, so that, for example, the load carrier holding device rests on the coupling ball and is carried by the coupling ball and the positioning bodies are supported by carrying to limit the load carrier holding device on the part of the coupling ball not specified degrees of freedom of movement of the load carrier holding device relative to the coupling ball and the ball neck to a defined orientation of the load carrier holding device.

[0094] The interaction of the positioning body with the position recording element was not specified in connection with the previous solutions.

[0095] Provision is preferably made for the respective positioning body to be arranged with its region carrying the positioning surface in a load carrier holding position between the receiving surfaces of the position receiving element.

[0096] It is particularly advantageous if the position receiving element has receiving surfaces which face one another and between which the positioning body is arranged in the load carrier holding position.

[0097] In addition, it is preferably provided that the receiving surfaces of the position-receiving element have two guide surface areas that face one another and run approximately parallel to the placement direction.

[0098] Such guide surface areas enable the load carrier holding device to be secured against rotation on the ball neck by means of the positioning body and the position receiving element.

[0099] In this case, it is provided, for example, that the receiving surfaces, in particular the guide surface areas, guide the respective positioning body with little play in the load carrier holding position.

[0100] In order to also be able to support the position receiving element on the positioning bodies, it is preferably provided that at least one of the receiving surfaces has a supporting surface area running transversely to the placement direction.

[0101] Such a support surface area creates the possibility of also transferring the load from the load carrier holding device to the ball neck via the positioning body.

[0102] It is particularly favorable if each of the receiving surfaces has a support surface area running transversely to the placement direction.

[0103] In particular, it is favorable if the support surface areas run at an increasing distance from one another as they extend in the placement direction, so that the support surface areas can not only be used to support the load carrier holding device on the positioning body, but also to align them in a defined manner relative to the positioning body.

[0104] The support surface areas can be conical or parabolic or cylindrical or conical to each other.

[0105] An advantageous solution provides that the support surface areas extend in an arc to one another, for example in the form of parabolic arcs or circular arcs or hyperbolic arcs.

[0106] A particularly favorable solution provides that the support surface areas in the load carrier pitch fix the housing body relative to the positioning body with little play.

[0107] With regard to the arrangement of the stabilizing element and the position recording element, no further details have so far been given.

[0108] A structurally favorable solution provides that the at least one position-receiving element lies on one side of the ball neck when the load carrier holding device is arranged on the ball neck in the load carrier holding position.

[0109] Another expedient solution, in particular a solution in which the positioning surfaces essentially have guide surface areas, provides that in the load carrier holding position the two positioning bodies lie with their positioning surfaces between the receiving surfaces of two position receiving elements.

[0110] With this solution, there is the possibility, by moving the load carrier holding device in the placement direction and placing it on the ball neck with the coupling ball, to bring the receiving surfaces into interaction with the positioning surfaces by simply placing the housing body with the position receiving elements on the coupling ball and the ball neck with the positioning body is placed in the touchdown direction without further movements of the load carrier holding device being required for this purpose.

[0111] This solution is also particularly favorable when the two positioning surfaces of the two positioning bodies and / or the two receiving surfaces of the two position receiving elements have surface sections, in particular wedging surface sections, which widen or narrow in a wedging direction running transversely to the placement direction with increasing extent in the wedging direction.

[0112] This makes it possible to bring the position-receiving elements relative to the positioning bodies into contact with one another and to wedge them together by moving transversely to the placement direction in the wedging direction, in order to achieve low-backlash positioning of the position-receiving elements relative to the positioning bodies on the ball neck and thus overall also the To be able to position the housing body with little play or substantially no play relative to the ball neck with the positioning bodies.

[0113] In connection with the previous description of the load carrier holding device, only how the load carrier holding device can be positioned relative to the ball neck was discussed.

[0114] However, no statements were made about fixing the load carrier holding device to the ball neck.

[0115] An advantageous solution provides that the load carrier holding device has a fixing device that fixes the housing body on the ball neck.

[0116] Such a fixing device preferably has a fixing element which fixes the housing body in the load carrier holding position relative to the ball neck.

[0117] The fixing element can be effective in different ways.

[0118] An expedient solution provides that the fixing element interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck in such a way that the housing body is acted upon by a fixing force relative to the coupling ball or the ball neck in the placement direction or opposite to the placement direction and thus does not move in the opposite direction to the placement direction of the ball neck moved away.

[0119] In particular, the placement force is always effective as long as the load carrier holding device is in the load carrier holding position and the fixing element is in the fixing position.

[0120] A further advantageous solution provides that the fixing element interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck in such a way that the housing body experiences a clamping force that is directed transversely to the mounting direction and thus acts relative to the coupling ball or the ball neck, and there is play between the coupling ball receptacle and the coupling ball and / or or reduced or removed between the positioning body and the position receiving member.

[0121] In particular, the bracing force is always effective as long as the load carrier holding device is in the load carrier holding position and the fixing element is in the fixing position.

[0122] The generation of the placement direction and / or the clamping force takes place in particular through the interaction of the fixing element with a surface on the coupling ball or the ball neck that runs obliquely or curved to the placement direction, with the surface directly on the ball neck or on a body seated on the ball neck, for example the positioning body can be arranged.

[0123] A first advantageous solution provides that the fixing element acts on the positioning body in a fixing position and the load carrier holding device is thus also fixed on the ball neck via the positioning body.

[0124] In particular, this can be achieved in that the fixing element engages behind the at least one positioning body on a front side in the placement direction and is thus able to act on the load carrier holding device in the direction of the placement direction.

[0125] However, it is also conceivable for the fixing element to engage with the coupling ball at a different point on the ball neck, for example on a nose or depression provided specifically for this purpose on the ball neck.

[0126] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element acts on the ball neck or on the coupling ball in a fixing position.

[0127] This can also be achieved in particular by the fact that the fixing element engages behind an undercut on the ball neck or engages in a recess on the ball neck or engages behind the coupling ball on a front side in the mounting direction, i.e. on a lower side in the vertical mounting direction from top to bottom.

[0128] Such an engagement on the ball neck or on the coupling ball in the fixing position can be realized in particular by the fixing element protruding into a ball receptacle of the housing body in the fixing position.

[0129] In order to be able to move the fixing element between a fixing position and a release position, it is preferably provided that the fixing element is movably guided in a guide channel between the fixing position and the release position.

[0130] In a particularly simple solution, the guide channel is implemented as a guide bore in the housing body.

[0131] The guide channel preferably runs transversely to the ball socket of the housing body, so that the fixing element can easily protrude into the ball socket of the housing body in the fixing position or be retracted from it in the release position.

[0132] With regard to the mode of action of the fixing element, no further details have been given in connection with the previous embodiments.

[0133] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element can be moved in a guiding direction between a release position and a fixing position and that the fixing element can be moved in the guiding direction by an actuating device.

[0134] The fixing element can be movable in a wide variety of ways.

[0135] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element is movably guided in a guide channel between the fixing position and the release position.

[0136] The guide channel can be arranged in a wide variety of ways.

[0137] An advantageous solution provides that the guide channel runs transversely to the ball receptacle.

[0138] The fixing element can be designed in a wide variety of ways.

[0139] One embodiment provides that the fixing element is designed as a fixing screw.

[0140] Another solution provides that the fixing element is designed as a fixing body, for example as a fixing ball.

[0141] A further solution provides that the fixing element is designed as a fixing pin.

[0142] A further solution provides that the fixing element is designed as a fixing bracket which, for example, can be placed on the coupling ball and at least partially encompasses it.

[0143] A further advantageous solution provides that the fixing element is designed as a fixing finger, which can be moved transversely, preferably radially, to the central axis and can be placed, for example, on the coupling ball.

[0144] A further solution for an actuating device provides that the actuating device has a toggle lever drive for moving the fixing element between the release position and the fixing position.

[0145] The toggle lever drive is preferably in the fixing position in an over-center position and holds the fixing element in its fixing position.

[0146] As a result, simplified operation of the load carrier holding device is possible when lifting.

[0147] The above description of solutions according to the invention thus includes in particular the various feature combinations defined by the following numbered embodiments: 1. Trailer coupling (10) for motor vehicles, comprising a ball neck (12) which can be mounted fixed to the vehicle with a first end (14) by means of a ball neck carrier (16) on a rear section (18) of a motor vehicle and which has a coupling ball (26 ), wherein at least one first positioning body (54) for positioning a load carrier holding device (50) that can be placed on the coupling ball (26) and the ball neck (12) is arranged on the ball neck (12) at a defined distance from the coupling ball (26), that the at least one first positioning body (54) is arranged on a ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12), which adjoins a ball attachment (28) of the ball neck (12) carrying the coupling ball (26) and in particular extends from the ball attachment ( 28) along the ball neck (12) over a distance that corresponds to a maximum of one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball (26), that the at least one first Po positioning body (54) extends transversely to a course of the ball neck section (52) carrying this positioning body (54) and away from it, that the at least one first positioning body (54) carries at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) and that in particular the at least a first positioning surface (64, 66) is arranged on an outer side (55, 255) of the positioning body (54).2. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 1, wherein the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) lies outside a projection contour (PK) of the hitch ball (26), which is created by projecting the hitch ball (26) onto the at least first positioning body (54), with the Projection contour (PK) intersects the at least one first positioning body (54).3. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one guide surface area (76, 78) which runs parallel to a placement direction (82) of the load carrier holding device (50).4. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a first positioning body (54) is arranged on the ball neck section (52) on opposite sides of a longitudinal center plane (30) of the ball neck (12) and that in particular the first positioning bodies (54, 254) are mirror-symmetrical to the Longitudinal center plane (30) of the ball neck (12) are arranged.5. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one first positioning body (54) has first positioning surfaces (64, 66) arranged on opposite sides.6. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one positioning surface region (72, 74) which runs transversely to a placement direction (82).7. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the ball neck (12) and runs transversely to the first positioning surface (64, 66).8. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 7, wherein the at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12), which adjoins a ball shoulder (28) of the ball neck (12) carrying the coupling ball (26), and in particular the first positioning body (54).9. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the first positioning body (54).10. Trailer coupling according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the second positioning surface (142) is arranged on a second positioning body (144).11. Trailer coupling according to one of the embodiments 7 to 10, wherein the second positioning surface (142) lies outside a projection contour (PK) of the coupling ball (26), which is created by projecting the coupling ball (26) onto the positioning body (54, 142) carrying it . Trailer hitch according to embodiment 7 to 11, wherein the second positioning surface lies within a projection contour of the hitch ball, which is created by projection of the hitch ball onto the positioning body carrying the second positioning surface.Load carrier holding device for a trailer coupling (10) having a ball neck (12) and a coupling ball (26), in particular for a trailer coupling (18) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing body (84) with a ball receptacle (86) for the coupling ball (26 ) of the ball neck (12) of the trailer hitch (10) and at least one position receiving element (104, 304, 504) which is firmly connected to the housing body (84) and which interacts with the positioning body (54, 254, 454) arranged on the ball neck (12). and in that in particular the position receiving element (104, 304, 504) has at least one receiving surface (114, 116, 314, 514) which is connected to the at least one positioning surface (64, 66, 264, 464) of the at least one positioning body (54, 254, 454) cooperates in a load carrier holding position.14. Load carrier holding device according to embodiment 13, wherein the position receiving element (104, 304, 504) interacts with the positioning body (54, 254, 454), in particular by forming a form fit, in such a way that the housing body (84) is secured against tilting movements transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the Central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) extending tilting axis KAK relative to the ball neck (12) is fixed.15. Load carrier holding device according to embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the positioning body (54, 254, 454) and the position receiving element (104, 304, 504), in particular by forming a form fit, interact in such a way that the housing body (84) is prevented from rotating about a direction parallel to the Central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) or with the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) an angle of maximum 20 ° enclosing axis of rotation (D) is non-rotatably fixed.16. Load carrier holding device according to one of the embodiments 13 to 15, wherein two position recording elements (104, 304, 504) are firmly connected to the housing body (84), that the two position recording elements (104, 304, 504) are arranged rigidly relative to one another and that in particular the two Position receiving elements (104, 304, 504) relative to the housing body (84) are arranged rigidly.17. Load carrier holding device according to one of Embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the position receiving element (104) has two receiving surfaces (114, 116) facing one another and that in particular the respective positioning body (54) with its region carrying the positioning surface (64, 66) is in a load carrier holding position between the Recording surfaces (114, 116) of the at least one position recording elements (104) is arranged.18. Load carrier holding device according to one of the embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the load carrier holding device (50) has a fixing device (140, 170) fixing the housing body (84) on the ball neck (12), that the fixing device (140, 170) has a fixing element (142, 172) which fixes the housing body (84) relative to the ball neck in the load carrier holding position, that the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 246, 272, 292) in a fixing position on the ball neck (12"') or on the positioning body (54) or on the coupling ball (26), and that in particular the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 242, 272) in a guiding direction (165, 185, 205, 245) between a release position and a fixing position is movable and that in particular the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 242, 272, 292) can be actuated in the guiding direction (165, 185, 205, 245) is movable.19. Load carrier holding device according to h Embodiment 18, wherein the actuating device comprises a threaded drive (162, 164, 192, 194, 212, 214, 234, 236, 282, 284) for moving the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 242, 272) between the release position and the fixing position or that the actuating device has a toggle lever drive for moving the fixing element (292) between the release position and the fixing position.

[0148] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of some exemplary embodiments.

[0149] Show in the drawing: 1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, with a trailer hitch in the working position and a load carrier unit held on the trailer hitch; 2 shows a view similar to FIG. 1 with an enlarged part of a ball neck of the trailer hitch and a first embodiment of a load carrier holding device fixed to the trailer hitch in the fixing position; 3 shows a plan view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 of a first exemplary embodiment of the ball neck without a load carrier holding device being placed on the ball neck; 4 shows a partially broken representation of the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device, placed on the first embodiment of the ball neck of the trailer hitch; 5 shows a representation similar to FIG. 4 of a second embodiment of the load carrier holding device placed on the first embodiment of the ball neck; 6 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the ball neck and a third embodiment of the load carrier holding device; 7 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a third embodiment of the ball neck with the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device; 8 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a fourth embodiment of the ball neck with the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device; 9 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a fifth embodiment of the ball neck with a fourth embodiment of the load carrier holding device; 10 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device; 11 shows a section along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 with a first embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; 12 shows a section along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 with a second embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; 13 shows a perspective representation of a fifth embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a third embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; Fig. 14 is a section along line 14-14 in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a section along line 15-15 in Fig. 14; 16 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a fourth embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; Fig. 17 is a section along line 17-17 in Fig. 16; 18 shows a section similar to FIG. 11 through a seventh embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a fifth embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; 19 shows a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a sixth embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; Fig. 20 is a section along line 20-20 of Fig. 19; 21 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the ball neck with a ninth embodiment of the load carrier holding device and a seventh embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention; Fig. 22 is a section along line 22-22 in Fig. 21; 23 shows a longitudinal section through the first embodiment of the ball neck with a tenth embodiment of the load carrier holding device and an eighth embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention.

[0150] An exemplary embodiment of a trailer hitch, denoted as a whole by 10, shown in Fig. 1 and 2, comprises a ball neck 12, which is connected at a first end 14 to a ball neck carrier 16, which in turn is fixed to a rear section 18 of a motor vehicle body, denoted as a whole by 20, of a motor vehicle is held, the ball neck support 16 preferably being covered by a rear bumper unit 22 and firmly connected to the rear section 18 .

[0151] The ball neck support 16 can, for example, comprise a conventional cross member which extends under the bumper unit 22 and parallel to it and transversely to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body 20, which in turn is connected to the rear section 18, and also either a receptacle on which the ball neck 12 is attached with the end 14 is held fixedly or detachably, or a pivot bearing with which the ball neck 12 can be pivoted about one or more axes relative to the rear section 18 between a working position, shown in Fig. 1, and a rest position, not shown, with the ball neck 12 being in the rest position extends approximately parallel to the bumper unit 22 and is arranged largely covered by the rear bumper unit 22 between this and the rear part 18 of the motor vehicle body 20 .

[0152] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ball neck 12 is bent between its first end 14 and the second end 24 opposite thereto so that the end 24 extends away from a roadway in the working position and carries one with it as a whole 26, wherein between the coupling ball 26 and the end 24 there is a constriction called the ball attachment 28, which is connected to the end 24 in continuation of a course of the ball neck 12 and via which the coupling ball 26 is connected to the second end 24 of the ball neck 12 connected is.

[0153] The coupling ball 26 is usually used for attaching a trailer, a trailer having a ball coupling which can be connected to the ball neck 12 over the coupling ball 24 .

[0154] In its working position, shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3, the ball neck 12 is formed symmetrically to a vertical longitudinal center plane 30, in the same way as the coupling ball 26, the longitudinal center plane 30 not only the longitudinal center plane 30 of the ball neck 12 and the trailer hitch 10, but also coincides with the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 of the rear part 18 and the motor vehicle body 20 in the working position of the trailer hitch.

[0155] In particular, a central axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 lies in the vertical longitudinal central plane 30, with the central axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 being defined in that it simultaneously represents a central axis 32 of the ball attachment 28 and / or is also defined in that it is centered and perpendicular to a flattening 34 of the coupling ball 26, which is provided on the coupling ball 26 on a side opposite the ball attachment 28, so that the shape of the coupling ball 26 on the one hand in the area of ​​the ball attachment 28 and on the other hand in the area of ​​the flattening 34 varies from one to one on the central axis 32 lying sphere center 36 running complete spherical surface 38 deviates.

[0156] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trailer hitch 10 can be used not only to connect a trailer to the motor vehicle body 20, but also to fix a load carrier, designated as a whole by 40, to the motor vehicle body 20.

[0157] The load carrier 40 is used, for example, to transport bicycles 42, but it is also conceivable to use the load carrier 40 to transport other loads of any type.

[0158] The load carrier 40 includes a load carrier base 44, for example in the form of a base frame for receiving the various loads, which is provided with a load carrier holding device 50 with which the load carrier 40 can be fixed to the ball neck 12.

[0159] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in a first exemplary embodiment, the ball neck 12 is provided in a ball neck section 52 directly adjacent to the end 24 and the ball attachment 28 with positioning bodies 54a and 54b projecting laterally beyond these, which, for example, can be attached to the ball neck section 52 integrally formed and solid pins 56a, 56b projecting laterally beyond the ball neck section 52, in particular with a cylindrical outer surface.

[0160] In the case where the ball neck is provided with a socket 53 for a socket, the ball neck portion 52 lies between the socket 53 and the end 24.

[0161] Furthermore, the ball neck section 52 preferably extends starting from the end 24 along the ball neck 12 over a maximum distance which corresponds to 1.5 times the diameter of the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 .

[0162] Starting from the end 24 , the ball neck section 52 preferably only extends over a distance which corresponds to the diameter of the spherical surface 38 .

[0163] The solid pins 56a and 56b are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane 30 and, starting from the ball neck section, also extend symmetrically to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30.

[0164] As an alternative to molding the positioning bodies 54 onto the ball neck section 52, there is also the possibility of realizing the positioning bodies 54 by means of a pin penetrating the ball neck section 52 in a bore, for example with a cylindrical lateral surface, which then has the pins 56a, b forms.

[0165] The positioning bodies 54, in particular the pins 56, are preferably designed in such a way that the shape of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b is mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal center plane 30.

[0166] As shown in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, the positioning bodies 54a and 54b extend with their longitudinal axis 58 in a direction of extension 59 which runs transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the longitudinal center plane 30.

[0167] The longitudinal axis 58 lies, for example, in a transverse, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane 30, in particular a vertical transverse plane 60, which also runs parallel to the center axis 32 of the coupling ball 26, in particular through the center axis 32 of the coupling ball 26.

[0168] The positioning bodies 54 comprise first positioning surfaces 64 , 66 lying on both sides on an outer side 55 thereof, which run parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 and to the direction of extension 59 .

[0169] In particular, the first positioning surfaces 64, 66 extend starting from a crest line 62 which is on the outside and faces the coupling ball 26.

[0170] The crest line 62 lies in particular in the transverse plane 60, which on the one hand runs through the coupling ball 26 and on the other hand intersects the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, in particular in the middle, as shown in FIGS.

[0171] On opposite sides of transverse plane 60 are the first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of positioning bodies 54a and 54b, which preferably extend parallel or at an angle of up to 20° to longitudinal axis 58 of positioning bodies 54a, 54b, positioning surfaces 64 and 66 being partial surfaces a geometric outer lateral surface of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, designated as a whole with 68, which intersects the ball neck section 52.

[0172] If the positioning bodies 54a and 54b are in the form of cylindrical pins, the outer lateral surface 68 of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b represents a cylindrical lateral surface, with the longitudinal axis 58 forming a cylinder axis for this cylindrical lateral surface.

[0173] The positioning surfaces 64 and 66 extend on both sides, starting from the crest line 62, preferably at an increasing distance from the vertical transverse plane 60, in particular, with the first positioning surfaces 62 and 64 initially extending transversely to the transverse plane 60 and also transversely to the longitudinal center plane 30 and with increasing distance from the Coupling ball 26 also have positioning surface areas 72 and 74 running with increasing distance from the transverse plane 60, which merge into guide surface areas 76, 78 of the first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 running approximately parallel or parallel to the transverse plane 60.

[0174] The positioning surface areas 72 and 74 merge into the guide surface areas 76 and 78, for example, steplessly.

[0175] In the first exemplary embodiment of the ball neck 12 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the positioning bodies 54a and 54b are so close to the ball attachment 28 that a distance between the crest line 62 of the positioning bodies 54a, b and the end 24 of the ball neck 12 on which the ball stud 28 begins is less than 1.5 times the extent of the ball stud 28 between the second end 24 and the hitch ball 26.

[0176] Furthermore, the distance between the positioning bodies 54a and 54b and an equatorial plane 80 of the coupling ball 26 running through the ball center 36 and perpendicular to the central axis 32 is less than 1.5 times the diameter of the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.

[0177] In particular, the first positioning surfaces 64, 66 with the positioning surface regions 72, 74 and the guide surface regions 76, 78 lie outside of a projection contour PK, i.e. on a side of the projection contour PK facing away from the ball neck section 52, which is formed by the projection of the coupling ball onto the positioning body 54, in particular its outer surface is created.

[0178] Thus, in particular, the ball neck section 52, which carries the positioning bodies 54a, 54b, lies within the projection contour PK, and the positioning bodies 54a, 54b extend from this ball neck section 52 to the first positioning surfaces 64, 66.

[0179] The projection takes place parallel to a placement direction 82 in which the load carrier holding device 50 can be placed on the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12 .

[0180] Placement direction 82 preferably runs approximately parallel, in particular parallel, to central axis 32.

[0181] Approximately parallel is to be understood here as meaning that the angle between the placement direction 82 and the central axis 32 is a maximum of 10°.

[0182] A first embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50 can be placed on the ball neck 12 described above, which carries the coupling ball 26 at the second end 24 and the positioning bodies 54a and 54b in the ball neck section 52 near the second end 24, with the placement of the load carrier holding device 50 in FIG Placement direction 82 takes place, which in particular runs parallel to the longitudinal center plane 30 and approximately parallel to the center axis 32 .

[0183] The roughly parallel course of the placement direction 82 means that a maximum angle between the center axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 and the placement direction 82 should be less than 30°, so that the placement direction runs parallel and / or at an angle to the center axis 32 or is also curved can.

[0184] For its part, the load carrier holding device 50 has a housing body 84 in which a ball receptacle 86 is provided for the coupling ball 26, with the ball receptacle 86 starting from a receiving opening 88 in the housing body 84 having a cylindrical ball guide surface 92 extending into the housing body 84.

[0185] The housing body 84 is also provided with holding elements 96, the holding elements 96 each having a position receiving element 104 which interacts with one of the positioning bodies 54 in each case.

[0186] In particular, the retaining elements 96 produce a rigid connection with the housing body 84, so that the position-receiving element 104 is arranged rigidly both relative to the housing body 84 and relative to one another.

[0187] The position receiving element 104a shown in Fig. 4, which interacts with the positioning body 54a, extends, for example, starting from a receiving opening 106 to a receiving base 108 opposite the receiving opening 106.

[0188] Starting from the receiving opening 106 and extending into the receiving base 108, the position receiving element 104 comprises receiving surfaces 114 and 116, which in the region of the receiving base 108 are designed as support surface regions 122 and 124, which run towards one another in a direction opposite to the placement direction 82 and, for example, in the region a base line 112 of the receiving base 108 can merge into one another or can end at a distance from one another.

[0189] Furthermore, the receiving surfaces 114 and 116 include guide surface regions 126 and 128 which run in connection with the support surface regions 122 and 124 up to the receiving opening 106 and which in particular run parallel to the placement direction 82 .

[0190] The guide surface areas 126 and 128 serve to guide the positioning body 54 entering the position-receiving elements 104 through the receiving opening 106 in that these rest against the guide surface areas 76 and 78 of the positioning bodies 54 and thus guide the load carrier holding device 50 when it is placed in the placement direction 82 , while the support surface areas 122 and 124 of the position receiving elements 104 are designed in such a way that they rest as extensively as possible on the positioning surface areas 72 and 74 of the positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning body 54 .

[0191] Thus, in the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50 designed according to the invention, the entire load of the load carrier 40 is seated on the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, namely in that, on the one hand, the supporting surface areas 122 and 124 of the position receiving elements 104 rest as extensively as possible on the positioning surface areas 72 and 74 of the positioning body 54.

[0192] In addition, the course of support surface areas 122 and 124 that widens in placement direction 82 and the course of positioning surface areas 71 and 74 that widens at least approximately identically in the placement direction have the effect that position-receiving elements 104 are precisely aligned transversely to placement direction 82 and transversely relative to positioning bodies 54 to the transverse level 60.

[0193] On the other hand, the guide surface areas 126 and 128 of the position-receiving elements 104 serve to guide the housing body 84 when it is placed in the placement direction 82 on the positioning body 54, in particular the guide surface areas 76 and 78 of the same, so that the position-receiving elements 104 with the support surface areas 122 and 124 on the positioning surface areas 72 and 74 of the positioning body 54 come to rest.

[0194] When the housing body 84 is placed on the ball neck 12 with the coupling ball 26, the coupling ball 26 is first inserted through the receiving opening 88 into the ball receptacle 86, with the ball guide surfaces 92 resting against the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 with play and the coupling ball 26 moving in into the ball receptacle 86 in the direction of the end face 94 until the position receiving elements 104 with their receiving openings 106 reach the positioning bodies 54 and then the positioning bodies 54 are moved away into the position receiving elements 104 until the support surface areas 122 and 124 hold the position receiving elements 104 at the Positioning surface areas 72 and 74 of the positioning body 54 abut, so that the load carrier holding position is reached.

[0195] In this load carrier holding position of the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50, the entire load is transferred from the position receiving elements 104 to the positioning bodies 54 and from these to the ball neck 12, while the coupling ball 26 merely rests against the ball guide surfaces 92 and thus supports the housing body 84 relative to the ball neck 12 against tilting of the housing body 84 about the positioning body 54, in particular about a tilting axis KAP formed by the longitudinal axes 58 thereof running transversely to the central axis 32.

[0196] In addition, the described interaction of the positioning bodies 54 with the position receiving elements 104 prevents the housing body 84 from rotating about an axis of rotation D, which runs approximately parallel to the mounting direction 82 .

[0197] An approximately parallel course to the placement direction 82 is to be understood as meaning a course of the axis of rotation D in which the axis of rotation D encloses an angle of at most 30° with the direction of placement.

[0198] Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable in a second embodiment shown in Fig. 5 to design an end surface 94 of the ball receptacle 86, which is arranged opposite the receiving opening 88 that the entire load of the load carrier 40 is transferred from the end surface 94 to the coupling ball 26 and the positioning bodies 54 only serve to support the housing body 84 against tilting on all sides about the tilting axes KAK that pass through the coupling ball 26 and run transversely to the central axis 32, wherein In this case, primarily the guide surface areas 126 and 128 by resting against the guide surface areas 76 and 78 of the positioning bodies 54 on the one hand prevent the housing body 84 from tilting about the coupling ball 26 and on the other hand prevent the housing body 84 from rotating about an axis of rotation D which runs approximately parallel to the placement direction 82, while the supporting surface regions 122 and 124 of the receiving surfaces 114 and 116, for example on one side, i.e. on one side of the ball neck 12 or one side of the transverse plane 60, on the corresponding positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning body 54 can rest in order to provide additional support.

[0199] In a second exemplary embodiment of a ball neck according to the invention, shown in FIG. 6, the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b are designed in such a way that their outer surfaces 55'a, 55'b do not run cylindrically with respect to the longitudinal axis 58, but with increasing extension in the Extension direction 59 away from the ball neck section 52' taper conically, so that the outer surfaces 55'a and 55'b run at a smaller radial distance from the longitudinal axis 58 with increasing distance from the ball neck section 52' in the extension direction 59.

[0200] This causes the support surface areas 122' and 124' of a third embodiment of the load carrier holding device according to the invention, which rest on these positioning surfaces 64' and 66' formed by the outer surfaces 55'a and 55'b, to experience a force directed parallel to the direction of extent 59 in addition to the support and thereby the housing body 84 is centered relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, which leads to an improvement in the fixation of the housing body 84' on the ball neck 12', in particular when the support surface areas 122' and 124' are attached to the conical shape of the outer surfaces 55'a and 55'b of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b are adapted.

[0201] Such a design of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b thus improves the alignment of the housing body 84' or the centering of the housing body 84' relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 in the region of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b and thus leads to a fixation with even less play of the housing body 84' to the ball neck.

[0202] Otherwise, in this solution, specifically a combination of the second exemplary embodiment of the ball neck 12′ according to the invention and the third embodiment of the load carrier holding device according to the invention with the housing body 84′, those elements which are identical to those of the above combination of ball neck and housing body have the same reference symbols provided, so that with regard to the description, reference can be made in full to the statements on this combination.

[0203] In a third exemplary embodiment of a ball neck 12" according to the invention, shown in FIG. 7, the housing body 84 is designed in the same way as in the first embodiment, so that with regard to the description of the same, reference can be made to this exemplary embodiment in its entirety.

[0204] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, which are identical to the first exemplary embodiment, are assigned second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b, which run perpendicular to the outer surfaces 55a and 55b of the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b and, for example, parallel to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30.

[0205] These additional second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b are adapted to the spacing of the holding elements 96 from one another and rest on the inner sides 98 of the holding elements 96 facing the ball neck section 52, so that the holding elements 96 are held by the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b against transverse movements relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 are fixed to the ball neck section 52".

[0206] The interaction of the first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning elements 54a and 54b in conjunction with the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b thus allows the load carrier holding device 50 in the region of the first positioning elements 54a, 54b to be protected against movements parallel to the longitudinal center plane 30 through the interaction of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b with the position recording elements 104a and 104b and against movements transverse to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 through the interaction of the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b with the inner sides 98 of the holding elements 96 reliably.

[0207] The load carrier holding device 50 is designed in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0208] Otherwise, all those elements that are identical to those of the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference symbols, so that with regard to the description of the same, reference can be made in full to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0209] In a further solution, shown in FIG. 8, those elements which are identical to those of the first exemplary embodiment of the ball neck 12 are also provided with the same reference symbols, so that with regard to the description reference can be made in full to the explanations relating to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0210] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment and the third exemplary embodiment of the ball neck 12, the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b in the fourth exemplary embodiment are arranged on second positioning bodies 144a and 144b, which project parallel to the direction of extension 59 of the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b from the ball neck section 52, but in Distance from the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b are arranged and, for example, between the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the ball socket 28 are.

[0211] In this fourth exemplary embodiment, too, the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b are in contact with the inner sides 98 of the holding elements 96 and thus lead to a defined positioning of the holding elements 96 relative to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30, so that the holding elements 96 with the support surface regions 122 and 124 are not transverse to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 are supported on the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b, but are fixed against such movements by the second positioning surfaces 142a and 142b.

[0212] In a fifth exemplary embodiment of a ball neck 12"" according to the invention, shown in FIG. 9, the second support surfaces 142'a and 142'b are not arranged on the ball neck section 52"" or on specially provided second positioning bodies, but rather lie at the ends of the first positioning bodies 54"". a and 54""b at a defined distance from the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 and also extend transversely to the outer surfaces 55""a and 55""b and in particular thus also transversely to the longitudinal axis 58. The interaction of these second positioning surfaces 142"" a and 142""b with the holding elements 96 of a fourth embodiment of the load carrier holding device takes place in that the holding elements 96 have wall regions 146 which overlap the second positioning surfaces 142""a and 142""b and adhere to them when the load carrier holding device 50 is in the attached state support.

[0213] As a result, the holding elements 96 are also fixed against movements transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 and thus the load carrier holding device 50"" is stably accommodated on the ball neck 12"".

[0214] Otherwise, those elements that are identical to those of the preceding exemplary embodiments of the ball neck and the preceding exemplary embodiments of the load carrier holding device are provided with the same reference symbols, so that with regard to the description of the same, reference can be made in full to the explanations relating to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0215] To fix the housing body 84 in the load carrier holding position on the ball neck 12, as in the first embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50 shown in Fig. 10, a first embodiment of a fixing device, designated as a whole with 160, is provided, which has a fixing screw 164 screwed into a threaded bore 162.

[0216] The threaded bore 162 forms a guide channel in which the fixing screw 164 is movably guided as a fixing element in a guide direction 165 between a release position and a fixing position.

[0217] The fixing screw 164 is provided on the one hand with an actuating element 166, with which the fixing screw 164 can be rotated, and on the other hand has a screw head 168 which, in the fixing position shown in Fig. 11, presses against the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26, namely between the equatorial plane 80 and the ball socket 28, in particular near a transition to the ball socket 28.

[0218] The actuating element 166 and the threaded bore 162 with the screwed-in fixing screw 164 form an actuating device 170. The pressing contact of the screw head 168 on the spherical surface 38 produces a force component acting as a fixing force FK on the load carrier holding device 50 in the placement direction 82 and on the other hand a force component transverse to the placement direction 82 directed force component acting as a bracing force VK, which causes, for example, the housing body 84 of the load carrier holding device 50 to bear against the coupling ball 26, specifically on a side opposite the fixing screw 164, so that the load carrier holding device 50 is fixed without play, with the Fixing screw 164 thus firmly connects the load carrier holding device 50 to the ball neck 12 and the coupling ball 26 .

[0219] In a second embodiment of the fixing device 160' according to the invention, shown in Fig. 12, a fixing screw 164' is also provided, which is screwed into a threaded bore 162' and does not itself act directly on the spherical surface 38, but via a fixing body 172, which is formed, for example, as a sphere and also acts on the spherical surface 38 near the transition thereof to the spherical attachment 28 .

[0220] The fixing screw 164 ′ is also provided with the actuating element 166 ′, through which it can be screwed into the threaded bore 162 ′, so that these form the actuating device 170 in order to act on the fixing body 172 .

[0221] In a fifth embodiment of the load carrier holding device and a third embodiment of a fixing device 160" according to the invention, shown in Figs. 13 to 15, a fixing pin designated as a whole by 182 is provided as a fixing element, which engages in a guide channel 184 running transversely through the housing body 84 specifically runs in such a way that the guide channel 184 touches the spherical surface 38 between the equatorial plane 80 and the spherical socket 28, in particular near a transition to the spherical socket 28, when the fixing pin 182 is displaced therein in a guide direction 185 transverse to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30.

[0222] The fixing pin 182 has a constriction 186, which is adjoined by a fixing surface 188, which can be placed against the spherical surface 38 in the area near its transition to the ball attachment 28 in order to fix the load carrier holding device 50 relative to the coupling ball 26 and thus also to the ball neck 12.

[0223] For this purpose, the fixing pin 182 can be moved transversely to the vertical longitudinal center plane 30 in such a way that, in order to place the load carrier holding device 50 on the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12, the constriction 186 can be positioned in such a way that the coupling ball 26 engages in the guide channel 184 in the Touchdown direction 82 can happen.

[0224] If the load carrier holding device 50 is placed in place in such a way that the position-receiving elements 104 are seated on the positioning bodies 54a and 54b, the fixing pin 182 can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal center plane 30 in the guide direction 185 in such a way that the fixing surface 188 is on the spherical surface 38 near its transition to the ball socket 28 applied and thus the load carrier holding device 50 fixed relative to the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12.

[0225] Locating pin 182 is preferably displaced in the guide channel in that fixing pin 182 has a threaded section 192 which engages in a threaded section 194 of guide channel 184, so that threaded sections 192 and 194 and an actuating element 196 form an actuating device 200 which is rotating an actuating element 196 to rotate the fixing pin 182 about its longitudinal axis 198 enables the fixing pin 182 to be displaced in the guide channel 184 in order to either position the constriction 186 in such a way that the coupling ball 26 can pass through the guide channel 184 or to position the fixing surface 188 in such a way that this rests on the spherical surface 38.

[0226] In a fourth embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention, shown in Figs. 16 and 17 in combination with a sixth embodiment of the load carrier holding device, a U-shaped fixing bracket 202 is provided as a fixing element, which is attached to the coupling ball in the area of ​​the spherical surface 38 near the transition to the ball socket 28 and includes the coupling ball 26, for example on a side facing a motor vehicle, and is acted upon in the direction of a ball seat 204, in which the coupling ball 26 bears with a partial area of ​​the spherical surface 38, with the ball seat 204 preferably being formed by a partial area of ​​the ball guide surface 92 of the housing body 84 is.

[0227] However, in the sixth embodiment, the housing body 84 is cut out in the area in which the fixing bracket 202 engages and forms a bearing surface 206 for fixing the fixing bracket 202 in a guide direction 205, so that the fixing bracket rests on the one hand on the spherical surface 38 near the spherical shoulder 28 and on the other hand can be supported on the bearing surface 206 and is thus positioned in a defined manner relative to the spherical surface 38 and on the other hand can then act on the coupling ball 26 in the direction of the ball seat 204 .

[0228] In the simplest case, the fixing bracket 202 is provided with bracket ends 208, which pass through the guide bores 209 of the load carrier holding device 50 and which have a thread 212 onto which a wing screw 214 is screwed, so that the thread 212 and the wing screw 214 form an actuating device 220, with Tightening the wing screws of the fixing bracket 202 is movable in the direction of the ball seat 204 to clamp the coupling ball 26 between the ball seat 204 and the fixing bracket 202 and thereby the load carrier holding device 50 set relative to the coupling ball and the ball neck 12.

[0229] Otherwise, with regard to the other features that are identical to those of the preceding exemplary embodiments and embodiments, reference is made to the explanations relating to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0230] In a fifth embodiment of a fixing device 160"", integrated in a seventh embodiment of a load carrier holding device and shown in Fig. 18, those elements which are identical to those of the previous exemplary embodiments are provided with the same reference symbols, so that the description of the same can be fully summarized on the comments on this can be referred to.

[0231] In the fifth embodiment of the fixing device 160"" according to the invention, the housing body 84"" is designed as a cylindrical sleeve which is provided with the ball receptacle 86 and in particular a ball guide surface 92.

[0232] The housing body 84"" is provided with fixing fingers 222 as fixing elements, which can be moved in the direction of the spherical surface 38 into the ball receptacle 86, in order to contact an end face 224 on the spherical surface 38 between the equatorial plane 80 and the ball attachment 28, in particular near their transition to the ball socket 28 to be pressed.

[0233] In order to press the fixing fingers 222 at the specified position of the spherical surface 38, the fixing fingers 222 have outer sides 226 running obliquely, on which a wedge ring surface 228 of an actuating body 232 acts.

[0234] The actuating body 232 is preferably in the form of a ring body which has an internal thread 234 which engages in an external thread 236 of the housing body 84″″.

[0235] The outer sides 226 of the fixing fingers 222 and the actuating body 232 with the wedge ring surface 228 as well as the internal thread 234 and the external thread 236 form an actuating device 240.

[0236] By rotating the actuating body 232, it is now possible to move the wedge ring surface 228 relative to the oblique outer sides 226 of the fixing fingers 222 in such a way that these allow the fixing fingers 222 to move radially to the central axis of the coupling ball 26 and thus away from the spherical surface 38 in order to To be able to place load carrier holding device 50 on the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12, with the position receiving elements 104 being seated on the positioning bodies 54.

[0237] However, rotating the actuating body 232 also allows the wedge ring surface 228 to act on the oblique outer sides 224 of the fixing fingers 222 in such a way that these move radially inward and, in particular, come into contact with their end faces 224 on the spherical surface 38 near the transition to the spherical shoulder 28 .

[0238] As a result, the load carrier holding device 50 is subjected to a force parallel to the placement direction and thus the load carrier holding device 50 is fixed to the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12.

[0239] In a sixth embodiment of a fixing device 160""' according to the invention, integrated into an eighth embodiment of the load carrier holding device and shown in FIGS Guide direction 245 is guided, which is formed in a bearing body 246 held on the respective holding element 96 .

[0240] The bearing body 246 and the fixing pin 242 are dimensioned and arranged on the retaining elements 96 in such a way that the fixing pin 242, with a pin end 248 protruding beyond the bearing body 246, is able to engage behind the respective positioning body 54 on a side facing away from the coupling ball 26 and and thereby exert a force on the housing body 84''''' which acts on it in the placement direction 82.

[0241] In this exemplary embodiment, however, the housing body 84″″ is designed in such a way that an end surface 94 adjoining the ball guide surface 92 rests on the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 and is thus carried by the coupling ball 26 .

[0242] Thus, the position receiving elements 104, which act on the positioning bodies 54, only serve to keep the load carrier holding device 50″″″ precisely aligned relative to the ball neck 12 .

[0243] In order to move the fixing pin 242 relative to the bearing body 246, the fixing pin 242 is provided with an external thread 252, which engages in an internal thread 254 of the guide channel, so that the two threads 252 and 254 represent a thread guide that allows the pin to be moved when it is of an actuator 256 is rotated.

[0244] The threads 252 and 254 with the actuating element 256 thus form an actuating device 260 for moving the fixing element 242.

[0245] In a seventh embodiment of the fixing device 160""" and a ninth embodiment of the load carrier holding device, shown in Figs. 21 and 22, the housing body 84""" is designed in such a way that it overlaps the coupling ball 26 and is connected to the ball guide surface 92 on the ball surface 38 of the Coupling ball 26 is present.

[0246] Furthermore, the holding elements 96""" are designed in such a way that they rest against the fixing bodies 54""" in such a way that the position-receiving elements 104 can be moved in a placement direction 82""" which is directed towards the coupling ball 26, wherein the position receiving element 104""" engages over the positioning body 54"""a on a side facing away from the coupling ball and acts on it.

[0247] The housing body 84""" is designed in such a way that it can be placed so far on the coupling ball 26 that the position-receiving elements 104 of the holding elements 96 can be hung on it on a side facing away from the coupling ball 26, gripping behind the positioning bodies 54 in order to attach them to be positively defined.

[0248] To fix the load carrier holding device 50, it is necessary, starting from the positioning elements 104 reaching behind the positioning bodies 54, to move the positioning elements 104""" with the holding elements 96""" and the housing body 84""" in the fixing direction 262 in the opposite direction to the placement direction 82 , so that the positioning elements 54""" can dip into the position-receiving elements 104""".

[0249] For this purpose, to form the fixing device 160"" in the housing body 84""", a pressure element 272 is provided as a fixing element, which can be guided in a guide direction 175 and can be moved and acts on the coupling ball 26 in the region of its flattened area 34 in order to move the housing body 84 in the fixing direction 262 to be able to move in the opposite direction to the placement direction 82 .

[0250] The pressure element 272 comprises, for example, an external thread 282, which engages in an internal thread 284 of an opening passing through the housing body 84, and is coupled to an actuating element 286, with the actuating element 286 forming an actuating device 290 with the external thread 282 and the internal thread 284.

[0251] By turning the pressure element 272, for example by means of an actuating element 286, it is possible to move the load carrier holding device 50""" in the fixing direction 262 and to hold it in that the pressure element 272 is supported on the coupling ball 26 and the entire unit from the housing body 84""", the holding elements 96""" and the position-recording elements 104""" in the fixing direction 262 to such an extent that the position-recording elements 104 bear against the fixing bodies 54 with the application of force.

[0252] In addition, the housing body 84""" is fixed in a known manner by the cylindrical ball guide surface 92, which bears against the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.

[0253] In an eighth embodiment, a fixing device 160"""' according to the invention integrated into a tenth embodiment of a load carrier holding device 50"""', this is modified in such a way that the housing body 84"""' is seated on the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.

[0254] The fixing device 160"""' comprises a fixing body 292 as a fixing element, which can be moved in the direction of the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 or away from it by means of a toggle lever device 294 as an actuating device.

[0255] The fixing body 292 is preferably in contact with the spherical surface 38 in the region of a transition thereof to the spherical attachment 28 in order to fix the load carrier holding device 50"""' to the coupling ball 26.

[0256] In order to fix the fixing body 292 in place, the toggle lever device 294 can be moved into an over-center position shown in dashed lines in FIG.

[0257] If the toggle lever device 294 is moved into a bent position, as shown in Fig. 23, the fixing body 292 is at a distance from the spherical surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 and enables the load carrier holding device 50"""' to be removed from the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12 .

[0258] The toggle lever device 294 is actuated by an actuating lever 296, which acts on a toggle joint 302 of the toggle lever device via an intermediate lever 298 in order to move this either into the bent position or into the over-center position shown in dashed lines in FIG.

Claims

1. Trailer coupling (10) for motor vehicles, comprising a ball neck (12) which can be mounted fixedly to the rear section (18) of a motor vehicle at a first end (14) by means of a ball neck carrier (16) and which carries a coupling ball (26) at a second end (24), characterized in that at least one first positioning element (54) for positioning a load carrier holding device (50) which can be placed on the coupling ball (26) and the ball neck (12) is arranged on the ball neck (12) at a defined distance from the coupling ball (26), that the at least one first positioning element (54) is arranged on a ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12) which adjoins a ball projection (28) of the ball neck (12) that carries the coupling ball (26) and in particular extends from the ball projection (28) along the ball neck (12) over a distance which is at most one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball (26) corresponds tothat the at least one first positioning body (54) extends transversely to and away from the course of the ball neck section (52) supporting this positioning body (54), that the at least one first positioning body (54) supports at least one first positioning surface (64, 66), and that in particular the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) is arranged on an outer side (55, 255) of the positioning body (54).

2. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) lies outside a projection contour (PK) of the coupling ball (26), which is created by projection of the coupling ball (26) onto the at least first positioning body (54), wherein in particular the projection contour (PK) intersects the at least one first positioning body (54).

3. Trailer coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one guide surface area (76, 78) which runs parallel to a mounting direction (82) of the load carrier holding device (50).

4. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first positioning element (54) is arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal median plane (30) of the ball neck (12) on the ball neck section (52) and that, in particular, the first positioning elements (54, 254) are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal median plane (30) of the ball neck (12).

5. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first positioning body (54) has first positioning surfaces (64, 66) arranged on opposite sides.

6. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first positioning surface (64, 66) has at least one positioning surface area (72, 74) which extends transversely to a mounting direction (82).

7. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the ball neck (12), which extends transversely to the first positioning surface (64, 66).

8. Trailer coupling according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the ball neck section (52) of the ball neck (12), which adjoins a ball projection (28) of the ball neck (12) carrying the coupling ball (26) and in particular carries the first positioning body (54).

9. Trailer coupling according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one second positioning surface (142) is arranged on the first positioning body (54).

10. Trailer coupling according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the second positioning surface (142) is arranged on a second positioning body (144).

11. Trailer coupling according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the second positioning surface (142) lies outside a projection contour (PK) of the coupling ball (26), which is created by projection of the coupling ball (26) onto the positioning body (54, 142) supporting it.

12. Trailer coupling according to claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second positioning surface lies within a projection contour of the coupling ball, which is created by projecting the coupling ball onto the positioning body carrying the second positioning surface.

13. Load carrier holding device for a trailer coupling (10) having a ball neck (12) and a coupling ball (26), in particular for a trailer coupling (18) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing body (84) with a ball receptacle (86) for the coupling ball (26) of the ball neck (12) of the trailer coupling (10) and at least one position receiving element (104, 304, 504) fixedly connected to the housing body (84), which interacts with the positioning body (54, 254, 454) arranged on the ball neck (12) and that in particular the position receiving element (104, 304, 504) has at least one receiving surface (114, 116, 314, 514) which interacts with the at least one positioning surface (64, 66, 264, 464) of the at least one positioning body (54, 254, 454) in a load carrier holding position.

14. Load carrier holding device according to claim 13, characterized in that the position receiving element (104, 304, 504) interacts with the positioning body (54, 254, 454), in particular forming a positive locking, such that the housing body (84) is fixed against tilting movements about tilting axes KAK extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) relative to the ball neck (12).

15. Load carrier holding device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the positioning body (54, 254, 454) and the position receiving element (104, 304, 504) interact, in particular forming a positive locking connection, such that the housing body (84) is fixed in a rotationally fixed position against a rotational movement about an axis of rotation (D) parallel to the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26) or enclosing an angle of at most 20° with the central axis (32) of the coupling ball (26).

16. Load carrier holding device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that two position receiving elements (104, 304, 504) are rigidly connected to the housing body (84), that the two position receiving elements (104, 304, 504) are rigidly arranged relative to each other, and that in particular the two position receiving elements (104, 304, 504) are rigidly arranged relative to the housing body (84).

17. Load carrier holding device according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the position receiving element (104) has two receiving surfaces (114, 116) facing each other and that, in particular, the respective positioning body (54) with its area supporting the positioning surface (64, 66) is arranged in a load carrier holding position between the receiving surfaces (114, 116) of the at least one position receiving element (104).

18. Load carrier holding device according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the load carrier holding device (50) has a fixing device (140, 170) that secures the housing body (84) to the ball neck (12), that the fixing device (140, 170) has a fixing element (142, 172) which fixes the housing body (84) relative to the ball neck in the load carrier holding position, that the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 246, 272, 292) engages the ball neck (12") or the positioning body (54) or the coupling ball (26) in a fixing position, and that, in particular, the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 242, 272) is in a The guide direction (165, 185, 205, 245) is movable between a release position and a locking position, and in particular the locking element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 242, 272, 292) is movable in the guide direction (165, 185, 205, 245) by an actuating device (170, 200, 220, 240, 260, 290).

19. Load carrier holding device according to claim 18, characterized in that the actuating device has a threaded drive (162, 164, 192, 194, 212, 214, 234, 236, 282, 284) for moving the fixing element (164, 172, 182, 202, 222, 242, 272) between the release position and the fixing position or that the actuating device has a toggle lever drive for moving the fixing element (292) between the release position and the fixing position.