Hitch Pin Assembly With Plunger Alignment and Anti-Rattle Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver hitch assemblies face challenges in aligning the shank apertures with those of the receiver tube, leading to difficult installation processes, especially with bulky accessory devices. Additionally, there is a problem with noisy rattling of mounted accessory devices due to transverse movement between the receiver tube and the shank.
Innovation Solution
A hitch pin assembly comprising a hitch pin, a shoulder bushing, and a housing with a spring-loaded plunger. The plunger extends through the bushing and projects into the receiver tube, catching the shank aperture to align it with the receiver tube apertures. The hitch pin then secures the shank, and a threaded projection engages the hitch pin tip to lock it in place, preventing transverse movement and rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shank is made with outer dimensions slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the receiver tube to permit telescopic insertion, then the shank can be easily inserted and removed, but transverse movement occurs between the shank and receiver tube causing noisy rattling
Solution Approach 1:
A square cross-sectional pin is introduced as an intermediary element between the shank and receiver tube. The pin fits tightly within the square cross-section of the shank, preventing transverse movement and eliminating rattling noise, while still allowing longitudinal telescopic insertion and removal of the shank.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into three distinct components: the receiver tube, the shank, and the square cross-sectional pin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the receiver tube provides structural support, the shank enables telescopic movement, and the pin prevents transverse movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and noise reduction.
2Reliability
If a pin is inserted through aligned apertures to prevent telescopic movement, then the shank is secured in position, but the alignment process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The square cross-sectional pin automatically aligns with the square cross-section of the shank through self-centering geometry. When the shank is inserted into the receiver tube, the square pin naturally orients itself, eliminating the need for manual alignment of apertures and reducing installation time while maintaining secure positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The square cross-sectional shape of the pin creates asymmetric geometry that naturally guides alignment. The square configuration provides inherent orientation cues that facilitate automatic alignment during insertion, eliminating the time-consuming aperture matching process required by symmetric circular designs.
3Ease of operation
If the apertures in the shank and receiver tube are made larger to facilitate pin insertion, then pin installation becomes easier, but transverse movement and rattling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into three distinct components: the receiver tube, the shank, and the square cross-sectional pin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the receiver tube provides structural support, the shank enables telescopic movement, and the pin prevents transverse movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
A square cross-sectional pin is introduced as an intermediary element between the shank and receiver tube. The pin fits tightly within the square cross-section of the shank, preventing transverse movement and eliminating rattling noise, while still allowing longitudinal telescopic insertion and removal of the shank.
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 hitch pin assembly simplifies the alignment of shank and receiver tube apertures, reducing installation effort and preventing noisy rattling by ensuring secure, transverse movement-free engagement of the shank within the receiver tube.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded plunger. The plunger extends through the bushing and projects into the receiver tube, catching the shank aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch pin assembly includes a hitch pin, housing and shoulder bushing. The bushing is permanently attached in an aperture of a receiver tube and the housing is rotatably attached to the bushing. A plunger in the housing extends through the bushing and projects into the receiver tube. When the shank is inserted into the receiver tube the plunger tip catches the aperture of the shank, holding the shank in a position in which the pin-receiving apertures on the receiver tube and shank are aligned. The hitch pin is then inserted from one side of the receiver tube and into the bushing. A plunger in the housing translates along a projection in a track of the plunger to reveal the projection to the hitch pin tip and place it into position for engagement with the inserted hitch pin. The engagement holds the shank and eliminates rattling.