Trailer Coupling Stop Mechanism for Stable Tractor Hitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coupling of trailers to tractors is difficult due to freely pivoting coupling and towing devices that can unintentionally pivot during the coupling process, requiring multiple maneuvers and posing a risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A trailer design featuring a movable towing device with a coupling device and a parking device that can be adjusted between driving and parked positions, incorporating stops to limit mobility and prevent unintentional pivoting, and a cardanic articulation for improved mobility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling device and towing device are freely pivoting to enable trailer to follow behind towing vehicle, then the trailer can follow the towing vehicle during driving, but the coupling device may pivot unintentionally during coupling process requiring multiple maneuvers and posing accident risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the parking device can be moved between a first position (limiting coupling device mobility during coupling) and a second position (allowing free movement during driving). This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by adapting the mobility constraints to the current operational phase - restricted during coupling for safety, free during driving for functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mobility parameter of the coupling device based on the parking device position. When the parking device is in the first position, the coupling device's degrees of freedom are limited; when in the second position, full mobility is restored. This parameter change allows the system to satisfy both safety requirements during coupling and functionality requirements during driving.
2Reliability
If the coupling device is restricted to prevent unintentional pivoting during coupling, then coupling safety is improved, but the trailer cannot follow behind the towing vehicle during driving
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the coupling device's mobility constraints by changing the parking device position. During coupling operations, the parking device is positioned to restrict movement for safety. During driving operations, the parking device is moved to allow free movement for the trailer to follow the towing vehicle. This temporal separation of constraints resolves the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires that the parking device be positioned in the first position (limiting mobility) before the coupling process begins. This preliminary action ensures safety is established before the coupling operation commences, preventing unintentional pivoting during the critical coupling phase while still allowing full functionality once coupled.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple maneuvers are required to couple the trailer to the towing vehicle, then coupling precision may be improved, but the coupling time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by positioning the parking device in the first position before coupling begins, which pre-limits the coupling device's mobility to a controlled range. This preliminary constraint guides the coupling process, reducing the need for multiple corrective maneuvers and thereby decreasing coupling time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking device acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the coupling device and the towing vehicle. By providing a controlled reference position and limiting unnecessary movements, it simplifies the coupling process, reducing the number of maneuvers required while ensuring accurate alignment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates safe and efficient coupling by limiting the mobility of the coupling device during parking, preventing accidents and ensuring stable movement during towing, while allowing for free movement necessary for driving.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling device (5) mounted on a towing device (4) so as to be able to rotate relative to the towing device (4) by means of a bearing (6)
Implementation Method 2
The stop (8) is designed to limit the mobility of the coupling device (5) and/or of the bearing (6) in at least one degree of freedom
Implementation Method 3
a cardanic articulation for improved mobility and stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer (3) with a towing device (4) is proposed, which has a coupling device (5) movably mounted thereon by means of a bearing (6), wherein the coupling device (5) has articulation points (11, 12) for detachable connection to a receiving device (10) of a towing vehicle (2), wherein the towing device (4) has a movable parking device (7) which can be adjusted from a parking position to a driving position and vice versa. The parking device (7) has at least one stop (8) which, in the parking position, is designed to limit the mobility of the coupling device (5) and/or the bearing (6) in at least one degree of freedom.