Equal Angle Hitch Driveline Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hitch systems for coupling vehicles to implements often require constant velocity (CV) joints to account for unequal angles between the power take-off (PTO) and driveshaft, leading to increased weight, vibration, and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A hitch system that maintains substantially equivalent angles between the PTO and driveshaft, eliminating the need for a CV joint by using a mid-yaw axis disposed equidistant from the PTO output and input, allowing for a driveshaft configuration with reduced weight and vibration through the use of U-joints phased to cancel changing angular velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hitch systems use unequal angle configuration between PTO and driveshaft, then connection flexibility is improved, but driveline vibration and weight increase due to requiring CV joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately configuring the hitch system with equal angles on both sides of the driveshaft rather than using traditional unequal angles. This symmetric angular configuration eliminates the need for CV joints while maintaining connection flexibility, thereby reducing driveline vibration and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter configuration from traditional unequal angles to equal angles between the PTO side and implement side of the driveshaft. This parameter change allows the use of simpler U-joints instead of CV joints, reducing vibration while preserving operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If CV joints are used in driveshaft to handle unequal angles, then power transmission reliability is improved, but device weight and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses symmetric equal-angle configuration to eliminate the need for complex CV joints, replacing them with lighter U-joints while maintaining power transmission reliability through proper phasing of the universal joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the CV joint from the driveshaft system by configuring the hitch angles equally, thereby eliminating the heavy and maintenance-intensive component while preserving functional reliability through the equal-angle geometry.
3Weight of moving object
If equal angle configuration is used between PTO and driveshaft, then driveshaft weight and vibration are reduced, but hitch system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs symmetric equal-angle geometry to simplify the overall system by eliminating CV joints, even though the hitch mechanism itself has multiple pivot points. The symmetry in angular configuration offsets the mechanical complexity of the hitch linkage.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a hitch system that couples a vehicle to an implement powered by the vehicle using a driveshaft supplying power from a power output to the implement. The hitch system comprises a front portion and rear portion, with a mid-yaw pivot coupling the front and rear portions. The front portion couples to a drawbar engaged with the vehicle, and the rear portion couples with the implement. The mid-yaw pivot can be disposed substantially equidistant from a power output of the vehicle and a power input to the implement. This arrangement can provide, during operation, for the angle between the power output and driveshaft to be substantially equal to the angle between the power input and driveshaft. This may provide for improved performance in the implement, including reduced vibration, lower weight, and less maintenance.