Pivotable Hitch Arm for Slope Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forestry vehicles operating on slopes face instability due to the lack of effective mechanisms to securely hold them in place, leading to potential tilting or pivoting, which can be exacerbated by conventional tether attachment methods that may damage tracks or body portions.
Innovation Solution
A hitch mechanism with a pivotable arm and hydraulic actuator that adjusts the tether attachment point to maintain stability by raising the connection point above the ground engaging drive mechanism, preventing tether contact with the body or tracks and allowing for better counteraction of slope forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the tether is connected directly to the frame between the tracks or beneath the body portion, then the attachment structure is simple, but the vehicle experiences instability and the tether may contact the body or tracks causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch arm extends in multiple dimensions - rearwardly from the frame and upwardly therefrom - to position the tether connection point in three-dimensional space above and behind the body portion. This spatial arrangement prevents tether contact with the body or tracks while maintaining vehicle stability on slopes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tether connection point is raised above the ground engaging drive mechanism, then vehicle stability improves and tether damage is prevented, but the attachment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch arm is made pivotable about a vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. This dynamic capability enables the tether connection point to maintain optimal position for stability while preventing tether contact with tracks or body portions during vehicle movement and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch arm structure serves multiple functions: it raises the tether connection point above the drive mechanism for stability, extends rearwardly to prevent tether contact with the body, and provides pivotability to adapt to different operating conditions. This multi-functionality achieves stability benefits without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm is made pivotable about a vertical axis to allow lateral shifting, then adaptability to different slope conditions improves, but the precision of tether engagement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether engaging structure acts as an intermediary component that maintains precise engagement capability despite arm pivoting. It provides a localized stable connection point for the tether while the arm itself pivots to adapt to different slope conditions, decoupling the precision requirement from the adaptive movement.
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 mechanism enhances stability by establishing a higher tether connection point, reducing wear and tear, and minimizing jarring motions, while preventing tether and track damage, thus maintaining the vehicle's upright position and operational efficiency on slopes.
Implementation Method 1
An actuator, shown as a hydraulic cylinder, is operatively coupled to the arm for shifting the arm between positions
Implementation Method 2
A pivot structure couples the arm to the frame, and allows the arm to pivot about a laterally extending axis such that the arm is shiftable vertically
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch mechanism for a work vehicle configured for operation on slopes. The hitch mechanism couplable to a tether fixed in position up the slope. An arm extends outwardly and upwardly from the work vehicle frame and supports a tether engaging structure couplable to the tether. The arm is mounted to the frame structure beneath the body portion of the work vehicle and extends rearwardly from the frame to support the tether engaging structure rearwardly of the body portion and rearwardly of the ground engaging drive mechanism. The hitch includes a pivot structure coupling the arm to the frame that allows the arm to pivot about a horizontal axis such that the arm is shiftable vertically. A controller receives inputs corresponding to at least one vehicle parameter and is operatively coupled to an actuator for causing the arm to shift in response to changes in the vehicle parameter.