Exterior Trailer Hitch Control Unit for Simplified Retrofitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The retrofitting of motor vehicles with electrically operated trailer hitches is complicated due to the need for numerous cables and space requirements for control units inside the vehicle, making installation difficult and prone to environmental exposure.
Innovation Solution
A control unit for a trailer hitch is housed in a protective casing outside the vehicle, equipped with a data interface for mobile communication, monitoring elements, and energy transmission interfaces, allowing for wireless or wired communication and energy supply, with galvanic isolation and an optional on-board energy supply, simplifying cable connections and reducing environmental vulnerability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control unit is installed inside the vehicle body, then it is protected from environmental influences, but it requires reserved space and complicated cable routing with numerous cables and openings
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is extracted from the interior of the vehicle body and placed in a protective housing at the rear of the vehicle. This extraction eliminates the need for complex cable routing through the vehicle body while maintaining protection through the dedicated protective housing with integrated cable seals
Solution Approach 2:
A protective housing serves as an intermediary structure between the control unit and the external environment. This housing provides environmental protection while simplifying cable connections through integrated cable seals and a streamlined cable entry point
2Reliability
If the control unit is installed inside the vehicle body, then it is protected from environmental influences, but retrofitting requires numerous cables and openings in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is extracted from the interior installation requirement and placed externally in a protective housing. This extraction dramatically simplifies retrofitting by eliminating the need to route numerous cables through the vehicle body and create openings in the body structure
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing is designed as a self-contained unit that integrates cable seals and connection points. This self-service design allows the housing to protect itself and its contents without requiring complex integration with the vehicle body structure, making retrofitting straightforward
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous cables are routed from the interior to the trailer hitch components, then all components can be connected, but the installation becomes complicated and prone to environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cable functions (power supply, data communication, control signals) are merged into a single cable connection between the control unit and the vehicle's electrical system. The protective housing integrates cable seals that accommodate this consolidated cable entry, reducing the total cable quantity while maintaining full component connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with universal interfaces that can communicate with the vehicle's electrical system through a single standardized connection. This multi-functional interface handles power, data, and control signals simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate cable connections
Data Source
Figure 1~3c
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a control unit (40a; 40b) for a trailer coupling (10a; 10b) for a towing vehicle (90) having an electrical system (96), for attaching a trailer (100) to the towing vehicle (90), wherein the trailer coupling (10a; 10b) comprises a coupling arm (12a, 12b) on which a coupling body is arranged, with which a trailer coupling of the trailer (100) can be connected, and a vehicle holder (11a; 11b) arranged or arrangable on the towing vehicle (90) for holding the coupling arm (12a, 12b), and wherein the control unit (40a; 40b) comprises a control device (42a; 42b) for controlling and/or monitoring a drive (16) for adjusting the coupling arm (12a, 12b) between an operating position (G) and a non-operating position (N). and/or for controlling and/or monitoring a locking device (20a;20b).The control unit (40a;40b) is designed to accommodate the control device (42a;42b) in a protective housing (41a;41b) for placement in the exterior area of the towing vehicle (90).