Convertible Hitching Assembly for Uneven Terrain Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling mechanisms for agricultural implements attached to tractors or utility vehicles are not efficiently adaptable to varying terrain and angles, making it difficult to connect and disconnect implements conveniently and accurately.
Innovation Solution
A hitching assembly with a single point assembly and a two-point assembly that can move between a raised, coupled position and a lowered, decoupled position, allowing for adjustable alignment and movement in multiple degrees of freedom, facilitated by manually-operated latch mechanisms and a support passage for constrained motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid coupling mechanism is used to attach implements to the vehicle, then the connection strength is improved, but the adaptability to varying terrain and angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hitching assembly is divided into two separate assemblies (single-point and two-point) that can be independently positioned and coupled. This segmentation allows each assembly to handle different aspects of the coupling task, providing both strength through rigid connection when coupled and adaptability through independent movement when decoupled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rigid coupling to a dynamic system where the two-point assembly can move relative to the single-point assembly. This dynamic capability allows the hitching assembly to adapt to varying terrain and angles while maintaining connection strength when properly coupled.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed position coupling mechanism is used, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation for connecting and disconnecting implements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hitching assembly incorporates movable components that allow easy connection and disconnection operations. The two-point assembly can be moved to a decoupled position for convenient implement attachment/detachment, then raised to a coupled position to form a stable rigid structure for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for coupling operations by allowing preliminary positioning and alignment of the two-point assembly relative to the single-point assembly. This preliminary action facilitates easier connection and disconnection while maintaining structural stability during operation.
3Strength
If the two-point assembly is permanently coupled to the single point assembly, then the rigidity is improved, but the adjustability of position relative to the hitch assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic adjustability by allowing the two-point assembly to move relative to the single-point assembly when decoupled, enabling position adjustment for different hitch configurations. When coupled, the assemblies form a rigid structure for stable transport.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the single-point and two-point assemblies into couplable but not permanently connected components, the system achieves both rigidity when coupled and adjustability when decoupled, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a hitching assembly for coupling to a hitch assembly on a vehicle. The hitching assembly includes a single point assembly including a first attachment area for attaching to the hitch assembly and a support passage extending through the single point assembly, a two-point assembly extending through the support passage, the two-point assembly having second and third attachment areas for attaching to the hitch assembly, and one or more manually-operated latch mechanisms configured to couple the two-point assembly to the single point assembly. The two-point assembly is movable from a raised position where the two-point assembly is coupled to the single point assembly, to a lowered position where the two-point assembly is decoupled from the single point assembly to move relative to the single point assembly.