Trailer Hitch Fastening with Anti-Rotation Bolt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch systems are complex and difficult to repair, often requiring intricate welding and multiple components, making them challenging to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A simplified fastening concept using a screw bolt as the central fastening element, with an anti-twist device and spacer element to secure the vehicle mount to the cross member, allowing for easy attachment and ensuring stability through a single operator action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional welding and multiple components are used to construct the vehicle mount, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and ease of repair deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle mount is divided into a vehicle holding body and a separate support assembly that can be independently attached to the cross member. This segmentation allows the support assembly to be easily replaced or repaired without replacing the entire vehicle mount, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the bolted connection.
2Strength
If traditional welding and multiple components are used to construct the vehicle mount, then structural strength is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle mount is divided into a vehicle holding body and a separate support assembly that can be independently attached to the cross member. This segmentation allows the support assembly to be easily replaced or repaired without replacing the entire vehicle mount, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the bolted connection.
3Ease of operation
If a single screw bolt is used to fasten the vehicle mount to the cross member, then ease of operation and installation are improved, but connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening mechanisms into a single integrated support assembly: a bolted connection provides primary attachment, while an anti-twist device with positive-locking contours prevents rotational movement. This merging of friction-based and positive-locking connections within one assembly maintains high reliability while preserving installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly uses composite fastening methods combining frictional connection (bolted attachment) with positive-locking mechanical interlocking (anti-twist device). This composite approach ensures both ease of installation and high connection reliability by utilizing different mechanical principles working together.
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
The solution provides a robust, easy-to-install, and maintain trailer hitch system that ensures secure attachment to the motor vehicle, with improved tensile and shear strength, and allows for easy adjustment and positioning of the coupling arm.
Implementation Method 1
The actual frictional connection between the vehicle mount and the cross member is provided by the screw bolt
Implementation Method 2
the anti-twist device represents the positive connection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling (10) for a motor vehicle (F), with a coupling arm (20) for coupling a trailer or a rear load carrier, and with a vehicle bracket (30) that can be attached to or is attached to the motor vehicle (F) for holding the coupling arm (20) in a position (G) for use in which the trailer is attached or the rear load carrier is carried, and with a support arrangement (11) having at least one cross member (12) and provided for attachment to the rear (H) of the motor vehicle (F), wherein the vehicle bracket (30) has a vehicle support body (120) which is screwed to the support arrangement (11).The trailer coupling (10) is provided with a single screw bolt (140) which clamps a vehicle holder mounting surface (121) of the vehicle holder against a first cross member support surface (151), wherein the screw bolt (140) passes through the cross member (12) and a head of the screw bolt or a nut (141) screwed onto the screw bolt (140) is supported on a second cross member support surface (152) of the cross member (12) on its side facing away from the vehicle holder body (120), and that an anti-rotation device is provided eccentrically to a longitudinal axis (146) of the screw bolt (140) between the vehicle holder body (120) and the cross member (12), which counteracts a rotation of the vehicle holder body (120) relative to the cross member (12) about the longitudinal axis (146) of the screw bolt (140).