Articulating Hitch Ball Socket Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implement hitches often fail to provide sufficient articulation, leading to potential damage to vehicles, draw bars, and implements due to limited range of motion, and complex high-articulation hitches are costly and prone to issues like excessive backlash.
Innovation Solution
A hitch design featuring a tongue with an internal spherical raceway, an insert with a spherical segment, and an articulating tongue base connected via a ball and socket mechanism, allowing for extensive vertical and rolling articulation while transferring vertical loads effectively to the drawbar, thus reducing wear and tear and risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hitch design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the articulation range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch is divided into separate functional components: a tongue assembly with spherical raceway, an insert with spherical segment, and an articulating tongue base. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall articulation range while keeping individual parts relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spherical geometry in the raceway and spherical segment to enable multi-directional rotation and articulation. The spherical interface between the insert and tongue base provides smooth, multi-axis movement without requiring complex mechanical linkages, thereby increasing articulation range while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex high-articulation hitch is used, then the articulation range is increased, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical raceway and spherical segment design provides high articulation range through simple curved surfaces that are relatively easy to manufacture using standard machining or forming processes. This avoids the need for complex multi-component linkages or specialized manufacturing techniques, thereby controlling production costs while achieving superior articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch uses a dynamic ball-and-socket style connection that allows passive, self-adjusting movement in multiple directions. This dynamic design eliminates the need for active control mechanisms, motors, or complex mechanical linkages, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high articulation capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple hitch design is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but excessive backlash occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical interface between the insert and tongue base provides continuous surface contact that maintains consistent engagement during articulation. This curved geometry naturally minimizes backlash by ensuring smooth transitions and continuous load transfer, eliminating the need for complex pre-loading mechanisms or precision-adjustable linkages that would increase manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary component between the tongue base and the drawbar connection. It provides a spherical segment that interfaces with the tongue base's ball, creating a controlled articulation point that minimizes backlash while keeping the overall structure simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
4Device complexity
If limited articulation is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but damage risk to components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical raceway and spherical segment enable the hitch to accommodate large angular movements and unexpected lateral or vertical forces without binding or binding-related damage. The curved surfaces distribute stresses more evenly during articulation, reducing peak loads on individual components and minimizing damage risk while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic articulating connection allows the hitch to passively adapt to varying operational conditions and ground irregularities. This flexibility prevents rigid stress concentrations that could lead to component failure, reducing damage risk without requiring complex active control systems or additional protective mechanisms.
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 hitch provides a wide range of motion between the tow vehicle and implement without risking damage, effectively transferring vertical loads and reducing wear on components, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing backlash.
Implementation Method 1
an articulating tongue base connected via a ball and socket mechanism, allowing for extensive vertical and rolling articulation
Implementation Method 2
a tongue with an internal spherical raceway, an insert with a spherical segment
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch is provided including a tongue, an insert, and a base. The tongue includes a C-shaped section having an internal spherical raceway and opposing walls, each extending from an opposite arm of the C-shaped section. The insert includes a spherical segment received within the internal spherical raceway and having a draw pin hole, and a projection extending rearward between the opposite arms of the C-shaped section and having a socket recess. The base being pivotally connected to the tongue through the opposing walls. The base includes a ball located in front of the pivotal connection, the ball being received within the socket recess of the insert, and a back end being adapted for connection to a towing implement.