Adjustable Bracket Assembly for Weight Distribution Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight distribution systems for towing vehicles often result in uneven weight distribution, leading to instability and sway, as the majority of the towed vehicle's weight is borne by the rear axle of the towing vehicle, causing tire imbalance and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bracket assembly that includes a hitch assembly, a spring arm, and multiple bracket members with adjustable mounting holes, allowing for customizable attachment to the frame of the towed vehicle, which engages with a spring arm to distribute weight more evenly and stabilize the towing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed bracket assembly is used to connect the weight distribution system to the towed vehicle, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate different frame heights and positions, limiting adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly is divided into multiple separable components: a first bracket member that contacts the frame, a second bracket member that connects to the spring bar, and an attachment member with sliding mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates adaptability through selective combination and adjustment of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through multiple mounting holes in different positions and a sliding mechanism with adjustable positioning. This allows the bracket to adapt its configuration dynamically to match different frame heights, positions, and orientations on various towed vehicles.
2Manufacturing precision
If the attachment member is fixed in position, then the manufacturing precision requirement is low, but the weight distribution cannot be optimized for different towing scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member features multiple mounting holes arranged in different positions and orientations, allowing the connection point between the first and second bracket members to be adjusted. This dynamic repositioning capability enables optimization of weight distribution for different towing scenarios without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances for a single fixed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly allows changing of geometric parameters such as the position and angle of mounting holes through selective use of different hole configurations. This parameter adjustment enables the same bracket assembly to be adapted to various frame configurations and weight distribution requirements.
3Reliability
If a single clamp force is applied to the frame, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and sway control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism is segmented into multiple independent fasteners, each applying clamp force at different locations on the frame. This allows the first bracket member to be securely clamped to the frame with multiple fasteners, distributing the clamping force and improving overall stability and sway control without requiring a single complex fastening mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable bracket assembly for a weight distribution system is shown and described herein. The adjustable bracket assembly may include a plurality of bracket members including at least a first bracket member, a second bracket member, a third bracket member, and a fourth bracket member arranged to be adjustable relative to one another and be selectively attached to a frame of a towed vehicle. The plurality of bracket members may be coupled to a plurality of fasteners to allow the plurality of bracket members to be adjusted relative to one another and to provide clamp forces relative to the frame of the towed vehicle. An attachment assembly may be coupled to the first bracket member and be configured to be attached to a spring arm of a weight distributing system that may be coupled to a towing vehicle.