Hitch Ball Mount Quadrilateral Cross-Section Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional trailer hitch assemblies are heavy, leading to increased material usage and friction impedance due to their large size, which complicates the attachment process and increases weight, making them inefficient for towing heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch device featuring a receiver sleeve with a quadrilateral cross-section and a mounting portion with walls that project towards internal corners, reducing friction and weight by optimizing the cross-sectional shape to minimize material usage while maintaining strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large, heavy components are used in the trailer hitch assembly, then sufficient strength is provided, but weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion employs curved surfaces instead of flat surfaces, with the cross-sectional shape transitioning from a traditional square to a rounded rectangular form. This curvature reduces stress concentration points while maintaining structural integrity, allowing for weight reduction without sacrificing strength. The rounded corners and curved surfaces distribute loads more evenly throughout the component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the mounting portion by modifying the cross-sectional shape from square to rounded rectangular. This parameter change optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio by redistributing material away from high-stress corner regions while maintaining adequate material in load-bearing areas, thereby reducing overall weight while preserving necessary strength.
2Strength
If the opening and mounting portion segment fit with minimal clearance, then structural integrity is maintained, but friction impedance increases due to dirt, rust or other material
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surfaces of the mounting portion interact with the rounded internal corners of the receiver opening, creating a clearance that prevents direct contact between high-stress regions. This curvature-based design allows for a functional clearance that reduces friction and prevents dirt and rust accumulation while maintaining structural integrity through optimized stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the problematic friction interface by introducing a controlled clearance between the mounting portion and receiver opening. This clearance eliminates the direct frictional contact that occurs with minimal clearance designs, preventing the buildup of impedance from dirt and rust while the curved surfaces maintain adequate structural engagement.
3Strength
If heavy components are used, then sufficient strength is provided, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the cross-sectional geometry from square to rounded rectangular, the invention optimizes material distribution. The parameter changes in shape allow for reduced material usage in non-critical areas (corners) while maintaining adequate material thickness in load-bearing regions, thereby reducing overall material consumption while preserving necessary strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surfaces eliminate the need for excessive material at corner regions where stress concentration would otherwise require additional reinforcement. The smooth transitions and rounded forms allow for more efficient material usage by distributing stresses evenly, reducing the total quantity of material needed compared to sharp-cornered square designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch device for a trailer mount is provided. The hitch device includes a mounting portion, a receiver sleeve receiving the mounting portion, wherein the receiver sleeve includes a cross-section having a quadrilateral shape. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a plurality of walls, wherein each of the walls projects towards internal corners of the receiver sleeve. In another aspect, the walls includes a concave portion and a convex portion. In yet another aspect, a center distance between each of first center portions of a first pair of opposing walls is less than an edge distance between each of two first edge portions, and a second center distance between each of second center portions of a second pair of opposing walls is less than a second edge distance between each of two second edge portions.