Trailer Coupling Pivot Arm Guide Structure for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitches for vehicles, particularly farm tractors, face challenges in achieving a lightweight design for moving parts while maintaining structural stability under high loads, leading to increased actuating forces and potential weld seam failures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-shell guide structure composed of two U-shaped profile bodies with stepped side bars and a transverse bar, allowing for central connection to the swivel arm and optimized placement of weld seams to enhance stability and reduce material thickness, is used to absorb bending moments and distribute loads effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side walls of the swivel arm are made massive to withstand high loads, then the structural stability is improved, but the weight of moving parts increases and actuating forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into multiple separate profile bodies (at least two U-shaped profile bodies with side bars and cross bars) instead of a single massive structure. These profile bodies are distributed along the side walls of the swivel arm, providing structural support at multiple locations without requiring the side walls themselves to be massively thick. This segmentation allows the side walls to be thinner and lighter while maintaining overall stability through the distributed guide structure.
2Strength
If the guide is designed as a one-piece shaped tube-like component, then the structural stability is improved, but the weld seams tear off under load and reinforcement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is segmented into multiple profile bodies that are connected to the side walls at different locations, distributing the welding loads and avoiding concentration of stress at single weld seams. This prevents weld seam failure under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile bodies are strategically positioned at specific locations along the side walls where they provide local reinforcement exactly where needed to resist bending moments and loads, rather than requiring uniform reinforcement throughout. This allows optimized material distribution and maintains reliability without excessive weight.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the guide extends far in the direction of the swivel axis, then the stabilization effect is improved, but the available space for coupling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is segmented into multiple profile bodies distributed along the swivel arm, providing stabilization through distributed support rather than requiring a single long extension. This segmentation allows adequate stabilization while preserving space in the coupling area.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the guide primarily in the axial direction (one dimension), the profile bodies are arranged in a distributed pattern along the side walls, utilizing the lateral dimension as well. This dimensional redistribution provides stabilization through spatial distribution rather than linear extension, preserving coupling space.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer coupling (1) for a vehicle has a vehicle-mounted frame (2). A rearward-facing pivot arm (5) is pivotably mounted on this vehicle-mounted frame (2) between a lowered coupling position and a raised transport position. The pivot arm (5) has side walls (13) against which at least one guide (14) is supported. A sliding carriage (24) is slidably supported in this guide and carries a coupling member (11). To achieve a lighter design, the guide (14) has at least two U-shaped profile bodies (15, 16). These profile bodies (15, 16) are formed by side webs (17, 18) and a connecting cross web (19). The side webs (17, 18) are connected to the side walls (13) of the pivot arm (5) (Figure 1).