Trailer Hitch Coupler Automatic Pin Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch couplers lack an efficient and automatic mechanism to securely lock the pin in the extended position, which can lead to accidental disengagement during towing, potentially causing safety issues and wear on components.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch coupler with a vertically movable pin and a biased lock mechanism that automatically engages a guide slot on the pin housing when the pin is extended, ensuring it remains locked in place using a pivotally coupled lock mechanism and a spring biasing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual locking mechanism is used for the pin, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing accidental disengagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the pin's position. When the pin is in the extended position, the lock mechanism automatically locks it by engaging with the guide slot. When the pin is retracted, the lock mechanism automatically releases. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, improving reliability while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is pre-positioned and spring-biased to automatically engage with the guide slot when the pin reaches the extended position. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to ensure immediate locking action, preventing accidental disengagement before it can occur. This preliminary positioning and biasing ensures the pin is secured as soon as it reaches the desired position.
2Reliability
If an automatic lock mechanism is added to the hitch coupler, then the reliability of the pin positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism automatically detects and responds to the pin's position through the guide slot alignment. The spring-biased design causes the lock to self-engage when the pin is extended and self-disengage when retracted, eliminating the need for separate actuators, sensors, or control systems. This keeps the added complexity minimal while achieving reliable automatic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is integrated into the existing pin housing and frame structure. The guide slot is formed as part of the pin housing, and the lock mechanism uses this existing feature for engagement. By combining the locking function with the existing structural elements rather than adding completely separate components, the increase in device complexity is minimized.
3Ease of operation
If the pin is made freely movable between extended and retracted positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining the extended position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static locked/unlocked state to a dynamic system where the lock mechanism automatically adapts to the pin's position. The spring-biased lock mechanism continuously responds to pin movement, maintaining reliability by automatically locking when extended and releasing when retracted. This dynamic response maintains both ease of operation and position maintenance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism serves itself by automatically detecting pin position through guide slot alignment and responding accordingly. When the operator moves the pin to the extended position, the lock mechanism self-activates to maintain that position. When the operator retracts the pin, the lock mechanism self-releases. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually control the locking action, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability.
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
The solution provides a secure and automatic locking mechanism that prevents accidental disengagement of the pin, enhancing safety and reducing wear on components by maintaining the pin in the extended position, thus improving control over the towed vehicle or trailer.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member adapted to bias the pin to the extended position within the frame
Implementation Method 2
the guide member is slidably received within the guide slot of the pin housing to guide the pin member between the extended position and the retracted position
Implementation Method 3
The lock member is adapted to align with and engage the guide slot of the pin housing when the pin member is in the extended position and the lock mechanism is the locked position to thereby lock the pin in the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch coupler includes a frame having vertically spaced apart plates extending outwardly therefrom. Each plate includes a pin receiving aperture adapted to receive a pin member therethrough. The pin member is moveable between extended and retracted positions. The pin member includes a pin housing having a vertical guide slot disposed thereon. A lock mechanism is pivotally coupled to the frame member and includes a locking flange which is adapted to engage the guide slot when the pin member is in the extended position. The lock mechanism is biased towards a lock position such that the locking flange of the lock mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the guide slot disposed on the pin housing of the pin member when the guide slot is aligned with the locking flange of the lock mechanism. In the locked position, the locking mechanism acts to retain the pin member in the extended position.