Single Pin Load Sensor for Hitch Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face challenges in measuring load characteristics at the trailer hitch receiver due to packaging constraints, making it impractical to mount two load sensing pins in vehicles with limited space, such as those with spare tires or bumper covers.
Innovation Solution
A single load sensing pin is mounted internally within the crossbar or hitch receiver, coupled to a hitch pin load manager that processes load signals and utilizes camera data to determine loading conditions, allowing for robust data capture and reduced packaging size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two load sensing pins are mounted externally to measure load characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single load sensing pin. This single pin is configured to measure multiple load characteristics (vertical load, longitudinal load, lateral load, and torque) that would traditionally require separate sensors, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single load sensing pin is designed with multi-functionality to perform various measurement tasks. It can sense forces in multiple directions and calculate torque through strategic placement of strain gauges, making one component serve the role of what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors
2Loss of information
If two load sensing pins are mounted externally, then complete load data capture is improved, but packaging space availability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two external load sensing pins into a single internally mounted pin. By consolidating the sensing elements and strategically orienting strain gauges on the single pin, the system captures complete load data (including torque calculations) without requiring additional mounting space for a second pin
3Volume of stationary object
If a single load sensing pin is used internally, then packaging space is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing strain gauges at specific locations and orientations on the single load sensing pin. The strain gauges are positioned to capture local strain variations that correspond to different load components (vertical, longitudinal, lateral forces and torque), enabling precise measurement of each component through localized sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for the reduced number of pins by utilizing the dimensional capacity of a single pin more fully. By mounting strain gauges in multiple orientations (axial, transverse, at various angles) on the same pin, the system extracts multi-dimensional load information from a single location, effectively using the pin as a multi-axis sensor
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 accurate measurement of load and torque loads applied to the hitch receiver using a single pin, overcoming space constraints and providing reliable loading data to the vehicle's systems, including alerts for excessive loads.
Implementation Method 1
a load sensing pin disposed in a cavity of a crossbar that is to couple the hitch receiver to the vehicle, where the load sensing pin is to measure a load transferred from the hitch receiver to the crossbar
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate a single pin load sensor coupled to a hitch receiver, the sensor to measure one or more loads on the hitch receiver. An example non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising machine-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to at least capture, via a camera coupled to a vehicle, an image of a hitch of the vehicle, analyze the image to determine position data of a mount of the hitch, and calculate an actual load on the hitch based on the position data.