Trailer Coupling Load Sensing With Strain-Gauge Metal Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch load measurement systems require significant modifications to the hitch design and are difficult to accurately measure loads in specific directions due to the lack of a point where the hitch is only subjected to load in the desired direction.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch system comprising a flexible metal band with strain gauges attached to the coupling arm, which measures vertical load without modifying the hitch design, using a control unit to determine load by combining data from strain gauges positioned to measure different load components, and a method involving calibration with polynomial functions to accurately calculate load values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is integrated directly into the trailer hitch structure or coupling arm, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate due to requiring significant modifications to the hitch design
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible band serves as an intermediary element between the coupling arm and the strain gauges. The band is wrapped around the coupling arm and transmits mechanical stress to the strain gauges, enabling load measurement without direct integration of sensors into the hitch structure. This mediator approach allows accurate measurement while preserving the original hitch design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical integration of sensors into the hitch structure with a simpler system using a flexible band and externally mounted strain gauges. The flexible band converts mechanical stress from the coupling arm into measurable strain on the band, which is then detected by the strain gauges, substituting direct mechanical sensor integration with an indirect measurement approach.
2Measurement precision
If strain gauges are positioned to measure specific directional loads, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in finding points where the hitch is only subjected to load in the desired direction
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible band is segmented with multiple strain gauges positioned at different locations and orientations around the coupling arm. Each strain gauge measures stress components in different directions, and the control unit processes these segmented measurements to calculate the total vertical load, enabling accurate directional load measurement without requiring perfect single-direction loading points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from attempting to measure load in a single ideal direction to measuring load components in multiple dimensions. By positioning strain gauges to capture stress in various directions and using the control unit to process these multi-dimensional measurements, the system achieves accurate vertical load measurement even when the coupling arm experiences complex multi-directional forces.
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 accurate measurement of vertical and horizontal loads on the trailer hitch without design modifications, providing real-time load information to the driver for safe towing, preventing damage and optimizing load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
three strain gauges (5), which are designed to measure at least partially different values when the coupling arm (4) is loaded in the vertical direction (Z-axis)
Implementation Method 2
The adhesive increases the friction between the metal strip and the coupling arm surface, thus improving the transmission of tension to the strain gauges
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the vertical load on the trailer coupling (2) of the vehicle, comprising a flexible metal band (3) and a control unit (8). The trailer coupling (2) includes a coupling arm (4) attached to the vehicle. The metal band (3) is attached to one side of the coupling arm (4) and has three strain gauges (5) on the side facing the surface of the coupling arm (4). The control unit (8) is connected to the strain gauges (5) via data transmission and is designed to determine the vertical load on the trailer coupling (2) using the data from the strain gauges (5). Advantageously, the metal band (3) comprises at least four protruding contact surfaces (6) on the side (4) facing the surface of the coupling arm, with at most one strain gauge (5) arranged between each two adjacent contact surfaces.Furthermore, the subject matter of the invention is the trailer coupling (2) with the device for measuring the vertical load and the measuring method for determining the vertical load, which is realized by this device (1) for measuring the vertical load.