Adaptable Hitch Guide for Tight-Turn Payload Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hitch guides for autonomous vehicles limit the rotational range of payload tongues during turns, restricting maneuverability in tight spaces due to their rigid and passive nature.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically adaptable hitch guide apparatus with movable linkages that adjust to various configurations in response to external forces, allowing a rotational range of up to 100 degrees for the payload tongue, enhancing maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid and passive hitch guide is used, then the hitch coupling is guided precisely to the hitch, but the rotational range of the payload tongue is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch guide transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic system with movable linkages that can change configuration. The linkages are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the guide to adapt its position and orientation based on the rotational needs of the payload tongue while maintaining coupling guidance precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the hitch guide by allowing the linkages to move between different configurations. This enables the guide to adjust its geometric parameters (position, orientation, angle) to accommodate various rotational ranges while still providing precise guidance for hitch coupling.
2Measurement precision
If a fixed guide is used to guide the hitch coupling, then the coupling alignment is improved, but the turn radius of the vehicle is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed guide structure is replaced with dynamic linkages that can move and adjust during the turning process. This allows the guide to maintain coupling alignment precision while accommodating tighter turn radii, as the linkages can reposition themselves rather than imposing a fixed geometric constraint on the vehicle's rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic fixed guide is segmented into multiple movable linkages that can independently adjust. This segmentation allows different parts of the guide to move differently, enabling the system to maintain alignment precision for the hitch coupling while allowing the vehicle to achieve smaller turn radii.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid hitch guide structure is used, then the structural stability is maintained, but the maneuverability in tight spaces is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid structure is transformed into a dynamic system where linkages can move to accommodate tight spaces. The linkages maintain structural stability when needed (during coupling) but can adjust their configuration to improve maneuverability in confined areas, eliminating the need to choose between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid hitch guide is divided into multiple segmented linkages that can move independently. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain stability during critical operations like coupling while enabling greater flexibility and maneuverability when navigating tight spaces, as individual segments can adjust without compromising overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch guide is provided that has wide ranging use for a plurality of different types of vehicles. The hitch guide can include at least one moveable guiding member, at least one moveable locking member configured to lock the guiding member in at least one fixed position and configured to disengage from the guiding member to enable the guiding member to move freely within an extended, defined range of motion. In various embodiments, a force applied to a portion of the guiding member causes the locking member and the guiding member to engage to lock the guiding member in the fixed position. Further, a force applied to a release of the locking member disengages the locking member and the guiding member is released from the fixed position, which enables a greater range of rotational motion of the guiding member to accommodate tight turns of a vehicle with cart in tow.