Adjustable Trailer Coupler With Height-Locking Quick Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball-end trailer couplers face high mounting difficulty and low efficiency due to the need to pass a connecting shaft through multiple components, making it challenging to adapt to vehicles of different heights.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable trailer coupler design featuring a fixing base with positioning portions, a movable connecting base with a locking structure, an unlocking mechanism, and an elastic latching system, allowing for easy height adjustment and simplified mounting by enabling the connecting base to be locked or unlocked for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the connecting base is connected to the fixing base and connector by the same connecting shaft, then the structure is simplified, but the mounting difficulty increases and mounting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connecting shaft into two separate components: a first connecting shaft for connecting the connecting base to the fixing base, and a second connecting shaft for connecting the connector to the connecting base. This segmentation allows each shaft to be installed independently through separate holes, significantly reducing mounting difficulty and improving assembly efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the connecting base is made movable in the height direction to adapt to vehicles of different heights, then the adaptability is improved, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates positioning portions on the fixing base and corresponding positioning grooves on the connecting base before the actual connection is made. These pre-positioned features guide the connecting base to the correct height position automatically during assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and reducing mounting complexity while maintaining height adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positioning portions and positioning grooves as intermediary elements that mediate between the fixing base and connecting base. These intermediaries provide automatic alignment and positioning functions, simplifying the mounting process while enabling the connecting base to be securely positioned at different heights for adaptability.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple components are connected through a single connecting shaft, then the number of parts is reduced, but the mounting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single connecting shaft into two separate shafts (first connecting shaft and second connecting shaft) that can be installed independently through separate holes. This segmentation allows parallel installation operations, significantly reducing the total mounting time while the overall number of parts remains manageable through the modular design.
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
The adjustable trailer coupler simplifies the mounting process, reduces friction resistance, and enhances structural reliability by allowing easy height adjustment and secure connection to vehicles of varying heights, improving mounting efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the first locking portion being reset from the avoidance state to the extension state under an elastic force of the elastic latching structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an adjustable trailer coupler, including: a fixing base provided with a plurality of positioning portions; a connecting base, which is arranged on the fixing base, is movable in a height direction of the fixing base, and is provided with a first connecting hole and a locking slot, the locking slot being located in a hole wall of the first connecting hole; a locking structure arranged on the connecting base in a transversely movable manner, the locking structure having a locked state in which the locking structure fits into any one of the positioning portions and an unlocked state in which the locking structure is disengaged from the positioning portion; an unlocking structure movably arranged on the connecting base and connected to the locking structure, the unlocking structure being forced to move to switch the locking structure between the locked state and the unlocked state; a connector inserted into the first connecting hole; and an elastic latching structure arranged on the connector and provided with a first locking portion, the first locking portion fitting into the locking slot, and the first locking portion having an avoidance state of retracting into the connector and an extension state of extending out of the connector. The adjustable trailer coupler enables reduced mounting difficulty.