Bent Composite Moment Bar for Trailer Hitch Preload Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer hitches face challenges such as tedious setup and adjustment, susceptibility to sway, and instability on uneven terrain, leading to potential accidents and safety hazards due to the rigidity of traditional moment bars which are not easily adjustable and can cause extreme changes in moment distribution.
Innovation Solution
A weight distribution hitch system with a compliant moment bar made from flexible materials like fiber-reinforced polymers, which allows for easier setup and adjustment without disconnecting brackets, provides improved sway control, and maintains stability on uneven ground by reducing sudden changes in moment distribution through increased flexibility and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid moment bars are used in equalizer hitches, then weight distribution is achieved, but setup and adjustment become tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The moment bar is designed with a bend between its ends, allowing it to flex and adapt to different load conditions. This dynamic flexibility enables easy adjustment of the moment bar's orientation (flipping between upward and downward facing bends) to vary the preload, eliminating the need for complex disassembly and reassembly operations required by traditional rigid equalizer hitches.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the moment bar by introducing a bend with different orientations. By flipping the moment bar to change which major face faces upward or downward, the preload on the spring bars is varied, providing simple adjustment capability without requiring time-consuming reconfiguration of the entire hitch system.
2Strength
If traditional rigid moment bars are used, then structural strength is maintained, but adaptability to different load conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The moment bar incorporates a bend that allows it to flex dynamically in response to varying load conditions. The bent geometry enables the bar to absorb and distribute forces more effectively across different towing scenarios, providing both structural integrity and adaptability to changing load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The moment bar is constructed from fiber-reinforced polymer composite material, which combines the strength and stiffness of fibers (such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid) with a polymer matrix. This composite structure provides both the required structural strength and the flexibility needed to adapt to different load conditions, unlike traditional rigid metal bars.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid moment bars are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bent geometry of the moment bar is designed to flex within controlled parameters, allowing it to adapt to different operational conditions. This dynamic characteristic is built into the manufacturing process of the composite bar, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation through simple flipping actions to adjust preload.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the moment bar by introducing a bend with different orientations. By flipping the moment bar to change which major face faces upward or downward, the preload on the spring bars is varied, providing simple adjustment capability without requiring time-consuming reconfiguration of the entire hitch system.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional equalizer hitches are used, then sway control is provided, but stability on uneven terrain deteriorates due to extreme moment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The moment bar utilizes flexible composite material construction with a bent geometry that allows it to flex and absorb shocks when the vehicle encounters uneven terrain. This flexibility prevents extreme moment changes that would otherwise occur with rigid bars, maintaining stable weight distribution and improving stability on rough surfaces while still providing sway control capability.
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 system simplifies the setup and adjustment process, enhances safety by reducing the risk of accidents, and maintains stable weight distribution across varying terrain, as the compliant moment bars absorb shocks and maintain traction by dampening extreme moment changes.
Implementation Method 1
compliant moment bars absorb shocks and maintain traction by dampening extreme moment changes
Implementation Method 2
A weight distribution hitch system with a compliant moment bar made from flexible materials like fiber-reinforced polymers
Implementation Method 3
when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the end of the moment bar that is supported by the tension member, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a preload on the moment bar is varied depending on whether the first major face faces generally upward or generally downward
Data Source
AI summary
A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end, and a moment bar, the moment bar comprising a first end configured to either be attached the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member or to be supported by the bottom end of the tension member, a second end also configured to either be attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member or to be supported by the bottom end of the tension member, a first major face configured to face either generally upward or generally downward, a second major face opposite the first major face and also configured to face either generally upward or generally downward, and a bend between the first end and the second end; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the end of the moment bar that is supported by the tension member, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein a preload on the moment bar is varied depending on whether the first major face faces generally upward or generally downward is disclosed.