Retractable Hitch Assembly With Cable Winch and Locking Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable hitch assemblies for vehicles lack a secure and efficient mechanism for extending and retracting the hitch connection, which can lead to difficulties in attaching trailers without the need for backing up the vehicle, posing safety risks and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A retractable hitch assembly with a stationary hitch receiver and a retractable hitch featuring a releasable latch, a retractable cable, and a winch system that allows the hitch to extend and retract securely, using a cable connector with a load-bearing surface and a cap to transfer loads, and a locking mechanism for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retractable hitch assembly is used to extend and retract the hitch connection, then the safety and operational convenience are improved by eliminating the need to back up the vehicle, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional mechanisms such as cables, latches, and winches
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable hitch assembly employs a nested structure where the hitch connection is housed within a receptacle, and the cable connector nests within the outer sleeve. This nesting approach allows the system to achieve the retractable function without requiring complex external mechanisms, thereby improving safety while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure the hitch connection within the receptacle without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The latch leverages the natural movement of the hitch during extension and retraction to automatically lock into place, improving safety while minimizing added complexity.
2Reliability
If a secure mechanism with releasable latch and locking bar is implemented, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to the additional steps required to engage and disengage the latch
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp surface is positioned to automatically pivot the locking bar outward during the initial phase of hitch extension, before the user needs to manually intervene. This preliminary mechanical action reduces the effort required by the user and simplifies the operation while maintaining secure connection reliability through the subsequent engagement of the releasable latch.
3Productivity
If the retractable cable is used to extend and retract the hitch, then the productivity is improved by enabling trailer attachment from a distance, but the device complexity increases due to the cable management system
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system extracts the essential function of cable retraction and stores it within the receptacle structure. By integrating the cable storage and retraction mechanism into the existing receptacle design rather than adding separate external components, the system achieves improved productivity through distance-based attachment while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Enables safe and efficient attachment of trailers to vehicles from a distance, reducing the risk of accidents and improving operational convenience by allowing the hitch to be extended and retracted without moving the vehicle, while ensuring secure connection and load transfer during towing.
Implementation Method 1
the releasable latch may comprise a locking bar biased downward
Implementation Method 2
the retractable hitch may comprise a ramp that pivots the locking bar outward prior to the locking bar engaging the latch-engaging profile
Implementation Method 3
the cable connector may comprise a load-bearing surface that transfers a load applied by the retractable cable through the outer sleeve to the hitch connection of the retractable hitch
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable hitch assembly has a stationary hitch receiver and a retractable hitch. The stationary hitch receiver has a hitch-receiving receptacle, and the retractable hitch has a first end that is sized to be received by the hitch-receiving receptacle and a second end that has a hitch connection. A releasable latch releasably secures the first end of the retractable hitch within the hitch-receiving receptacle. A retractable cable extends through the hitch-receiving receptacle and between the first end of the retractable hitch and the stationary hitch receiver. The retractable cable has an extended state in which the retractable hitch is permitted to extend from the stationary hitch receiver, and a retracted state in which the retractable hitch is received within the hitch-receiving receptacle.