Autoslide Trailer Hitch Wheel Assembly for Cab Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitches for short bed trucks face reduced clearance issues between the trailer and vehicle cab during sharp turns, requiring manual operator input for adjustment, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An autoslide trailer hitch with an adjustable wheel assembly that includes a base fixedly coupled to the vehicle bed, a carriage slidably coupled to rails via wheel assemblies, and a rotatably coupled head that translates along the rails via a linkage mechanism, allowing automatic adjustment to maintain clearance during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the trailer hitch is positioned near the rear axle in short bed trucks, then the structural stability and load bearing capacity are improved, but the clearance between the trailer and vehicle cab during sharp turns is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the carriage can automatically slide along the rail between first and second positions in response to head rotation. This allows the system to adapt its position dynamically during vehicle turns, maintaining both structural stability when positioned near the rear axle and sufficient clearance when the head rotates, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed structural strength and variable clearance requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If the trailer hitch position is fixed near the rear axle, then the structural stability is improved, but manual adjustment by the operator is required to maintain clearance during turns, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-adjusting mechanism where the carriage automatically responds to head rotation to slide along the rail, maintaining optimal position without operator intervention. The system uses the rotational motion of the head itself as the triggering mechanism for carriage adjustment, eliminating the need for manual operation while preserving structural stability, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation
3Length of moving object
If a manual adjustment mechanism is added to maintain clearance, then the clearance issue is resolved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rail as an intermediary element that guides the carriage movement, and uses the head rotation itself as the mediating force that triggers carriage adjustment. This elegant solution avoids complex motorized or hydraulic systems by using the existing rotational motion to drive the adjustment through a simple rail-carriage interface, maintaining clearance while minimizing added complexity
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 autoslide trailer hitch provides smooth fore-aft travel and maintains clearance between the trailer and vehicle cab during turns, enhancing vehicle performance by automatically adjusting without operator input.
Implementation Method 1
The wheel assembly includes a first wheel to roll along a top surface of the rail, a second wheel to roll along a bottom surface of the rail
Data Source
AI summary
An autoslide trailer hitch having an adjustable wheel assembly is disclosed. An example trailer hitch disclosed herein includes a base fixedly couplable to a vehicle bed of a vehicle, the base including a rail, a carriage slidably coupled to the rail via at least one wheel assembly, the at least one wheel assembly including a first wheel to contact a top surface of the rail, and a second wheel to contact a bottom surface of the rail, and a head rotatably coupled to the carriage, the carriage to slide along the rail between a first position and a second position in response to rotation of the head.