Trailer Coupling Friction Brake with Nested Drive Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch friction brakes face inefficiencies in force transmission, adjustability, and operational safety, with components often exposed to dirt and external damage, leading to potential accidents and inadequate damping of snaking movements.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch with a drive ring and friction tappet system that enhances force transmission and adjustability through a double cam gear mechanism, encapsulating components for protection and incorporating a spring arrangement for improved operational safety and damping of snaking movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction plungers protrude from the coupling housing and are actuated by cam mechanisms, then the friction brake can be actuated, but the components are exposed to dirt and external environmental influences, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plunger is received within a receiving opening in the coupling housing, with the drive ring also received within the same opening. The actuating element is rotatably mounted on the housing extension. This nested arrangement protects the friction brake components from dirt and environmental influences while maintaining a compact design without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If a cam mechanism is used to actuate friction plungers, then the friction brake can be activated, but force transmission efficiency is reduced and adjustability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drive ring is made movable along the longitudinal axis of the friction plunger, allowing it to directly advance the plunger coaxially. The actuating element can be rotatably adjusted to modify the engagement with the drive ring, providing dynamic adjustability. This improves both force transmission efficiency through direct axial movement and operational adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive ring serves as an intermediary between the actuating element and the friction plunger. It converts rotational movement of the actuating element into axial feed movement of the friction plunger, improving force transmission efficiency while maintaining adjustability through rotational modification of engagement.
3Ease of operation
If friction brake components are exposed externally, then access is easier, but crash safety is reduced due to risk of crushing injuries from jagged parts
Solution Approach 1:
The friction plunger and drive ring are received within a receiving opening in the coupling housing, which encapsulates these components. This nesting arrangement protects against crushing injuries from external access while maintaining ease of operation through the rotatably mounted actuating element that can be operated from outside the housing.
4Device complexity
If the drive ring is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to directly advance the friction plunger along its longitudinal axis is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive ring is made movable along the longitudinal axis of the friction plunger rather than being fixed. This dynamic positioning allows the drive ring to directly advance the friction plunger coaxially, improving productivity through direct axial movement while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.
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 provides improved efficiency, adjustability, and safety by ensuring better force transmission and protection from environmental influences, effectively damping snaking movements and enhancing accident safety.
Implementation Method 1
The friction plunger presses against the coupling element with a friction lining, thereby applying the frictional force to dampen oscillations
Implementation Method 2
The drive ring can act on the friction plunger via a spring assembly, applying a clamping force to the plunger when it contacts the coupling element
Implementation Method 3
a gradient drive with a curved ramp having a slope directed along the axis in the feed direction
Implementation Method 4
The pitch drive can be designed in various ways, for example as a cam drive with a loose drive ring, where the curved pitch track is arranged as a wedge cam track
Implementation Method 5
The friction plunger presses against the coupling element with a friction lining, thereby applying the frictional force to dampen oscillations about the vertical and transverse axes of the coupling element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling (1) with a friction brake (2) and a method for damping swaying movements of a vehicle trailer (3) by means of a trailer coupling (1) with a friction brake (2). The friction brake (2) has at least one friction plunger (12) that can be laterally positioned against a coupling element (6) on the towing vehicle side, a rotatable actuating element (10), and a gradient drive (17) with a curved ramp for converting the rotary movement of the actuating element (10) into a forward movement of the friction plunger (12). The gradient drive (17) has a drive ring (19) that is movably arranged on and along the longitudinal axis (13) of the friction plunger (12) and causes the forward movement of the friction plunger (12).