Tow Hitch Assembly Pivot Mechanism for Back Hoe Loaders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Back hoe loaders require a tow hitch assembly that allows them to tow trailers without hindering the operation of the back hoe when digging trenches or moving between sites, as existing solutions interfere with the vehicle's operation.
Innovation Solution
A tow hitch assembly with a pivotally mounted first member and a lock mechanism that allows the assembly to be stowed out of the way when not in use, enabling 90° rotation and longitudinal movement to avoid interference with the back hoe's operation, and can be easily deployed for towing by sliding the second member within the first member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tow hitch assembly is positioned to allow towing, then the towing capability is improved, but the back hoe operation is hindered when digging trenches
Solution Approach 1:
The tow hitch assembly is made dynamically positionable through a pivot mechanism that allows rotation between a stowed position (parallel to the chassis beam) and a deployed position (perpendicular to the chassis beam). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the assembly to be in the towing configuration only when needed, while returning to the stowed configuration to enable unrestricted back hoe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tow hitch assembly is divided into separable components including a first member rotatably mounted to the vehicle body, a second member that can be locked in different longitudinal positions, and detachable coupling means. This segmentation allows the assembly to be configured for towing when required while being movable to a non-interfering position when the back hoe needs to operate in confined spaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tow hitch assembly is extended for towing, then the towing capacity is improved, but the vehicle's departure angle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first member of the tow hitch assembly is rotatably mounted to allow dynamic repositioning. When extended for towing, the assembly provides maximum towing capacity; when rotated to a parallel position with the chassis beam, the assembly no longer interferes with the vehicle's departure angle, thus resolving the contradiction between towing capacity and vehicle geometry.
3Ease of operation
If the tow hitch assembly is made movable to avoid interference, then the back hoe operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pivot mechanism with lockable positions provides controlled movement rather than continuous adjustment. The pivot allows rotation between two primary positions (stowed and deployed) and can be locked in each position, providing simplicity through discrete states rather than complex continuous control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Lockable positions are provided in advance to maintain the tow hitch assembly in stable configurations. The lockable first position maintains the assembly parallel to the chassis beam for back hoe operation, while the lockable second position extends the assembly perpendicular for towing, eliminating the need for complex active control during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tow hitch assembly having a body for mounting the tow hitch assembly relative to an associated vehicle, a first member rotatably mounted relative to the body and a second member slideably mounted relative to the first member, the second member including a tow hitch, the tow hitch assembly having a stowed position at which the first member is in a first rotational position relative to the body and the second member is in a first longitudinal position relative to the first member and the tow hitch assembly having a deployed position at which the first member is in a second rotational position relative to the body and the second member is in a second longitudinal position relative to the first member.