Trailer Coupling Load Carrier Clamping Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carriers for motor vehicles require positioning bodies on trailer couplings to ensure non-tilting support, limiting their use without such bodies.
Innovation Solution
A load carrier design featuring a holding device with two holding elements that can move into a clamping position to securely attach to the coupling ball without tilting, allowing use with or without positioning bodies, utilizing a toggle lever mechanism and positioning device for automatic positioning and clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a load carrier is designed with a holding device that requires positioning bodies on the trailer coupling, then non-tilting support and stability are achieved, but the load carrier cannot be used with trailer couplings that do not have positioning bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clamp onto the coupling ball in a non-tilting manner when positioning bodies are present, and it can alternatively engage with the coupling ball directly without positioning bodies. This multi-functionality allows the same load carrier design to be universally compatible with both types of trailer couplings.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device incorporates movable holding elements that can dynamically adjust their position and function. When positioning bodies are present, the holding elements engage with them for non-tilting support. When positioning bodies are absent, the holding elements can directly clamp onto the coupling ball, providing adaptability through dynamic reconfiguration.
2Ease of operation
If the holding device is designed to automatically move into a holding position for secure attachment, then ease of operation is improved, but the complexity of the positioning device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is designed to automatically position itself onto the coupling ball without requiring manual intervention. The holding elements self-adjust and self-lock into the correct position through mechanical interaction with the coupling ball, eliminating the need for complex external positioning mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding elements act as intermediary components between the load carrier and the coupling ball. They mediate the connection by automatically adjusting their position and providing a secure attachment, simplifying the overall positioning process while reducing the need for additional complex positioning devices.
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
Enables secure attachment and non-tilting support of the load carrier on trailer couplings with or without positioning bodies, ensuring stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a toggle lever mechanism (182) is provided, with which the holding elements (132, 134) can be positioned
Implementation Method 2
the holding elements (132, 134) receive between them the coupling ball (26) and thereby clamp it in a non-positive manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Trailer couplings (10) for motor vehicles, comprising a mounting unit (50) comprising a coupling ball receptacle (104) that can be placed on the coupling ball (26) and a holding device (130) associated with the coupling ball receptacle (104), which, when the coupling ball receptacle (104) is placed on the coupling ball (26) and is thus in a fixed position, connects the coupling ball receptacle (104) to the coupling ball (26), and at least one positioning element receptacle (122) connected to the mounting unit (50), which, when the coupling ball receptacle (104) is placed on the coupling ball (26), provides tilt-proof and tilt-moment-absorbing support for the mounting unit (50) on the ball neck (10) with at least one positioning element fixedly arranged on the ball neck (10). (54) can be brought into an effective connection,wherein the holding device (130) can be moved into a clamping position in which the coupling ball receptacle (104) is positively locked to the coupling ball (26) with the holding device (130) in such a way that the mounting unit (50) fixes the load carrier (40) without tilting solely by virtue of the positive locking on the coupling ball (26).