Cam-Lock Hitch Tightener for Anti-Rattle Receiver Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-rattle hitch tightener devices face challenges in maintaining secure attachment and preventing rattling over time, especially in dirty and corrosive conditions, due to difficulties in correctly torquing nuts and potential loosening during bumps and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A hitch tightener device featuring a U-bolt with a cam lock lever and crossbar that encircles the shank and receiver tube, using a cam lock lever to pivot and tighten the crossbar, securing the shank against the receiver tube with a nut that is prevented from loosening by a recess, allowing for easy assembly and tool-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nuts and bolts are used to secure the hitch tightener, then the connection can be strong and secure, but the nuts can loosen over time due to vibrations and thermal cycling, requiring complex torqueing procedures to maintain security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional nut-and-bolt mechanical fastening system with a cam lock mechanism. The cam lock lever, when actuated, engages with the crossbar to create a friction-based locking system that eliminates the need for torqueing nuts. This substitution maintains connection security while dramatically simplifying the operation, as users only need to manually actuate the lever rather than use tools to torque nuts to precise specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lock mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting and self-locking. As the hitch tightener is installed and the cam lock lever is actuated, the mechanism automatically maintains its own security without requiring periodic torque checks or adjustments. The friction engagement and geometric locking features ensure the connection remains secure through vibrations and thermal cycling without user intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the hitch tightener uses a cam lock lever mechanism, then the ease of operation improves by eliminating tool requirements, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the cam lock lever component. The lever serves as both the actuating mechanism for tightening and the locking mechanism for securing the connection. Additionally, the crossbar integrates the cam lock engagement surfaces and the friction-based locking features directly into its structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the tool-free operation benefit.
3Reliability
If the crossbar is positioned to encircle both the shank and receiver tube lip, then the anti-rattle effectiveness improves by biasing the shank against the receiver tube, but the device complexity increases due to the geometric constraints of positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The crossbar is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities that allow it to adapt to the geometric constraints of the shank and receiver tube assembly. The cam lock mechanism provides adjustable actuation points along the crossbar, enabling the system to maintain optimal biasing force against the shank regardless of slight variations in assembly geometry. This dynamic adjustment simplifies the geometric positioning requirements while maintaining effective rattle prevention.
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 device effectively reduces rattling and wear between the shank and receiver tube, providing a secure, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solution that maintains tension over long periods and withstands harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A cam lock lever is pivotally attached on one of the legs. When the cam lock lever is pivoted from its opened position to its closed position, it moves the crossbar toward the connecting portion of the clamp component, tightening the hitch tightener around shank and lip.
Implementation Method 2
The cam lock lever preferably has a recess which receives a nut threaded on the other leg, which while in the closed position prevents the nut from loosening.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch tightener is used around the lip of a hitch receiver tube and a shank inserted into the hitch receiver tube. The hitch tightener has a U-bolt with two threaded legs, and a crossbar with throughholes for the legs of the U-bolt, positioned so the crossbar and the U-bolt encircle the shank and the receiver tube lip. A standard threaded nut holds the crossbar onto one of the legs, and a cam lock lever is pivotally attached on the other leg by a threaded trunnion nut. When the cam lock lever is pivoted from its opened position to its closed position, it moves the crossbar toward the connecting portion of the clamp component, tightening the hitch tightener around shank and lip.