Pivoting Spring Arm Hitch with Hydraulic Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weight distributing and sway control trailer hitches are difficult to install and require significant manual effort to load spring arms effectively, which can lead to reduced steering control due to uncontrolled trailer swaying and uneven load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A weight distributing hitch assembly with pivotally mounted spring arms and a hydraulic actuator that applies a downward rotational force to load the spring arms onto a support shelf, allowing for easy installation and efficient load distribution, thereby reducing trailer sway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spring arms are loaded manually using levers, then the spring arms can be positioned on support shelves, but significant manual effort is required and installation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidmanual effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hydraulic actuator to automatically load the spring arms onto the support shelves. The actuator applies controlled hydraulic force to rotate the spring arms downward onto the shelves, eliminating the need for manual leverage and significantly reducing installation effort while maintaining precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical lever system with an automated hydraulic actuation system. This substitution transforms the loading process from a labor-intensive mechanical operation to an automated hydraulic operation, improving ease of installation while maintaining the same functional outcome of positioning spring arms on support shelves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If rear receiver hitches are mounted behind the rear axle, then trailer coupling is simplified, but steering control is reduced due to raised front end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer couplingVSAvoidsteering control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses spring arms that apply an upward counterbalancing force on the hitch ball assembly. This counterweight effect offsets the downward force from the trailer tongue weight, preventing the front end from being raised excessively and maintaining steering control while still allowing rear axle mounting for simplified coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Adaptability or versatility

If spring arms are allowed to slide freely on support surfaces, then turning is accommodated, but sway control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturning accommodationVSAvoidsway control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system where spring arms can rotate pivotally on the hitch head to accommodate turning movements, while simultaneously being constrained in lateral movement by the support shelves to maintain sway control. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different operational states (turning vs. straight travel) while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If cam surfaces are used to resist spring arm sliding, then sway control is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesway controlVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sway control function from the complex cam surface mechanism and implements it through a simpler support shelf structure. The support shelves provide direct physical constraints that prevent lateral sliding of the spring arms, achieving sway control through a more straightforward geometric constraint rather than through cam surface friction and geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution provides easy installation and effective load distribution, enhancing steering control by counteracting downward forces on the towing vehicle, reducing manual effort, and improving sway control during turns.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator connected between the hitch head and at least one of the spring arms for applying a downward rotational force on the spring arm relative to said spring arm support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic force: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the spring arms may also be referred to as deflection bars or beams... Supporting the spring arm, under deflection, on the support surface creates a moment arm which urges the first end of each spring arm and the ball mount upward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deflection: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11247518B1Weight distributing and sway control hitch with pivoting spring arms for loading relative to spring arm supports

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 B & W CUSTOM TRUCK BEDS

AI summary

A weight distributing hitch assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle is disclosed having spring arms pivotally mounted to a hitch head so that the distal ends of the spring arms may be rotated downward relative to a spring arm support mounted on a side of the trailer for loading the spring arm on the spring arm support. The spring arms are preferably rotated using an actuator connected between the hitch head and at least one of the spring arms for applying a downward rotational force on the spring arm relative to said spring arm support.