Trailer Coupling Crumple Unit for Crash Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings require the removal and replacement of the vehicle's crash unit, which is not suitable for crumpling, when mounting the vehicle attachment unit.
Innovation Solution
A trailer coupling design where the vehicle attachment unit incorporates a crumple unit with an impact body and deformation bodies that can absorb energy during crashes while transmitting forces from the trailer element to the vehicle rear during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the vehicle attachment unit is designed to function as a crash unit with crumpling capability, then energy absorption during crashes is improved, but the ability to transmit trailer forces without deformation during normal operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle attachment unit is segmented into multiple functional components: a rigid force transmission unit for normal operation and a crumple unit with deformation bodies for crash energy absorption. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function while working together as an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The crumple unit incorporates deformation bodies that can dynamically change their mechanical properties based on load conditions. During normal operation, the structure maintains rigidity for force transmission, but during crash impacts, the deformation bodies are designed to yield and absorb energy through controlled deformation.
2Reliability
If the crash unit is designed to crumple and absorb energy during impacts, then vehicle safety in crashes is improved, but the structural stability for mounting trailer elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the vehicle attachment unit are assigned different mechanical qualities: the mounting structure and force transmission paths are designed with high stiffness and stability, while the crumple zone contains deformation bodies specifically engineered to yield under impact loads. This local differentiation allows the structure to be stable where needed and compliant where beneficial for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The crumple unit is pre-configured with deformation bodies that are designed to activate under specific impact conditions. These deformation elements are positioned and dimensioned to provide controlled energy absorption before the main structural components are subjected to damaging forces, thereby protecting the overall structure and mounted trailer elements.
3Loss of energy
If the vehicle attachment unit incorporates a crumple unit with deformation bodies, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crumple unit is merged with the force transmission structure into a single integrated vehicle attachment unit. The deformation bodies are incorporated as integral components rather than separate add-on elements, allowing the structure to serve dual purposes: force transmission during normal operation and energy absorption during crashes, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle attachment unit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs force transmission, provides a mounting structure for trailer elements, and incorporates crash energy absorption capability. This universal design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall system while maintaining all required capabilities.
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
The solution allows the vehicle attachment unit to function as a crash unit during impacts, absorbing energy and maintaining vehicle safety, while also effectively transmitting trailer forces to the vehicle rear without deformation during normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
the impact body acts on the deformation bodies such that these permit movement of the impact body in the direction of the vehicle rear, are deformed during this and absorb energy
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a trailer coupling in which the vehicle attachment unit is suitable for crumpling, it is proposed that the vehicle attachment unit should comprise a crumple unit, which is mountable on the vehicle rear below a bumper unit and has an impact body that extends transversely to a longitudinal center plane, which coincides with a vehicle longitudinal center plane, and deformation bodies arranged to either side of the longitudinal center plane, supporting the impact body in relation to the vehicle rear and maintaining a spacing therefrom, that the impact body of the crash unit should be connected to the trailer element, and that the crash unit should transmit to the vehicle rear all the forces that act on the trailer element when the trailer coupling is in use.