Trailer Hitch with Lateral Shift for Flexible Alignment
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Summary
Problems
Existing trailer hitch systems that allow lateral shift interfere with the tow hitch on tractors, limiting the types of trailers that can be towed and requiring removal or workarounds, as they need to be carried by the tractor and modified, which is inconvenient and restrictive.
Innovation solutions
A trailer hitch apparatus with a pivot frame and actuators that allows lateral shifting of the hitch point without modifying the towing vehicle, featuring a forward portion attachable to the vehicle, a rearward portion attachable to the trailer, and a central portion connecting the two, enabling pivoting about vertical axes with hydraulic or pneumatic actuators for adjusting alignment.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If existing lateral shift devices are mounted on the towing vehicle, then lateral alignment adjustment is achieved, but the devices interfere with the tow hitch and limit trailer types
Why choose this principle:
Instead of mounting the lateral shift mechanism on the towing vehicle as in existing devices, this invention inverts the approach by mounting the mechanism on the trailer itself. The pivot frame with lateral shifting capability is attached to the trailer tongue, while the towing vehicle simply provides a fixed hitch connection. This reversal eliminates interference with the tow hitch while maintaining alignment adjustment functionality, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
Principle concept:
If existing lateral shift devices are carried by the tractor, then alignment control is possible, but removal or workarounds are required for different trailers
Why choose this principle:
The invention shifts the lateral shift mechanism from the towing vehicle to the trailer, eliminating the need to remove or workaround the device when changing trailers. The pivot frame and actuators remain permanently mounted on the trailer tongue, allowing immediate alignment control with any compatible trailer without time-consuming removal or adjustment procedures.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A trailer hitch apparatus with a pivot frame and actuators that allows lateral shifting of the hitch point without modifying the towing vehicle, featuring a forward portion attachable to the vehicle, a rearward portion attachable to the trailer, and a central portion connecting the two, enabling pivoting about vertical axes with hydraulic or pneumatic actuators for adjusting alignment.
Abstract
A hitch apparatus for laterally shifting a hitch point of a trailer when towed behind a towing vehicle to effectively adjust an alignment of a longitudinal axis of the trailer with respect to a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle. The hitch apparatus may comprise a pivot frame including a forward portion configured for attachment to a towing vehicle, a rearward portion configured for attachment to the trailer, and a central portion pivotally connecting the forward and rearward portions together. At least one actuator may be connected to at least two portions of the pivot frame to pivot the portions with respect to each other. Actuation of the actuator may move the forward portion of the pivot frame between shifted left condition and a shifted right condition with respect to the rearward portion and a trailer when the rearward portion is mounted on a trailer.