Automatic Hitch Latching for Variable Tow Bar Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hitch systems require manual operation to engage and attach to a tow bar, limiting compatibility with various tow bar geometries and requiring manual detection, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An automatic hitch system with a moveable arm and adjustable contact sensor that detects the presence of a tow bar within a receiving cavity, automatically engaging and disengaging the arm using an actuator, and accommodating different tow bar geometries through adjustable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to engage and attach the hitch to the tow bar, then the system is simpler and requires fewer components, but the operation is labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch system automatically detects the tow bar presence using a sensor and actuates the moveable arm to engage or disengage without requiring manual operation. The system serves itself by using the sensor input to trigger the actuator, which moves the arm to the appropriate position, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated sensing and actuation system. The sensor detects the tow bar presence and triggers an actuator to move the moveable arm, substituting human mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system that reduces labor intensity while managing complexity through integration
2Reliability
If the hitch system is designed for specific tow bar geometries, then the attachment is more secure and reliable, but the adaptability to various tow bar sizes and shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable arm is designed to be dynamically adjustable between different positions to accommodate various tow bar geometries. The arm can move to different angular positions and depths within the receiving cavity, allowing the hitch to adapt to different tow bar sizes and shapes while maintaining secure attachment through proper engagement at each position
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch system is designed with universal adaptability to work with multiple types of tow bars. The sensor detects the presence of various tow bar geometries, and the moveable arm adjusts its position to engage securely with different configurations, making the hitch system versatile across multiple applications while maintaining reliable attachment
3Ease of manufacture
If the sensor position is fixed, then the manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but the system cannot accommodate various tow bar geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting structure includes an adjustable mechanism that allows the sensor position to be dynamically changed to accommodate different tow bar geometries. The sensor can be repositioned along the receiving cavity to detect tow bars at various depths and angles, maintaining detection accuracy while adapting to different configurations without requiring complex manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.