Adjustable Hitch for Self-Driving Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-driving apparatuses and trolleys face challenges in secure mechanical coupling due to varying trolley configurations and frame sizes, leading to safety issues and difficulty in navigating tight corners, especially in hospital environments where trolleys can be high and have fixed connections.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable hitch with a machine mounting assembly, lifting assembly featuring gas struts and an engagement assembly with a face and jaw, allowing for adjustable width and rotational capability to securely engage wheeled equipment of different sizes and profiles, including trolleys with varying heights and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed connection hitch is used, then the mechanical coupling is simple and robust, but it cannot accommodate different trolley configurations and frame sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch incorporates adjustable components including a telescopic arm with multiple positioning holes and an adjustable jaw mechanism, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt its configuration to match different trolley frame sizes and shapes while maintaining mechanical robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch design integrates multiple functions into a single device: the telescopic arm provides length adjustment, the jaw mechanism provides width adjustment, and the rotating connection enables angular adaptation, allowing one hitch to engage various trolley configurations that would otherwise require multiple specialized attachments
2Ease of operation
If a fixed connection is used between the machine and trolley, then the connection is stable, but it makes it difficult to navigate tight corners
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch incorporates a rotating connection between the lifting arm and engagement assembly, allowing the jaw and face to rotate relative to the lifting arm. This dynamic rotation enables the connection to adapt to angular changes when navigating tight corners while the gas strut and lifting arm maintain stable vertical support
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch is divided into separable functional segments: the lifting arm provides vertical adjustment, the jaw and face provide horizontal engagement, and the rotating connection provides angular adaptation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function while maintaining overall connection stability during maneuvering
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hitch width is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot engage trolleys with different frame sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw is designed to be adjustable relative to the face through a mechanism involving bolts and positioning holes, allowing the width between the jaw and face to be dynamically changed to match different trolley frame sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch utilizes discrete parameter adjustments through pre-drilled positioning holes at different locations on the jaw and face, allowing the width parameter to be changed in standardized increments. This approach balances manufacturing simplicity with the ability to accommodate various frame sizes
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 adjustable hitch enables secure and flexible attachment to different trolley configurations, improving maneuverability and safety by allowing the motorized machine to engage trolleys of various sizes and profiles, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing navigation around tight corners.
Implementation Method 1
including at least one gas strut connected to at least one lifting arm the gas strut biased to push the lifting arm up
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable hitch mounted on a self-driving machine and providing a coupling to a trolley. The hitch includes generally two gas struts connected to two parallel arms to bias the hitch in an upward direction pivoting with respect to the driving machine. This enables the hitch to be moved in a vertical direction to facilitate it connecting with the trolley, typically the frame of the trolley, to allow for the hitch to be lowered to engage a frame of the trolley. An engagement assembly, being connected to the lifting arm, wherein it has a face and a jaw that are configured to securely engage with the wheeled equipment.