DE20016618U1 - Trailer coupling for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, with a coupling rod having, for example, a coupling ball, which can be adjusted between a rest position and an operating position, and with a socket (plug connector) for the electrical connection of a vehicle trailer.

For example, trailer couplings of the type mentioned above are known from DE 196 05 570 C2 and DE 196 54 967 C2. In these, the socket is permanently mounted on the vehicle in a place that must be easily accessible. As long as the socket is not in use, it is therefore a nuisance. If it is mounted in a place where it is not visible, it would be less accessible.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a trailer coupling of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that not only the coupling rod but also the socket are easily accessible in the operating position, but are not disruptive in the rest position, i.e. in particular do not protrude beyond the rear bumper, and this in a structurally simple and easily handled manner.

From EP 0 872 364 A1 it is known to position the socket on the side of the pivoting coupling rod itself. However, this has the disadvantage that the insertion area of the socket for the plug is not in the direction of travel as in the classic application, which makes establishing the plug connection difficult because it is unusual.

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21 September 2000

J 75 G 82

KEIL & SCHAAFHAUSEN

PATENT ATTORNEYS

This object is achieved according to the invention in a trailer coupling of the type mentioned at the beginning, for example, in that the socket can also be adjusted between a rest position and an operating position when the coupling rod is locked.

This solution offers a variety of advantages. By adjusting the coupling rod and the socket or similar connector at the same time, only one operation is required. The socket can be installed at almost any location on the rear of the vehicle, which allows the definition of the appropriate installation space. Conventional sockets can also be used.

Preferably, the socket is attached to a socket holder, e.g. a socket plate, and this is adjustable with the socket. Both conventional sockets and conventional socket plates can be used.

The inventive concept can be implemented in particular by holding the socket in the operating position in such a way that the insertion area for the plug runs in the direction of travel. This avoids lever arms with a 90° angle of attack. This also makes it easy for left-handed people to insert the plug into the socket.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the coupling rod and the socket or socket holder are coupled to one another via a gear, a rod, a cable, a Bowden cable or similar drive. Any simple construction can therefore be used here without affecting the aim underlying the invention.

While the trailer coupling according to the invention can be operated manually, it is particularly provided that the coupling rod and thus also the socket or socket holder can be driven by a motor, in particular an electric motor, in order to simplify operation even further, since special handling

21 September 2000

J 75 G 82

-3-

Keil&Schaafhausen PATENT ATTORNEYS

Exercises that also carry the risk of getting your fingers dirty are no longer necessary.

To implement the invention, the coupling rod and/or the socket or the socket holder can be designed to be pivotable and/or axially adjustable in order to move from the rest position to the operating position and vice versa.

It is also particularly advantageous if the coupling rod and/or the socket or the socket holder interact with a positive locking and unlocking unit in the operating position and/or the rest position.

A solution is also conceivable in which the socket or the socket holder has its own motor, in particular electric motor, drive, which is controlled by the drive of the coupling rod or vice versa.

Reliable functioning can be ensured, for example, by the coupling rod and/or the socket or socket holder being adjustable from their operating position to the rest position against the action of a restoring force, in particular that of a return spring.

Further aims, advantages, features and possible applications of the invention emerge from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawing. All described and/or illustrated features form the subject matter of the invention on their own or in any combination, regardless of their summary in individual claims or their reference back to one another.

The single figure schematically illustrates a trailer coupling incorporating the invention in an oblique view, mounted in the area of the rear bumper of a motor vehicle.

The trailer coupling of the motor vehicle shown has a coupling rod 3, at the free end of which there is a coupling ball 3' for the trailer connection. The coupling rod 3 is attached to a coupling bracket 1, which has two parallel

21 September 2000

J 75 G 82

-A-

Keil&Schaafhausen

PATENT ATTORNEYS

Plates which are attached to the bumper 1' can be folded downwards from the illustrated operating position into a rest position. An electric motor drive 2 and a non-visible gear are used for this purpose.

Adjacent to the coupling bracket 1, a socket holder 4 designed as a coupling plate with a fixed section 4' is attached to the bumper 1', on which a pivoting section 4" can be moved from the vertical operating position shown into a rest position folded away to the right against the action of a return spring 5. For this purpose, the pivoting section 4" of the socket holder 4 is connected to the coupling rod 3 via a drive 8, in the case shown via a cable 6 which is guided over deflection rollers 7. The geared coupling between the coupling rod 3 and the socket holder 4 is designed in such a way that both move in the same direction from their operating position shown to their rest position and vice versa. It can be seen from the drawing that the socket holder 4 in the operating position is aligned such that the insertion area of the socket for the plug runs in the direction of travel. The arrangement is also such that the coupling rod 3 and the socket holder 4 can assume a positive locking or latching position both in the operating position and in the rest position, from which they can be released again with the necessary force. However, an unintentional release from the relevant position is avoided. In the case shown, the edge of the pivoting section 4" is provided with shoulders which, in the operating position and in the rest position, interact with a deflection 9 of the fixed section 4' of the socket holder 4, so that a defined pivoting position is assumed in each case.

21 September 2000

J 75 G 82

- 5 - KEIL& SCHAAFHAUSEN

PATENT ATTORNEYS

List of reference symbols

1 Clutch bracket V Bumper 2 drive 3 Coupling rod 3' Coupling ball 4 Socket holder 4' fixed section 4" pivoting section 5 Return spring 6 Cable pull 7 Pulleys 8th Drive for socket holder 4 9 attack

21. September 2000 J 75 G 82

Claims (9)

1. Trailer coupling for motor vehicles, with a coupling rod ( 3) having, for example, a coupling ball (3 ' ), which can be adjusted between a rest position and an operating position, and with a socket (plug connector) for the electrical connection of a vehicle trailer, characterized in that by adjusting the coupling rod, the socket can also be adjusted between a rest position and an operating position. 2. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the socket is attached to a socket holder ( 4 ), e.g. a socket plate, and the latter is adjustable with the socket. 3. Trailer coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the socket is held in the operating position such that the insertion area for the plug runs in the direction of travel. 4. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling rod ( 3 ) and socket or socket holder ( 4 ) are coupled to one another via a gear, a rod, a cable, a Bowden cable or similar drive ( 8 ). 5. Trailer coupling according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling rod ( 3 ) and thus also the socket or the socket holder ( 4 ) can be driven by a motor, in particular an electric motor. 6. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling rod ( 3 ) and/or the socket or the socket holder ( 4 ) are pivotable and/or axially adjustable. 7. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling rod ( 3 ) and/or the socket or the socket holder ( 4 ) in the operating position and/or in the rest position cooperate with a positive locking and unlocking unit. 8. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the socket or the socket holder ( 4 ) has its own motor, in particular electric motor, drive, which is controlled by the drive of the coupling rod ( 3 ). 9. Trailer coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling rod ( 3 ) and/or the socket or the socket holder ( 4 ) can be adjusted from its operating position into the rest position against the action of a restoring force, in particular that of a restoring spring ( 5 ).