Autonomous Hitch Assembly with Dynamic Pin Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hitch systems require manual and time-consuming engagement processes, lacking autonomous solutions for efficient coupling and decoupling with vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A hitch assembly with a housing, biased pins, and a cam feature that automatically extends and retracts the pins for engagement and disengagement, facilitated by a pin actuator or spring mechanism, allowing for autonomous coupling and decoupling with a vehicle hitch receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual engagement of hitch receiver is used, then the coupling process is simple and reliable, but it is physically intensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly performs preliminary actions by automatically extending the engagement pins and aligning the coupling mechanism with the hitch receiver before actual engagement occurs. The autonomous system detects the hitch receiver location, navigates to it, and prepares the pins for insertion, eliminating the need for manual positioning and reducing engagement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch assembly serves itself by using an autonomous system to detect the hitch receiver, navigate to it, extend the pins, and complete the coupling process without human intervention. The system independently performs all coupling operations, transforming a manual task into an automated self-service process that reduces both time and physical effort.
2Ease of operation
If manual engagement process is used, then the system structure is simple, but the operation is physically intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly incorporates dynamic elements including an autonomous navigation system, extendable pins with actuators, and a camera system for detection and alignment. These dynamic components enable the system to automatically adapt to the hitch receiver position and complete coupling without manual intervention, reducing operator effort while accepting increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical operation with an autonomous system that uses sensors, cameras, and automated actuators to perform the coupling task. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated systems reduces physical intensity on the operator while introducing more complex mechanical and electronic components.
3Reliability
If pins are extended outward for engagement, then the coupling is secure and reliable, but the pins occupy space and may interfere with storage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement pins are designed as dynamic components that can extend outward when needed for reliable coupling and retract into the housing when not in use. This dynamic configuration allows the pins to occupy minimal space during storage while providing full engagement capability when required, resolving the contradiction between reliability and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The pins are nested within the housing of the hitch assembly when not in use, similar to a nested doll structure. This nesting arrangement allows the pins to be stored compactly within the housing volume, reducing the overall volume occupied by the hitch assembly while maintaining the ability to extend for reliable engagement when needed.
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
Enables rapid and effortless coupling and decoupling of devices to vehicles, enhancing mobility and reducing operator effort, while allowing for autonomous navigation and alignment with vehicle hitch receivers.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed within the housing and coupled to each of the tabs such that the spring extends between the pair of engagement pins. The spring exerts an outward force against the tabs of the pair of engagement pins such that the pair of engagement pins are biased laterally outward from the housing
Implementation Method 2
a cam feature disposed within the housing and coupled to the pair of pins along each of the tabs, with the cam feature being translatable within the housing. The cam feature overcomes a bias of the biasing mechanism when a force on the cam feature causes the cam feature to translate within the housing, and the cam feature engages and retracts the tabs laterally inward relative to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system that includes a body, a hitch assembly coupled to the body, and a sensor array coupled to the body. The robotic system includes a processor and operating logic containing programming instructions thereon that, when executed, causes the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a location of a vehicle relative to the body. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a position of a hitch receiver along the vehicle and move the body toward the vehicle to position the hitch assembly proximate to the hitch receiver. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to move the hitch assembly relative to the body and in alignment with the hitch receiver and engage the hitch assembly to the hitch receiver to securely couple the body to the vehicle.