Trailer Coupling Angular Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer coupling systems experience unreliable measurement results due to slip between the pulling coupling and the sensor driver, leading to inconsistent angular position detection between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Innovation Solution
The coupling system incorporates an engagement element arrangement with projections and recesses on the sensor driver and actuating driver, ensuring a secure rotary fit that maintains continuous actuation entrainment, allowing for reliable angular position detection without requiring manual alignment during coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor driver is movably mounted on the coupling body to detect angular position, then measurement capability is provided, but slip occurs between the pulling coupling and sensor driver leading to unreliable measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into distinct functional components: the sensor driver mounted on the coupling body, and the actuating driver on the pulling coupling. These segments are connected through engagement elements that transmit rotational motion without slip, allowing each component to perform its specific function while maintaining reliable measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Engagement elements act as intermediaries between the actuating driver and sensor driver. These elements (protrusions and recesses) mechanically couple the two components, ensuring that rotational movement of the pulling coupling is reliably transmitted to the sensor driver without slip, thereby maintaining both measurement capability and reliability.
2Reliability
If engagement elements are added to ensure secure rotary driving between sensor driver and actuating driver, then reliability of rotational transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement elements are merged into the existing sensor driver and actuating driver components rather than being separate additional parts. The protrusions and recesses are integrated into the structural design of these drivers, combining the functions of motion transmission and structural support within the same components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements serve multiple functions: they transmit rotational motion from the actuating driver to the sensor driver, provide mechanical coupling between the two drivers, and maintain proper alignment during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, balancing reliability improvement with acceptable complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the engagement element arrangement extends along the outer circumference of the coupling body to enable automatic alignment, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body has a spherical shape, and the engagement elements are arranged along its outer circumference in a curved pattern. This spherical geometry naturally guides the pulling coupling into proper alignment during the coupling process, as the curved surface allows for self-alignment through rotational movement, improving ease of operation while the curvature can be achieved through standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements are pre-positioned on the coupling body and sensor driver during manufacturing, creating a predetermined alignment path. When the pulling coupling is brought toward the coupling body, the protrusions and recesses automatically engage in the correct orientation without requiring manual alignment, performing the alignment action in advance before the final coupling occurs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The coupling system has a trailer coupling (20) for attachment of a trailer (A) to a motor vehicle (K) and a trailer-traction coupling (50) with an operating tappet (70) for operating a sensor driver (40). The sensor driver and the operating tappet have an engagement element assembly on a section of the sensor driver and the operating tappet and a counter engagement element on the other section of the sensor driver and the operating tappet. The engagement element assembly has engagement depressions or engaging protrusions for engagement with those of the counter engagement element.