Self-Resetting Ball Coupler With Auto-Locking Lever Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers between towing vehicles and trailers are difficult to align, secure, and release, often requiring significant hand strength and can pose safety hazards, with additional security measures like locks being cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect ball coupler design featuring a lever that pivots between captured and release positions, with a locking pin that automatically biases to a locked position for secure engagement and can be released using a handle or electric actuator, allowing for easy hitch ball removal and automatic resetting for the next coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional ball and socket coupler is used, then a secure connection is provided, but it is difficult to align, mate, and secure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is divided into a fixed ball pocket and a movable lever with a ball engagement surface, allowing the lever to independently move between captured and release positions to facilitate easier alignment and mating while maintaining secure connection
2Ease of operation
If a simple coupler design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but significant hand strength is required and dangerous pinch points are created
Solution Approach 1:
A locking pin is introduced as an intermediary component that automatically engages with the lever in the captured position to secure the hitch ball, eliminating the need for user hand strength and removing dangerous pinch points from the operation
3Reliability
If a separate lock is added to prevent vandalism or theft, then security is improved, but the device complexity increases and keys may be misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing lever and ball engagement mechanism. The locking pin is integrated into the lever assembly, using the same movement space and structural elements, thereby providing security without adding separate lock mechanisms or increasing device complexity
4Ease of operation
If a manual locking mechanism is used, then ease of operation is reduced, but the device complexity is minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is designed to automatically engage with the lever when it moves to the captured position, securing the hitch ball without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by using the lever's own movement to trigger the locking action
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 design simplifies the coupling process, reduces manual strength requirements, enhances safety by eliminating pinch points, and provides secure locking without the need for separate locks, enabling easy and secure attachment and detachment of trailers.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pin is biased towards the locked position and is slidable through the locking aperture to the locked position when the lever is in said captured position
Data Source
AI summary
A self-resetting coupler is provided for capturing a hitch ball. The coupler includes a pocket to receive the hitch ball and a lever to capture the hitch ball in the pocket. When the hitch ball enters the pocket, it moves the lever from a release position to a captured position. A locking pin is biased towards a locked position. Once moved to the captured position, the locking pin moves to a locked position, locking the lever in the captured position. To release the coupler, the user pulls the locking pin clear of the lever, where it is held clear. As the hitch ball is removed, the lever moves the locking pin to be in biased contact therewith so that when the hitch ball is re-inserted, the locking pin moves to the locked position once the hitch ball is located in the pocket.