Trailer Carrier Bending Strap Connection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier arrangements for trailer hitches and load carriers experience loosening of connections between components due to loads during driving, leading to instability and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
The use of bending straps with additional connections such as rivets, screws, or material connections like welding and gluing to securely link cross members and side members, providing both form-fitting and material bonds for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bending elements are used to connect cross member to side members, then the connection is easy to produce, but the connection loosens under load during driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection methods: the bending element provides form-fitting connection while additional connections (rivets, screws, or material connections) provide material connection. This merging of connection types resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of production through the bending element while adding reliability through the supplementary connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite connection strategies where different connection methods (mechanical fastening via bending elements combined with material connections through riveting, screwing, or welding) work together. This composite approach allows the system to benefit from both the ease of assembly of bending elements and the strength of material connections.
2Reliability
If additional connections (rivets, screws, welding) are added to bending straps, then connection stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into two functional parts: the bending element that provides form-fitting connection and the additional connections (rivets, screws, or material connections) that provide material connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve both stability and manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different connection qualities at different locations: the bending element provides geometric constraint at the interface, while additional connections provide material bonding at specific points. This local differentiation of connection quality achieves high reliability without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire connection system.
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
This solution provides a robust and stable connection between components, preventing loosening and ensuring the structural integrity of the carrier arrangement under load, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one bending lug is connected to the other component by an additional connection, namely by a rivet, a screw or the like, another connection comprising an additional form-fitting component and/or a material connection. For example, the bending strap is additionally glued, welded or the like.
Implementation Method 2
the bending strap is additionally glued, welded or the like
Data Source
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AI summary
A support arrangement for a trailer coupling or a load carrier, comprising a cross member (20) and at least one bracket (11, 13) arranged on the cross member (20) for a trailer coupling or for a coupling part of a load carrier, and optionally side carriers connected to the cross member (20) for mounting on the rear of a vehicle body. The support arrangement is designed such that at least two of the components of the support arrangement (10) or at least two of its component parts are connected to the second component or component part by means of at least one bending tab (50, 60) arranged on a first component or component part, and that the at least one bending tab (50, 60) is connected to the second component or component part by means of a material-fit connection and/or by means of a connection comprising a screw (57) or a rivet (56).