Spring-Loaded Hitch Coupling Prevents Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for trailers and implements to vehicles or agricultural machines face issues with maintaining secure coupling while allowing for necessary movement relative to the hitch, especially over rough terrain or when components wear down, and require adjustments for different diameters, which can lead to jamming and increased operator risk.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device featuring a pivotable arm and keeper mechanism with spring-loaded components that allow limited vertical displacement of the coupling element, ensuring secure contact and automatic adjustment for clearance, preventing jamming and allowing use with varying sizes without re-adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed bracket is used to hold the coupling element on the ball hitch, then the coupling element is securely held in position, but jamming occurs when travelling over rough ground or along slopes due to insufficient clearance for movement
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is made adjustable in height rather than fixed, allowing the clearance between the coupling element and bracket to be modified. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to accommodate movements of the coupling element when travelling over rough ground or along slopes, preventing jamming while maintaining secure coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The height parameter of the bracket is made changeable through an adjustment mechanism. By altering the vertical position of the bracket, the clearance distance between the bracket and coupling element can be optimized to allow necessary movement without excessive play, resolving the contradiction between secure holding and preventing jamming.
2Reliability
If the bracket height is adjusted for different diameters of coupling elements or ball hitches, then the correct clearance is maintained, but additional adjustment time and operator intervention are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-adjusting features where the bracket height can be automatically or easily adjusted without requiring extensive operator intervention. The adjustment mechanism is designed to be user-friendly and quick-operating, reducing the time loss associated with adapting to different coupling element or ball hitch diameters.
3Reliability
If a rigid connection is used between the bracket and coupling element, then secure coupling is maintained, but movement over rough terrain causes jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the bracket and coupling element is made dynamically adjustable rather than rigidly fixed. The bracket's height adjustment capability allows the system to adapt its rigidity - providing secure coupling when needed while allowing controlled movement to prevent jamming when travelling over rough terrain or along slopes.
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 device maintains secure coupling while allowing movement, automatically adjusts for clearance, and reduces operator risk by ensuring consistent fit and preventing jamming, even when components wear down or encounter uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
spring-loaded components that allow limited vertical displacement of the coupling element, ensuring secure contact
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A coupling device for coupling a trailer or implement to a vehicle. The coupling device comprises a pivotable arm (2) with a coupling element contact surface (2a) for contacting a coupling element (7) to be secured to a hitch (6) and a keeper (8) for holding the contact surface (2a) in contact with the coupling element (7). The device is provided with spring means (10) to allow vertical movement of the coupling element (7) with respect to the hitch (6) whilst remaining in contact with the contact surface (2a). Figure 1