Trailer Coupling Ball Neck Strut Structure for Lower Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings have a high mass due to solid components, which is inefficient and may not provide optimal stability.
Innovation Solution
The ball neck is designed with a strut structure that includes longitudinal struts extending on both sides of a central axis, featuring transverse connecting elements and free spaces, allowing for reduced mass while maintaining stability and incorporating functional units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the ball neck is designed as a solid component, then stability is improved, but mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball neck is divided into multiple longitudinal struts that are spaced apart from each other, creating a lattice-like structure. This segmentation reduces material usage and mass while maintaining structural stability through the distributed framework of struts working together to support loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball neck employs a porous or hollow internal structure within the struts themselves, and free spaces between the struts create an overall porous configuration. This reduces density and mass while the carefully designed strut thickness and spacing maintain the necessary mechanical strength and stability.
2Weight of moving object
If free spaces are introduced in the strut structure, then mass is reduced, but stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of free spaces segments the solid structure into a lattice configuration, removing unnecessary material while the remaining struts are positioned to maintain structural integrity. The segmentation creates a lightweight framework that preserves stability through geometric arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut structure functions as a composite system where the arrangement and configuration of struts and free spaces work together to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio. The composite structure of solid struts and void spaces provides both mass reduction and maintained stability.
3Productivity
If the ball neck mass is reduced, then efficiency is improved, but integration of functional units becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Functional units are nested within the free spaces created by the lattice structure of the ball neck. Sensors, electrical connections, and other components are positioned inside the hollow chambers or between the struts, utilizing the void spaces for housing additional functionality without increasing external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, reduces mass, and creates housing spaces for functional units. The same geometric configuration that achieves weight reduction also enables the integration of sensors and electrical systems, making the structure multi-functional.
Data Source
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AI summary
To improve a trailer coupling comprising a vehicle-mounted assembly unit, a bearing unit held on the assembly unit to which a first end region of a support structure of a ball neck is connected, and a coupling element arranged on a second end region of the support structure of the ball neck, in particular designed as a coupling ball, in such a way that it has a lower mass, it is proposed that the support structure of the ball neck comprises a strut structure connecting the first end region with the second end region and supporting the second end region relative to the first end region, which, in the working position of the ball neck, extends on both sides of a geometric central surface extending parallel to a central axis of the coupling element and has longitudinal struts running from one end region to the other end region.between which at least two connecting elements extend transversely to the longitudinal struts, and between which at least two free spaces extend transversely to the geometric central surface.