Adjustable Trailer Coupling Flange for Height Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitches lack optimal flexibility in adapting to different requirements such as varying drawbar heights and load configurations, which affects ease of use and stability during different driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch design that allows the coupling arm's coupling part to be fastened to the holder part at different height positions, with adjustable support surfaces and form-fitting contours for enhanced stability and ease of assembly, enabling adaptation to various vehicle types and load configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling part is fixed at a single height position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability to different requirements (drawbar heights, load configurations) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arm is divided into a holder part and a coupling part that can be detached and repositioned. The coupling part can be mounted at different height positions on the holder part, allowing adaptation to various drawbar heights and load configurations without requiring a completely different structure for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arm transitions from a fixed structure to an adjustable structure. The coupling part can be positioned at multiple discrete height locations on the holder part, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through form-fitting contours that ensure stable coupling at each position.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling part is positioned lower for easier loading, then loading/unloading becomes easier, but the vehicle clearance is reduced for off-road driving
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part height is made adjustable rather than fixed. Users can position the coupling part lower on the holder part when ease of loading is the priority, or higher when off-road clearance is needed, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder part is designed to accommodate the coupling part at multiple height positions, making it universally applicable for different operations such as loading/unloading and off-road driving without requiring separate specialized structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat support surfaces are used, then manufacturing is easier and large area support is achieved, but additional transverse support and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support surfaces combine flat surfaces for ease of manufacture with form-fitting contours (ribs, cams, grooves) that provide additional transverse support. The flat surfaces ensure large area contact for stable coupling, while the integrated form-fitting contours add dimensional stability and prevent lateral displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surfaces have different local characteristics: flat areas provide broad contact and ease of manufacture, while localized form-fitting contours (protrusions, recesses, ribs) provide enhanced transverse stability and precise positioning at specific locations on the support surfaces.
4Stability of the object's composition
If form-fitting contours are added to support surfaces, then transverse support and stability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The form-fitting contours are integrated into the support surfaces as a unified structure rather than separate components. This merging allows the stabilizing contours to be manufactured together with the flat support surfaces in a single process, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added geometric complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling (10) with a holder (20) and coupling arm (15), wherein the coupling arm (15) has a holder part (30) with a plug-in projection (33) for insertion into a plug-in receptacle (24) of the holder (20) and a coupling part (60), wherein the holder part (30) and the coupling part (60) are connected to each other by means of flange parts (40, 66) which are screwed together and wherein the plug-in projection (33) of the holder part (30) can be locked in the plug-in receptacle (24) of the holder by means of a locking device (70).It is provided that, in order to adjust different distances, the support surface (58) of at least one flange part forming a first flange part (40) has such a longitudinal extension (50) that the support surface (67) of the other flange part forming a second flange part (66) can be mounted on the first flange part (40) in a first and at least one different second longitudinal mounting position (M1, M2), and that the first flange part (40) has a first screw arrangement (59) to which a second screw arrangement (69) of the second flange part (66) fits in the first and the at least one second longitudinal mounting position (M2).