Retractable Towing Hitch Coupler Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Attaching a towable item to a vehicle's towing hitch can be difficult due to alignment challenges, often requiring a two-person job and multiple attempts.
Innovation Solution
A retractable towing hitch assembly with a coupler portion that can be extended and retracted using a cable or toothed rack mechanism, allowing for easier alignment and coupling with a towable item, and featuring a retraction mechanism that includes a winding actuator or gear system to reduce the distance between the coupler and the vehicle's bumper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed towing hitch is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it is difficult to align the coupler with the towable item requiring multiple attempts and two-person operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the coupler portion movable relative to the bumper through a retraction mechanism. The coupler can be extended outward to facilitate easier alignment with the towable item coupler, and then retracted after coupling. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation while accepting increased structural complexity through the cable-driven retraction system with actuator.
2Ease of operation
If the coupler is extended outward for easier alignment, then coupling becomes easier, but the distance between the coupler and bumper increases requiring a retraction mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler portion is designed to be dynamically adjustable in its position relative to the bumper. It can be extended outward when alignment is needed, and then retracted using the cable and actuator mechanism. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the coupler to be positioned farther from the bumper temporarily for easier coupling, while providing a mechanism to reduce the distance afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction mechanism is activated after coupling to preliminarily prepare the hitch for the towing phase by retracting the coupler to its normal position. This preliminary action of retracting the coupler after coupling resolves the contradiction by reducing the distance between coupler and bumper once the coupling task is complete.
3Productivity
If manual alignment is attempted multiple times, then no additional mechanism is needed, but time and energy are wasted and two-person operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic extension capability allows the coupler to be positioned optimally for alignment before coupling attempts begin, eliminating the need for multiple adjustment attempts. This resolves the contradiction by significantly reducing alignment time and enabling single-person operation, thereby improving productivity while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is preliminarily extended to the optimal position before the coupling operation begins, allowing for accurate alignment on the first attempt. This preliminary positioning action resolves the contradiction by eliminating repeated adjustment attempts and reducing both time loss and the need for multiple persons.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a retractable towing hitch includes a towing hitch assembly. The towing hitch assembly includes a coupler portion. The coupler portion is configured to be movable relative to a bumper of the vehicle such that the coupler portion is positioned farther from the bumper when the coupler portion is in an extended position than when the coupler portion is in a towing position and a retraction mechanism.