Composite Tow Bar with Articulated Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tow bars face challenges in accommodating variations in attitude between towing and towed vehicles, particularly roll, yaw, and pitch, which can lead to dangerous misalignments during connection and towing, and require materials that are both lightweight and strong yet affordable and durable.
Innovation Solution
A tow bar constructed of lightweight, high-strength composite materials with an articulated design and locking mechanism that allows for easy assembly and connection without penetrating the frangible material, featuring a cam element and stop element for secure locking without compromising structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional materials (steel, aluminum) are used for tow bar construction, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases making assembly difficult for single person
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials construction for the tow bar, combining multiple materials with complementary properties to achieve both high strength and reduced weight. The composite structure allows the tow bar to meet strength requirements while being lightweight enough for single-person assembly and operation.
2Weight of moving object
If frangible material is used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced improving ease of assembly, but structural integrity and durability worsen due to material fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material construction allows incorporation of frangible or lightweight components while maintaining overall structural integrity through the composite structure. The combination of materials compensates for the fragility of individual lightweight components, ensuring reliability during towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates protective measures and structural features that prevent stress concentration and potential failure points in frangible materials. By designing ahead for potential weak points, the structure maintains integrity despite using lightweight materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If penetration methods are used to secure locking members to frangible material, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural integrity worsens due to compromised material
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member design extracts the fastening function from penetration-based methods and implements it through alternative mechanisms such as cam-actuated locking or friction-fit systems. This removes the need to penetrate frangible materials while maintaining secure attachment and ease of manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary locking mechanism is introduced between the locking member and the frangible material. This intermediary system provides secure attachment without direct penetration of the frangible material, preserving structural integrity while enabling easy assembly.
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
Enables a single person to easily connect and tow vehicles with reduced stress, providing a reliable, long-lasting solution that accommodates attitude variations while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding material penetration.
Implementation Method 1
a cam element and stop element for secure locking without compromising structural integrity
Implementation Method 2
locking mechanism that allows for easy assembly and connection
Implementation Method 3
A tow bar constructed of lightweight, high-strength composite materials
Implementation Method 4
a biased cam element and stop element
Data Source
AI summary
A tow bar including a towing hitch member connected to a towing vehicle; a towed hitch member connected to a vehicle to be towed; a head member having a front connector connected to the towing hitch member, and an articulated portion; leg connectors pivotally connected to the articulated portion; tow bar legs having outer and inner members constructed of composite material; locking members with biased cam elements and stop elements; rear connectors for connecting the tow bar legs to the towed hitch member; storage latches for releasably securing the tow bar legs in a stored configuration; protective boots for exposed portions of the inner members; and epoxy for securing the outer members to the leg connectors and the locking members, and the inner members to the stop elements and the rear connectors.