Coupler, coupler system having a first coupler and a second coupler, and method for coupling

1 . A coupler having a coupler interface with a top, a bottom, and a center line centrally between the top and the bottom, the coupler interface comprising a protruding cone, a matching cup and at least two guiding elements, wherein a height of the coupler from the center line of the coupler interface to the top of the coupler interface is smaller than 200 millimeters (mm), wherein two of the at least two guiding elements are laterally arranged to the cone and the cup, wherein the lateral arrangement of one of the two guiding elements is proximal to the cone and distal to the cup and the lateral arrangement of another one of the two guiding elements is distal to the cone and proximal to the cup; wherein one of the two guiding elements has a clamp-like design and another one of the two guiding elements has a tooth-shaped design such that, when a first and a second of the couplers are coupled together, the guiding element having the clamp-like design of the first coupler is adapted to embrace the guiding element having the tooth-shaped design of the second coupler, and the guiding element having the clamp-like design of the second coupler is adapted to embrace the guiding element having the tooth-shaped design of the first coupler.

2 . The coupler according to claim 1 , wherein the two guiding elements are provided with the coupler interface in one piece.

3 . The coupler according to claim 2 , wherein the coupler interface is casted and the two guiding elements are formed during casting.

4 . The coupler according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector arranged on a lower side of the coupler interface.

5 . The coupler according to claim 1 , wherein one or both of the two guiding elements are symmetric to an axis connecting a mid of the cone and a mid of the cup.

6 . The coupler according to claim 1 , wherein the two guiding elements are configured to complement each other.

7 . The coupler according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two guiding elements comprises at least one guide surface that spans a plane.

8 . The coupler according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two guiding elements comprises a socket design.

9 . The coupler according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide horn arranged at a lower side corner of the coupler interface, wherein the guide horn forms another one of the at least two guiding elements in addition to the two guiding elements.

10 . A coupler system comprising:

a first coupler; and

a second coupler;

wherein each of said first coupler and second coupler comprises a coupler interface having a top, a bottom, and a center line centrally between the top and the bottom, the coupler interface comprising a protruding cone, a matching cup and at least two guiding elements, wherein a height of the coupler from the center line of the coupler interface to the top of the coupler interface Is smaller than 200 millimeters (mm); wherein two of the at least two guiding elements are laterally arranged to the cone and cup, wherein the lateral arrangement of one of the two guiding elements is proximal to the cone and distal to the cup, and the lateral arrangement of another one of the two guiding elements is distal to the cone and proximal to the cup, wherein one of the two guiding elements has a clamp- like design and another one of the two guiding elements has a tooth-shaped design; and

wherein when the first and second couplers are coupled together; (a) the protruding cone of the first coupler is arranged in the matching cup of the second coupler, and the protruding cone of the second coupler is arranged in the matching cup of the first coupler and (b) the guiding element having the clamp-like design of the first coupler is adapted to embrace the guiding element having the tooth-shaped design of the second coupler, and the guiding element having the clamp-like design of the second coupler is adapted to embrace the guiding element having the tooth-shaped design of the first coupler.

11 . The coupler system according to claim 10 , wherein the protruding cone of the first coupler has a hook that protrudes sideways out of the protruding cone of the first coupler and into a sideways opening of the cup of the second coupler into a space behind the protruding cone of the second coupler.

12 . The coupler system according to claim 10 , wherein the protruding cone of the second coupler has a hook that protrudes sideways out of the protruding cone of the second coupler and into a sideways opening of the cup of the first coupler into a space behind the protruding cone of the first coupler.

13 . The coupler system according to claim 10 , wherein

the protruding cone of the first coupler has a hook that protrudes sideways out of the protruding cone of the first coupler and into a sideways opening of the cup of the second coupler into a space behind the protruding cone of the second coupler; and

the protruding cone of the second coupler has a hook that protrudes sideways out of the protruding cone of the second coupler and into a sideways opening of the cup of the first coupler into a space behind the protruding cone of the first coupler.

14 . A multi-car vehicle comprising:

a first car;

a second car; and

a coupler system having a first coupler connected to the first car, and a second coupler connected to the second car;

wherein each of said first coupler and said second coupler comprises a coupler interface having a top, a bottom, and a center line centrally between the top and the bottom, the coupler interface comprising a protruding cone, a matching cup and at least two guiding elements, wherein a height of the coupler from the center line of the coupler interface to the top of the coupler interface is smaller than 200 (mm), wherein two of the at least two guiding elements are laterally arranged to the cone and the cup, wherein the lateral arrangement of one of the two guiding elements is proximal to the cone and distal to the cup, and the lateral arrangement of another one of the two guiding elements is distal to the cone and proximal to the cup, wherein one of the two guiding elements has a clamp-like design and another one of the two guiding elements has a tooth-shaped design; and

wherein, when the first car and the second car are connected together, (a) the protruding cone of the first coupler is arranged in the matching cup of the second coupler and the protruding cone of the second coupler is arranged in the matching cup of the first coupler, and (b) the guiding element having the clamp-like design of the first coupler is adapted to embrace the guiding element having the tooth-shaped design of the second coupler, and the guiding element having the clamp-like design of the second coupler is adapted to embrace the guiding element having the tooth-shaped design of the first coupler.

15 . The multi-car vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the first coupler is attached to an underframe of the first car, and the second coupler is attached to an underframe of the second car.

16 . A method for coupling a first coupler of a coupler system to a second coupler of the coupler system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first coupler and a second coupler, the first coupler being spaced apart from the second coupler, wherein each of said first coupler and said second coupler comprises a coupler interface having a top, a bottom, and a center line centrally between the top and the bottom, the coupler interface comprising a protruding cone, a matching cup and at least two guiding elements, wherein a height of the coupler from the center line of the coupler interface to the top of the coupler interface is smaller than 200 millimeters (mm), wherein two of the at least two guiding elements are laterally arranged to the cone and the cup, wherein the lateral arrangement of one of the two guiding elements is proximal to the cone and distal to the cup and the lateral arrangement of another one of the two guiding elements is distal to the cone and proximal to the cup, wherein one of the two guiding elements has a clamp-like design and another one of the two guiding elements has a tooth-shaped design;

one or both of moving the first coupler towards the second coupler and/or moving the second coupler towards the first coupler;

one or more of:

bringing the protruding cone of the first coupler into contact with the at least one guiding element of the second coupler, and/or

bringing the protruding cone of the second coupler into contact with the at least one guiding element of the first coupler and/or

bringing the at least one guiding element of the first coupler into contact with the at least one guiding element of the second coupler;

one or more of further moving the first coupler towards the second coupler, and/or further moving the second coupler towards the first coupler;

moving the protruding cone of the first coupler into the matching cup of the second coupler and the protruding cone of the second coupler into the matching cup of the first coupler.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising moving a hook on the cone of the first coupler into a position where the hook protrudes sideways out of the protruding cone of the first coupler and into a sideways opening of the cup of the second coupler into a space behind the protruding cone of the second coupler.