Support component as part of a trailer or load carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer support components are unable to effectively measure longitudinal forces, such as tensile or compressive forces, as they do not deform along their longitudinal axis during normal use, limiting the detection of these forces.
Innovation Solution
A support component with a deformation section having lower bending stiffness than the rest of the component, equipped with a force measuring device, and an actuation section that deforms the deformation section transversely to the longitudinal axis, allowing for the detection of longitudinal forces by measuring the deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the support component is designed with uniform structural properties along its longitudinal axis, then the component maintains high structural strength and stability, but the force measuring device cannot detect longitudinal force components because the component does not deform longitudinally
Solution Approach 1:
The support component is designed with non-uniform structural properties: a deformation section with reduced second moment of area (lower bending stiffness) is created at a specific location between the support sections, while the rest of the component maintains its original structural strength. This localized modification allows the deformation section to deflect transversely under longitudinal force, enabling force measurement without compromising the overall structural integrity of the support component.
2Measurement precision
If the deformation section is made highly deformable to improve force detection sensitivity, then the measurement precision increases, but the component loses structural stability and load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation section is designed with controlled reduced stiffness (lower second moment of area) only at the specific measurement location, while the support sections adjacent to it maintain their full structural properties. This localized differentiation allows the deformation section to be sufficiently compliant for force detection while the support sections provide the necessary structural stability and load-bearing capacity for the entire component.
3Strength
If the support component is designed as a rigid structure to ensure load-bearing capacity, then the structural strength is maintained, but the force measuring device cannot detect longitudinal forces because no deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support component incorporates a deformation section with reduced second moment of area at a specific location between support sections. This localized area is designed to be more compliant and deflect transversely when longitudinal force is applied, while the rest of the component maintains its rigid, load-bearing structure. The force measuring device detects the transverse deflection of this localized deformation section to determine the longitudinal force component.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation section is designed to deflect in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support component when subjected to longitudinal force. This dimensional transformation converts the longitudinal force effect into transverse deflection, which can then be measured by the force measuring device positioned at the deformation section.
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
Enables the accurate determination of longitudinal force components, including tensile and compressive forces, by utilizing the deformation of the support component's deformation section, which is designed to be elastically deformable and resilient along the longitudinal axis.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation section is deformable by the force component of the force and is arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis next to at least one supporting section
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a support component (40) as part of a trailer (200) or load carrier for detachable coupling to a towing vehicle (100) or as part of a support arrangement (20) for carrying a coupling bracket for a coupling element of a trailer coupling (30) of a towing vehicle (100) provided for attaching (200) a trailer (200) or carrying a load carrier, wherein the support component (40) has longitudinal end regions (41, 42) spaced apart from each other with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) and is designed for force transmission of a load force between the longitudinal end regions (41, 42) when in use, wherein the load force comprises a longitudinal force component (LK) oriented along the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the support component (40) has a deformation section (43) between its longitudinal end regions (41, 42).42) and has at least one force measuring device (70) with at least one sensor (71) for detecting a force acting on the load-bearing component (40) during its use. It is provided that the deformation section (43) is deformable by the longitudinal force component (LK), in particular transverse to the longitudinal axis (L), and that the at least one force measuring device (70) is designed to determine the longitudinal force component (LK) based on the deformation of the deformation section (43).