Removable Capture Plate for Fifth Wheel Trailer Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capture plates for fifth wheel trailers require modification to the pin box, form a strong connection that can lead to costly failures under excessive stress, and are not adjustable for varying pin box sizes.
Innovation Solution
A removably mounted capture plate with a lip to prevent rotation between the pin box and hitch assembly, featuring a wedge to mate with the hitch assembly's pin slot and a quick-connect fastener for easy attachment, allowing for adjustable fit and fail-safe design to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the capture plate is fastened directly to the pin box or welded to brackets, then the connection between the trailer and hitch assembly is strong, but modification to the pin box is required and the connection may be too strong causing costly failures under excessive stress
Solution Approach 1:
The capture plate is designed as a disposable component that can be easily removed and replaced. Instead of permanently modifying the pin box or creating an extremely strong welded connection, the capture plate uses a removable fastening system with a lip that engages the pin box and a wedge that engages the hitch assembly's pin slot. This allows the capture plate to be replaced without modifying the pin box, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and ease of manufacture.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional capture plate designs are used, then rotation between the hitch assembly and pin box is restricted, but the design requires customization for different pin box sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The capture plate incorporates a lip that can be positioned at different locations around the perimeter of the plate. This dynamic positioning allows the same capture plate design to accommodate various pin box sizes and shapes. The lip engages with the pin box to prevent rotation, while its adjustable position provides versatility across different trailer configurations without requiring customized designs for each pin box size.
3Force
If a strong connection is formed between the trailer and hitch assembly, then rotational forces are adequately transferred, but excessive stress can cause costly failures in the trailer, vehicle, or hitch
Solution Approach 1:
The capture plate serves as an intermediary component between the trailer's pin box and the hitch assembly. It provides a controlled connection that can adequately transfer rotational forces during normal operation through its lip and wedge engagement. However, the removable fastening system allows the capture plate to fail in a controlled manner under excessive stress, protecting the more expensive and critical components of the trailer, vehicle, and hitch assembly from catastrophic failure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a capture plate for preventing rotation between a trailer and a hitch assembly. The hitch assembly mounts on a vehicle, and is preferably a sliding hitch assembly. The capture plate has a lip which mates with the pin box of a fifth wheel trailer, the lip prevents rotation between the trailer and the capture plate. The capture plate has a restriction part which mates with the pin slot on the hitch assembly, the restriction part restricts rotation between the capture plate and the hitch. The capture plate has a fastener which removably secures the capture plate to the pin box.