Trailer Coupling Sensor Driver Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch systems are prone to detachment during bumps or inclinations due to the lack of a secure attachment mechanism for the towing hitch, which compromises the stability and safety of the trailer connection.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch system with rotatably and/or displaceably mounted drivers arranged above or below the equatorial plane of the coupling body, ensuring the driver is not weakened at its largest circumference, allowing for secure engagement and rotation with the trailer coupling receptacle even in inclined positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a driver is arranged in the area of maximum circumference of the coupling body to enable angular position detection, then the angle detection function is achieved, but the load capacity and attachment security are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is relocated from the equatorial plane (maximum circumference area) to the polar region (above or below the equatorial plane) of the coupling body. This spatial relocation allows the driver to perform angular position detection without interfering with the load-bearing equatorial area, effectively resolving the contradiction between detection function and structural strength.
2Reliability
If the driver is arranged above or below the equatorial plane, then the attachment security is maintained, but the angular position detection capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is positioned in the polar region (above or below the equatorial plane) rather than in the equatorial plane itself. This dimensional change in positioning allows the driver to maintain secure attachment while still detecting angular positions through its rotatable mounting on the coupling body.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling body is weakened at its largest circumference to accommodate the driver, then the driver can be securely mounted, but the standard-compliant load capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is mounted in the polar region (above or below the equatorial plane) instead of at the maximum circumference. This relocation eliminates the need to weaken the coupling body at its load-critical equatorial area, preserving full load capacity while still allowing secure driver mounting through alternative positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (12), in particular a passenger vehicle (12), for attaching a trailer (17) to the motor vehicle (12), comprising a coupling body carrier (13) attachable to the motor vehicle (12) and a coupling body (15) arranged at a free end region of the coupling body carrier (13), which is at least partially spherical on its outer surface, onto which a coupling receptacle (18) of a coupling (16) of the trailer (17) can be mounted, wherein the coupling body (15) forms a bearing body for the coupling receptacle (18) rotatably supporting it for pivoting relative to the coupling body carrier (13), in particular in a multi-axis pivoting manner, wherein at least one, in particular annular, driver (33) is rotatably mounted on the coupling body (15), which is capable of being carried along by the coupling receptacle (18) and is rotatable relative to the coupling body (15).wherein the driver (33) forms part of a sensor arrangement (30) for detecting an angular position of the coupling (16) relative to the dome body support (13), wherein the dome body (15) has an equatorial region with a maximum outer circumference between its upper surface facing away from the dome body support (13) and the dome body support. The driver (33) is arranged above or below the equatorial region of the dome body (15) so that the maximum outer circumference of the dome body (15) in the equatorial region is available for holding the coupling receptacle (18).