Trailer Hitch Assembly Angled Ends Actuator Wobble

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trailer hitch assemblies often experience wobble within trailer hitch receptacles, leading to instability and safety concerns, especially when hauling long trailers, as they fail to securely engage with the receptacle.

Innovation Solution

A trailer hitch assembly comprising two hitch members with complementary angled ends and an actuator that diagonally displaces them relative to each other, forcing the hitch members against the interior surfaces of the receptacle to secure the assembly, thereby reducing wobble and enhancing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional trailer hitch assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but wobble and instability occur within the receptacle

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hitch assembly is divided into two separate hitch members (first and second hitch members) that can be independently positioned and angled relative to each other. This segmentation allows each member to be optimized for specific functions: one member engages the receptacle while the other provides structural support, eliminating wobble without requiring a monolithic complex structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hitch members incorporate angled ends with specific geometric configurations (e.g., 45-degree angles) that create asymmetric contact surfaces within the receptacle. This asymmetry ensures proper orientation and prevents rotational wobble, as the angled surfaces naturally guide the members into a stable, non-wobbling position during insertion and use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If angled ends with acute angles are used, then diagonal displacement is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure engagementVSAvoidangular accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The angled ends are pre-formed during manufacturing with the specific acute angles required for diagonal displacement. This preliminary action ensures that the critical angular geometry is established before assembly, reducing the need for high-precision field adjustments and allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to suffice for achieving reliable secure engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The acute angles are applied locally only at the ends of the hitch members where engagement with the receptacle occurs, rather than requiring precision throughout the entire member. This localized application of geometric precision reduces overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the diagonal displacement function at the critical engagement interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9586450B2Trailer hitch assemblies

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 QUIETITE LLC

AI summary

A trailer hitch assembly sized and shaped to fit within a trailer hitch receptacle, wherein the trailer hitch assembly includes a first tubular element and a second tubular element. Each tubular element has an angled end, wherein the angled ends of the first tubular element and the second tubular element are complementary to each other. The trailer hitch assembly may further include at least one guide to assist in aligning the first tubular element with the second tubular element along the angled ends. The trailer hitch assembly may further include an actuator configured to engage both the first tubular element and the second tubular element and to diagonally displace the first tubular element relative to the second tubular element.