Quick-Connect Fifth Wheel Hitch Mount for Tolerance Variation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fifth wheel hitch systems require significant space for connection/disconnection and often suffer from tolerance stack-ups during under bed hitch mounting, making them difficult to balance and limiting their ability to handle larger loads without the use of tools.
Innovation Solution
A quick-connect fifth wheel hitch mounting system with transverse and longitudinal members, featuring apertures of different sizes and shapes, and fastening devices with biasing members and handles for independent vertical adjustment, allowing for tool-free connection/disconnection and accommodating tolerance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fifth wheel hitch systems are used, then connection/disconnection can be achieved, but significant space is required and tool use is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device incorporates a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear clamping motion, enabling dynamic adjustment and secure locking without requiring excessive space or tools. The cam surface geometry allows for quick engagement and disengagement while maintaining a compact profile suitable for limited load bed environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary element between the cam mechanism and the clamping surfaces, providing automatic spring pressure to maintain engagement force. This intermediary component enables tool-free operation by automatically maintaining the necessary clamping force throughout the connection and disconnection process.
2Reliability
If under bed hitch mounting systems are used, then attachment is achieved, but tolerance stack-ups occur making balancing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture design incorporates varying sizes and shapes (circular, oval, rectangular) to accommodate tolerance variations in the mounting system. By providing multiple aperture configurations, the system can adapt to different tolerance stack-ups and achieve proper alignment without requiring high manufacturing precision, while still ensuring secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device uses asymmetric cam surface geometry and non-uniform aperture shapes to compensate for tolerance variations. The asymmetric design allows the mechanism to self-align and accommodate misalignments caused by tolerance stack-ups, making the system less sensitive to manufacturing precision requirements.
3Strength
If traditional hitch systems are used, then basic load handling is achieved, but capacity for larger loads is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: transverse members for structural support, longitudinal members for positioning, fastening devices for secure attachment, and biasing members for maintaining force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high load capacity without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple functions into integrated components: the fastening device merges cam mechanism, clamping action, and locking function; the biasing member combines spring pressure with the fastening structure. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the strength and complexity necessary for handling larger loads.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure, balanced attachment of the fifth wheel hitch within the limited space of a towing vehicle's load bed, facilitating easy operation and increased load handling capacity up to 30,000 lbs without requiring tools.
Implementation Method 1
first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening devices, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system
Implementation Method 2
the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.