Pin-Drop Hitch Mount Assembly Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hitch mount assemblies for towing vehicles often require manual intervention and multiple attempts to align pin holes, disrupting the workflow and increasing the risk of accidents during hitching and unhitching operations.
Innovation Solution
A pin-drop hitch mount assembly with a biased pin retainer mechanism that automatically moves between retracted and extended positions, aligning pin holes and allowing for easy hitching and unhitching, and includes alignment members and a view window for improved alignment and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual intervention is used to align pin holes during hitching operations, then alignment precision can be achieved, but operation time increases and workflow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch mount assembly automatically aligns the pin opening with the pin hole through its own structural design and movement mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-adjusts during the hitching process to achieve proper alignment without external assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin opening is pre-positioned and the alignment mechanism is prepared in advance within the hitch mount assembly, so that when the drawbar is inserted, the alignment occurs automatically without requiring preliminary manual adjustment of the pin holes.
2Measurement precision
If multiple attempts are made to align pin holes, then eventual alignment is achieved, but the risk of accidents increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic alignment mechanism eliminates the need for multiple manual alignment attempts by self-adjusting during a single hitching operation, thereby reducing the risk of accidents associated with repeated attempts and improving overall safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical alignment process is replaced with an automatic mechanical system that uses the movement of the hitch mount assembly and alignment members to achieve pin hole alignment without requiring multiple manual attempts.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual pin resetting is required during hitching operations, then proper pin positioning can be achieved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin resetting function is performed automatically by the hitch mount assembly through its biased pin retainer mechanism, which self-adjusts to position the pin correctly without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining precision while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin retainer mechanism is designed to be dynamic, automatically moving the pin between retracted and extended positions based on the hitching state, eliminating the need for static manual positioning and simplifying the operating procedure.
4Measurement precision
If alignment members are added to automatically align pin holes, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment members are integrated into the existing hitch mount assembly structure, serving multiple functions including alignment, support, and guidance of the drawbar, thereby achieving improved alignment precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment members are merged with the structural components of the hitch mount assembly, combining the alignment function with existing structural elements rather than adding completely separate components, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Facilitates quick and convenient hitching and unhitching operations, reducing the need for manual pin resetting and allowing single-user operation, enhancing safety and efficiency by automatically aligning and realigning pin holes during multiple attempts.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the pin from the retracted position toward the extended position
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A pin-drop hitch mount assembly (100) and a method of attaching a hitch mount assembly (100) to a drawbar (101). The pin-drop hitch mount assembly (100) comprising: a drawbar receiver (102) that defines a pin opening (119) and a drawbar cavity (104), the drawbar cavity (104) defining an axial direction and a lateral direction, the drawbar cavity (104) configured to receive a drawbar (101) with a pin hole (103); a pin (142) that is supported for movement within the pin (142) opening (119) between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the pin (142), in the extended position, is configured to be received in the pin opening (119) and the pin hole (103) to attach the drawbar (101) to the drawbar receiver (102), and wherein the drawbar receiver (102) is configured to be detached from the drawbar (101) when the pin (142) is in the retracted position; and at least one alignment member (156) supported for movement relative to the drawbar receiver (102) in at least one of the axial direction and the lateral direction, the at least one alignment member (156, 156') including an abutment surface (158, 158'); wherein the abutment surface (158. 158') is configured to abut the drawbar (101) when the drawbar (101) is advanced into the drawbar cavity (104) and consequently move the drawbar receiver (102) relative to the drawbar (101) to substantially align the pin opening (119) with the pin hole (103).