Flush-Mount Tow Hitch Lock Integrating Handle and Key Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tow hitch designs face issues with theft due to lack of effective security measures, leading to unscrupulous removal of trailers, and often feature bulky, ugly, and heavy keyed lock arrangements that catch debris and are aesthetically unpleasing.
Innovation Solution
A tow hitch design incorporating a housing with a hemispherical socket, a handle with a rod member for moving a locking element between engaged and disengaged positions, a catch member to secure the handle, and a lock that sits flush with the housing, operated by a conventional key, with a spring-loaded mechanism for secure engagement and disengagement, and an adjustable member for fitting various tow ball sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a keyed lock arrangement is incorporated to prevent theft, then security against theft is improved, but the device becomes bulky, heavy, and prone to catching debris
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is merged with the handle assembly, forming an integrated unit where the locking element forms part of the handle. This integration eliminates the need for separate protruding lock components, reducing bulkiness and debris accumulation while maintaining security functionality through the key-operated locking mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional locking element is used that can be freely moved, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized removal is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A lock acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking element. The lock controls the movement of the locking element along its guide, allowing easy operation when unlocked while preventing unauthorized removal when locked. The key-operated lock mediates access to the locking element's movement freedom.
3Reliability
If the locking element is constrained to move only in guide slots, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be movable along guide slots formed in the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment during engagement. The guide slots provide constrained movement paths that ensure proper alignment automatically during the engagement process, reducing the need for precise manual alignment while maintaining security through the constrained movement paths.
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
Provides enhanced security by requiring a key to remove the trailer, while being compact, aesthetically pleasing, and reducing debris accumulation, with the added feature of a lockable tow ball for additional security.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member is arranged to exert force to move the locking element into the engaged position when the catch member is in the holding position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lockable tow hitch. The tow hitch comprises a housing having a generally hemispheral socket for receiving a tow ball, and a handle mountable on the housing. The handle has having a rod member slidably projecting into the housing and arranged for moving a locking element within the housing between an engaged position at which it holds the tow ball within the socket and a disengaged position where the tow ball is free to move into and out of the socket. The tow hitch further comprises a catch member movable between a holding position wherein it secures the handle against sliding and an open position where the handle is free to slide, and a lock arranged to lock the locking element in the engaged position when the lock is locked, and to free the locking element for moving to the disengaged position when the lock is unlocked.