WO2022223692A1

WO2022223692A1 - Trailer coupling and trailer for a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2022223692A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/060552
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin BACHMANN; Jörg Evertz; Simon HASENFRATZ
Original assignee: Brüggli
Priority date: 2021-04-22
Filing date: 2022-04-21
Publication date: 2022-10-27
Also published as: DE102021110293A1

Abstract

The invention relates to, inter alia, a trailer coupling (14) for a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle, preferably for a bicycle (2), having a coupling housing (16). A sensor device (18) is arranged in the coupling housing (16) and is designed to detect a relative movement between a first housing part (20) of the coupling housing (16) and a second housing part (22) of the coupling housing (16), said relative movement being facilitated by at least one elastically flexible wall section (24, 26) of the coupling housing (16). Thus, a solution can be advantageously provided which is ready for mass production, saves space, has a long service life, and is inexpensive while integrating the sensor device (18) directly into the trailer coupling (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION

HITCH AND TRAILER FOR A TWO OR THREE WHEEL VEHICLE

technical field

The invention relates to a trailer hitch for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle and a trailer for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle.

Technical background

Trailers for bicycles have long been known. These trailers are conventionally equipped without their own drive and without their own brakes, which has a negative effect on the driving speed and on the driving behavior when braking because of the limited drive power of the cyclist. Inclines in particular are difficult to negotiate when driving uphill and present a major problem when braking when driving downhill if the trailer has a comparatively large mass. For this reason, bicycle trailers have been proposed in the prior art, which are equipped with their own drive and braking device.

Such a bicycle trailer is described, for example, in DE 10 2010051 838 A1. This bicycle trailer has an electronic logic circuit that acts on the brakes of the trailer and is set up in such a way that the trailer does not have any noticeable effect on the handling of the bicycle when it is being pushed or when the bicycle is braked. In this case, the electronic logic circuit is supplied with signals from a pedal pressure sensor, a braking force sensor, a force sensor in the area of the trailer hitch and a rotation sensor. The force sensor in the area of the trailer hitch is arranged in detail in an area between a dropout of a bicycle frame and the trailer hitch, ie outside of the trailer hitch.

WO 2016/000810 A1 discloses a trailer for a bicycle, having a braking device acting on the wheels of the trailer. A sensor device provides a measured variable that is a measure of an acceleration force acting on the trailer via a drawbar. A controller is set up to act on the braking device as a function of the measured variable determined by the sensor device in such a way that an inertial force of the trailer generated when the bicycle is braked is compensated for or at least reduced. A decoupling device is for partial mechanical decoupling of a movement of the bicycle trailer to the bicycle in the longitudinal direction of the bicycle trailer.

The invention is based on the object of creating an improved trailer technology which is preferably improved in terms of signal detection, user-friendliness, readiness for series production and/or service life.

Summary of the Invention

The object is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hitch (eg, bicycle hitch, scooter hitch, moped hitch, or three-wheeler hitch) for a (eg, electrically powered) two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle, preferably a bicycle. The trailer hitch has a clutch housing. The coupling housing has a first housing part, which is designed for coupling to the two-wheeled vehicle (e.g. bicycle, electric scooter or moped) or the three-wheeled vehicle, a second housing part, which is designed to be coupled to a drawbar of a trailer (e.g . directly or by means of a joint), and at least one wall section which is elastically deformable (e.g. flexible and/or compressible) and connects the first housing part and the second housing part so that they can be moved relative to one another (e.g. with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch and /or with a relative mobility in the single-digit mm range and/or in the tenths of a mm range). The trailer hitch has a (z. B. electromagnetic or piezoelectric) sensor device (z. B. protected and / or substantially surrounded on all sides) is arranged in the clutch housing and is formed from a made possible by the at least one wall section relative movement between tween the first housing part and the second housing part (e.g. when braking or accelerating the two-wheeled vehicle or the three-wheeled vehicle).

The sensor device is thus advantageously integrated directly into the clutch housing of the trailer hitch. In this way, it is expedient to enable the sensor device to be installed in a manner that is protected from environmental influences and has a long service life. It is therefore preferably also not necessary to provide a separate connection area in the connection between the two-wheeler vehicle/three-wheeler vehicle and the trailer for the sensor device. Instead, only one design of the clutch housing needs to be modified in such a way that there are two housing parts that can be moved relative to one another. A cost-effective solution that is ready for series production and that integrates the sensor device directly in the trailer hitch can thus advantageously be created. Preferably, the bicycle can, for example, only be driven by muscle power or can be driven with the support of a motor. The bike can bpsw. be an electric bicycle or an S-Pedelec. The trailer hitch can, for example, also be suitable for coupling to any, preferably electrically driven, two- or three-wheeled vehicle. It is conceivable in this context, for example, for the trailer hitch to be used to hitch a mail trailer and/or for the trailer hitch to be coupled to an electric scooter that you can sit on, for example, or to an electrically powered moped or small motorcycle.

Preferably, the trailer hitch can be a quick-release coupling, which is preferably designed for tool-less and/or hand-operated coupling and uncoupling of the trailer on the two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle, e.g. B. using a hand-operated Kupplunghe lever the trailer hitch.

In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor device is arranged essentially centrally in the clutch housing with respect to a transverse axis of the clutch housing. The sensor device can thus preferably be arranged on or in a central vertical plane of the clutch housing. This arrangement preferably enables a reduction in erroneous influences on the detection by the sensor device due to steering angles when driving the two-wheel vehicle/three-wheel vehicle-trailer combination. Simulations and tests have shown that in the event of an incorrect influence caused by a steering angle of > 70°, a value recorded by the sensor device can be reduced by around 40% compared to an off-centre sensor positioning. Consequently, by arranging the sensor device in the center, a false influence due to steering movements during detection can be significantly reduced.

It is possible for a control unit of the trailer to operate a braking device of the trailer based on a signal from the sensor device, with braking only being carried out when a value of the signal exceeds a limit value. The limit value can preferably be selected in such a way that it is greater than or equal to a signal value that occurs when the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle is driving at a steady speed and has a steering angle of 70°.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the sensor device is arranged on a side facing the second housing part, preferably underside, of the first housing part and/or on a side facing the first housing part, preferably upper side, of the second housing part. This can enable a space-saving arrangement directly in the area of the relative movement for particularly precise detection of the relative movement. In a further exemplary embodiment, the sensor device is in several parts. A part, preferably a Hall sensor, of the sensor device is attached to one of the first housing part and the second housing part (e.g. by means of a holder on the respective housing part). Another part, preferably at least one magnet, of the sensor device is attached to the other of the first housing part and the second housing part (e.g. by means of a bracket on the respective housing part). Preferably, the part and the other part are movable relative to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch. Advantageously, the sensor device can be arranged so compactly, and the structure of the clutch housing comprising the two housing seteile can be used particularly advantageously to attach the sensor device, while a particularly accurate detection of the relative movement can be made possible.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the sensor device has two magnets that are spaced apart from one another and a Hall sensor that is positioned between the two magnets. A particularly reliable and precise detection can advantageously be made possible in this way, in particular in comparison with a structure which comprises only one magnet.

The two magnets can preferably be spaced apart from one another with respect to a transverse axis of the trailer hitch, and/or the Hall sensor can be arranged between the two magnets with respect to a transverse axis of the trailer hitch.

In one embodiment, the Hall sensor is accommodated in a plate section of a first sensor housing part of the sensor device. Alternatively or additionally, the two magnets are accommodated in two parallel legs of a second sensor housing part of the sensor device. This can enable a particularly simple and precise assembly, which can also ensure relative mobility between the magnets and the Hall sensor. It is possible that the plate section is guided between the two parallel legs, preferably in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch.

In a further embodiment, the clutch housing has a receiving space which is delimited by the first housing part, the second housing part and/or the at least one wall section. The sensor device is arranged in the accommodation space. A protected accommodation space for the sensor device can thus be provided by the clutch housing, in which the sensor device can be mounted easily, safely and for the precise detection of the relative movement between the housing parts. A space that is required in any case between the two housing parts can thus be used particularly advantageously to enable relative mobility. For example, the first housing part can delimit an upper side and the second housing part and a lower side of the receiving space, or vice versa.

The at least one wall section can preferably delimit a transverse side or longitudinal side of the receiving space. In a further embodiment, the clutch housing also has at least one detachable cover that covers the receiving space. In this way, installation, maintenance and/or replacement of the sensor device can advantageously be made possible in a particularly simple manner.

In a further embodiment, the receiving space is essentially U-shaped, V-shaped or kidney-shaped. An extended extent of the at least one wall section can advantageously be achieved in this way, which can have a favorable effect on the relative mobility between the housing parts.

A longitudinal axis of the receiving space can preferably extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the clutch housing.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the following features is met. The at least one wall section is aligned essentially vertically. The at least one wall portion is generally aligned along a transverse axis of the clutch housing. The at least one wall section is an outer wall section of the clutch housing. The at least one wall section has two opposite wall sections. The first housing part and the second housing part are only connected to one another via the at least one wall section. The at least one wall section is (e.g. essentially only) elastically flexible with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch and/or elastically compressible with respect to a vertical axis of the trailer hitch. Individually or in any combination, these features can have a particularly favorable effect on the desired relative mobility between the two housing parts. In one embodiment variant, the trailer hitch also has a signal line which is preferably connected to the sensor device and which is surrounded at least in sections by a flexible protective spring. Advantageously, it can thus be made possible that the signal line is not kinked or worn during operation.

The flexible protective spring can preferably be arranged coaxially with the signal line. In a further embodiment variant, the trailer hitch also has a joint (e.g. rod-shaped elastic) (e.g. elastomer joint and/or PU joint) which is attached to the second housing part (e.g. by means of a fastening bolt) attached and adapted to be connected to the trailer tongue (e.g. by means of a fastening bolt). The joint can preferably have a cable duct, preferably arranged eccentrically, in which a section of the signal line and the flexible protective spring are arranged. The signal line can thus preferably be protected from damage by the joint leading to the drawbar and/or to the trailer body.

In a further embodiment variant, the first housing part, the second housing part and the at least one wall section are formed integrally with one another, preferably made of a plastic. The manufacture and assembly of the trailer hitch can thus advantageously be improved.

In one embodiment, the trailer hitch further includes a clutch lever mounted on the first housing part, preferably pivotably, and configured for coupling (e.g., coupling and/or decoupling) the trailer hitch and the two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part has a preferably chamfered and/or trough-shaped receptacle for coupling to the two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle (e.g. for receiving a hitch body attached to the two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle). The trailer hitch can thus enable the trailer to be coupled and uncoupled quickly and without tools.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a trailer (e.g. bicycle trailer, moped trailer, scooter trailer or three-wheeler trailer) for a two-wheeler vehicle or a three-wheeler vehicle, preferably for a bicycle. The trailer includes a hitch as disclosed herein, a braking device (eg, electromagnetic or electromechanical) for braking the trailer, and a control unit configured to operate the braking device based on a signal from the sensor device. The trailer can achieve the same benefits that have already been described for the trailer hitch.

The trailer can preferably also have an electrical energy store for supplying power to the braking device, the sensor device, the control unit, a drive unit of the trailer and/or a user interface (e.g. a drawbar).

In one embodiment, the trailer includes a tongue that connects the trailer body to the hitch, the tongue having a user interface for input and/or outputting information. The user interface can thus be easily viewed and used by a user when hitching and unhitching the trailer. Even when driving or at a standstill, the user interface can be viewed by a driver of the two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle by looking over his shoulder. Advantageously, the user interface of the tongue can be vehicle independent, so that the trailer can be used with a variety of two-wheeled vehicles and/or three-wheeled vehicles.

It is explicitly pointed out that the drawbar with the user interface is also disclosed herein as an independent aspect. This aspect relates only to a drawbar for a trailer (e.g. bicycle trailer, moped trailer, scooter trailer or three-wheeler trailer) for a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle or a trailer for a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle (e.g. bicycle trailer, moped trailer, scooter trailer or Three-wheel trailer) with a drawbar, the drawbar having a user interface for entering and / or outputting information and the drawbar is preferably designed to connect a trailer hitch development of the trailer and a trailer body of the trailer.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the user interface is arranged on an end section of the drawbar that faces the trailer hitch. In this way, an ergonomic arrangement of the user cuts can advantageously be provided. Alternatively, the user interface can also be arranged at any other position of the drawbar, e.g. B. at an end portion of the drawbar, which faces the trailer body.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the user interface has an input device, preferably a switch. The input device can preferably be designed to switch on, switch off and/or adjust a braking device of the trailer, a control unit of the trailer, an electrical energy store of the trailer and/or a drive unit of the trailer. A simple and vehicle-independent operation of the trailer can advantageously be made possible in this way.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the user interface has an output device, preferably a display device (e.g. with an LED or an LED bar). The output device can preferably be designed to output a state of a braking device of the trailer, a control unit of the trailer, an electrical energy store of the trailer and/or a drive unit of the trailer. A simple and vehicle-independent output of status information of the trailer can advantageously be made possible in this way. It is possible for the drawbar to have its own control unit in signal connection with a sensor device of a trailer hitch, the user interface and/or a control unit of a trailer body of the trailer. The control unit of the drawbar can, for example, be designed as a board on which the user interface is mounted.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the drawbar has a signal line with a connector (eg plug connector). The trailer body has a signal line with a connector (e.g., plug) that contacts the signal line connector of the drawbar. One of the tongue signal line connector and the trailer body signal line connector is movably (e.g., slidably and/or slidably) mounted, preferably with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer body. Preferably, the other of the connectors can be fixed. The movable storage allows the contact between the connectors z. B. strong vibrations, z. B. when driving on cobblestones, or other stress on the connector. Thus, a signal transmission from and to the trailer body can be ensured even under high loads, without the need for complex and expensive radio transmission, for example.

It is explicitly pointed out that the storage of the connectors is also disclosed herein as an independent aspect. This aspect only relates to a trailer (e.g. bicycle trailer, scooter trailer, moped trailer or three-wheeler trailer) for a two-wheeler vehicle or a three-wheeler vehicle, preferably for a bicycle. The trailer has a tongue and a trailer body connected to the tongue. The drawbar has a signal line with a connector (e.g. plug connector). The trailer body has a signal line with a connector (e.g., plug) that contacts the signal line connector of the drawbar. One of the tongue signal line connector and the trailer body signal line connector is movably (e.g., slidably and/or slidably) mounted, preferably with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer body. Preferably, the other of the connectors can be fixed.

For example, the signal line of the tongue can be connected to, preferably connected to, a sensor device of a trailer coupling attached to the tongue, a user interface of the tongue and/or a control unit of the tongue.

The signal line of the trailer body can preferably be connected to a control unit, an electrical energy store, a braking device and/or a drive unit of the trailer body, preferably connected to it. Preferably, the term "control unit" can refer to electronics (e.g. with microprocessor(s) and data memory) which, depending on the training, can take on control tasks and/or regulation tasks and/or processing tasks. Even if the term "controls" is used here "is used, it can also expediently also include or mean "rules" or "control with feedback" and/or "processing".

The expression “longitudinal axis of the coupling housing” or “longitudinal axis of the trailer coupling” used herein preferably refers to a longitudinal axis of the coupling housing or the trailer coupling in the coupled state. Alternatively or additionally, this longitudinal axis can be essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the two-wheeler/three-wheeler (e.g. the bicycle) and/or the trailer.

Preferably, the term "transverse axis of the clutch housing" used herein refers to a transverse axis of the clutch housing in the coupled state. Alternatively or additionally, this transverse axis can be essentially parallel to a transverse axis of the two-wheeled vehicle/three-wheeled vehicle (e.g. the bicycle) and/or the The preferred embodiments and features of the invention described above can be combined with one another as desired.

Brief description of the figures

Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a bicycle and a trailer according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a trailer hitch of a trailer according to one embodiment;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary hitch; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the exemplary trailer hitch without showing a cover and a sensor housing part;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the exemplary hitch; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the exemplary trailer hitch with a front portion of a tongue of the trailer;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the exemplary trailer hitch with the front portion of the tongue; and Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 8.

The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least in part, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numbers and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 2 and a trailer 4. The trailer 4 has a trailer body 6 with a braking device 8, a control unit 10 and an electrical energy store 12. The trailer 4 also has a trailer hitch 14.

Wheels for moving the trailer 4 are attached to the trailer body 6 . The trailer 4 can be braked by means of the braking device 8 . The braking device 8 is an electrical braking device (z. B. electromagnetic or electromechanical braking device). The braking device 8 can be provided ver with electrical energy from the electrical energy store 12 . The electrical energy store 12 can be charged and/or exchangeable. Optionally, the trailer 4 can have an electric drive unit for driving the wheels, e.g. B. in the form of wheel hub motors (not marked with a separate reference number in FIG. 1). The electrical drive unit can be supplied with electrical energy from the electrical energy store 12 .

The braking device 8 is operated by the control unit 10 . The control unit 10 is designed to operate the braking device 8 based on received signals from the trailer hitch 14 . The signals can preferably relate to a (positive or negative) acceleration of the bicycle 2 and/or the trailer 4 and/or to an inertial force of the trailer 4. The control unit 10 is preferably designed to operate the braking device 8 in such a way that an inertial force of the trailer 4 generated when the bicycle 2 is braked is compensated, reduced or overcompensated. The trailer 4 is coupled to the bicycle 2 by means of a trailer hitch 14 . The trailer 4 is preferably coupled by means of the trailer hitch 14 in the area of a rear axle of the bicycle 2 and/or to a frame section in the area of the rear axle of the bicycle 2 . For example, on the bicycle 2 for coupling the trailer hitch 14 to a trailer hitch 14 matching coupling body (not shown in detail in the figures) can be attached. It is possible that the trailer hitch 14 instead of the bicycle 2 to another, preferably electrically powered, two or three-wheeled vehicle, coupled or coupled, z. B. an electric scooter or a moped.

A preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch 14 is described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

The trailer hitch 14 has a clutch housing 16 and a sensor device 18 .

The clutch housing 16 has a first housing part 20 , a second housing part 22 , a first wall section 24 and a second wall section 26 . The housing parts 20, 22 and the wall sections 24, 26 are preferably formed integrally with one another. The Ge housing parts 20, 22 and the wall sections 24, 26 are preferably made of a plastic. The wall sections 24, 26 are arranged between the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 22, preferably with respect to a vertical axis of the clutch housing 16. The second housing part 22 can preferably be arranged below the first housing part 20. It is possible for the clutch housing 16 to have more or less than the two wall sections 24 and 26 between the two housing parts 20 and 22 .

The first housing part 20 is designed to be coupled to the bicycle 2 . The first clutch housing 16 can have a receptacle 28 for this purpose, for example, and/or be connected to a clutch lever 30 . It is also possible that the first housing part 20 can be coupled to the bicycle 2 in a manner other than with the receptacle 28 and the clutch lever 30 .

The receptacle 28 can accommodate the coupler body (not shown) attached to the bicycle 2 . The receptacle 28 can be trough-shaped, for example. The receptacle 28 may have jeg union cross-section, z. B. oval, preferably elliptical. The receptacle 28 can be chamfered. The chamfer can advantageously facilitate the insertion of the coupling body into the receptacle 28 .

The trailer hitch 14 can be coupled to the bicycle 2 and decoupled from the bicycle 2 by means of the coupling lever 30 . The clutch lever 30 can by means of a bolt / pin 32 may be pivotally attached to the first housing part 20. The bolt 32 can be accommodated in a hole, preferably a through hole, in the first housing part 20 . The bolt 32 can be secured in the hole, e.g. B. by means of a locking ring.

The clutch lever 30 can be pivoted between a locked position (as shown in Figures 2 to 9) and an unlocked position (not shown in the figures). In the locked position, the clutch lever 30 can engage in the receptacle 28 . If the clutch body of the bicycle 2 is positioned in the receptacle 28, the clutch lever 30 can lock the clutch body in the receptacle 28, e.g. B. by engaging the coupling body. In the unlocked position, the clutch lever 30 does not engage in the receptacle 28 .

The clutch lever 30 can be locked in the locked position by a locking element 34 of the hitch be lever 30 on the first housing part 20 . The locking element 34 can preferably be designed as a releasable locking element (z. B. a locking lug).

The second housing part 22 can have a z. B. cylindrical receptacle 38 have. A preferably rod-shaped elastic joint 36 can be attached in the receptacle 38, e.g. B by means of a fastening bolt 40. The joint 36 can preferably be an elastomeric joint, particularly preferably a polyurethane joint. The hinge 36 may, for example, have a elasticity-reducing, stability-imparting, rod-shaped core and an elastomeric filling surrounding the core (see, eg, FIG. 9). The joint 36 can connect the trailer hitch 14 and a drawbar 42 (see, for example, FIG. 1 or 9) of the trailer 4 in an articulated manner. For example, it is possible for the joint 36 to be designed differently, e.g. B. not rod-shaped, not elastic and / or as a ball joint, etc., or that no joint is present.

The two housing parts 20 and 22 are preferably arranged at a distance from one another. The wall sections 24 and 26 connect the two housing parts 20 and 22 to one another. Preferably, the two housing parts 20 and 22 are connected to one another only via the wall sections 24, 26. The wall sections 24, 26 are elastically deformable, e.g. B. compressible and / or bendable sam, preferably essentially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the clutch housing 16. The wall sections 24, 26 are thus formed as flexible zones of the clutch housing 16. In other words, the wall sections 24, 26 are designed as predetermined weakenings of the clutch housing 16 for imparting a predetermined elastic deformability (e.g. flexibility and/or compressibility). Due to the elastic deformability, the wall sections 24 and 26 allow the two housing parts 20 and 22 to be moved relative to one another. preferably essentially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch 14. The relative mobility can preferably be in the single-digit mm range and/or in the tenths of a mm range.

Preferably, the wall sections 24, 26 can be aligned substantially vertically and along a transverse axis of the clutch housing 16. The wall sections 24, 26 are preferably outer wall sections of the clutch housing 16. The wall sections 24, 26 are advantageously opposite.

The sensor device 18 is designed to detect the relative movement between the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 22 made possible by the wall sections 24 and 26 .

The sensor device 18 is arranged in a protected manner in the clutch housing 16 . Sensor device 18 is advantageously arranged centrally in clutch housing 16 with respect to a transverse axis of clutch housing 16 (see FIG. 5).

The sensor device 18 can be based on any measuring principle (e.g. optical, magnetic, piezoelectric, strain gauges) that enables the relative movement to be recorded, preferably in the tenths of a mm range. It is possible for the sensor device 18 to be in one piece or in several pieces, depending on the measuring principle used. In the case of a multi-part design, the individual parts of the sensor device 18 can preferably be movable, particularly preferably displaceable, relative to one another. The sensor device 18 preferably uses an electromagnetic measuring principle, particularly preferably using the Hall effect for measuring magnetic fields. Accordingly, a preferred exemplary embodiment is described here in detail, in which the sensor device 18 is designed as a Hall sensor device, without the present disclosure being restricted to this example.

The sensor device 18 can have a Hall sensor 44 (=first part) and two magnets 46 (=second part). Hall sensor 44 is positioned between the two magnets 46 . It is possible that a different number of magnets are included, e.g. B. just a magnet. When using a different measuring principle, the sensor device can have other elements than the first part and the second part or, for example, can only be in one piece.

The sensor device 18 can have a first sensor housing part 48 and a second sensor housing part 50 . Hall sensor 44 can be accommodated in first sensor housing part 48, preferably in a web section or plate section of first sensor housing part 48. The two magnets 46 can be accommodated in the second sensor housing part 50, preferably in two parallel legs of the second sensor housing part 50. The sensor housing parts 48 and 50 can have shapes adapted to one another. The web section/plate section (with the Hall sensor 44) of the first sensor housing part 48 can be positioned between two parallel legs (with the magnets 46) of the second sensor housing part 50.

The Hall sensor 44 can be attached to the second housing part 22 of the clutch housing 16, for. B. by means of the first sensor housing part 48 and/or on a top side of the second housing part 22. The top side of the second housing part 22 can have a holder (e.g. clamp holder) on which the Hall sensor 44 and/or the first sensor housing part 48 is held can be.

The magnets 46 can be attached to the first housing part 20 of the clutch housing 16, e.g. g. by means of the second sensor housing part 50 and/or on an underside of the first housing part 20. The underside of the first housing part 20 can have a bracket (e.g. clamp bracket) on which the magnets 46 and/or the second sensor housing part 50 are held can be.

An interchanged arrangement of Hall sensor 44 and magnet 46 is also possible. The respective attachment is preferably detachable, non-positive and/or positive.

A relative movement of the housing parts 20 and 22 moves the Hall sensor 44 relative to the magnets 46. The magnetic field acting on the Hall sensor 44 changes. The relative movement can be detected by Hall sensor 44 .

The sensor device 18 can generally be arranged in a receiving space 52 (see, for example, FIG. 4). The receiving space 52 can preferably be U-shaped or kidney-shaped. The receiving space 52 of the first housing part 20, the second housing part 22 and the Wandabschnit th 24, 26 may be limited. An underside of the first housing part 20 and an upper side of the second housing part 22 can preferably delimit the receiving space 52 . Preferably, opposite inner sides of the wall sections 24, 26 can limit the receiving space 52 be. The receiving space 52 can be covered by detachable covers 54, 56 on mutually opposite sides. The covers 54, 56 can be attached to the clutch housing 16 by means of a force fit, form fit and/or material connection. It is also possible that there are no lids or a different number of lids.

The hinge 36 may include a cable channel 58 (see e.g. Figures 2, 3 and 6), e.g. B. in the elastomer sleeve. The cable channel 58 can extend along a longitudinal axis of the joint 36 . The cable channel 58 can extend between opposite ends of the hinge 36 . It is possible for the cable duct 58 to widen in cross-section towards the ends, e.g. B. funnel-shaped. The cable duct 58 can be arranged eccentrically in the joint 36 . The cable channel 58 can open to an outer lateral surface of the joint 36, e.g. B. along its entire length. This can improve mountability of components in the cable duct 58 and reduce or prevent impairment of the functioning of the joint 36 by the cable duct 58 .

A section of a signal line 60 (see, for example, FIG. 6) can be arranged in the cable duct 58 . The signal line 60 can be connected to the sensor device 18, preferably the fall sensor 44. The signal line 60 can be routed through the cable duct 58 to the drawbar 42 . The arranged in the cable duct 58 portion of the signal line 60 can be surrounded protectively and elastically flexible by a protective spring 62, preferably a protective coil spring.

Further details on the drawbar 42 are described below, in particular with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9.

The drawbar 42 can, for. B. by means of a mounting bolt 64 at an end portion of the joint 36 may be attached.

The tongue 42 may include a user interface 66 . Preferably, the user interface is point 66 at one of the trailer hitch 14 facing end portion or front Endab section of the drawbar 42 is arranged. The user interface 66 is in signal connection with the control unit 10 of the trailer 4. The user interface 66 can be used to output information to a user (e.g. acoustically, visually and/or haptically) and/or a user can make inputs via the user interface (e.g. tactile).

The user interface 66 preferably has an input device 68 for switching on, switching off and/or setting the braking device 8, the control unit 10, the energy store 12 and/or the drive unit of the trailer 4. The input device 68 can be designed as a switch, for example.

The user interface 66 preferably has an output device 70 for outputting a status (e.g. activation status, error status, charging status) of the braking device 8, the control unit 10, the energy store 12 and/or the drive unit of the trailer 4. The output device 70 can, for example, be designed as a display device. The output device 70 can preferably be embodied in the form of at least one (e.g. single-color or multi-color) LED or one (e.g. single-color or multi-color) LED bar.

It is possible for the drawbar 42 to have a control unit 72 . The control unit 72 can be arranged on an end section or front end section of the drawbar 42 facing the trailer hitch 14 . The control unit 72 is in signal connection with the control unit 10, preferably via a signal line 74 of the drawbar 42 and a signal line 76 of the trailer body 6 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

The controller 72 may be in signal communication with the user interface 66 . The control unit 72 can be embodied, for example, as a circuit board on which the user interface 66 is mounted. The control unit 72 can send signals received from the user interface 66 to the control unit 10 . Control unit 72 may output signals received from control unit 10 via user interface 66 .

The control unit 72 may be in signal communication with the sensor device 18 . For example, the signal line 60 can be connected to the control unit 72 . The control unit 72 can forward signals received from the sensor device 18 to the control unit 10 . It is possible for the control unit 10 to process the signals received from the sensor device 18 before forwarding them. For example, an analog sensor signal can be received by the sensor device 18 . The analog sensor signal can be converted into a digital sensor signal by the control unit 72 and sent to the control unit 10 . It is also possible that the control unit 72 is omitted. For example, sensor device 18 and/or user interface 66 may signal directly to controller 10 .

The signal line 74 of the drawbar 42 and the signal line 76 of the trailer body 6 can be detachably connected to one another by two connectors 78, 80 (see FIG. 1). The connector 78 of the signal line 74 can be arranged on a section of the drawbar 42 facing the trailer body 6 Endab. The connector 80 of the trailer body 6 may be arranged at a mounting portion of the trailer body 6 for mounting the tongue 42 . The connectors 78, 80 can contact each other. The connectors 78, 80 can, for example, be designed as detachable plug-in connectors (e.g. with flat contacts), which can preferably snap together. Preferably, either the connector 78 or the connector 80 is movably mounted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer body 6 . The other of the two connectors 78, 80 is preferably fixed. For example, connector 80 may be movably mounted on trailer body 6 and connector 78 may be fixedly mounted on tongue 42, or vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the idea of the invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the subclaims independently of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the dependent claims are also independent of all the features of independent claim 1 and, for example, are independent of the features relating to the presence and/or the configuration of the clutch housing, the first housing part, the second housing part, the at least one wall section and/or the sensor device of independent claim 1 is disclosed. All ranges disclosed herein are understood to mean that all values falling within each range are equally disclosed, e.g. B. also as the respective preferred narrower outer limits of the respective area.

reference list

2 bike

4 followers

6 trailer body

8 braking device

10 control unit

12 Electrical energy storage 14 Trailer hitch

16 clutch housing

18 sensor device

20 First housing part

22 Second housing part

24 First wall section

26 Second wall section

28 recording

30 clutch lever

32 bolts

34 locking element

36 joint

38 recording

40 mounting bolts

42 drawbar

44 hall sensor

46 magnet(s)

48 First sensor housing part

50 Second sensor housing part

52 recording room

54 cover

56 cover

58 cable channel

60 signal line

62 protective spring

64 mounting bolts

66 user interface input device output device control unit signal line signal line connector

Interconnects

Claims

EXPECTATIONS

1. Trailer coupling (14) for a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle, preferably for a bicycle (2), having: a coupling housing (16) having: a first housing part (20) which is designed for coupling to the two-wheeled vehicle or the three-wheeled vehicle ; a second housing part (22) which is designed for coupling to a drawbar (42) of a trailer (4); and at least one wall section (24, 26) which is elastically deformable and connects the first housing part (20) and the second housing part (22) movably relative to one another; and a sensor device (18) which is arranged in the clutch housing (16) and is designed to detect a relative movement between the first housing part (20) and the second housing part (22) made possible by the at least one wall section (24, 26).

The trailer hitch (14) of claim 1, wherein: the sensor device (18) is disposed substantially centrally within the coupler housing (16) with respect to a transverse axis of the coupler housing (16); and/or the sensor device (18) on a side facing the second housing part (22), preferably the underside, of the first housing part (20) and/or on a side facing the first housing part (20), preferably the top side, of the second housing part (22 ) is arranged.

3. A trailer hitch (14) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the sensor device (18) is in multiple parts; a part, preferably a Hall sensor (44), of the sensor device (18) is attached to one of the first housing part (20) and the second housing part (22); and another part, preferably at least one magnet (46), of the sensor device (18) is attached to the other of the first housing part (20) and the second housing part (22), preferably wherein the part and the other part are movable relative to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch (14).

4. Trailer coupling (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the sensor device (18) comprises two spaced-apart magnets (46) and a Hall sensor (44) positioned between the two magnets (46).

5. A trailer hitch (14) according to claim 4, wherein: the Hall sensor (44) is received in a plate portion of a first sensor housing part (48) of the sensor device (18); and the two magnets (46) are accommodated in two parallel legs of a second sensor housing part (50) of the sensor device (18).

6. Trailer coupling (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the coupling housing (16) has a receiving space (52) which is cut from the first housing part (20), the second housing part (22) and the at least one wall section (24 , 26) is limited; and the sensor device (18) is arranged in the receiving space (52).

7. trailer hitch (14) according to claim 6, wherein: the clutch housing (16) further comprises at least one detachable cover (54, 56) covering the receiving space (52); and/or the receiving space (52) is essentially U-shaped, V-shaped or kidney-shaped.

8. trailer hitch (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, having at least one of the following features: the at least one wall portion (24, 26) is substantially vertically aligned rich; the at least one wall portion (24, 26) is substantially aligned along a transverse axis of the clutch housing (16); the at least one wall section (24, 26) is an outer wall section of the hitch housing (16); the at least one wall section (24, 26) has two opposite wall sections; the first housing part (20) and the second housing part are connected to one another only via the at least one wall section (24, 26); and the at least one wall section (24, 26) is elastically flexible with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer hitch (14).

9. trailer coupling (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a signal line (60) which is connected to the sensor device (18) and at least partially surrounded by a flexible protective spring (62).

10. trailer hitch (14) according to claim 9, further comprising: a joint (36) which is attached to the second housing part (22) and for connec tion with the drawbar (42) of the trailer (4) is formed; the joint (36) having a cable duct (58), preferably arranged eccentrically, in which a section of the signal line (60) and the flexible protective spring (62) are arranged.

A trailer hitch (14) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: the first housing part (20), the second housing part (22) and the at least one wall section (24, 26) are integrally formed in one piece with each other, preferably from a plastic; and/or the trailer hitch (14) further comprises a clutch lever (30) which is mounted on the first housing part (20), preferably pivotably, and is designed for coupling the trailer hitch (14) and the two-wheeled vehicle or the three-wheeled vehicle; and/or the first housing part (20) has a receptacle (28), preferably chamfered and/or trough-shaped, for coupling to the two-wheeled vehicle or the three-wheeled vehicle.

12. trailer (4) for a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle, preferably for a bicycle wheel (2), comprising: a trailer coupling (14) according to any one of the preceding claims; a braking device (8) for braking the trailer (4); and a control unit (10) which is designed to operate the braking device (8) based on a signal from the sensor device (18).

The trailer (4) of claim 12, further comprising: a tongue (42) connecting the trailer body (6) to the trailer hitch (14), the tongue (42) having a user interface (66) for inputting and/or From giving information has.

The trailer (4) of claim 13, wherein: the user interface (66) is located at an end portion of the tongue (42) facing the trailer hitch (14); and/or the user interface (66) has an input device (68), preferably a switch, which is used for switching on, off and/or setting the brake device (8), the control unit (10), an electrical energy store (12) of the trailer (4) and/or a drive unit of the trailer (4); and/or the user interface has an output device (70), preferably a display device, which is used to output a state of the braking device (8), the control unit (10), an electrical energy store (12) of the trailer (4) and/or a Drive unit of the trailer (4) is formed.

15. A trailer (4) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: the tongue (42) has a signal line (72) with a connector (78); the trailer body (6) has a signal line (74) with a connector (80) which contacts the connector (78) of the signal line (72) of the drawbar (42); and one of the connector (78) of the signal line (72) of the drawbar (42) and the connector (80) of the signal line (74) of the trailer body (6) is movably mounted, preferably with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer body (6).