Trailer Hitch Fixing Element Dynamics for Secure Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch systems face challenges in maintaining a secure form-fitting connection between the coupling arm and the vehicle, particularly in ensuring the fixing element remains tightly clamped to the counter-support body, which can lead to instability and improper engagement of form-fitting contours.
Innovation Solution
The design introduces a movable fixing element that can engage multiple positive-locking contours, featuring a receiving recess with a support collar, and utilizes ribs and grooves or spherical projections to achieve a firm hold through angular and linear movements, ensuring optimal alignment and centering of the coupling arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing element is made movable to engage multiple positive-locking contours, then the stability and security of the form-fitting connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is designed as a movable component that can shift position to engage with multiple positive-locking contours on the bearing element. This dynamic capability allows the system to achieve stable form-fitting connections at different engagement points, resolving the contradiction by making the fixing element adaptable rather than fixed, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The positive-locking contours are segmented into multiple discrete engagement points (first, second, and third contours) distributed along the bearing element. This segmentation allows the movable fixing element to engage with different contours based on position, providing multiple stable connection states while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the fixing element is tightly clamped to the counter-support body, then the form-fitting connection is maintained, but the ease of operation for releasing the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element's movable design allows it to be tightly clamped in the engaged position to maintain the form-fitting connection, yet can be easily moved to a different position to release the connection. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction by providing both strong engagement when needed and easy release when required, without requiring separate locking and releasing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple positive-locking contours are provided for engagement, then the stability in different positions is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positive-locking contours are segmented into multiple discrete engagement points (first, second, and third contours) positioned at different locations on the bearing element. This segmentation provides multiple stable positions for the coupling arm without requiring extremely high precision at each individual contour, as the distributed arrangement allows for cumulative stability across the system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (K), comprising a coupling arm (11), wherein the coupling arm (11) is mounted on a vehicle bracket (20) attached to the motor vehicle (K) by means of a bearing arranged on the vehicle bracket (20; 420; 220) between a working position (G) and a non-working position (N), wherein a bearing base body (33) of the bearing is fixedly arranged on a vehicle bracket part (21) of the vehicle bracket (20) provided for attachment to the motor vehicle (K), on which a bearing element (32) supporting the coupling arm (11) is movably mounted, wherein the trailer coupling has a fixing device for fixing the coupling arm (11) with at least one fixing element (60) which is movable by adjustment along an adjusting axis (B1), and wherein the fixing element (60) and the counter-holding body have positive locking contours (68) spaced apart from each other at an angular distance. and have counter-form-lock contours (69, 70).The fixing element (60) forms a component that is relatively movable relative to the vehicle mounting part (21) and/or the bearing element (32).