Tractor Hitch Pivoting Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operation of safety devices in existing tractor hitches is cumbersome, requiring operators to support the weight of the hitching means and manually disengage the locking mechanism to remove it from the support rails, which can be hazardous and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting latch mechanism is integrated into the hitching means, allowing the abutment to disengage when the latch is pivoted upward, simplifying the removal process by preventing accidental engagement and requiring intentional upward movement to release the safety device, with biasing provided by a torsion spring or gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed safety latch is used to prevent the hitching means from falling, then safety is improved, but the complexity of operation increases because the operator must manually disengage the latch while supporting the weight
Solution Approach 1:
The safety latch is transformed from a fixed position to a movable one, capable of pivoting between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic characteristic allows the latch to automatically disengage when the hitching means is pulled upward, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing operational complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety latch system is designed to automatically disengage when the hitching means is pulled upward by the operator. The mechanism uses the upward motion itself to trigger the disengagement, making the system self-actuating and eliminating the need for the operator to manually manipulate the latch while supporting the weight.
2Reliability
If the safety device requires manual disengagement, then accidental falling is prevented, but the time required for removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable safety latch responds dynamically to the operator's upward pulling action. When the hitching means is pulled upward, the latch automatically pivots to the disengaged position, allowing rapid removal without the time-consuming manual disengagement process. The dynamic design converts the removal action itself into the trigger for latch disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety latch is pre-positioned to engage with the abutment on the support rail, providing automatic prevention of accidental falling. The latch is designed to disengage automatically when pulled, eliminating the need for separate manual disengagement steps and reducing the overall time required for safe removal.
3Ease of operation
If the latch is held in a disengaged position, then removal is enabled, but the risk of accidental disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety latch is designed to be engaged by default and requires a deliberate upward pulling action to disengage. This dynamic engagement design ensures that the latch remains secure during normal operations and only disengages when the hitching means is intentionally pulled upward for removal, minimizing the risk of accidental disengagement while enabling easy removal when needed.
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
This design significantly simplifies the disengagement of the latching mechanism, enhancing operator safety and convenience by ensuring controlled removal of the hitching means from the support rails without risk of accidental falling.
Implementation Method 1
The pivoting latch is biased to a position in which the abutment can be engaged. This biasing may be gravity or by the use of a spring.
Implementation Method 2
The pivoting latch is biased to a position in which the abutment can be engaged. This biasing may be gravity or by the use of a spring.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A tractor hitch (10) has a pair of generally vertically support rails (11,12) between which a hitching means (13) is vertically slideable in vertically extending grooves (14,15) in the rails. The hitching means (13) is lockable at various different heights between the rails by a locking means (15,19) carried by the hitching means (13) which engages locking formations (20) in the rails. The hitch also has a safety abutment (23) on one of the rails (11) which is engaged by a pivoting latch (25) carried by the hitching means (13) as the hitching means moves towards the bottom end of the grooves. The pivoting latch (25) is pivotable to a position where the abutment (23) can no longer be engaged when it is desired to remove the hitching means (13) from the bottom ends of the grooves (14,15).