Foldable Tow-Hitch Cargo Carrier Support for Stable Heavy Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cargo carriers, such as trailers, are cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to maneuver, requiring significant storage space when not in use, and lack stability and safety for transporting heavy or dangerous goods, especially in unfavorable road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible cargo carrier arrangement comprising a supporting device with foldable components that attaches to a vehicle's tow hitch, featuring elongate supporting members and tubular connections for enhanced stability and ease of use, allowing the carrier to be easily mounted and dismounted by a single user without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common trailer is used to transport cargo, then the cargo can be transported, but the trailer is large, expensive, and cumbersome to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is divided into a foldable main body and separate supporting members that can be detached and stored independently. This segmentation allows the device to be broken down into compact components for storage while maintaining full functionality during use, directly resolving the contradiction between maneuverability and storage space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body of the supporting device is designed to be foldable, transitioning between an extended operational state and a compact stored state. This dynamic structure enables the device to adapt its form factor based on usage requirements, providing ease of maneuvering when deployed and minimal storage space when folded.
2Reliability
If a multibag with tong-arrangement is used, then light equipment can be transported, but the arrangement is unstable and only suitable for short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping means employs a spherical tow ball as the connection interface between the supporting device and the vehicle. This curved, spherical connection provides stable rotational support and reliable load bearing, significantly improving stability compared to linear or flat connection arrangements, while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting members are designed with pre-configured mounting means and connection interfaces that align with the vehicle's tow hitch. This preliminary configuration ensures stable and secure attachment before cargo transport begins, providing reliability from the outset without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during transport.
3Strength
If a trailer is used to transport heavy goods, then the cargo can be transported, but the trailer is expensive and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is segmented into the main body structure and separate supporting members that can be independently optimized. This allows the critical load-bearing components to be strengthened without requiring the entire device structure to be complex and oversized, maintaining strength while reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting members are designed to combine with the foldable main body to form a rigid, stable structure when deployed. This merging of components creates a strong load-bearing system capable of handling heavy goods, while the components remain simple and compact when separated for storage or transport.
Data Source
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AI summary
An arrangement for transportation of a cargo carrier (10) includes a supporting device (30) releasably connectable to a rear tow hitch member (2) of a vehicle (1). The supporting device (30) has at least one supporting member (41a, 41b) and a foldable main body. The supporting member (41a, 41b) is releasably connectable to a mounting means (18) at a base part (11) of the cargo carrier (10).