Drawbar Movement Elimination via Receiver Face Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch systems face challenges in stabilizing heavy trailers with high centers of gravity or uneven load distribution, leading to uncontrolled movements and reduced safety due to clearance issues between the drawbar and receiver, which current anti-sway solutions are cumbersome and costly to install.
Innovation Solution
A drawbar and hitch receiver movement eliminating system featuring a receiver portion with a vehicle mount, a drawbar portion with a receivable shaft and adjustment nut, and a ball mount portion with a movement eliminating bolt, designed to eliminate lateral and vertical movement by adjusting to contact the receiver's front face, using lateral lock pins and a spanner wrench for secure alignment and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard drawbar with clearance between outer surface and receiver inner surface is used, then the drawbar can be easily assembled and is versatile for different attachments, but lateral and vertical movements occur during towing leading to trailer sway and reduced safety
Solution Approach 1:
A movement eliminating device is introduced as an intermediary component between the drawbar and receiver. This device includes a drawbar portion with receivable shaft, movement adjustment portion with external threads, and movement adjustment nut with internal threads. The device eliminates clearance-induced movements while maintaining ease of assembly and attachment versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the clearance parameter between drawbar and receiver by introducing an adjustable movement elimination mechanism. The movement adjustment nut allows threading onto the movement adjustment portion to eliminate lateral and vertical movements, effectively changing the clearance parameter from non-zero to zero when engaged.
2Reliability
If heavy anti-sway bar devices are installed to compensate for drawbar-receiver movement, then trailer sway is reduced, but the installation becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-sway function is segmented into a separate movement eliminating device that can be independently installed and adjusted. This device is divided into modular components: drawbar portion, movement adjustment portion, and movement adjustment nut, allowing simplified installation and maintenance compared to heavy integrated anti-sway bars.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustability through the movement adjustment nut that can be threaded onto or off the movement adjustment portion. This allows the system to adapt between engaged (movement eliminated) and disengaged (movement permitted) states, providing flexible anti-sway control without permanent complex installation.
3Reliability
If the drawbar is tightly fitted to eliminate clearance, then movement is reduced, but the drawbar becomes difficult to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two states: loose assembly for easy installation and tight engagement for movement elimination. The movement adjustment nut provides the transition mechanism, allowing users to easily assemble the drawbar in a loose state and then engage the nut to eliminate movements when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawbar is preliminarily assembled in a loose state for ease of installation, and then the movement adjustment mechanism is engaged to eliminate movements. This preliminary loose assembly followed by engagement action allows both easy assembly and effective movement elimination.
Data Source
AI summary
A drawbar and hitch receiver movement eliminating system has three main embodiments, each very similar and functioning with the same operational characteristics though they vary slightly in structural characteristics. Each embodiment has a means for the drawbar to push outwardly against the face of the receiver to eliminate the typical movement of the drawbar within the receiver caused by the standard clearances between the two, thereby considerably reducing the amplified swaying movement of the trailer that is caused by the small movements of the drawbar within the receiver.