Trailer Coupling Locking Lever for Safer Low-Force Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings often suffer from user-unfriendliness, requiring high forces, unintuitive movements, and lack safety features, leading to potential inadvertent actuation and loss of handwheels in greasy or dirty environments.
Innovation Solution
A trailer coupling with a user interface featuring an extendable lever integrated into a handwheel, which provides intuitive operation and reduced force requirement, along with safety features like a blocking mechanism to prevent inadvertent actuation and a secure storage position for the lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a handwheel is used for operating the trailer coupling, then the coupling can be locked and released, but high forces are required and the operation becomes unintuitive and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is designed to be extendable and retractable rather than fixed. It can be extended during operation to provide mechanical advantage and reduced effort, then retracted when not in use. This dynamic configuration allows the same component to adapt to different operational states, providing both safety through controlled access and ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the extendable lever for force application, the handwheel for rotational control, and the locking mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system that improves both safety and operability.
2Ease of operation
If the lever is always extended for easy operation, then force is reduced, but the lever becomes prone to damage, soiling, and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The lever transitions between extended and retracted states based on operational needs. When extended, it provides mechanical advantage for easier operation. When retracted into the housing, it is protected from environmental damage, soiling, and potential loss. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is nested within the housing when not in use. The retractable lever fits into a receiving cavity or slot in the housing, effectively storing it within the main body of the device. This nesting approach protects the lever while maintaining compact dimensions and preventing loss.
3Reliability
If a blocking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent actuation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is merged with the existing lever and housing structure. The blocking mechanism uses the lever's own position (retracted vs. extended) and the housing's geometric features to provide safety interlocks, rather than adding completely separate blocking components. This integration maintains safety while minimizing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever and housing structure serve dual purposes: the lever provides operational force transmission, while its position relative to the housing automatically provides blocking functions. The housing geometry itself creates mechanical interlocks that prevent inadvertent actuation without requiring additional active blocking components.
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 design enhances user-friendliness by reducing operational force and preventing unintended actuation, while maintaining a secure and clean design, thus improving safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
an extendable lever in an extended position provides lower force needed for a same torque to be applied
Implementation Method 2
provides lower force needed for a same torque to be applied
Implementation Method 3
a return device to ensure the lever returns to a non-extended position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A trailer coupling for vehicles comprises a coupling arm with a coupling head arranged at a free end of the coupling arm for coupling a trailer to a vehicle. An opposite end of the coupling arm is attachable to a mounting structure, which mounting structure is arrangeable at the vehicle. The trailer coupling further comprises a locking mechanism comprising a locking arrangement for releasably locking the coupling arm to the mounting structure and also comprises a user interface for actuating the locking mechanism, wherein the user interface comprises an extendable lever.