Magnetoelastic Hitch Receiver Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in determining whether the tongue weight of a trailer is within recommended limits, affecting vehicle performance and safety, as visual inspection is insufficient to assess the magnitude and direction of forces acting on the trailer hitch.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetoelastic pins coupled to a vehicle chassis, with sensors detecting changes in magnetic fields to determine the magnitude and direction of forces acting on the trailer hitch receiver, allowing a processor to calculate and alert the driver to any safety issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection is used to determine tongue weight, then the system is simple and requires no additional components, but the measurement precision is insufficient to accurately assess force magnitude and direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force measurement systems with magnetoelastic sensors that detect force through magnetic field changes. This substitution enables precise measurement of tongue weight and force direction without complex mechanical linkages, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction) in response to applied mechanical force. By measuring these parameter changes through sensors, the system accurately determines both the magnitude and direction of forces on the hitch receiver, solving the measurement precision problem.
2Measurement precision
If magnetoelastic pins with sensors are installed to detect force, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetoelastic pins serve multiple functions: they structurally couple the hitch receiver to the vehicle chassis while simultaneously acting as sensors that detect force through magnetic field changes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the mechanical force applied to the hitch and the electronic sensors. This intermediary enables force detection without direct mechanical contact between sensors and load-bearing structures, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If real-time force detection is implemented, then driving safety improves through immediate feedback, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous sensing and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sampling of magnetic field changes rather than continuous monitoring. The processor evaluates sensor data at intervals to determine force magnitude and direction, providing real-time safety feedback while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetoelastic pins generate their own magnetic field signals in response to applied force, requiring no external power source for the sensing element itself. Only the readout electronics and processor consume energy, minimizing overall power requirements while enabling continuous passive force detection.
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
Enables accurate determination of tongue weight and force direction, improving driving safety and economy by providing real-time feedback on trailer hitch conditions.
Implementation Method 1
two magnetoelastic pins, having respective magnetic fields, configured to couple a trailer hitch receiver to a vehicle chassis
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for magnetoelastic hitch receiver force detection are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a chassis, a trailer hitch receiver configured to receive a trailer hitch arm along an axis, a first pin having a first magnetic field, the first pin disposed above and perpendicular to the axis, a second pin, the first pin and the second pin coupling the trailer hitch receiver to the chassis and a first sensor configured to detect changes in the first magnetic field.