Height-Adjustable Hitch Assembly With Dampening Against Rattle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hitch assembly systems experience rattling and vibration due to play between the tow accessory base and hitch receiver, exacerbated by uneven support and loose connections, particularly in extreme driving conditions, which can lead to driver distraction and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A multiple hitch assembly with a dampening mechanism, featuring a shank hitch platform with a recessed column and block base, utilizing elastomeric dampener pads and locking pins to align and secure the tow mount member, reducing movement and noise across various hitch ball sizes and configurations, including a height-adjustable design and optional step member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard receiver hitch system is used, then the system provides a universal coupling mechanism for various tow accessories, but play and rattling occur between the tow accessory base and hitch receiver
Solution Approach 1:
A dampener member is introduced as an intermediary component between the tow accessory base and the hitch receiver platform. This dampener fills the gap and provides frictional engagement to eliminate play and rattling while maintaining the universal coupling capability of the receiver hitch system.
2Strength
If rigid metal surfaces are used for hitch components, then structural strength is maintained, but vibration and noise increase due to loose connections
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch system combines rigid metal components (hitch receiver, tow accessory base) with a dampener member made of friction material. This composite structure maintains structural strength while the dampener absorbs vibration and reduces noise by providing frictional engagement between the metal surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tow accessory is installed on upper or lower sections of the channel, then height adjustment is achieved, but uneven support causes movement and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The dampener member acts as an intermediary that distributes contact forces evenly across the interface between the tow accessory base and hitch receiver platform. This ensures uniform support regardless of the height position, preventing movement and vibration even when installed on upper or lower sections of the channel.
4Reliability
If locking pins are used to secure the hitch assembly, then connection stability improves, but alignment precision must be maintained to prevent lateral movement
Solution Approach 1:
The dampener member serves as an intermediary that compensates for minor alignment variations between the locking pins and the holes in the hitch components. By providing frictional engagement and filling gaps, it reduces lateral movement while maintaining connection stability, reducing the criticality of perfect alignment precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively attenuates vibration and rattling, enhancing the stability and safety of towing operations by ensuring in-line tracking and secure engagement of tow accessories, while accommodating different hitch sizes and heights, thereby reducing the risk of driver distraction and vehicle control loss.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing elastomeric dampener pads and locking pins to align and secure the tow mount member, reducing movement and noise
Implementation Method 2
A multiple hitch assembly with a dampening mechanism, featuring a shank hitch platform with a recessed column and block base, utilizing elastomeric dampener pads
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustable multiple hitch assembly including a shank hitch channel platform and a tow mount member with a base block configured for squared alignment within the channel having opposed flanges with aligned pairs of side holes, the block blasé having a plurality of through holes for engaged coupling with corresponding aligned side holes by a fastening member to thereby reduce the movement between the hitch platform and tow mount member that may be enhanced by a dampener member attached to a rear planar surface of the block base or a recessed column of the channel member.