Towing Vehicle-Trailer Coupling Synchronized Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towing vehicle-trailer connection devices fail to ensure simultaneous release of male couplings from female couplings, particularly in emergency conditions such as trailer tow bar breakage, leading to hydraulic system oil leakage risks.
Innovation Solution
A device with a base body containing female couplings for the trailer's braking and parking/automatic brake systems, along with male couplings connected to valves that allow selective communication between these systems, featuring a connection element with locking and release means to ensure synchronized disconnection of male couplings from female couplings, and emergency mechanisms for automatic release in case of tow bar breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connection device with male and female couplings is used to connect towing vehicle and trailer, then the braking systems can be communicated to enable synchronized braking, but the male couplings may detach from female couplings in emergency conditions leading to oil leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate male couplings (for service brake and parking/automatic brake) into a single integrated connection device with a unified locking mechanism. The connection element simultaneously locks both male couplings to their respective female couplings, ensuring that they detach together in emergency conditions, preventing oil leakage from the service brake system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device incorporates a pre-loaded spring mechanism that maintains constant engagement force on the locking elements. This preliminary action ensures the couplings remain securely locked during normal operation and automatically releases them simultaneously when the towing bar breaks, preventing harmful oil leakage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the connection device allows male couplings to detach from female couplings, then the parking and/or automatic brake can operate automatically, but both male couplings must be released simultaneously which is difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single connection element that simultaneously controls the locking and release of both male couplings. When the towing bar breaks, the connection element moves in a way that releases both locking elements at the same time, ensuring synchronized detachment of both couplings from their female counterparts, enabling reliable automatic brake operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two coupling systems. It translates the mechanical energy from the broken towing bar into simultaneous release motion for both locking elements, mediating the release process to ensure both couplings detach together without requiring separate release actions.
3Ease of operation
If the connection device uses separate locking mechanisms for each coupling, then individual control is possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate locking mechanisms into a single integrated locking system controlled by one connection element. This unified approach reduces the number of independent components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the ability to lock and release both couplings simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for the towing vehicle-trailer connection, comprising: - a base body (2) associable with a trailer and wherein is defined at least a first female coupling (3) and at least a second female coupling (6); - at least a first and a second male couplings (12, 13) associated with a towing vehicle of the trailer, connectable to the relative braking system (14) and insertable, respectively, within the first and second female couplings (3, 6); - at least a connection element (18) which has at least a first ring nut (18a) fitted around the first female coupling (3) and at least a second ring nut (18b) fitted around the second female coupling (6), the first and the second ring nuts (18a, 18b) being locked together, the connection element (18) being associated movable with respect to the base body (2) between a release position, wherein it allows the displacement of the male couplings (12, 13) with respect to the relative female couplings (3, 6), and a fastening position, wherein it prevents the displacement of the male couplings (12, 13) with respect to the relative female couplings (3, 6); - fastening and release means able to cooperate with one another to allow the locking and unlocking of the male couplings (12, 13) with respect to the female couplings (3, 6) as a result of the achievement by the connection element (18) of the fastening position and of the release position, respectively.