DE10027571A1 - Interchangeable towing hook for vehicles, includes connectors for trailer supply voltage and functional signals taken to trailer decoder and power switching - Google Patents

Abstract

The towing hook mounting (10) has connectors (62) on the vehicle side, to which trailer supply voltage and functional signals (TSFS) are applied. They mate with connectors (64) on the towing hook side. Connections are made or broken when the towing hook (20) is inserted into, or removed from the mounting. The towing hook connectors (64) take the TSFS to a trailer control circuit (68) decoder, which controls appropriate power switches for supply and functions on the trailer.

Description

The invention relates to a hitch for motor vehicles witness, comprising a vehicle-fixed receptacle and one with an insert that can be inserted into the receptacle seen ball neck, which abge on the insert turned end carries a coupling ball.

With such hitching devices usually takes place on Train operation of the motor vehicle mounting the ball neck on the mount by inserting the insert into the open take and lock the same.

With these towbars, the elec trical connection for supply and monitoring of the An hanger via a vehicle-mounted socket realized that remains on the vehicle itself and therefore not can be removed with the ball neck.

Around this socket with the ball neck removed from the view area for the user of the motor vehicle to be removed such sockets, for example, still on pivotable Bearings or the like arranged.  

All of these solutions are complex and, moreover, complicate the establishment of the plug contact between the trailer side plug and the socket.

Furthermore, hitching devices are known in which the Ball neck is not loosened, but only pivoted. In this case, the socket is directly on the ball neck arranged to make the connector for trailer-side connector in an ergonomically accessible relocated area.

The invention is therefore based on the object of an appendix improve the device of the generic type in such a way that an ergonomic advantage even with removable ball necks solution is achievable.

This task is at the beginning of a hitch described type according to the invention solved in that the Inclusion of a set of first connections on the vehicle is provided that the insert part with a set ball joint side second connecting elements is provided, that the first and second fasteners when inserted of the insert part in the inevitably in active connection can be brought and forced when removing the insert are commonly solvable that on the vehicle-side connection elements of the trailer supply voltage and trailer Functional data signals are present that in operative connection standing connecting elements the electrical trailer ver supply voltage and the trailer function data signals via wear and that the connecting elements on the ball neck side are connected to a trailer control circuit, which one  Decoder stage receiving trailer function data signals and of this controllable circuit breaker for switching the Trailer supply voltage includes, at the outputs of the switched according to the trailer functions to be fed Trailer supply voltage is present.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is thus too see that required for the trailer function to be fed variously switched trailer supply voltages not transmitted as such from the motor vehicle to the ball neck be, but that only a transfer of followers supply voltage takes place and a transmission of An trailer function data signals, which then only in the An trailer control circuit in accordance with the to be fed Trailer functions switched trailer supply voltages be implemented.

This can provide a lot of information on a small Number of fasteners are transmitted.

Such a small number of fasteners leaves then also within the limited space realize that in the area between intake and insert available.

In particular, due to the small number of required fasteners the connections, preferred wise physical connections between the connections elements, also as reliable connections realize.  

In principle it would be conceivable, in this case on the ball neck itself no plug connection, d. H. no outlet at all, to arrange, but directly from the ball-side second Fasteners a line to a plug connection lead, for example with the trailer-side connector is connectable in the form of a plug-coupling connection and is not physically held on the ball neck, but can be attached to the trailer, for example.

But it would also be conceivable to use additional connecting elements a connection between the ball neck and the pendant similar to the connection with connecting elements between the To create vehicle and the ball neck and thus the An trailer control circuit only in the area of the trailer see.

One looks at the practicability of the known solutions approximate solution, however, preferably provides that on the Ball neck a plug connection is fixed, in which a counterpart to the trailer power supply can be inserted.

This solution has the advantage that for the previous ones Solutions users are still familiar with a plug-in connection between trailer and motor vehicle with mounted ball neck is established, however, the establishment of the connection can be done ergonomically far cheaper.

In principle, it would be fixed to the ball even if one was provided neck connector still conceivable, the Trailer control circuit to be provided on the trailer side and thus the plug connection in modification of the previously known  To implement solutions as a very simple plug connection, at which is only a connection for the transmission of the An trailer supply voltage and a connection for transmission the trailer function data signals must take place.

For example, this could be done in that in the Plug connection a plug can be inserted, on which then Adaptation to the variety of trailer-side connector and Supply solutions an adapter follows, which follows the trailer Control circuit includes.

To stay as close as possible to the previously known solutions to be able, however, provides an advantageous solution that the Trailer control circuit between the plug connection and the ball-necked connecting elements is arranged and that Contacts of the plug connection with the outputs of the Circuit breakers are connected so that the correspond to the switched trailer functions to be fed Trailer supply voltage is present.

This solution therefore requires it in the area of the ball neck to arrange the trailer control circuit.

The trailer control circuit can be separate and independent be arranged on the ball neck of the plug connection.

A particularly favorable solution, however, provides that the Trailer control circuit in a housing of the plug connection is integrated.  

Regarding the way the trailer supply voltage and the trailer function data signals on the vehicle side were made available in connection with the The solutions discussed so far have not been specified. So it would be conceivable, for example, the trailer function data signals directly from an in-vehicle bus system to the corresponding vehicle's own connecting element to wear.

Since every vehicle manufacturer usually has its own bus system would have the consequence that each of the followers control circuit to the vehicle's own bus system must be adjusted.

For this reason, an advantageous solution provides that a transmission circuit is provided on the vehicle side, which with at least one of the vehicle-side connection elements and the trailer function data Signals generated.

With such a transmission circuit can thus adaptations to the most varied in a simple manner Make vehicle types.

So a preferred solution provides that the transmission circuit the trailer function data signals of functions of the vehicle-side rear light set.

This solution has the advantage that even when on the vehicle side there is a bus system, this no additional connection trailer function data signals must provide itself, but  that the transmission circuit is capable of following the trailer function data signals from usual function signals for the Derive tail light set.

Such a derivation is for example realizable that the transmission circuit the individual Tensions of the vehicle-side rear light set taps and generates the corresponding trailer function data signals. This solution has the great advantage that it is completely independent depends on whether the vehicle has its own bus system is present or not, as the actual, at the stern luminaire set voltages can be tapped, so that this solution can be used for any type of vehicle.

However, if there is an on-board bus system, a preferred variant provides that the transmission circuit communicates with the vehicle's own bus system and the vehicle's own bus data signals in the trailer function converts data signals.

In principle, it would be within the scope of the solution according to the invention conceivable, the trailer function data signals as any type to form binary coded data signals.

However, since there are already a number of commercial bus systems is available, it is preferably provided that the Trailer function data signals as data signals of a bus systems are designed, since there are such data signals Generate very easily due to standardized components to let.  

In addition, a bus system for the transmission of the To trailer function data signals have the further advantage that it is also possible to transfer information from the trailer to the Vehicle to transmit, so that with this solution also Possibility to monitor the trailer To transfer motor vehicle and, if necessary, additional monitoring functions.

In principle, it would be conceivable when training the trailer function data signals the bus system to the vehicle's own Adapt bus system.

However, since the known bus systems in the most varied One sees with regard to the expression Standardization particularly cheap solution that the over transmission between the transmission circuit and the trailer control circuit via its own data assigned to it bus system that is independent of the different Vehicle types and vehicle manufacturers can be built.

Such a dedicated data bus system also has the great advantage that it is over the vehicle's own bus systems can be a much simpler bus system because for trailer function and trailer function monitoring transferring data amounts to a fraction of that in a force vehicle usually to be transmitted by a bus system Represent data sets.

Thus, especially in the case of the bus system, between the over transmission circuit and the trailer control circuit simplest commercially available bus system components can be used.  

Regarding the type of transmission of trailer supply no details have yet been given for voltage. So it would be conceivable, for example, two pairs of connection elements.

A particularly simple solution, however, provides that the Trailer supply voltage via an electrically conductive Active connection between a first and a second Ver binding element and electrically conductive body contact between the insert and the receptacle, so that the Trailer supply voltage already with a pair of additional connecting elements to be provided can be.

With regard to the other connecting elements, in particular the connecting elements for the transmission of the trailer function data signals, were also no further details made.

For example, it would be conceivable to combine several pairs of ver to provide connecting elements to several parallel lines from the vehicle to the ball neck.

However, it is also conceivable for the trailer function data signals modulate to the trailer supply voltage so that no further connecting elements are required for this are.

However, because of space reasons, the number of connections elements should be as small as possible, sees one in particular  advantageous solution that the transmission of the trailer functional data signals via only a first and only a second Connection element is made so that the number of actually provided connecting elements can be minimized.

Such a transmission over a first and a second Connecting element could for example be optically take place so that the lead to the connecting elements conductor could be light guides.

Such transmission of the trailer function data signals would have the advantage of considerable interference immunity.

On the other hand, however, it is especially for cost reasons partial if with the first and second connecting element one for the transmission of the trailer function data signals electrically conductive operative connection can be established, so that a simple electrical wire to transfer the to Trailer function data signals suffice, in particular also the production of an electrically conductive operative connection between the first and the second connecting element itself can be realized extremely inexpensively.

Other features and advantages of the invention are the subject the following description and the graphic Dar position of some embodiments. In the drawing demonstrate:

Figure 1 is a side view of a ball neck according to the invention with a cut in a longitudinal median plane of the motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view from above of the first embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention.

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view similar to Figure 2 of a second embodiment of a towing device according to the Invention without inserted ball neck.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a first variant of a ball neck of one of the attachments according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a second variant of a ball neck of one of the attachments devices and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a third variant of a ball neck of one of the attachments according to the invention.

Bin first embodiment of a to the invention, suspension device shown in Fig. 1 and 2, comprises an opening provided on a rear side of a vehicle seat 10, which is held for example on a fixed antenna on the motor vehicle cross-member 12 which in its turn via longitudinal members 14 to the motor vehicle connected is.

The receptacle 10 is preferably designed as a sleeve, into which an insert part of a ball neck 30, designated as a whole by 20, can be inserted, the ball neck having a bent section 22 adjoining the insert part 20 , from which a middle section 24 to a cranked end section 26 extends, which in turn forms a constriction 28 at its end, on which sits a coupling ball, designated as a whole by 32, via which a connection to a trailer for pulling the same can be produced.

The insert part 20 can be locked in the receptacle 10, for example, by locking bodies 36 which can be moved radially to a head part 34 of the insert part and which engage in corresponding recesses in the receptacle part 10 in order to fix the insert part 20 in the receptacle 10 .

This fixation is also releasable to remove the entire ball neck 30 from the receptacle 10 and to be able to stow it separately in the motor vehicle.

In the towing device according to the invention, the ball neck 30 is now provided with a socket labeled 40 as a whole, into which a plug of a trailer can be plugged in to supply it with supply voltages for operating trailer functions, such as indicators, brake lights and rear lights, and report the function of these lights if necessary.

The socket 40 is preferably seated on the ball neck 30 in the central region 24 and is fixed to the central region 24 .

The socket 40 includes a plurality of plug contacts 42 , at which, according to the contact assignment, the voltages required for the trailer functions to be fed, such as indicators, brake lights and rear lights, are switched in a known manner according to the usual standard assignment.

In order to prevent a large number of lines from the motor vehicle to the ball neck 24 to be routed, a transmission circuit 50 is provided on the motor vehicle, preferably in the region of the cross member 12 , which has a connection 52 to which is connected to the supply voltage of the vehicle electrical system is, and a terminal 54 which is a ground terminal.

From the transmission circuit 50 also lead two sets of tap lines 56 a and 56 b to two sets 58 a and 58 b of rear lights of the motor vehicle, which include, for example, lighting elements for flashing light B, tail light R, brake light Br, rear fog light NSL and reversing light Rs.

With the tap lines 56 a and 56 b, the transmission circuit can thus determine which lighting element of the respective set 58 a, 58 b of rear lights is operated at the respective moment.

From this information about the function of the individual lighting elements of the rear lights, the transmission circuit 50 , as shown in particular in Fig. 3, generates trailer function data signals AFDS, which the transmission circuit 50 via a data line 60 to a first connecting element 62 for the trailer function data signals AFDS, which is fixed to the receptacle 10 and is engageable with a connecting element 64 signals for the trailer function data AFDS in electrically conductive connection, which is of the arranged same on the insert part 10, for example on the head 34 and with the first connecting element 62 then is in operative connection, ie in There is electrical contact when the insert 20 is inserted into the receptacle 10 and locked with the locking bodies 34 .

From the second connecting element 64 then leads a data line 66 to a trailer control circuit designated as a whole as 68, which in this embodiment is also held on the ball neck 30 and, for example, also sits on the central region 24 of the ball neck 30 .

Furthermore, either via the transmission circuit 50 or directly from the voltage supply connection 52, a voltage supply line 70 leads to a further first connecting element 72 , which is also fixed to the receptacle 10 and can be connected to a second connecting element 74 , which can also be connected, for example, to the head 34 of the insert part 20 is arranged opposite the second connecting element 64 Ver.

The connecting elements 72 and 74 can then be brought into an active connection if the insert part 20 is inserted into the receptacle 10 and is locked in this by the locking body 36 .

Via the operative connection between the connecting elements 72 and 74 is effected by a further line 76, a voltage supply to the trailer control circuit 68th

Furthermore, via the physical contact of the insert 20 with the receptacle 10, a ground connection between the acquisition 10 and thus the vehicle body and the ball neck 30 , so that the ball neck 30 , which is made of metal, for example, itself represents the ground line.

As will now be further illustrated in the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 3, the trailer control circuit 68 comprises a decoding stage 80 which the data transmitted via the line 66 pendant functional data signals AFDS decoded and with these decode all official information in a position more to the assigned to be fed trailer functions power switch 82 , 84 , 86 , 88 , which each have outputs 82 A, 84 A, 86 A and 88 A, and depending on the control, connect the respective outputs 82 A, 84 A, 86 A and 88 A to line 76 , which via the connecting elements 72 and 74 is connected to the supply voltage at the terminal 52 in the motor vehicle.

For example, the circuit breaker 82 is associated with the one flashing light, the circuit breaker 84 with the other flashing light, the circuit breaker 86 with two rear lights and the circuit breaker 88 with two brake lights of the trailer.

The outputs 82 A, 84 A, 86 A and 88 A are connected to the individual plug contacts 42 of the socket 40 , and this is done by the usual trailer supply cable feeding the respective lighting elements provided in the trailer, ie, for example, the flashing lights facing lighting elements Br and Bl, the lighting elements R facing the rear lights and the lighting elements facing the brake lights Br.

Thus, by transmitting the trailer function data signals AFDS via an electrical line between the transmission circuit 50 and the trailer control circuit 68, there is the possibility of controlling a large number of trailer functions.

The trailer function data signals AFDS are preferably generated and evaluated and transmitted in the form of a conventional bus system, for example a CAN or LAN bus system, so that not only a transmission of trailer function data signals AFDS from the transmission circuit 50 to the trailer control circuit 68 is possible, but also an information transfer in the reverse manner, namely in addition in the trailer control circuit 68 at the same time as the decoding stage 80, a coding stage 90 is provided, which encodes signals from current monitors 92 , 94 , 96 , 98 , for example, which monitor whether even with closed circuit breakers 82 , 84 , 86 and 88 a current flows in order to be able to check whether the respective lighting element is defective or not.

The coding stage 90 is thus able to also send back function data signals AFDS to the transmission circuit 50 , which converts this information and, for example, by means of the sets of tap lines 56 a and 56 b is able to provide feedback to the lines for the sets 58 a and 58 b of the tail lights, which can then be evaluated by a corresponding detector and displayed on the dashboard, for example.

A particularly expedient embodiment of the first exemplary embodiment also provides a sensor 100 which is assigned to the ball neck 30 and is arranged, for example, in the coupling ball 32 and, as also shown in FIG. 3, is connected to the coding stage 90 .

By means of this sensor 100 it is possible to determine whether an object, for example a ball coupling piece of a trailer, is attacking the coupling ball 32 and it can thus be determined by means of the sensor 100 whether a trailer is properly arranged on the ball neck 30 .

This information can also be transmitted in the solution according to the invention by means of the bus system between the trailer control circuit 68 and the transmission circuit 52 , so that this additional information is also available in the vehicle for monitoring purposes.

In the simplest case, the sensor 100 is a mechanically operated pushbutton switch, but it is also conceivable to design the sensor 100 as a contactless sensor, for example as an infrared sensor or ultrasonic sensor, which not only has to be arranged in the coupling ball 32 , but also, for example can be integrated in the socket 40 to monitor the extent to which an object, in particular a ball coupling piece of a trailer, engages on the coupling ball 32 .

In a second embodiment of a hitch according to the invention, shown in detail in Fig. 4, those elements that are identical to those of the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference can be made in full to the description of the same to the first embodiment .

In contrast to the first embodiment, the transmission circuit 50 'is not connected by means of the tap lines 56 a and 56 b to the leads to the sets 58 a and 58 b for the rear lights, but via a line 57 to an in-vehicle bus system 59 and receives directly the vehicle's own bus system 59 contains the information for controlling the lighting of the trailer.

The transmission circuit 50 'now converts this information from the vehicle's bus system 59 into the dedicated bus system assigned to the trailer device, which is provided for communication between the transmission circuit 50 and the trailer control circuit 68 , the trailer function data signals AFDS generated in this way being known to the trailer control circuit 68 transmitted and then used in this trailer control circuit 68 to control the circuit breakers 82 , 84 , 86 and 88 to be written in the same way as in the first embodiment, to operate the light elements Br, Bl, R and BR of the trailer.

Incidentally, with regard to the function of the second exemplary embodiment, reference is made in full to the explanation of the first exemplary embodiment, although the feedback of the information from the trailer, for example about defective lighting elements in the trailer, is not impressed on the lines for the sets 58 a, b of rear lights , but is transferred via line 57 directly into the vehicle's own bus system 59 .

There are now further variants in the solutions according to the invention think with regard to the formation of the ball neck itself bar.

For example, in a first variant shown in FIG. 5, it is conceivable not to place the socket 40 directly on the central region 24 of the ball neck, but to arrange the socket 40 on a holding plate 41 , which in turn is connected to the ball neck 30 , for example its central region 24 , is connected.

Alternatively, in a further variant, shown in FIG. 6, the trailer control circuit 68 is not arranged separately on the ball neck 30 , but is integrated in a housing 43 of the socket 40 and thus forms a unitary assembly together with the socket 40 .

The same is also in another, in Fig. 7 Darge presented variant, in which the socket 40 is held by means of the retaining plate 41 on the ball neck 30 , the trailer control circuit 68 also integrated into the housing 43 , which both the socket 40 and the Trailer control circuit 68 records.

Claims (14)

1. Towing device for motor vehicles comprising a vehicle-fixed receptacle ( 10 ) and a ball neck ( 30 ) provided with an insert part ( 10 ) which can be releasably inserted into the receptacle ( 10 ) and which has a coupling ball on an end ( 28 ) facing away from the insert ( 20 ) ( 32 ) carries, characterized ,
that the receptacle ( 10 ) is provided with a set of first connecting elements ( 62 , 72 ) on the vehicle,
that the insert part ( 20 ) is provided with a set of second connecting elements ( 64 , 74 ) on the ball neck side,
that the first and second connecting elements ( 62 , 72 , 64 , 74 ) when inserting the insert part ( 20 ) into the receptacle ( 10 ) can inevitably be brought into operative connection and can be released when the insert part ( 20 ) is removed,
that the trailer supply voltage and trailer function data signals (AFDS) are present on the vehicle-side connecting elements ( 62 , 72 ),
that the operative connection elements ( 62 , 64 , 72 , 74 ) carry the electrical trailer supply voltage and trailer function data signals (AFDS)
and that the ball-neck-side connecting elements ( 64 , 74 ) are connected to a trailer control circuit ( 68 ) which comprises a decoding stage ( 80 ) receiving the trailer function data signals (AFDS) and circuit breakers ( 82 , 84 , 86 , 88 ) which can be actuated by the latter for switching the trailer supply voltage , at the outputs ( 82 A, 84 A, 86 A, 88 A) of the trailer supply voltage switched according to the trailer functions to be fed. 2. Hitching device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the ball neck ( 30 ) a plug connection ( 40 ) is fixed, in which a counterpart to the trailer supply can be inserted. 3. Towing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the trailer control circuit ( 68 ) between the plug connection ( 40 ) and the ball neck Ver connecting elements ( 64 , 74 ) is arranged and that contacts ( 42 ) of the plug connection ( 40 ) with the outputs ( 82 A, 84 A, 86 A, 88 A) of the circuit breakers ( 82 , 84 , 86 , 88 ) are connected. 4. Towing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the trailer control circuit ( 68 ) and the plug connection ( 40 ) are integrated in a common housing ( 43 ). 5. Hitching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transmission circuit ( 50 ) is provided on the vehicle side, which is connected to at least one of the vehicle-side connecting elements ( 62 , 72 ) and the trailer generates function data signals (AFDS). 6. A towing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the transmission circuit ( 50 ) derives the trailer function data signals (AFDS) from functions of the vehicle-side rear lamp set ( 58 a, b). 7. A towing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmission circuit ( 50 ) which taps an individual voltages of the vehicle-side rear light set ( 58 a, b) and generates the corresponding trailer function data signals (AFDS). 8. A towing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the transmission circuit ( 50 ) communicates with the vehicle's own bus system ( 59 ) and converts the vehicle's own bus data signals into the trailer function data signals (AFDS). 9. Towbar according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that the followers function data signals (AFDS) as data signals of a bus Systems are trained.   10. A towing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the data transmission between the transmission circuit ( 50 ) and the trailer control circuit ( 68 ) takes place via a dedicated data bus system associated therewith. 11. A towing device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized characterized that the bus system is bidirectional is working. 12. Hitching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trailer supply voltage via an electrically conductive active connection between a first and a second connecting element ( 72 , 74 ) and an electrically conductive body contact between the insert part ( 20 ) and the on take ( 10 ). 13. Towing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission of the trailer function data signals (AFDS) takes place via only a first and only a second connecting element ( 62 , 64 ). 14. Hitching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically conductive operative connection can be established with the first and second connecting elements ( 72 , 74 ) for the transmission of the trailer function data signals (AFDS).