Convertible Gear Cart Hitch Coupling for Stable Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible cargo carriers require manual lifting for engagement with vehicle trailer hitches, lack stable retention of articles, and face risks of inadvertent disengagement during conversion between modes of propulsion and trailering.
Innovation Solution
A convertible, all-terrain gear cart with a coupling mechanism that allows conversion to a towed vehicle without additional components, featuring a durable and flexible interconnection, an extendable cargo support surface, and a cargo bin that can collapse while maintaining hauling functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a convertible cargo carrier is designed to be engaged with a trailer hitch, then it enables vehicle-supported transport, but it requires manual lifting of the entire cart weight which increases operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
A support bar is introduced as an intermediary component between the trailer hitch and the cart. The support bar engages with the trailer hitch first, then the cart is lowered onto it, allowing the cart to be supported without direct manual lifting of the entire weight. This mediator enables the transition from manual to vehicle-supported transport while reducing operational effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar is positioned and engaged with the trailer hitch in advance before the cart is fully attached. This preliminary action creates a support structure that bears the cart's weight during the engagement process, eliminating the need for manual lifting of the entire cart weight during mode conversion.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple hand cart structure is used, then it is easy to manufacture, but it lacks stable retention structures for articles
Solution Approach 1:
The cart structure is segmented into distinct functional components: a simple frame for ease of manufacture, separate support bars for hitch engagement, and additional retention structures (such as channels or guides) for article stability. This segmentation allows the basic structure to remain simple while adding targeted features for reliability without complicating the entire design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a channel member is used for hitch engagement, then it enables vehicle support, but it requires adroit engagement with substantial risk of inadvertent disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar serves as an intermediary that simplifies the engagement interface between the cart and trailer hitch. Instead of requiring direct adroit engagement of a channel member with the hitch receiver, the support bar provides a more forgiving engagement mechanism that reduces the risk of inadvertent disengagement while maintaining vehicle support capability.
4Reliability
If a rigid fixed cargo bin is used, then it provides stable cargo support, but it increases overall cart weight and reduces adaptability for different transport modes
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo bin is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to transition between fixed and movable states. This enables the cargo bin to provide stable support when needed while also allowing for configuration changes during mode conversions between manual propulsion, trailering, and vehicle-supported transport, thereby balancing reliability with adaptability.
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 stable and reliable engagement with trailer hitches, supports varied cargo in an elevated manner, and prevents inadvertent disengagement, facilitating efficient traversal of terrains and modes of propulsion.
Implementation Method 1
the control arm and the cargo bin can be caused to pivot about the all-terrain wheels by pushing the control arm downwardly
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical advantage of the longitudinally extending control arm can be exploited to pivot the cargo bin upwardly
Implementation Method 3
first and second detachable all-terrain wheels that are rotatably retained at a mid-portion of the cargo bin
Data Source
AI summary
An all-terrain gear cart convertible between manual propulsion and trailering and a towing system for establishing a towing relationship between the cart and a towing vehicle. The towing system has a reverse hook structure with first and second towing hooks and a latch member for selectively retaining an engaging portion of a tow and control handle within the towing hooks. A retaining formation of the latch member can be selectively retained by a receiving latch. The reverse hook structure can be formed with a rack affixed to the towing vehicle, or first and second anterior attachment hooks can selectively hook the reverse hook structure to a preexisting rack of the towing vehicle. The gear cart can have a pivotable tailgate and a selectively extendable cargo bed extension structure. The left, right, and anterior frame sections of the cart can be independently pivotable to facilitate achievement of a flatbed configuration.