Swivel Trailer Coupling Lock Adjustment for Tolerance Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings face challenges in achieving reliable, positive locking due to manufacturing tolerances and wear, leading to inconsistent engagement and potential detachment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an adjusting device to set and fix the relative position of fixing surfaces on the coupling arm carrier and bearing base, allowing precise adjustment of longitudinal and radial positions, and use of positive locking elements to ensure secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixing surfaces are used to lock the coupling arm carrier, then the coupling arm can be fixed in position, but manufacturing tolerances and wear cause unreliable locking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the fixing surface position adjustable rather than fixed. The coupling arm carrier includes an adjusting device that allows the fixing surface to be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis, enabling compensation for wear and manufacturing tolerances by repositioning the fixing surface to maintain reliable locking engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of fixing surface position from a fixed value to an adjustable range. By providing multiple possible positions for the fixing surface on the coupling arm carrier, the system can adapt to changes in engagement conditions caused by wear or tolerance variations, thereby maintaining reliable locking throughout the service life of the coupling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coupling arm is fixed in operating position, then stable trailer coupling is achieved, but the coupling arm cannot be adjusted or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic locking system where the fixing device can transition between locked and unlocked states. The adjusting device allows the coupling arm carrier to be positioned at different locations, and the fixing device can securely lock at each position, providing both stability when locked and adaptability when adjustment is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the functions of positioning and locking into distinct components. The adjusting device handles position selection while the fixing device handles securement, allowing the system to achieve both stability during operation and adjustability when needed by independently controlling these two functions.
3Reliability
If fixing surfaces are positioned precisely, then reliable locking is achieved, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting device serves multiple functions: it positions the fixing surface, enables compensation for wear, and allows for future repositioning. By integrating this adjustment capability into the coupling arm carrier structure, the invention achieves reliable locking without requiring separate complex adjustment mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (200), comprising a coupling arm (11) for coupling a trailer (300) or a rear load carrier, comprising a vehicle holder (20) that is/can be secured to the motor vehicle (200) and has a mounting base (23), on which a coupling arm carrier (30) (on which the coupling arm (11) is arranged) is mounted such that it can swivel about at least one swivel axis (S) between a use position (G) provided for attaching the trailer (300) or the rear load carrier and a non-use position (N) provided for a non-use of the trailer coupling (10), in which the coupling arm (11) advantageously does not protrude as far in front of the motor vehicle (200) as in the use position (G) in the state in which it is mounted on the motor vehicle (200), wherein the trailer coupling (10) has a fixing device (60) for stationarily fixing the coupling arm (11) in the use position (G) and/or the non-use position (N) relative to the mounting base (23), wherein the coupling arm (11) can be moved between the use position (G) and the non-use position (N) in a release position (L) of the fixing device (60) relative to the mounting base (23), and same can be stationarily fixed in a fixing position (F) of the fixing device (60) relative to the mounting base (23), wherein the fixing device (60) has at least one fixing surface (311, 312) securely arranged on the mounting base (23) and at least one fixing surface (311, 312) securely arranged on the coupling arm carrier (30), and wherein the fixing surfaces (311, 312) are directly or indirectly supported on one another in the fixing position (F) of the fixing device (60) for the rotational fixing of the coupling arm carrier (30) relative to the mounting base (23). The trailer coupling comprises at least one adjusting device (310, 320) for adjusting a longitudinal position (L1, L2) and/or a radial position (R1, R2) of at least one of the fixing surfaces (311, 312) on the the coupling arm carrier (30) or the mounting base (23) relative to the swivel axis (S).