Integrated Trailer Coupling Pivot Unit for Fault-Resistant Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings face issues with susceptibility to faults due to the need for separate pivot control units that are not integrated, leading to difficulties in adaptation and mounting on vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the pivot control unit within the pivot unit, which includes sensors and a drive motor within an overall housing, allowing the pivot unit to perform all control functions independently, including detecting pivotal movements, rotation-blocking device positions, and temperature, with a compact sensor carrier arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate pivot control unit is used outside the pivot unit, then the control functions can be provided, but susceptibility to faults increases and adaptation difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pivot control unit directly into the pivot unit by incorporating the control unit, drive motor, and sensor carrier into a single integrated assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate control units and reduces adaptation difficulties while improving reliability through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pivot control unit performs multiple functions including detecting pivotal movements via sensors, controlling the drive motor, managing the rotation-blocking device, and monitoring temperature. This multi-functional integration reduces the number of separate components and improves system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If separate pivot control units are used, then control functions are available, but mounting and adaptation become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the pivot control unit, drive motor, sensor carrier, and pivot bearing unit into a single integrated pivot unit assembly, the patent simplifies mounting operations. The integrated design eliminates the need for separate installation of control units and reduces adaptation complexities.
3Ease of manufacture
If integration is performed, then mounting is simplified and fault resistance improves, but the housing and internal arrangement become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the sensor carrier is positioned within the overall housing, the drive motor is integrated into the housing structure, and various components are arranged in concentric or nested configurations. This nesting approach manages housing complexity while achieving integration benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pivot unit is divided into functional segments including the sensor carrier, drive motor, pivot bearing unit, and rotation-blocking device, each with specific mounting arrangements. This segmentation allows for organized internal housing design that manages complexity while maintaining integration advantages.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to improve a trailer coupling, comprising a ball neck, which is movable between a working position and a rest position and has a pivot bearing body arranged at a first end and a coupling ball arranged at a second end, a pivot unit, which is arranged fixed to a vehicle and by means of which the pivot bearing body is pivotal for the purpose of performing a pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a working position and a rest position, wherein the pivot unit comprises a pivot bearing unit fixed to the vehicle and a rotation-blocking device for blocking a pivotal movement of the pivot bearing body about the pivot axis, at least in the working position, the improvement being such that this susceptibility to faults in a trailer coupling of the kind mentioned in the introduction is avoided, it is proposed that a pivot control unit should be integrated within the pivot unit.