Movable Hitch Connector for Ground-Clear Force Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hitch systems, particularly on off-road vehicles, face issues with hitch points being positioned too high or too low, leading to potential damage and reduced mobility, and existing solutions fail to provide a movable hitch point that optimizes location and protects against overloads.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-to-implement hitch system with a movable force transfer hitch connector using extendable actuators and flexible tensioning members, forming a hitch point at an apex, allowing deployment and reconfiguration to avoid obstacles and overloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the hitch point is positioned low to the ground, then the hitch can effectively transfer force, but the hitch may come into contact with the ground causing damage and reducing vehicle mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch point is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a low deployed configuration for optimal force transfer and a high stowed configuration to avoid ground contact. The linkage mechanism enables the hitch point to move vertically in response to vehicle movement and terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch system is divided into separate movable components (linkage members, actuators) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the hitch point to be decoupled from the vehicle body and repositioned as needed, rather than being fixed at a single location.
2Ease of operation
If the hitch point is positioned high above ground, then vehicle mobility is maintained, but the hitch cannot effectively deliver tractive effort and torque to counteract implement forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch point dynamically transitions between high and low positions based on operational requirements. When not in use or during ground contact risk, it positions high for mobility. When deploying implements, it positions low for effective force transfer, optimizing both mobility and tractive effort delivery at different times.
3Force
If a virtual hitch point is used with linkage mechanisms, then the physical parts can be positioned high but the virtual hitch point occurs low, but the VHP position moves as the linkage articulates to less desirable locations
Solution Approach 1:
An actuator is introduced as an intermediary element to actively control and stabilize the hitch point position. The actuator compensates for position changes caused by linkage articulation, maintaining the virtual hitch point at the desired location rather than allowing it to drift to less desirable positions.
4Reliability
If a deployable hitch system with actuators and tensioning members is used, then the hitch point can be optimally positioned and protected against overloads, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses changeable parameters including actuator extension length and tensioning member tension levels to provide overload protection. When overload is detected, the actuator can limit extension or the tensioning members can be designed to fail safely at predetermined load levels, protecting the vehicle and implement without requiring complex active control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle-to-implement hitch is provided and comprises a force transfer hitch connector adapted to provide a hitch point to which an implement can be connected. The connector is couplable to the vehicle by one or more flexible tensioning members which are, or can be moved so as to be, taut whereby to create a rigid structure comprising a hitch location such that the hitch point is movable.