Height-Adjustable Hitch Receiver for Safe Tongue Weight Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring tongue weight when towing a trailer are time-consuming and dangerous, and maintaining a level trailer is crucial for safety and comfort, as improper tongue weight can lead to trailer sway or rear tire overload.
Innovation Solution
A height adjustable and load measuring hitch receiver system that includes a mounting portion, a linkage mechanism for vertical adjustment, and a load measurement device to accurately measure downward forces on the hitch, ensuring the trailer is properly aligned and loaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tongue weight is not properly measured and adjusted, then trailer sway or rear tire overload may occur, but traditional weighing methods are time-consuming and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical weighing systems with a load cell integrated into the hitch receiver. The load cell electronically measures tongue weight through electrical signals, eliminating the need for separate mechanical scales and dangerous manual weighing procedures. This substitution provides accurate real-time measurements while significantly reducing time and safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch receiver performs self-measurement of tongue weight through the integrated load cell. The system automatically detects and reports the weight without requiring external weighing equipment or manual intervention. The digital display on the hitch receiver provides immediate feedback, allowing users to adjust trailer positioning independently without time-consuming external measurements.
2Measurement precision
If tongue weight is not properly measured, then trailer alignment cannot be ensured, but traditional methods require decoupling the trailer which is dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell is pre-installed and integrated into the hitch receiver structure before the trailer is attached. This preliminary setup ensures that tongue weight measurement capability is already in place and functional, allowing immediate accurate measurement upon trailer coupling without requiring dangerous decoupling or external weighing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces dangerous mechanical decoupling and external weighing procedures with an integrated electronic load cell system. The load cell continuously measures force through electrical resistance changes, providing precise measurements while the trailer remains safely coupled to the vehicle, eliminating all hazards associated with traditional weighing methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hitch receiver structure is made more complex to enable height adjustment and load measurement, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch receiver integrates multiple functions into a single universal device: height adjustment mechanism, load cell integration for weight measurement, and digital display. This multi-functional design provides height adaptability and measurement capability without requiring separate independent systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maximizing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the height adjustment mechanism and load measurement system into a single integrated hitch receiver structure. The load cell is incorporated within the existing hitch assembly, and the height adjustment features are combined with the measurement capability, creating a unified system that reduces complexity compared to having separate independent components for each function.
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 system allows for safe and comfortable towing by ensuring the trailer is level and the hitch is properly loaded, reducing the risk of trailer sway and rear tire overload, while providing an efficient and safe method for measuring tongue weight.
Implementation Method 1
a load measurement device disposed between the support portion and the receiver portion to measure a force in a direction of the translational movement
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.