Hinged Towed Wheel Mounting for Ground Tracking Near Barriers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towed apparatuses face challenges in accurately tracking ground undulations while allowing operation near solid barriers, and positioning wheels behind the body leads to excessive forces on the towing connection.
Innovation Solution
A hinged wheel mounting system with a securing structure allows wheels to transition between positions adjacent to and behind the apparatus body, using a hinge portion and securing portions with apertures and projections for rapid repositioning and secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional tow bar is used, then the vehicle can tow another vehicle, but it blocks the path of the vehicle being towed and creates a collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The tow bar is designed to be retractable along the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, allowing it to extend when needed for towing and retract when not in use. This dimensional change in length resolves the contradiction by eliminating path blocking during normal operation while maintaining towing capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The tow bar transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic variable-length design with extendable and retractable capabilities. This allows the system to adapt its state between towing mode (extended) and normal driving mode (retracted), resolving the contradiction between needing the tow bar present for safety and absent for clear path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length tow bar is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different towing scenarios or be stored compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The tow bar is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can extend and retract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the tow bar to achieve variable length capability while maintaining a compact form when retracted, balancing adaptability with manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic segments of the tow bar are nested within each other when retracted, similar to nested dolls. This nesting arrangement allows the extended tow bar to be compactly stored within the towing vehicle when not in use, providing adaptability without permanently increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the tow bar is always extended for safety, then collision risk is reduced, but it blocks the path and creates operational inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes a sensor that detects when another vehicle approaches and automatically triggers the tow bar to extend in advance. This preliminary action ensures the tow bar is positioned for safety before a collision risk arises, while allowing it to remain retracted during normal operation, thus reducing operational inconvenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence of other vehicles and provides feedback control for the tow bar's extension and retraction. This feedback mechanism ensures the tow bar is extended only when necessary for safety, automatically retracting when the path is clear, thereby minimizing operational inconvenience while maintaining collision prevention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for towing behind a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a body portion, a wheel, and a mounting member connecting the wheel to the body portion, wherein the mounting member comprises a hinge portion, and wherein the wheel is movable from a first position substantially behind the body portion to a second position substantially adjacent to the body portion via actuation of the hinge portion. Use of the apparatus is also described.