Single-Motion Trailer Hitch Locking for Full-Ball Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer hitch systems lack stability and security due to the use of pivoting or rotating locking mechanisms that only engage one side of the hitch ball, leading to an unstable locked connection between the hitch ball and the trailer hitch.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch system that utilizes a combination of an outer and inner tube with a latch pin, a slide plate, and a lever mechanism, allowing for a single motion to open or unlock and a single motion to lock or close the hitch, providing secure engagement by ensuring the hitch ball is locked on all sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional pivoting or rotating locking mechanisms are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and security of the locked connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking plates (first locking plate and second locking plate) that can engage with different sides of the hitch ball simultaneously. Each locking plate operates independently to provide multi-point engagement, enhancing stability while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plates are positioned within the ball socket structure, with the first locking plate and second locking plate nested in different angular positions around the hitch ball. This nested arrangement allows multiple locking elements to coexist in a compact space, providing comprehensive engagement without excessive complexity
2Ease of operation
If single-side engagement pins or sliding members are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the locked connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking plates are combined to work simultaneously in a coordinated manner, with the first locking plate and second locking plate engaging different sides of the hitch ball at the same time. This combination of multiple locking elements provides comprehensive security while maintaining ease of operation through a unified actuation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from single-side engagement to multi-dimensional engagement by positioning locking plates at different angular positions around the hitch ball. This spatial distribution of locking points provides reliable multi-directional constraint while allowing operation through a single actuation motion
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer hitch including a tube having ball socket, a top plate connected to the tube, where the top plate includes an opening designed and configured to receive a hitch ball. The trailer hitch also includes a lower plate, where the top plate includes an opening designed and configured to receive a hitch ball, and where the lower plate is connected to the top plate via first and second sidewalls, and the top plate, lower plate and first and second sidewalls form a space. The trailer hitch further includes a slide plate positioned within the space and configured to slide between the top plate and lower plate, where the top plate includes an opening designed and configured to receive a hitch ball, and the slide plate may be configured to move between an open position and a closed position, where the open position enables a hitch ball to pass through the opening of the slide plate and the closed position prevents a hitch ball from passing through the opening in the slide plate.