Trailer Hitch Force Sensor with Elastic Coupling Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitches do not effectively measure and stabilize the vertical load, tensile force, and other loads acting on the trailer, which can lead to instability in the towing vehicle and trailer combination during operation.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch with force sensors and a coupling body carrier that measures forces through mobility and elasticity, transmitting force signals to the towing vehicle's on-board network for display and stabilization, including a spherical coupling body with axial and horizontal mobility to detect vertical and transverse loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the coupling body carrier is made rigid and inelastic to ensure structural strength, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the ability to measure force through elasticity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body carrier is divided into a rigid support structure and a separate elastic measuring element (such as a spring or flexible beam). The rigid part provides structural strength and mounting functions, while the elastic element specifically handles force measurement through its deformation, resolving the contradiction between needing rigidity for strength and elasticity for measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic measuring element acts as an intermediary between the rigid coupling body carrier and the force sensor. This intermediary element transfers the applied force to the sensor while its own elastic deformation provides the measurement signal, allowing the rigid carrier to maintain strength while the system gains measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are added to measure vertical load and tensile force, then the measurement precision and stability control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic measuring element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural component connecting the coupling body to the carrier, serves as the sensing element for force measurement through its deformation, and provides mechanical compliance to accommodate load variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensor components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensor is integrated with the elastic measuring element or the coupling body carrier structure, combining the sensing function with existing structural components. This integration approach reduces the number of discrete parts and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to measure vertical load and tensile force.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the coupling body is made fixed and non-rotatable to ensure stability, then the stability is improved, but the ability to pivot and adapt to angle changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body is designed with controlled rotational degrees of freedom that allow it to pivot and adapt to angular changes during towing operations. This dynamic capability enables the coupling to self-adjust to road irregularities and maneuvering requirements while maintaining stable connection through friction and geometric constraints, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptive pivoting.
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
Enhances the stability of the towing vehicle and trailer by providing real-time load feedback to the driver, ensuring optimal nose weight and preventing swaying, thereby improving driving stability.
Implementation Method 1
there is mobility and/or elasticity between the coupling body and the coupling body carrier, for example a measuring elasticity of approximately 10 kN/0.1 mm
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a towing vehicle (12), in particular a passenger vehicle, for attaching a trailer to the towing vehicle (12), comprising a coupling body (15), in particular a spherical shape on the outside, onto which a coupling receptacle of a trailer coupling of the trailer can be mounted, wherein the coupling body (15) is arranged at a free end of a coupling body support (13) that can be attached to the towing vehicle (12). In the trailer coupling (10), it is provided that the coupling body (15) is movably mounted and/or elastically supported relative to the coupling body support (13), and that at least one force sensor (50a-50f) for measuring a force acting on the coupling body (15) is arranged between the coupling body support (13) and the coupling body (15).