Weight-Measuring Hitch Ball Assembly for Accurate Tongue Load Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch systems lack an effective means to measure tongue weight accurately, leading to potential trailer sway or overloading of the tow vehicle's rear tires, which can compromise steering and braking.
Innovation Solution
A weight measuring hitch ball assembly that includes a hitch ball with a load measurement device and a retention coupling, allowing for secure attachment and slidable movement to determine the magnitude of the force acting on the hitch ball.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a trailer hitch system without weight measurement is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of tongue weight is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hitch ball, load measurement device, and retention coupling into a single integrated assembly. The load measurement device is operably associated with the body portion and hitch ball, allowing weight measurement functionality to be merged with the existing hitch structure rather than added as a separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch ball assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the mechanical coupling function of a traditional hitch ball, incorporates load measurement capability through the integrated sensor, and maintains secure attachment through the retention coupling mechanism. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If the hitch ball is securely retained in the hitch ball opening, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the slidable movement required for force measurement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The retention coupling mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It allows the hitch ball to slide vertically within the hitch ball opening when force is applied (enabling measurement) while preventing complete removal. The mechanism adapts its restraint level based on the applied load, providing both movement freedom and security as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention coupling provides localized retention at specific points (retention protrusion and retention opening) while leaving other areas free for movement. The retention wall defines a retention opening that receives the retention protrusion, creating a localized constraint that prevents removal but allows controlled slidable movement for measurement purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A weight measuring hitch ball assembly is described. The assembly can include a hitch ball and a body portion having an opening that slidably receives a lower portion of the hitch ball. Additionally, the assembly can include a retention coupling operable with the hitch ball and the body portion to secure the hitch ball to the body portion. The retention coupling can have a retention protrusion and a retention wall defining at least a portion of a retention opening operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion therein. With the retention protrusion extending into the retention opening, the retention wall can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion that prevents removal of the hitch ball from the hitch ball opening, while allowing slidable movement of the hitch ball within the hitch ball opening sufficient to determine a magnitude of the force acting on the hitch ball.