Adjustable Hitch Assembly for Trailer Garage Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hitch devices do not effectively lower the front end of a trailer to clear a garage doorway when a boat is positioned on it, as they lack the necessary clearance mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A hitch device comprising a support coupled to a vehicle's receiver tube, a vertically orientable sleeve with a piston and actuator, and a ball mount that allows the trailer's front end to be lowered mechanically, enabling clearance of a garage doorway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional hitch device is used, then the trailer is securely attached to the vehicle, but the front end of the trailer cannot be lowered to clear the garage doorway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a telescoping mechanism with extendable and retractable segments. The hitch device transitions from a fixed-length conventional design to a dynamically adjustable structure that can vertically position the trailer front end at multiple heights, enabling clearance of garage doorways while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch device is divided into multiple segmented components including extendable segments, a telescoping shaft with interconnected tubes, and adjustable linkages. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of each segment to achieve the desired vertical positioning while maintaining structural integrity and attachment security.
2Ease of manufacture
If the hitch device structure is simplified, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the ability to lower the trailer front end is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nesting by placing the telescoping shaft inside the housing, with interconnected tubes nested within each other. This nested arrangement allows the complex adjustable mechanism to be compactly integrated into a manufacturable structure, reducing overall complexity while preserving the height adjustment capability needed to lower the trailer front end.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hitch device allows vertical adjustment, then the boat can clear the doorway, but the stability of the trailer attachment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action through locking mechanisms that secure the telescoping shaft and adjustable linkages at the desired vertical position before the trailer is maneuvered. This preliminary securing action ensures that once the hitch device is adjusted to lower the trailer front end, the attachment maintains stable composition during the boating maneuver through the garage doorway.
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 device provides adjustable clearance by lowering the trailer's front end, allowing boats to be safely maneuvered into a garage by lowering the trailer's hitch assembly relative to the vehicle, ensuring the boat clears the doorway.
Implementation Method 1
A piston is positioned in the sleeve and extends outwardly of the bottom end. The piston has a lower end that is moveable toward or away from the bottom end. An actuator is mounted on the sleeve and is mechanically coupled to the piston.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch assembly includes a support extendable into a receiver tube attached to a vehicle. A sleeve has a top end and a bottom end. A bracket is attached to the sleeve and is attached to the support to vertically orientate the sleeve. A piston is positioned in the sleeve and extends outwardly of the bottom end. The piston has a lower end that is moveable toward or away from the bottom end. An actuator is mounted on the sleeve and is mechanically coupled to the piston. The actuator is actuated in a first direction to lower the lower end and actuated in a second direction to raise the lower end. A ball mount is removably attached to the piston adjacent to the lower end. A hitch ball is attached to the ball mount and engages a hitch coupler of a trailer.