Folding Tongle Trailer Hitch Angular Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer hitches are permanently fixed, occupying unnecessary space and compromising aesthetics when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A folding trailer hitch design that includes a vehicle attachment frame, hinging linkage, hitch support frame, angular lock, and hitching element, allowing the hitch to be folded into a storage position for space efficiency and aesthetic improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trailer hitch is permanently fixed to the vehicle chassis, then the towing function is reliable and stable, but the hitch occupies unnecessary space and compromises aesthetics when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static, permanently fixed hitch into a dynamic, movable structure. The hitch assembly is designed to rotate between a lowered operational position and a raised stored position, allowing it to adapt its configuration based on usage requirements. This rotational movement enables the hitch to occupy minimal space when not in use while maintaining full functionality when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch assembly is segmented into multiple components including the hitch support frame, vehicle attachment frame, hinging linkage, and angular lock mechanism. This segmentation allows independent movement and positioning of the hitch support frame relative to the vehicle chassis, enabling the hitch to be folded away when not needed while maintaining structural integrity and towing capability when deployed.
2Device complexity
If a trailer hitch is permanently fixed, then the structure is simple and robust, but it is aesthetically unpleasing and inhibits storage when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a movable hitch support frame that can rotate between lowered and raised positions, the design achieves both aesthetic quality and storage efficiency without significantly complicating the overall structure. The dynamic configuration allows the hitch to be compact when stored, improving aesthetics and space utilization, while maintaining structural robustness when deployed for towing.
3Area of stationary object
If the hitch is made foldable to reduce space occupation, then aesthetics and storage are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch is divided into separable components connected by hinging linkages, allowing the hitch support frame to be folded away when not in use. This segmentation enables space reduction and aesthetic improvement while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design, thereby limiting the overall increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinging linkage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the vehicle attachment frame and the hitch support frame, enabling controlled movement and positioning. This intermediary component facilitates the folding action required for space reduction while maintaining structural integrity, adding minimal complexity to achieve the desired compact configuration.
4Ease of manufacture
If the hitch structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then production cost is reduced, but the ability to fold and store the hitch is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic folding mechanism using hinging linkages and angular locks that, while adding some manufacturing steps, remain relatively simple in concept and execution. The movable hitch support frame can rotate between positions and be locked at specific angles, providing folding and storage capability without requiring complex mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinging linkage serves as a simple intermediary component that enables folding functionality without requiring complex mechanisms. This intermediary element allows the hitch to transition between deployed and stored configurations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the hinging mechanism is a straightforward mechanical connection that can be easily fabricated and assembled.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding tongue trailer hitch for installation on a towable vehicle provides the ability to store the hitch while not in use for aesthetic and space efficiency purposes. A vehicle attachment frame is connected to the towable vehicle, and a hitch support frame is hingedly connected to the vehicle attachment frame by a hitching linkage. A hitching element is connected to the hitch support frame opposite the hinging linkage and may be any pertinent towing element. An angular lock releasably secures the hitch support frame in the lowered position for towing, utilizing receiving slots in the vehicle attachment frame and the hitch support frame into which locking rods may be inserted to lock the hitch support frame in the lowered position. A first and second lateral arm of the hitch support frame are positioned symmetrically about a central arm of the hitch support frame for structural support.