Towing Device Locking Mechanism Visual Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional towing devices for agricultural or industrial vehicles lack direct visual verification of the locking element's engagement with the abutment element, compromising operator safety during the towing process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of protruding locking elements and inductive proximity sensors with signaling LEDs to ensure the locking elements are visibly and easily checked in their engaged or disengaged positions, providing real-time feedback on the locking status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking element is placed inside the upper frame structure, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the operator cannot visually verify the locking engagement
Solution Approach 1:
A visual indicator element is introduced as an intermediary component that translates the internal locking state into an externally visible signal. The indicator is mechanically linked to the locking element through the abutment, allowing the operator to verify engagement status without direct line of sight to the locking mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking state is copied and transmitted to a visible indicator position. The indicator element replicates the engaged/disengaged state of the locking element at a location accessible to the operator's view, providing visual confirmation without exposing the actual locking mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the locking element is made accessible for visual checking, then operator safety is improved, but the structural complexity of the upper frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment element serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical interface for locking element engagement, transmits the locking state to the visual indicator, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality avoids adding separate components solely for indication purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator function is merged with the existing abutment structure rather than being implemented as a separate independent mechanism. The indicator element is integrated into the abutment assembly, sharing the same mounting and actuation system, thereby minimizing additional structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A towing device (1) for an agricultural or industrial vehicle, comprising: an upper frame (2) associable with an agricultural or industrial vehicle; a lower frame (3) hinged to the upper frame (2) and movable between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration, at least one extractable portion (4) associated with the lower frame (3) in a sliding manner and supporting at least one hooking element (5) of the vehicle to be towed; the extractable portion (4) being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, locking means (6) of the extractable portion (4) with respect to the lower frame (3) comprising at least one locking element (7) associated with the upper frame (2) and adapted to be inserted inside a corresponding hole (8) defined on the extractable portion (4) when this is in the retracted position passing through the lower frame (3), with the latter in closed configuration, where the locking element (7) is movable between a raised configuration, wherein it allows the sliding of said extractable portion (4) with respect to the lower frame (3), and a lowered configuration, wherein it is insertable inside the hole (8) with the extractable portion (4) in retracted position and the lower frame (3) in closed configuration, and where the locking element (7) has an upper extremity (7b) protruding from the upper frame (2), and visible from the outside, both in the raised and in the lowered configuration, and the hole (8) being of the through type.