Trailer Coupling Ball Neck Channel for Protected Sensor Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings face challenges in creating a sufficiently large channel for electrical lines without compromising the stability of the ball neck and conveniently routing the channel from the ball neck to the coupling ball.
Innovation Solution
The channel runs obliquely to the coupling ball's central axis, intersecting it inside the coupling ball and ending at a distance from the central axis, with a recess in the ball neck allowing the electrical line to be routed through, providing a favorable manufacturing solution that maintains stability and facilitates easy routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the channel is made sufficiently large to accommodate electrical lines, then the ease of routing electrical lines is improved, but the stability of the ball neck deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is routed obliquely through the ball neck rather than horizontally or vertically, utilizing the third dimension to pass through the ball neck wall. This allows the channel to be sufficiently large for electrical lines without compromising the structural integrity of the ball neck, as the oblique path minimizes interference with the load-bearing structure.
2Ease of operation
If the channel runs obliquely through the ball neck, then the outlet can be located at a favorable point, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into multiple sections: a first section running horizontally through the coupling ball, a second section running vertically through the ball attachment, and a third section running obliquely through the ball neck. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving the favorable outlet location.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer hitch for motor vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles, comprising a ball neck which has a ball socket and a coupling ball held by the ball socket at a first end, a carrier unit, a bearing unit which is arranged on the carrier unit and by means of which the ball neck is mounted on the carrier unit, and a sensor unit arranged in the coupling ball, to which an electrical line is routed, which is routed at least in sections in a channel that partially penetrates the ball attachment and the ball neck, which runs from an interior of the coupling ball through the ball attachment to an outlet on the ball neck, the electrical line in a suitable way, it is proposed that the channel runs obliquely to a central axis of the coupling ball, intersects the central axis of the coupling ball inside the ball coupling and ends at a distance from the central axis of the coupling ball, from an outer contour of the Ball neck runs in this penetrating depression in the ball neck, in which the output is located.