Towing Assembly Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current towing assemblies face challenges in simultaneously extracting vehicles from inaccessible locations and safely towing them on roads, as they often require manual locking and operation, and lack an automated mechanism for converting between flexible and rigid configurations.
Innovation Solution
A towing assembly with an automated locking mechanism and operating mechanism that allows for conversion between articulated and rigid positions, featuring a hitch with pivotally attached members and joints that can be automatically locked in place, enabling safe and efficient towing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a supple and flexible assembly is used to extract vehicles from inaccessible locations, then the ability to reach difficult locations is improved, but the safety and security for towing on roads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The towing assembly incorporates an automated mechanism that dynamically transforms the structure between a flexible articulated configuration (for reaching inaccessible locations) and a rigid triangular configuration (for safe road towing). The system automatically adjusts its mechanical properties based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If a rigid triangular assembly is used for safe road towing, then the safety and security for towing is improved, but the ability to extract vehicles from inaccessible locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly automatically transforms from a rigid triangular structure to a flexible articulated structure through an automated mechanism, enabling it to adapt between the safety requirements of road towing and the accessibility requirements of extraction operations.
3Device complexity
If manual locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation and safety deteriorates due to required manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock and unlock the towing assembly at the appropriate positions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates its locking state based on its configuration, eliminating the need for user operation while maintaining simplicity in the mechanical design.
4Ease of operation
If automated locking mechanism is implemented, then the ease of operation and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated locking mechanism operates autonomously based on the assembly's configuration, automatically engaging locks when in rigid triangular form and disengaging when in flexible articulated form, providing ease of operation without requiring complex control systems.
5Ease of operation
If automated operating mechanism is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated operating mechanism enables the towing assembly to automatically transform between configurations and lock/unlock as needed, operating autonomously without user intervention while maintaining reasonable mechanical complexity through self-regulating design.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A towing bar assembly that may convert from an articulated assembly extracting a vehicle in an inaccessible location to a rigid assembly for safely towing a vehicle on a road and having an automatic locking mechanism for locking the towing assembly in the articulated position.