Convertible Tow Hitch System with Movable Lower Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tow hitch systems require multiple towing elements to match different trailers, leading to increased costs, storage challenges, and laborious interchange processes.
Innovation Solution
A convertible tow hitch system with a mount tube assembly and a lower mount support that can move between retracted and extended positions, allowing it to function as both a ball hitch and a clevis hitch, compatible with various hitch types by being removably mounted on a hitch receiver tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple towing elements are used to match different trailers, then compatibility with various trailer types is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating both ball hitches and clevis hitches through a single universal mount. The mount tube assembly can receive different hitch types, and the lower mount support can be positioned in different configurations to match various trailer tongue arrangements, eliminating the need for multiple separate towing elements
Solution Approach 2:
The lower mount support is designed to be movable between different positions along the mount tube assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the hitch apparatus to adapt its configuration based on the specific trailer type being towed, enabling transformation between different hitch configurations without requiring multiple static towing elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple towing elements are maintained for different trailers, then adaptability is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single universal hitch apparatus that can accommodate multiple trailer types through adjustable configurations, the system eliminates the need to store multiple separate towing elements. The compact design allows the entire apparatus to be stored in the vehicle's hitch receiver when not in use
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple towing elements are used for different trailers, then compatibility is improved, but interchange time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable lower mount support allows for quick reconfiguration between different hitch types by simply adjusting the support position along the mount tube assembly. This dynamic adjustment mechanism significantly reduces the time and effort required to switch between ball hitch and clevis hitch configurations compared to completely replacing towing elements
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch apparatus is divided into separable components including the mount tube assembly and the lower mount support that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows for modular reconfiguration where only the necessary component needs to be moved or adjusted rather than replacing the entire hitch system
Data Source
AI summary
A convertible hitch apparatus may be removably mountable on a hitch receiver tube and include a mount tube assembly being at least partially insertable into the receiver tube for mounting on the hitch receiver tube, with the mount tube assembly defining a retraction channel and an upper hitch aperture. The apparatus may also include a lower mount support movably mounted on the retraction channel of the mount tube assembly to move between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the mount tube assembly. The lower mount support may define a lower hitch aperture which may be below and in substantially vertical alignment with the upper hitch aperture when the lower mount support is in the retracted position. The lower hitch aperture may be moved out of vertical alignment with the upper hitch aperture when the lower mount support is in the retracted position.