Trailer Hitch Coupling Sensor Logic for Fault Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Trailer hitches often operate incorrectly due to improper loading or electrical connection issues, such as excessive support load or accidental plugging of the trailer plug into the vehicle's socket, leading to insecure connections or missed electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch system that integrates a logical link between load sensors and electrical usage sensors to detect correct coupling and electrical connection states, generating fault information if the trailer is not properly attached or if the electrical connection is not established, using a combination of load sensors, angle sensors, and evaluation devices to provide warnings through the vehicle's onboard network or local warning devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors and evaluation devices are integrated to detect coupling and electrical connection states, then the reliability of detecting correct operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (load detection, angle detection, electrical connection detection) into a single integrated evaluation device that processes all inputs and generates unified fault information, reducing the need for separate monitoring systems while improving detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it processes signals from load sensors, angle sensors, and electrical usage sensors; determines coupling status; monitors electrical connections; and generates fault information, making it a multi-functional monitoring system that improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Ease of operation
If fault information is provided through multiple channels (onboard network and local warning devices), then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically transmits fault information through multiple channels without requiring manual intervention - the evaluation device independently decides when and how to notify the driver, improving ease of operation while keeping the control logic integrated and relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The warning system is segmented into two independent notification channels (onboard network transmission and local warning device activation), allowing the system to provide comprehensive fault notification while keeping each individual channel relatively simple and manageable
Data Source
Figure 1~9
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling (10; 110) for a motor vehicle, wherein the trailer coupling (10; 110) comprises a coupling support (11; 111) on which a coupling element (14; 114) for coupling a trailer (A) is arranged, wherein the trailer coupling (10; 110) has at least one coupling usage sensor (31-33) for detecting at least one coupling usage state dependent on a use of the coupling support (11; 111), in particular an angular position of the trailer (A) or the load carrier (L) relative to the coupling support (11; 111) and/or a mechanical load on the coupling support (11; 111) by the trailer (A) or the load carrier (L), and for outputting at least one coupling usage signal (30, 36, 37, 44) representing the coupling usage state, and wherein the trailer coupling (10;110) a power supply device (60) for supplying electrical power to the trailer (A), wherein the power supply device (60) includes an electrical usage sensor arrangement (68) for generating an electrical usage signal (68) depending on whether the power supply device (60) is used by the trailer (A). It is provided that it includes an evaluation device (50) which generates a fault information (58) based on a logical combination of the electrical usage signal (68) and the at least one coupling usage signal (30, 36, 37, 44).