Motorized Pivoting Trailer Hitch for Safe Ball Mount Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle towing systems face issues with the protruding ball hitch when not in use, which can interact with the ground or pedestrians, and require manual removal and storage, leading to inconvenience and potential misplacement.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting trailer hitch assembly with an electrically operated linear actuator that allows the hitch receiver and ball mount to pivot between extended and retracted positions, enabling controlled and automated adjustment without leaving the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ball hitch is left in the extended position for easy access, then towing readiness is improved, but safety and aesthetics deteriorate due to potential interaction with ground or pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The ball hitch is made dynamically movable between extended and retracted positions through a motorized actuation system. The hitch receiver assembly can automatically transition between positions based on detected towing conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining safety by retracting when not in use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ball hitch is manually removed and stored to improve safety and aesthetics, then harmful factors are reduced, but convenience and time efficiency deteriorate due to manual removal and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when towing is required and actuating the ball hitch to the appropriate position. Sensors detect towing conditions and trigger the motorized actuation system, eliminating the need for manual removal or installation of the ball hitch while maintaining safety and readiness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ball hitch is manually removed and stored separately, then safety and aesthetics are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential misplacement or unavailability when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The ball hitch assembly is nested within the hitch receiver assembly, which itself is integrated into the vehicle's frame structure. This nested configuration ensures the ball hitch is always securely positioned and immediately available when needed, eliminating the reliability issues associated with separate storage while maintaining safety through automated retraction.
4Ease of operation
If a motorized actuation system is added to enable automated pivoting, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of the ball hitch is replaced with an electric motorized actuation system. The motorized linear actuator converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, automatically pivoting the hitch receiver assembly between positions based on sensor input, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through automated control.
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 improves vehicle aesthetics, reduces the risk of accidents, and enhances user convenience by allowing easy and automated adjustment of the ball hitch, improving vehicle performance and driver satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot assembly comprises an electrically operated linear actuator operable to transfer the hitch receiver and the ball mount between the extended position and the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A pivotable vehicle trailer hitch assembly may include a tube frame operably coupled to a chassis of a vehicle and extending transversely across a rear portion of the vehicle, a hitch receiver operably coupled to the tube frame to support a ball mount, and a pivot assembly defining a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of extension of the tube frame. The pivot assembly may be operably coupled to the hitch receiver and the tube frame to pivot the hitch receiver and ball mount about the pivot axis from an extended position in which the hitch receiver and ball mount extend substantially perpendicular to tube frame, and a retracted position in which the hitch receiver and ball mount extend substantially parallel to the tube frame. The pivot assembly comprises an electrically operated linear actuator operable to transfer the hitch receiver and the ball mount between the extended position and the retracted position.