Resilient Sealing Plug for Trailer Hitch Receiver Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trailer hitch receivers are prone to corrosion and dirt ingress due to exposure to the elements, leading to operational issues and interference with the installation of the male ball mount bar, as existing sealing solutions fail to effectively seal the female receiver tube.
Innovation Solution
A sealing plug system utilizing a resilient body made of flexible materials like self-skinning molded urethane foam, which expands to seal the female receiver tube and can retain lubricating substances, preventing water, dirt, and corrosion, with a mechanism to compress and expand for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a plastic cap with foam gasket is used to seal the receiver tube, then the sealing capability is improved, but the protection against corrosion and dirt ingress is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple functional segments: an outer housing that provides structural protection, an inner seal assembly with expandable elements for sealing, and a retention mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific protective functions, with the outer housing blocking large particles and the inner seal preventing corrosion ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material construction combining rigid outer housing material with flexible sealing materials, and potentially corrosion-resistant coatings. This multi-material approach creates a hierarchical defense system where different materials address different threats: structural integrity, sealing flexibility, and corrosion resistance.
2Ease of operation
If the receiver tube is left open for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the exposure to elements causing corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plug incorporates dynamic elements including an expandable seal that responds to insertion forces, and a retention mechanism that can be easily actuated to release the plug. This dynamic design allows the system to transition between sealed and accessible states, providing protection during storage and easy access during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug is designed as a removable component that can be easily extracted from the receiver tube when access is needed. This extraction principle allows the protective function to be temporarily removed without damaging the receiver tube or requiring complex sealing mechanisms, enabling easy operation while maintaining protection capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a tight seal is implemented to prevent corrosion, then the protection is improved, but the difficulty of installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plug incorporates preliminary lubrication features where lubricating substance is applied to the seal interface before installation. This preliminary action reduces friction during insertion and removal, allowing a tight seal to be achieved without increasing installation difficulty. The lubrication is pre-applied during manufacturing or storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism utilizes parameter changes in the sealing material, such as temperature-dependent flexibility or pressure-activated expansion. The seal material may become more flexible at operating temperatures or expand under insertion pressure to create the tight seal, then return to a more rigid state for easy removal, dynamically adjusting properties to resolve the contradiction.
4Ease of operation
If lubricating substance is added to facilitate installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating substance is merged with the sealing plug structure itself rather than being a separate component. The lubricant is contained within channels or reservoirs integrated into the plug body, or applied as a coating during manufacturing. This merging eliminates the need for separate lubrication systems while providing continuous lubrication during installation and removal operations.
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 sealing plug system effectively protects the trailer hitch receiver from corrosion and dirt, ensuring smooth operation by preventing ingress of damaging elements and facilitating easier engagement and disengagement of the trailer hitch, while allowing for lubrication to aid in installation.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing plug system utilizing a resilient body made of flexible materials like self-skinning molded urethane foam, which expands to seal the female receiver tube
Implementation Method 2
The body material retain oils or other corrosion inhibiting substances and hold them in place against the inside of the female receiver tube
Implementation Method 3
A mechanism for urging the flexible material to compress slightly and, in the process, expand slightly allows the main body to be engaged within the hitch receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A protective sealing plug system for towing hitch receivers is provided having a main body for fittingly engaging within the cavity of a towing hitch receiver. The body is formed of a resilient or flexible material that retain oils or other corrosion inhibiting substances and hold them in place against the inside of the female receiver tube. A mechanism for urging the flexible material to compress slightly and, in the process, expand slightly allows the main body to be engaged within the hitch receiver in a manner that both prevents access by outside elements, but also prevents egress of the main body from the hitch receiver until desired by the user. When installed in the female hitch receiver, the expansion of the resilient body will seal the female receiver tube and prevent the ingress of water, dirt or other damaging elements. Retraction of the resilient body will cause the flexible body to retract, allowing removal from the receiver hitch.