Trailer Coupling Guide Arrangement for Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch designs face complications during assembly due to compromises between positive locking and guidance, limiting their effectiveness and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The trailer hitch features a guide arrangement that allows for indirect guidance of pivot bearing elements, utilizing a link follower and guide link surface, enabling movement in multiple axes while keeping the guide arrangement separate from the bearing surface, allowing for a fixing device to secure the coupling arm in use or non-use positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the guide arrangement is integrated with the bearing surface, then guidance precision is improved, but assembly complexity increases and the foot area cannot be used for fixing functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the guidance function from the bearing surface by introducing a separate guide arrangement with guide components (first guide component on the bearing base body, second guide component on the pivot bearing element). This segmentation allows the guide arrangement to be positioned in the head area while the foot area remains available for fixing functions, resolving the contradiction between guidance precision and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide arrangement is positioned in the head area of the bearing base body, utilizing the longitudinal dimension (length) of the component rather than integrating guidance into the bearing surface area. This dimensional relocation allows the foot area to be freed for fixing functions while maintaining guidance capability through the separate guide components.
2Reliability
If the guide arrangement is positioned in the foot area, then positive locking is improved, but the area cannot be used for fixing functions and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional zones by placing the guide arrangement in the head area and the fixing device in the foot area. This spatial segmentation eliminates functional overlap, allowing the foot area to be dedicated to fixing operations while the head area handles guidance, thereby improving both positive locking and fixing functionality without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide arrangement is relocated to the head area along the longitudinal axis, freeing the foot area for fixing functions. This dimensional redistribution of functions resolves the contradiction by allowing both positive locking (through the guide arrangement) and fixing operations (through the fixing device in the foot area) to coexist without functional overlap.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pivot bearing elements are used for multi-axis movement, then adaptability is improved, but assembly complexity and guidance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the guidance function for multiple pivot bearing elements by providing separate guide components for each element (first guide component for the first pivot bearing element, second guide component for the second pivot bearing element). This segmentation simplifies assembly by allowing independent guidance of each pivot element while maintaining multi-axis movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide arrangement provides guidance for the pivot bearing elements over the necessary movement paths without requiring complete guidance for all possible movements. This partial guidance approach reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the required multi-axis adaptability for the trailer hitch application.
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
This design simplifies the assembly and operation of the trailer hitch by providing a compact, space-efficient mechanism that ensures secure locking and easy adjustment of the coupling arm between use and non-use positions, enhancing usability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a link follower and a guide link surface, along which the link follower is movably mounted
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (K), comprising a coupling arm (11), wherein the coupling arm (11) is pivotably mounted on a vehicle bracket (20) attached to the motor vehicle (K) by means of a bearing arranged on the vehicle bracket (20) between a use position (G) and a non-use position (N) about a first and a second pivot axis (S1, S2), wherein a bearing base body (33) of the bearing, which is fixedly connected to the vehicle bracket part (21) provided for attachment to the motor vehicle (K), is fixedly arranged on a vehicle bracket part (21) of the vehicle bracket (20), on which a first pivot bearing element (31) is pivotably mounted, and wherein a second pivot bearing element (32, 432;232), which carries the coupling arm (11), is pivotably mounted. It is provided that a guide arrangement (160) for guiding the pivoting movement of the at least one second pivot bearing element (32) between the operating position (G) and the non-operating position (N) is opposite the vehicle mounting part (21).