Trailer Hitch Ball Rod Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment devices for vehicles, such as those used to secure trailers, often require manual locking and unlocking, which is time-consuming and prone to user error, leading to potential accidents due to insecure positioning.
Innovation Solution
The attachment device features a ball rod with a second swivel axis and stop surfaces for secure locking in the operating and parking positions, utilizing a form closure mechanism and a drive device for automatic operation, ensuring the ball rod remains fixed in the desired position without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual locking and unlocking mechanisms are used, then the device can be secured in position, but the operation becomes time-consuming and prone to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The ball rod is designed to automatically lock into position through its own weight and the engagement of stop surfaces with the pivot bearing unit, eliminating the need for manual locking operations while ensuring reliable positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The stop surfaces are pre-positioned on the ball rod and pivot bearing unit to automatically engage when the ball rod reaches its operational position, ensuring immediate and reliable locking without requiring user intervention
2Reliability
If manual locking mechanisms are used, then the device can be secured, but user error may lead to insecure positioning and potential accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic self-locking mechanism through form closure eliminates human error by removing manual locking operations entirely, ensuring consistent and reliable positioning every time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical locking operations with an automatic form closure mechanism that uses the geometry of stop surfaces and the ball rod's weight to achieve secure positioning without user intervention
3Ease of operation
If the ball rod is made freely movable for easy positioning, then ease of operation improves, but unintended position changes may occur leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The form closure mechanism with stop surfaces is designed to automatically engage and prevent unintended movement of the ball rod, countacting the harmful effect of position drift before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple geometric forms (stop surfaces) rather than complex locking mechanisms, achieving reliable positioning through basic form closure that is both easy to manufacture and highly effective
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer hitch (1) for attachment to the rear of a vehicle and comprises a pivot bearing unit (3) that can be connected to a vehicle part (2) in a force-transmitting manner and that defines a vertically extending first pivot axis (5). The trailer hitch (1) also comprises a pivot bearing body (4) that is pivotably mounted in or on the pivot bearing unit (3) about the first pivot axis (5). Furthermore, the trailer hitch (1) has a ball rod (7) that is connected at a first end to the pivot bearing body (4) and has a coupling ball (8) at an opposite free second end.Furthermore, the trailer hitch (1) includes a drive unit (9) by means of which the ball rod (7) can be moved from an operating position (10), in which the coupling ball (8) is freely accessible behind the rear of the vehicle, to a parking position (11) and vice versa, in which the coupling ball (8) is concealed beneath the vehicle. During the movement from the operating position (10) to the parking position (11) and vice versa, the ball rod (7) is rotatably movable about the first pivot axis (6) relative to the pivot bearing body (4). A cam guide (13) is also provided, by means of which the pivot bearing body (4) is movable both translationally in the vertical direction between an upper dead center and a lower dead center, and rotationally about the vertically oriented first pivot axis (5), during the movement from the operating position (10) to the parking position (11) and vice versa.In this arrangement, a cam block (14) is arranged on or in the pivot bearing unit (3) or the pivot bearing body (4), and a cam track (15) interacting with the cam block (14) is arranged on or in the pivot bearing body (4) or the pivot bearing unit (3). Furthermore, the trailer coupling device (1) has at least one locking device (16) by means of which – in both the park position (11) and the operating position (10) – the pivot bearing body (4) relative to the pivot bearing unit (3) and the ball rod (7) relative to the pivot bearing body (4) or the pivot bearing unit (3) can be locked.According to the invention, the ball rod (7) is pivotable at its second end about a second pivot axis relative to the pivot bearing body (4) and the ball rod (7) can be locked in the operating position (10) at the top dead center of the pivot bearing body (4) by means of a stop surface located at its second end against a stop surface of the pivot bearing unit (3).