Vehicle Coupling Mounting Structure for Vibration-Resistant Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling units for vehicles lack a stable and vibration-insensitive connection between the connecting element and the cross member, leading to potential deformation and instability.
Innovation Solution
A coupling unit design featuring a mounting element with a slot that positively bonds to the cross member on opposite longitudinal side faces, utilizing longitudinal portions and connecting flanges connected by a continuous closed bonding seam, enhancing stability and resistance to vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional connection method is used between the connecting element and the cross member, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connection stability and vibration resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element is divided into two separate longitudinal portions that are arranged on opposite sides of the slot. This segmentation allows each portion to independently bond to the cross member, distributing the connection forces and improving overall connection stability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection is enhanced by extending the bonding interface from a single point or line to a three-dimensional contour that wraps around the central section of the cross member. The slot and connecting flanges create a continuous closed contour that bonds to multiple surfaces of the cross member, adding dimensional complexity to the bonding interface that significantly improves vibration resistance and connection stability.
2Strength
If a simple connection design is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the resistance to deformation and vibrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element is designed with pre-formed connecting flanges and a slot that are shaped to create the continuous closed bonding contour before assembly. This preliminary shaping of the bonding interfaces ensures that when the components are assembled, the optimal deformation-resistant connection is automatically achieved without requiring complex post-assembly operations or adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure combines multiple material components - the mounting element material and the cross member material - bonded together through the continuous closed contour. This composite construction creates a connection that leverages the properties of both materials to achieve superior deformation resistance and vibration resistance compared to simple single-material connections.
3Reliability
If a continuous closed bonding seam is used to connect the longitudinal portions and connecting flanges, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot and the connecting flanges are merged into a single continuous closed contour that bonds to the cross member. This merging eliminates discontinuities in the bonding interface, creating a unified bonding path that significantly improves connection reliability and vibration resistance. The continuous contour ensures that loads are distributed evenly throughout the entire bonding interface rather than at discrete points.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a coupling unit for vehicles comprising a cross member mounted on a rear region of a vehicle body, a connecting element fixed to said cross member and being adapted to carry a coupling element for coupling a trailer or load carrier to said vehicle for achieving improved stability said connecting element comprises a mounting element provided with a slot for receiving a central section of said cross member, and that said slot forms a contour for being positively bonded to said central section of the cross member on opposite longitudinal side faces of the central section.