Trailer Connection Housing Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection arrangements for trailer vehicles require complex and costly individual mounting of multiple connections, leading to increased assembly effort and manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement where multiple connections (electrical and pneumatic) are integrated onto a single housing unit, with the housing itself forming part of the connections, reducing the number of elements needed and allowing for easier assembly and reduced manufacturing costs by using fastening means like bores or threads, and optionally molded components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple connections are mounted individually on metal carriers, then each connection can be separately installed and maintained, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly effortVSAvoidnumber of elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate connections (electrical sockets, pneumatic coupling heads) into a single integrated housing unit. This merging reduces the number of separate mounting operations required and simplifies the overall assembly process, directly addressing the technical contradiction by reducing assembly effort while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses electrical connections, accommodates pneumatic connections, and provides mounting interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate elements, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the necessary functionality of each connection type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If connections are mounted individually on separate carriers, then each connection can be independently accessed, but the installation time and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple connections into a single housing unit, the patent enables all connections to be installed simultaneously in one operation rather than requiring separate mounting operations for each connection. This directly improves assembly speed and reduces the time loss associated with multiple individual installation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connections are pre-integrated into the housing during manufacturing, so that during installation, the entire assembly of connections arrives pre-configured and ready for mounting. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for on-site assembly of individual connections, thereby reducing installation time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate mounting elements are used, then each connection can be securely fixed, but the manufacturing costs and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate mounting elements into a single housing structure, reducing the total quantity of components required. This consolidation directly reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to source, stock, and assemble multiple separate mounting elements, while still providing secure fixation for all connections through the integrated housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2352654B1Connection arrangement for a trailer vehicle and trailer vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP2352654B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection arrangement for a trailer vehicle and to a trailer vehicle. The connection arrangement (1, 1', 1'') according to the invention comprises at least two connections (2, 3, 4, 5) of the following connections (2, 3, 4, 5) suitable for a connection on the tractor side: a) a first electrical connection (2) for a brake system, b) a second electrical connection (3) for a lighting system, c) a first pneumatic connection (4) for a brake line, d) a second pneumatic connection (5) for a reservoir line, and a housing (6, 6', 6''), wherein the at least two connections (2, 3, 4, 5) are disposed on the housing (6, 6', 6'') and/or are formed at least partially by the housing (6, 6', 6'').