Magnetic Sensor Trailer Hitch Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring the articulation angle between a towing vehicle and a trailer are complex, prone to wear, require precise manufacturing, and are susceptible to external influences like temperature, moisture, and vibrations, leading to inaccurate measurements and high maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sensor system integrated into the trailer hitch, where a magnet in the coupling ball's opening and a sensor in the receptacle detect changes in the magnetic field, providing a continuous signal immune to mechanical stress and environmental factors, allowing for precise articulation angle measurement without contact between device parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotary driver device with contacting elements is used to measure articulation angle, then the articulation angle can be detected, but the device becomes complex and prone to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotary driver device with a magnetic field-based sensing system. A magnet is mounted in the coupling ball and a magnetic sensor (such as a Hall sensor) is mounted in the ball receptacle. The magnetic sensor detects changes in the magnetic field caused by rotation of the coupling ball, thereby measuring the articulation angle without any mechanical contact or moving parts in the sensing mechanism. This eliminates wear, reduces complexity, and improves reliability while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If contacting rotary driver body is used for measurement, then articulation angle can be measured, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensing system eliminates the need for precisely manufactured contacting elements. The magnet can be freely positioned in the coupling ball and the magnetic sensor in the ball receptacle, with no requirement for precise alignment or tolerance matching. The magnetic field detection works regardless of minor manufacturing variations, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining accurate angular deviation detection.
3Measurement precision
If rotary driver body is used in trailer hitch, then articulation angle measurement is possible, but the device becomes susceptible to water penetration and environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensing system is inherently resistant to environmental factors. The magnet and magnetic sensor can be sealed independently in the coupling ball and ball receptacle respectively, with no open mechanical interfaces that could allow water penetration. The magnetic field detection works reliably across a wide temperature range from -20°C to +40°C and is unaffected by freezing moisture or corrosion, eliminating the harmful effects that plague mechanical sensing systems in outdoor trailer hitch applications.
4Measurement precision
If mechanical sensor arrangement is used, then articulation angle can be detected, but maintenance effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensing system requires no maintenance because it has no moving parts, no contacting elements that wear, and no mechanical components that can fail. The magnet remains permanently mounted in the coupling ball and the magnetic sensor in the ball receptacle, with both components sealed against the environment. This eliminates all maintenance activities associated with mechanical sensor arrangements, including lubrication, adjustment, and replacement of worn parts, while maintaining accurate articulation angle detection throughout the service life of the trailer hitch.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution offers precise, maintenance-free articulation angle measurement, immune to external influences, enabling reliable control of the vehicle combination for improved directional stability and driving behavior.
Implementation Method 1
changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet being detected by the magnetic sensor
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
In a measuring device for measuring an articulation angle (wK) between a tractor vehicle (2) which has a longitudinal axis (xZ), and a trailer (1) which has a longitudinal axis (xT), with a trailer coupling (9) which trailer coupling (9) comprises a coupling ball (12), a ball receptacle (11) which serves to receive the coupling ball (21), and at least one magnetic sensor (4; 4A, 4B) it is proposed that the coupling ball (21) have a ball opening (20), that a magnet (3) be mounted in the ball opening (20), and that the ball receptacle (11) have a recess (10), and that the at least one magnetic sensor (4; 4A, 4B) be mounted in the recess (10), wherein changes in a magnetic field (30) generated by the magnet (3) are sensed by the magnetic sensor (4; 4A, 4B).