Pivoting Trailer Hitch With Swivel Height Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting a tow vehicle's ball to a trailer coupler is challenging due to misalignment, requiring precise alignment and often multiple attempts, even with backup cameras, which do not provide a clear vertical alignment indication.
Innovation Solution
A trailer coupling mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom, including a height adjustment assembly, first and second swivel assemblies, and a horizontal pivot assembly, allowing for horizontal and vertical adjustments to align the tow vehicle and trailer despite misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fixed hitch assembly is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it requires precise alignment between the ball and coupler, making connection difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the ball mount to rotate relative to the receiver tube. This dynamic adjustment enables the ball to be positioned at different angles and heights, facilitating connection with misaligned couplers while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch assembly is divided into separate functional components: the receiver tube, ball mount, and pivot mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easy adjustment of the ball position through the pivot mechanism without redesigning the entire assembly.
2Loss of information
If backup cameras are used to assist alignment, then the driver can see the ball from inside the cab, but the cameras only provide overhead view and do not show vertical alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism provides visual self-alignment cues through its mechanical design. As the ball mount pivots, the natural movement and positioning of the components provide intuitive feedback to the driver about alignment status, eliminating the need for complex camera systems or electronic alignment aids.
3Reliability
If multiple attempts are made to align the ball and coupler, then connection can be achieved, but it requires several attempts and increases time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the ball position during the connection process. This allows the driver to make precise angular and height adjustments in real-time, significantly increasing the probability of successful connection on the first attempt and reducing the time required for connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in multiple parameters (angle, height, position) of the ball mount through the pivot mechanism. This multi-parameter adjustability provides the flexibility needed to accommodate various misalignment scenarios, ensuring reliable connection while minimizing connection time.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer coupling mechanism includes a first end, a second end, a height adjustment assembly, a first swivel assembly, and a second swivel assembly. The first end is adapted to couple to one of a trailer and a vehicle. The second end is adapted to couple to the other of the trailer and the vehicle. The height adjustment assembly is coupled between the first and second ends and is operative to adjust the relative height between the first and second ends. The first swivel assembly is coupled between the height adjustment assembly and the first end and facilitates rotation of the first end with respect to the height adjustment assembly about a first axis. The second swivel assembly is coupled between the second end and the height adjustment assembly and facilitates rotation of the height adjustment assembly with respect to the second end about a second axis parallel to the first axis.