Tow Ball Hitch Locking Assembly for Stable Tow Hook Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tow hook devices for towable recreational vehicles suffer from low stability, safety issues due to concentrated bearing capacity, loose connections, and inflexible installation and disassembly, leading to inefficiencies in use.
Innovation Solution
A tow hook device with a tow ball body, tow ball hitch, and tow arm, featuring threaded connections, snap-fitting mechanisms, and latch locks for secure attachment, allowing for flexible assembly and disassembly, enhanced stability, and improved safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tow ball hitch and tow arm connection uses a loose fit design, then assembly is easier, but connection stability deteriorates causing gaps and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fastening system where the latch can move between locked and unlocked positions, allowing easy assembly/disassembly while maintaining secure connection during operation. The movable latch mechanism adapts to the connection state, providing ease of operation when opening and reliable stability when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parameters change from a loose fit during assembly to a tightly secured state when the latch engages. The mechanical fastening system transforms the connection strength parameter, allowing the same joint to be easily assembled yet securely locked, resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and connection stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tow hook device uses simple connection structures, then manufacturing is easier, but installation and disassembly flexibility deteriorates leading to long operation times
Solution Approach 1:
The tow hook device is divided into separable components (tow ball hitch, tow arm, latch mechanism) that can be independently manufactured using simple processes, then quickly assembled through the modular fastening system. This segmentation allows simple manufacturing of individual parts while enabling rapid installation through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism provides dynamic installation capability, transitioning from an open state for quick insertion to a locked state for secure connection. This dynamic feature maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving installation and disassembly speed, directly addressing the productivity concern.
3Device complexity
If the bearing capacity is concentrated at a single point on the rear bar, then the structure is simpler, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes the bearing capacity across multiple dimensions by incorporating the tow arm as an intermediate structural element between the rear bar and tow ball hitch. This dimensional extension transforms the concentrated point load into a distributed load path, improving connection stability while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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 provides enhanced stability, safety, and convenience through secure threaded connections, snap-fitting, and latch locks, improving work efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the tow ball rod is disposed on the at least one tow ball and provided with external threads, the tow ball hitch defines a threaded hole provided with internal threads, and the tow ball rod has a threaded connection with the tow ball hitch through the threaded hole
Implementation Method 2
the tow ball body further includes a spring detent ring, a connection position of the tow ball rod with the second tow ball is provided with a shaft groove, and the spring detent ring is disposed on the shaft groove
Implementation Method 3
two sides of an inner wall of the clamping jaw are respectively provided with a first convex edge and a second convex edge, the tow arm includes a square steel, two sides of the tow arm respectively define a first vertical groove and a second vertical groove, the first convex edge is snap-fitted with the first vertical groove, and the second convex edge is snap-fitted with the second vertical groove
Implementation Method 4
the tow ball hitch is provided with a first receiver latch lock, a side wall of the clamping jaw defines a round hole, the tow arm defines at least one tow arm hole vertically, and the first receiver latch lock is connected to the tow arm through the round hole and the at least one tow arm hole
Data Source
AI summary
A tow hook device includes a tow ball body, a tow ball hitch and a tow arm. The tow ball body includes at least one tow ball and a tow ball rod, the tow ball rod is disposed on the at least one tow ball and provided with external threads, the tow ball hitch defines a threaded hole provided with internal threads, and the tow ball rod has a threaded connection with the tow ball hitch through the threaded hole. The tow hook device has a reasonable structure, great practicality, convenient use, stability, reliability, flexible installment and disassembly, and improved work efficiency.