Pivoting Trailer Coupling Bearing Housing With Torsion-Locked Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer couplings face challenges in achieving simple, stable, and reliable connection between the pivot bearing housing and the carrier, particularly in absorbing and transferring forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pivot bearing unit with a pivot bearing housing that is pivotably mounted between working and rest positions, utilizing a rotation locking device and positive locking elements, along with support bodies that provide stable fixation by clamping the bearing part between them, and employing radially varying contours for a torsionally rigid connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pivot bearing housing is simply mounted on the carrier, then the mounting process is simple, but the connection stability and force absorption capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot bearing housing is received within the carrier structure, with the housing nested into a receptacle of the bearing part. This nesting arrangement allows simple mounting while maintaining connection stability through the integrated structural relationship between the housing and carrier components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system combines multiple material components including the pivot bearing housing, bearing part with receptacle, and positive locking elements to create a composite structure that achieves both ease of mounting and reliable force absorption capability.
2Reliability
If the pivot bearing housing is rigidly fixed to the carrier, then the connection stability improves, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the pivot bearing housing, the bearing part with receptacle, and positive locking elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall mounting process through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The positive locking elements automatically engage with the receptacle structure to provide self-securing functionality. This self-service mechanism ensures stable connection without requiring additional fastening operations or complex mounting procedures.
3Device complexity
If the support bodies are fixed in position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different force conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support bodies are designed with movable capability relative to the pivot bearing housing, allowing them to adjust their position dynamically. This dynamic characteristic enables the support bodies to adapt to different force conditions and loading scenarios while maintaining structural simplicity through straightforward mechanical movement.
4Ease of manufacture
If the contours are circular, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the torsional rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positive locking elements feature asymmetric contours that deviate from circular geometry. This asymmetric design provides torsional rigidity and prevents rotational movement while remaining manufacturable through standard machining processes. The non-circular contours create mechanical interference that resists twisting forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
Trailer coupling comprising a ball neck (10) movable between a working position (A) and a rest position (R), with a pivot bearing body (14) arranged at a first end (12) and a coupling ball (18) arranged at a second end (16), a pivot bearing unit (20) fixedly mounted to a vehicle body (F) by means of a carrier (24) attachable to a vehicle body (F), with a pivot bearing housing (40) by means of which the pivot bearing body (14) is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (22) between the working position (A) and the rest position (R), and a rotation locking device (90) which, in at least one rotation locking position, blocks a pivoting movement of the pivot bearing body (14) about the pivot axis (22) relative to the pivot bearing unit (20) and releases it in a release position, wherein the pivot bearing housing (40) passes through a receptacle (52) of a bearing part (26) of the carrier (24) and is connected by positive locking elements. (56,72) is held in a rotationally fixed position and wherein the swivel bearing housing (40) is fixed on both sides of the receptacle (52) by support bodies (42, 62) which abut the bearing part (26) and are supported on the swivel bearing housing (40) and on the bearing part (26).