Trailer Coupling Housing With Movable Towing Eye Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coupling heavy agricultural and forestry vehicles with trailers is difficult and hazardous due to the precise alignment required, often resulting in strenuous labor and a high risk of hand injuries.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a limited range of movement for the towing eye, allowing easier alignment and coupling by guiding the towing eye out of a coupling housing, reducing tension and handling time, and incorporating a locking mechanism for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the towing eye is rigidly fixed in the coupling housing, then the coupling device is simple and robust, but the alignment and coupling of heavy trailers becomes difficult and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the towing eye to move relative to the coupling housing through a recess and movement-limiting part mechanism. This allows the towing eye to be positioned easily during coupling operations and then locked in place, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic system that adapts to coupling requirements while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional components: the coupling housing, the towing eye, the recess, and the movement-limiting part. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the recess provides movement freedom, the movement-limiting part controls the range, and the locking mechanism secures the final position, thereby simplifying the overall operation
2Ease of operation
If the towing eye has full freedom of movement, then alignment is easier, but tension and risk of injury during handling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The towing eye transitions from a completely fixed state to a controlled movable state through the recess mechanism. During alignment, the towing eye can move freely within the recess boundaries to facilitate easy positioning. Once coupled, the locking mechanism transitions the system to a stable locked state, eliminating excessive movement and reducing tension-related injury risks
Solution Approach 2:
The recess and movement-limiting part are pre-configured to define safe movement boundaries before coupling occurs. This preliminary setup ensures that the towing eye can move freely during alignment but will not exceed safe limits, thereby preventing excessive tension and reducing injury risk before the locking mechanism engages
3Manufacturing precision
If the coupling pin and towing eye opening have minimal clearance for precision, then coupling accuracy is improved, but positioning precision becomes extremely difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from requiring precise static positioning to allowing dynamic adjustment. The towing eye can move within the recess to self-align with the coupling pin, eliminating the need for extremely precise initial positioning of the tractor and trailer. The standard 1-4mm clearance is sufficient when combined with the movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The towing eye performs self-alignment within the recess boundaries, automatically positioning itself relative to the coupling pin without requiring external positioning assistance. This self-service mechanism compensates for manufacturing tolerances and positioning errors, making the coupling process more tolerant of standard clearances
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
A coupling device (1) for a vehicle trailer comprising a coupling housing (2) with a receptacle (5) and a towing eye (3) with a coupling element (4) is proposed, wherein an end region of the towing eye (3) is arranged in the receptacle (5), wherein the towing eye (3) can be transferred between a fixed state (7) and a moving state (8) by means of a locking device (6) of the coupling device (1), wherein the towing eye (3) is essentially rigidly connected to the coupling housing (2) in the fixed state (7) and is movable in the moving state (8) at least within a limited range of movement (2), wherein a substantially rod-shaped movement-limiting part (10) is formed on the end region of the towing eye (3) and at least one end region of the movement-limiting part (10) is arranged in a recess (11) of the receptacle (5),wherein - measured in the fixing state (7) - the length of the recess (12) along the longitudinal axis of the drawbar eye (13) is at least 1.5 times the thickness of the movement-limiting part (14) along the longitudinal axis of the drawbar eye (13).