Nested Trailer Coupling Bearing for Compact Swivel Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitches lack an efficient and compact mechanism for transitioning the coupling arm between use and non-use positions, with existing solutions being cumbersome and difficult to retrofit with motorized swivel drives.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch design featuring pivot bearing elements arranged one inside the other, with a swivel drive that can be either internal or external, allowing for compactness and easy retrofitting, and a guide arrangement to facilitate the movement of the coupling arm between positions, enabling both manual and motorized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pivot bearing elements are arranged one inside the other, then the bearing becomes very compact, but the complexity of the bearing structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by arranging the first and second pivot bearing elements one inside the other, with the first pivot bearing element positioned within the second pivot bearing element. This nested configuration significantly reduces the overall volume of the bearing assembly while maintaining the functional integrity of both pivot axes, directly resolving the contradiction between compactness and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a motorized swivel drive is added to facilitate operation, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the swivel drive system to be adaptable between manual and motorized operation. The coupling arm can be pivoted manually when no motorized drive is present, or a motorized swivel drive can be integrated to automatically perform the pivoting action. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to improve ease of operation through motorization while avoiding the permanent complexity increase, as the motorized component can be added or removed based on specific application needs.
3Ease of operation
If the swivel drive is arranged within the bearing, then it drives the inner pivot bearing element from the inside, but the bearing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by positioning the swivel drive within the bearing structure, specifically arranging it to drive the inner first pivot bearing element from the inside. This nested arrangement of the drive mechanism within the bearing allows for compact integration while maintaining the ability to effectively pivot the coupling arm, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the guide arrangement is provided at a portion remote from the vehicle mount, then it facilitates the pivoting movement, but the overall length of the coupling mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by positioning the guide arrangement at a portion remote from the vehicle mount, specifically at areas such as the head of the bearing base. This spatial repositioning in a different dimensional location allows the guide arrangement to effectively control and coordinate the pivoting movement of the coupling arm without significantly increasing the overall length of the coupling mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between movement facilitation and length increase.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (K), comprising a coupling arm (11), wherein the coupling arm is pivotably mounted on a vehicle bracket (20) attached to the motor vehicle (K) by means of a bearing arranged on the vehicle bracket (20) between a use position (G) and a non-use position (N) about a first and a second pivot axis (S1, S2), wherein a bearing base body (33) of the bearing, which is fixedly connected to the vehicle bracket part (21) provided for attachment to the motor vehicle (K), is fixedly arranged on a vehicle bracket part (21) of the vehicle bracket (20), on which a first pivot bearing element (31) is pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis (S1), and wherein a second pivot bearing element (32), which carries the coupling arm (11), is cardanically pivotable about a second pivot axis (S2) on the first pivot bearing element (31).The first pivot bearing element is arranged in an interior space of the second pivot bearing element (32) and is driven by a pivot drive (140) to adjust the coupling arm (11).