Tractor-Trailer Coupling Device with Automatic Locking Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for towing vehicles require a long stroke for alignment and connection, which can lead to instability and disconnection due to limited freedom of movement in complex commercial vehicles, and lack secure locking mechanisms to prevent unwanted loosening of the plug connection.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with alignment components featuring a locking clip or eyelet and a locking hook that automatically secures the alignment projection and recess, preventing unwanted disconnection and ensuring a stable plug connection, even in the presence of faults in functional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long stroke is used for alignment and connection, then the plug connection can be established, but the freedom of movement is limited and instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment component is divided into two separate alignment components (one on towing vehicle, one on trailing vehicle) that work together to achieve alignment without requiring a long single stroke. Each component contributes to the alignment process, distributing the movement requirements and reducing the stroke length needed for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a locking mechanism dimension (locking clip/eyelet and locking hook) that operates perpendicular to the alignment stroke direction. This additional dimensional constraint provides stability and prevents disconnection without requiring increased stroke length in the original alignment direction.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent disconnection, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure the alignment components together without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The locking clip/eyelet and locking hook work passively to prevent disconnection, providing reliability through self-securing rather than active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is integrated with the alignment components themselves rather than being separate additional systems. The locking clip/eyelet and locking hook are combined with the alignment projection and recess features, creating a unified component structure that performs both alignment and locking functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling device (10) for the temporary connection of a tractor vehicle to a trailer vehicle in order to form a vehicle combination has: - a tractor vehicle-side coupling component (14), - a trailer vehicle-side coupling component (24) which can be coupled to the former, - a tractor vehicle-side plug component (30) with at least one plug formation (34) as interface of a tractor vehicle-side supply line for transferring energy and/or information, - a trailer vehicle-side plug component (32) which can be connected to the former with at least one plug formation (36) as interface of a trailer vehicle-side supply line for transferring energy and/or information, - a tractor vehicle-side aligning component (38) which is arranged on the tractor vehicle-side coupling component (14) and supports the tractor vehicle-side plug component (30), - a trailer vehicle-side aligning component (40) which is configured on the trailer vehicle-side clutch component (24) and supports the trailer vehicle-side plug component (32), wherein the aligning formations (42, 44) of the aligning components (38, 40) can be brought into positively locking engagement with one another for aligning the plug components (30, 32) in a preparatory manner for the plug connection. It is provided according to the invention that, when they reach or exceed a predefined approach to one another, the tractor vehicle-side and the trailer vehicle-side aligning component (38, 40) can be locked against being removed from one another, in particular can be locked automatically.