Trailer Coupling Arm Lattice Structure for Lightweight Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings are heavy, which counteracts the trend towards lightweight construction in motor vehicles, despite their load-bearing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The supporting straps of the trailer coupling are connected by a lattice or rib structure of connecting struts, which transmit forces between the straps, enhancing rigidity and load-bearing capacity while maintaining a lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the supporting straps are connected by a continuous web or solid structure, then the load-bearing capacity and rigidity are improved, but the weight of the coupling arm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous web connecting the supporting straps is segmented into multiple individual connecting struts arranged in a lattice pattern. This segmentation maintains the load-bearing capacity by distributing forces across multiple discrete elements while reducing material usage and overall weight compared to a solid continuous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arm employs a lattice structure with intentional voids and openings between the connecting struts, creating a porous configuration. This porous design reduces material consumption and weight while maintaining structural integrity through the strategic arrangement of load-transmitting struts, achieving lightweight construction without sacrificing strength.
2Weight of moving object
If the coupling arm is designed with a lightweight structure, then the weight is reduced, but the rigidity and load-bearing capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure segments the coupling arm into multiple interconnected struts that work together to provide rigidity. Each strut is positioned to optimize force transmission, and the collective arrangement of segmented elements creates sufficient structural stability despite the reduced material volume compared to solid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arm utilizes a composite structural approach by combining multiple discrete connecting struts into an integrated lattice system. This composite configuration, where individual struts work together in a coordinated manner, achieves rigidity and load-bearing capacity comparable to solid structures while maintaining lightweight construction through optimized material distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle, with a coupling arm (11, 111, 211), on the free longitudinal end region (12) of which a coupling body (13), in particular a coupling ball (14), for the coupling of a trailer (190) or a load carrier (290) is arranged, and the other longitudinal end region (15) of which forms a holding end (16) for holding and/or movable mounting on a supporting structure (70) of the motor vehicle (90), wherein the coupling arm has supporting straps (20, 21) which extend along a longitudinal extent of the coupling arm at a transverse distance (22) to each other between the longitudinal end regions (12, 15). It is provided that the supporting straps (20, 21) are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting struts (26-31) in the manner of a lattice structure (24) or rib structure (25).