Trailer Coupling Ring Locking for Easier Hitch Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Coupling heavy trailers or work equipment to towing vehicles is difficult due to precise alignment requirements, often resulting in dangerous handling and increased risk of injury, especially in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a coupling ring that can be extended partially out of its housing, featuring a motion-limiting part to facilitate alignment within a limited range, allowing easy coupling to a trailer hitch and reducing stress during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling ring is rigidly fixed in the coupling housing, then the coupling device is stable, but the alignment and coupling process becomes difficult and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling ring is made movable relative to the coupling housing through a locking device that can switch between locked and unlocked states. In the unlocked state, the coupling ring can move within a limited range of motion defined by a recess, enabling easy alignment and coupling. In the locked state, the coupling ring is fixed to provide stability during operation. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling ring is made movable to facilitate coupling, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional components: the coupling housing, the coupling ring, the locking device, and the motion-limiting recess. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The locking device and recess work together as a simple mechanism to control the coupling ring's movement, avoiding excessive complexity while enabling ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the range of motion of the coupling ring is increased to facilitate alignment, then the ease of coupling improves, but the stress and injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess provides a localized range of motion specifically for alignment purposes during the coupling process. Once alignment is achieved and coupling is complete, the locking device secures the coupling ring, limiting further motion and eliminating the associated risks. This localized approach to mobility ensures that the increased range of motion is only present when needed for alignment, not during operation, thus reducing injury risk while maintaining ease of coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
Coupling device for a vehicle trailer including a coupling housing with a receiver and a coupling ring with a coupling element. End region of the coupling ring is arranged in the receiver. The coupling ring is transferable between a fixed state and a mobile state by a locking device of the coupling device. Coupling ring is connected in a substantially rigid manner to the coupling housing in the fixed state and is movable in the mobile state at least within a limited movement range. Substantially rod-shaped movement-limiting part is formed on end region of the coupling ring and at least one end region of the movement-limiting part is arranged in a recess of the receiver. As measured in the fixed state, length of the recess along longitudinal axis of coupling ring is at least 1.5 times the thickness of the movement-limiting part along the longitudinal axis of the coupling ring.