Convertible Towing Assembly With Locking Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towing assemblies either lack the flexibility needed to extract vehicles from inaccessible locations or the rigidity required for safe towing on roads, often compromising functionality in one operation to enhance the other.
Innovation Solution
A towing assembly comprising a hitch and pivotally attached members with locking joints, allowing the assembly to transition from an articulating to a rigid configuration, enabling both flexible extraction and secure towing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a supple and flexible assembly is used to extract vehicles from inaccessible locations, then the ability to reach difficult locations is improved, but the safety and security of towing on roads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The towing assembly incorporates pivotable members with locking joints that allow the structure to dynamically change from an articulated flexible configuration during extraction to a rigid locked configuration during road towing. This dynamic transformation enables the same assembly to satisfy both operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly changes its structural parameters by transitioning between locked and unlocked states of the joints. When joints are unlocked, the assembly articulates for flexibility; when locked, it becomes rigid for safe towing. This parameter change allows adaptation to different operational phases.
2Reliability
If a rigid assembly is used to safely tow vehicles on roads, then the safety and security of towing is improved, but the ability to extract vehicles from inaccessible locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly transitions from a rigid locked state used for road towing to an articulated unlocked state for extraction operations. The pivotable members with locking joints enable this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the same rigid structure to become flexible when needed.
3Reliability
If an assembly is designed to maximize functionality for road towing operations, then the safety of towing on roads is improved, but the functionality for extraction operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly serves multiple functions by combining the structural integrity needed for road towing with the articulation capability required for extraction. The locking joint mechanism enables the same structure to provide both rigidity for safety and flexibility for access.
Data Source
AI summary
A towing bar assembly that is convertible from an articulated assembly for extracting a vehicle in an inaccessible location to a rigid assembly for safely towing a vehicle on a road.