Vehicle Hitch Adapter Pitch Lock System Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard vehicle hitch receivers face issues with misalignment binding and suspension angle changes when carrying heavy loads, leading to safety concerns and limited application versatility.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hitch adapter with a pitch lock system that utilizes scissor lift technology to adjust the hitch height and angle, allowing quick alignment and conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy for secure transport, while maintaining the load at a forward pitch angle to prevent binding and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a straight square vertical male tube or pin is used to attach a heavy load to the hitch receiver, then the coupling can be simple and direct, but misalignment causes the tube or pin to bind on insertion and when attempting to pull apart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the straight square vertical male tube with a curved guide surface that guides the pin into proper alignment. The curved surface allows the pin to self-align as it approaches the receiver, eliminating binding during insertion and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a curved guide surface as an intermediary element between the pin and the receiver. This guide surface mediates the alignment process, allowing the pin to smoothly transition into the correct position without direct contact with the receiver walls, thereby preventing binding.
2Quantity of substance
If a substantial load is placed on the vehicle hitch receiver, then the cargo can be transported, but the vehicle squats and rotates the angle of the vehicle and load compared to the ground rearward, lowering the rear of the load dangerously close to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the load at a forward pitch angle before the vehicle suspension compresses under load. The curved guide surface and pitch lock system establish the correct load angle in advance, compensating for the future suspension squat and preventing the load from dropping too low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the curved guide surface to counteract the rearward rotation that will occur when the vehicle suspends compresses. The guide surface creates a forward pitching moment that opposes the suspension-induced rearward rotation, maintaining the load at a safe height.
3Reliability
If the vehicle hitch receiver is designed for standard applications, then it can handle common loads, but it remains underutilized and lacks versatility for other applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the hitch adapter system that can serve multiple functions. The curved guide surface and pitch lock mechanism can accommodate various load types and configurations, enabling the hitch receiver to be used for applications beyond standard cargo transport, such as equipment mounting and specialized cargo configurations.
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 pitch lock system enables easy alignment and secure attachment of cargo carts, reduces binding issues, and maintains the load at a higher angle, enhancing safety and versatility by allowing wheels to be lifted for highway transport without requiring trailer insurance or registration.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes the weight of a scissor lifted load to impart potential energy into a carrying vehicle suspension system which is released by, for example, an operator to convert the potential energy into kinetic energy to set, with the vehicle hitch adapter, the scissor lifted load into a forward pitched carry angle
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle hitch adapter comprising a height adjustment post comprising a plurality of pairs of opposed spaced apart height adjustment apertures; a mounting box surmounting the post; a pitch lock system comprising a pitch box having spaced apart pitch plates defining a chamber therebetween for an inferior end of the post to pass therethrough with a pair of opposed spaced apart height adjustment apertures contained within the chamber and the pitch plates comprising a set of spaced apart vertically extending angled end obround shaped slots having a lower surface end defining an at rest position and an upper surface end angled to form a shoulder surface defining a potential energy state; and a pin extending through the obround shaped slots and the apertures contained within the chamber wherein the pin is supported on the shoulder surface in the potential energy state during loading and on the lower surface end during transport.