Hitch Support Arm for PTO Drive Shaft Transit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural PTO drive shafts are not adequately supported during transport, leading to potential damage and safety hazards, as they are either tied to the implement or removed, which is cumbersome and expensive, especially for larger implements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular hitch that securely supports the forward end of the PTO drive shaft, allowing it to be removably attached during transport, with features such as channels for hitch pins and a design compatible with various hitch receiver classes, enabling rotation if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PTO drive shaft is removed during transport, then damage risk is reduced, but the process becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hitch member with a support arm as an intermediary device that holds the PTO drive shaft during transport. Instead of removing the shaft entirely, the support arm acts as a mediator that maintains the shaft in a secure, damage-free position while simplifying the transport preparation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch member with support arm is pre-installed on the towing vehicle before transport needs to occur. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex last-minute removal and reinstallation operations, allowing the PTO drive shaft to remain in place securely throughout transport.
2Reliability
If the PTO drive shaft is tied to the implement during transport, then the shaft is supported, but the implement structure is compromised and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support function into separate components: the hitch member mounted on the towing vehicle and the support arm that extends to hold the PTO drive shaft. This segmentation allows the support function to be added without modifying the implement structure itself, maintaining implement integrity while providing necessary shaft support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm acts as an intermediary element between the hitch member on the towing vehicle and the PTO drive shaft. It provides the necessary support and positioning without requiring any structural changes to the implement, thus preserving implement structure integrity while achieving shaft support.
3Reliability
If a custom support structure is built for each implement, then shaft support is optimized, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch member with support arm is designed as a universal system that can be mounted on various towing vehicles and accommodate different PTO drive shaft configurations. The adjustable support arm length and universal hitch mounting capabilities allow a single design to serve multiple functions and applications, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch comprising: a) a first member having a first top surface, an opposing first bottom surface, a first side, an opposing second side, a first end, a distal second end, and at least one channel proximate the first end and extending from the first side through to the second side. A second channel proximate the second end and extending from first top surface to the bottom surface; and b) a second member next to the second end and having a predetermined thickness, the second member having a third end, a fourth end, and a third channel next to the fourth end. The third channel extends through the predetermined thickness. A portion of the second member is rigidly affixed to a portion of the first member, so that the second bottom surface and the first top surface are at an acute angle Ø.