Hitch Bar Protruded Flanges Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard receiver hitch configurations restrict the cross-sectional profile of hitch bars, leading to stress areas and limited towing capacity, necessitating the use of high-strength materials at increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A hitch bar design incorporating protruded flanges or wings with a blended profile, which distributes load effectively along the horizontal portion and includes a cross member with a second density profile, allowing for improved strength and towing capacity without the need for expensive materials, while fitting within a standard receiver hitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a standard receiver hitch configuration is used, then the hitch bar fits within the receiver tube, but the cross-sectional profile is restricted creating stress areas and limiting towing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch bar transitions from a uniform cross-sectional profile to a variable profile with protruded flanges that extend in the lateral dimension. The flanges create a wider effective cross-section at critical locations while maintaining compatibility with the receiver tube, effectively adding dimensional complexity to overcome the standard profile limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch bar features localized protruded flanges at specific positions along its length rather than a uniformly enlarged profile. This local quality approach increases the bending moment of inertia and strength at critical stress areas while maintaining a compact overall profile that fits within the receiver tube constraints.
2Strength
If higher strength materials are used to improve towing capacity, then the hitch bar strength increases, but the overall cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the hitch bar by introducing protruded flanges with specific dimensions and profiles. This parameter change increases the bending moment of inertia and structural strength without requiring a change in material properties, thereby avoiding increased material costs while achieving higher towing capacity.
3Strength
If the cross-sectional profile is enlarged to increase bending moment of inertia, then the strength improves, but the hitch bar may no longer fit within the standard receiver tube
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch bar profile is segmented into distinct regions: a core section that fits within the receiver tube and protruded flange sections that extend outward at critical locations. This segmentation allows the bar to maintain compatibility with the receiver tube while achieving increased bending moment of inertia through the strategically positioned flanges.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch bar with improved strength incorporating a protruded flanges or wings is provided. The protruded portion may be attached to the frame. The protruded portion may include a profile oriented at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the frame. The profile may provide a zone of distributing a load throughout the hitch bar. The hitch bar may further include a slotted opening integrated with the horizontal portion providing additional zone of distributing a load along the frame. The hitch bar may further include a plurality of cross members at the transitional portion having a second profile.