Height Adjustable Draw Bar Adapter for Trailer Hitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable trailer hitch mounting systems are limited by the intermediate space between guides, restricting the diameter of the power take-off shaft and preventing full height adjustment and secure fixation of the coupling carrier.
Innovation Solution
The system features two vertically extending guides with recessed areas on their inner sides, allowing adapter pieces to be inserted for horizontal and transverse adjustment, enabling the coupling carrier to be adjusted over the entire height and locked in place, and providing a larger gap for accommodating power take-off shafts with larger diameters by removing adapter pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If adapter pieces are inserted into recessed areas of guides, then the coupling carrier can be adjusted over the entire height of the guides, but the power take-off shaft diameter is limited by the distance between the guides
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is segmented into continuous guide portions and separate adapter pieces that can be independently installed or removed. The adapter pieces fill recessed areas in the guides, allowing the coupling carrier to utilize the full height of the guides while maintaining the option to remove them for larger diameter power take-off shafts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static guide structure to a dynamic one where adapter pieces can be added or removed based on operational requirements. This allows the guide assembly to adapt its configuration - providing full height adjustment when adapter pieces are installed, or accommodating larger diameter shafts when they are removed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapter pieces are removed from guides, then power take-off shafts with larger diameters can be accommodated, but the coupling carrier cannot be adjusted over the entire guide height
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is divided into modular components where adapter pieces can be selectively removed. This segmentation allows the continuous guide structure to be converted into a discontinuous one, creating larger gaps for oversized shafts while preserving the option to restore full height adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical configuration parameter of the guide system (continuous vs. discontinuous) is changed by adding or removing adapter pieces. This parameter change directly affects both the adjustment range available and the maximum diameter of power take-off shafts that can be accommodated.
3Reliability
If pins are used to attach adapter pieces to guides, then the adapter pieces are securely fixed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin attachment mechanism uses a nested structure where pins fit into corresponding holes in the adapter pieces and guides. This nesting provides secure attachment while keeping the individual components simple and the assembly process straightforward - essentially inserting one simple component (pin) into another (hole).
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The arrangement (10) has two guides (14, 16) including inner sides that face each other and have a recessed area (42). A complementary detachable adapter piece (44) is associated with the recessed area, so that a coupling support (30) cooperates with the adapter piece attached to the guides. An increased space is defined between the guides, at the adapter piece. The adapter piece has multiple adapter ends (48) horizontally extending transverse to a forward direction of a drawing vehicle. The ends are insertable into complementary openings (50) in the guides. An independent claim is also included for an agricultural utility vehicle comprising a frame.