Tow Hitch Plug With Lock Insert For Receiver Tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trailer hitch receiver tubes are prone to accumulation of dirt, mud, snow, ice, insects, and animals when not in use, leading to clogging and potential rust or corrosion, making it difficult to reconnect towing equipment.
Innovation Solution
A tow hitch plug with a body conforming to the receiver's inner dimensions, a flange with a threaded hole, and a lock insert that secures into the trailer hitch bracket, preventing unwanted materials from entering and allowing easy removal when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receiver tube is left exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the receiver tube becomes filled with dirt, mud, snow, ice, insects, and animals
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is divided into distinct functional segments: a body that seals the receiver tube cavity, a flange with threaded hole for attachment, and an arm with lock insert for securing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is installed in advance to prevent debris accumulation before it occurs. By placing the plug in the receiver tube cavity beforehand, the system proactively prevents the harmful accumulation of dirt, mud, snow, ice, insects, and animals rather than requiring cleanup later.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a plug is inserted to prevent debris accumulation, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug design enables self-service installation and removal through its simple mechanical components. The lock insert engages with the bracket opening and can be manually operated without specialized tools or complex mechanisms, allowing users to service the system themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (debris accumulation) is extracted from the system by introducing the plug as a separate protective component. The plug body fills and seals the receiver tube cavity, effectively removing the problem of debris accumulation from the operational environment.
3Reliability
If the plug is securely locked to prevent removal, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable between locked and unlocked states. The lock insert can engage with the bracket opening to secure the plug during normal operation, but can be easily disengaged when removal is needed, providing both security and operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Hitch plugs and methods for installing hitch plugs for covering an opening in a trailer hitch are provided. In one implementation, a tow hitch plug may include a body having an outer surface that may correspond to inner dimensions of a cavity of a tow hitch receiver of the trailer hitch. The tow hitch plug may include a flange connected to a front end of the body in embodiments. The flange may radially extend beyond the outer surface of the cylindrical body and a threaded hole may extend through the flange in embodiments. Also, in embodiments, the tow hitch plug may include an arm connected to an end of the body and a lock insert connected to the arm. In a locked state, the lock insert may be inserted through an opening in a bracket of the trailer hitch at a back end of the tow hitch receiver in embodiments.