Trailer Coupling Direct Force Introduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer coupling devices experience excessive stress during towing operations due to the direct transmission of tractive forces through the housing and moving components, leading to increased component loading and potential accessibility issues near the attachment points.
Innovation Solution
The coupling device incorporates a force transmission section that engages directly with a counter-section of the fastening means, allowing tensile forces to be introduced directly into the fastening means, thereby reducing the load on the displacement device components and improving accessibility through a foldable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling means is connected through the movement component and housing component to the fastening means, then the coupling device can establish and separate positive coupling engagement, but the entire coupling device is loaded by the tractive force during towing operation, requiring components to be dimensioned to withstand operating loads
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional components: the force transmission section (coupling means) is separated from the displacement device (housing component and movement component). The force transmission section directly engages with the fastening means to transmit tractive forces, while the displacement device only handles the lowering and raising motions. This segmentation allows the displacement device components to be lighter since they don't need to withstand full towing loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission function is extracted from the displacement device and placed in a separate force transmission section. This extraction removes the tractive force loading path from the housing component and movement component, allowing these components to be dimensioned for their specific displacement function only, rather than for combined displacement and force transmission.
2Strength
If the coupling device components are made lighter to reduce stress during towing, then manufacturing cost and device weight are reduced, but the components may not withstand the operating loads for sufficient service life
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the force transmission path from the displacement mechanism, the patent allows lightweight design of the displacement components while maintaining full load capacity in the force transmission section. The force transmission section is specifically designed and dimensioned to handle towing loads, ensuring reliability and service life without requiring the entire coupling device to be heavily constructed.
3Strength
If the coupling means is positioned close to the fastening means for direct force transmission, then the load on displacement components is reduced, but accessibility of sections near the attachment points may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates a foldable design where the displacement device can be moved between an extended operating position and a retracted storage position. When retracted, the coupling means can be positioned close to the fastening means for direct force transmission and reduced loading. When extended, accessibility near the attachment points is improved for installation, maintenance, and inspection operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a trailer coupling device (10) for the releasable coupling of a towing vehicle with a trailing vehicle, comprising: - a fastening means (12) for attaching the trailer coupling device (10) to a vehicle, - a coupling means (16) for establishing and disengaging a positive coupling engagement with a counter-coupling means, wherein, when the coupling engagement is established and the trailer coupling device (10) is in intended towing operation, a tractive force acts on the coupling means (16) along a tractive force direction (TWR), - a displacement device (14) for displacing the coupling means (16) along a displacement axis (V) which forms an angle with the tractive force direction (TWR).wherein the displacement device (14) comprises a housing component (24) that is immovable relative to the fastening element (12) and a movement component (28) that is displaceable relative to the housing component (24) along the displacement axis (V), wherein the coupling means (16) is coupled to the movement component (28) for joint displacement, so that the coupling means (16) is displaceable between a coupling readiness position further away from the fastening element and a coupling operating position closer to the fastening element, and wherein the coupling means (16) comprises a force transmission section (36a, 36b) which, in the coupling operating position, is directly engaged or can be brought into force-transmitting contact with a force transmission section (42) of the fastening element (12).