Screw Fastening Element with Integrated Eyelet for Trailer Hitches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailer hitches lack an efficient method to retrofit an eyelet for a breakaway cable without modifying existing components, making it laborious and difficult to equip them with this essential safety feature.

Innovation Solution

A screw fastening element with an integrated eyelet for the breakaway cable is used, allowing for easy attachment to existing trailer hitches without modifying existing components, utilizing a screw section that can be pushed through a holder and secured to a motor vehicle or cross member, providing a robust and accessible solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an eyelet is integrated into the trailer hitch design, then the breakaway cable attachment function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreakaway cable attachment functionVSAvoidtrailer hitch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eyelet is separated from the main trailer hitch body and implemented as a独立的 screw fastening element that can be retrofitted onto existing hitches. This segmentation allows the attachment function to be added without redesigning or complicating the main hitch structure, resolving the contradiction between improving reliability and maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the trailer hitch is retrofitted with an eyelet, then the breakaway cable attachment capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrofit capabilityVSAvoidretrofit process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The screw fastening element with integrated eyelet is designed as a simple, inexpensive retrofit component that can be easily installed on existing trailers. This approach avoids the high cost of modifying production tooling or redesigning the entire hitch assembly, making the retrofit process economically viable and simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If a screw fastening element is used instead of a screw bolt, then the ease of attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment processVSAvoidfastening mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eyelet and screw fastening elements are merged into a single integrated component. This combination eliminates the need for separate eyelet and fastener parts, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining ease of attachment. The integrated design reduces the number of components and assembly steps compared to using separate screw bolts with attached eyelets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2660082B1Trailer coupling with a screw-on fixing element

Publication Date: 2016.08.10 WESTFALIA AUTOMOTIVE

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AI summary

The trailer coupling (10) has a coupling element (19) arranged at a coupling carrier (18) for coupling a trailer (80). A holder (11) is fixed at a motor vehicle (90) for the coupling carrier. A screw-fastening element (50a) is equipped with a screw (51) for connecting two components of the trailer coupling or for connecting the holder with the motor vehicle. The screw-fastening element comprises a lug (53) for attaching a trailer breakaway cable (83). The holder has a plug-through opening for the insertion of the screw.