Pivotable Tow Bar with Biased Latch for Dump Cart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lawn and garden carts require cumbersome disconnection from tractors for dumping and have rigid tow bars, making them difficult to maneuver.
Innovation Solution
A tow bar system with a rotatable and laterally pivotable design, featuring a biased latch with an actuation plate that allows the container assembly to pivot into an unloading condition, enabling easy dumping and improved maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tow bar is rigidly coupled to the axle of the cart, then the structural stability is improved, but the maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tow bar is designed with lateral pivotability relative to the axle, transforming the rigid static connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the tow bar to change its lateral position to accommodate different operating conditions, improving maneuverability while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement rather than rigid coupling.
2Reliability
If the cart is designed with a rigid connection system, then the structural reliability is improved, but the ease of dumping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container assembly is designed with pivotability relative to the tow bar, enabling dynamic movement between loaded and unloading positions. This pivotable connection allows easy dumping operations while maintaining structural reliability through controlled mechanical movement rather than rigid fixed connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism with biasing element is designed to automatically engage and disengage the container assembly from the tow bar. The biasing element provides automatic latching when the container is in the loaded position and facilitates easy release when dumping is needed, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If the latch mechanism uses a spring-biased automatic engagement system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism uses a biasing element that automatically engages the container assembly with the tow bar when properly positioned. The system self-regulates through the spring force, automatically latching without requiring manual intervention, which simplifies operation despite the presence of additional mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element acts as an intermediary between the latch components, providing the necessary force for automatic engagement. This intermediary element mediates the interaction between the moving parts, enabling automatic latching while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple through the use of a basic spring-based system.
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 convenient unloading and enhanced maneuverability of the cart by allowing the container to pivot relative to the tow bar, simplifying the dumping process and improving handling.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing element is configured to urge the slidable member into engagement with the distal portion to secure the container assembly
Implementation Method 2
The lever is coupled to the tow bar and slidably coupled to the slidable member. The lever includes an actuation plate spaced apart from the receiving surface of the tow bar. When actuated, the lever moves the actuation plate toward the receiving surface and urges the slidable member away from the distal portion
Implementation Method 3
A tow bar for selectively securing a container assembly of a dump cart in a loading condition includes a tow bar rotatably connected at a first end to a frame of the dump cart
Data Source
AI summary
A tow bar for selectively securing a pivotable container assembly of a dump cart includes a tow bar rotatably connected to a frame of the container assembly. A latch is adjacent to a receiving surface of the tow bar, and includes a slidable member, a biasing element and a lever. The slidable member is configured to selectively engage an arm which extends from the container assembly and for latching the container assembly in a loading condition. The biasing element is configured to urge the slidable member into engagement with the arm. The lever is coupled to the tow bar, slidably coupled to the slidable member and includes an actuation plate spaced apart from the receiving surface. When actuated, the lever moves the actuation plate toward the receiving surface and urges the slidable member away from the arm, enabling release of the engaged arm from the tow bar.