Fifth Wheel Hitch Support Assembly with Adjustable Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fifth wheel hitch support assemblies are inefficient for vehicles with varying frame rail spacings and require complex assembly and maintenance, often leading to reduced operational life and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A fifth wheel hitch support assembly featuring pivotally supported brackets with an engagement assembly that slides within a gap created between a mounting member and the vehicle frame rail, allowing for adjustable positioning and easy assembly, utilizing L-shaped mounting members with apertures and a guide plate for secure locking and repositioning, and a pneumatic actuator for precise engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing fifth wheel hitch support assemblies are used, then the structure provides support functionality, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase while adaptability to varying frame rail spacings decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member is divided into multiple segments with individual mounting brackets that can be independently positioned along the frame rail. Each bracket can be adjusted to different locations to accommodate varying frame rail spacings, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle configurations without requiring a completely different assembly design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the fifth wheel hitch position. The ability to reposition mounting brackets along the frame rail provides dynamic adaptability to different spacing requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If existing fifth wheel hitch support assemblies are used, then the structure provides support functionality, but the welding requirements increase leading to higher manufacturing costs and reduced operational life
Solution Approach 1:
The design replaces extensive welding operations with mechanical connection systems such as bolts, clips, or interlocking mechanisms. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies assembly procedures, and eliminates the potential operational weaknesses associated with welded joints, thereby extending the operational life of the support assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member design allows for parameter adjustments in positioning and configuration without requiring complex welding procedures. By using adjustable mechanical components, the system achieves versatility while maintaining ease of manufacture and reducing production costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed positioning is used for support brackets, then the structure is simpler, but the adaptability to different frame rail spacings and ride-height adjustments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the mounting member and the support bracket, providing a simple yet effective means of achieving adjustable positioning. This intermediary component enables position changes without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fifth wheel hitch support assembly includes a support bracket adapted to pivotally support a fifth wheel hitch plate, a mounting member adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame rail to create a gap therebetween and above the frame rail, wherein the gap extends longitudinally along the mounting member, and wherein the mounting member includes a plurality of irregularities spaced longitudinally along the length thereof, and an engagement assembly operably coupled to the support bracket wherein the engagement assembly is operable between an engaged position locking the support bracket with respect to the mounting member at a select position along the length of the mounting member, and a disengaged position wherein the engagement assembly does not engage the plurality of irregularities, thereby allowing the support bracket to be slidably repositioned with respect to the support bracket.