Adjustable Trailer Hitch Restrictor Arms for Jackknife Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hitch restrictor devices fail to effectively inhibit trailer jackknifing during turns, as they lack adjustable arms that can be positioned at various angles to prevent the trailer from swiveling towards the tow vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A hitch restrictor device comprising an extension tube with a pivot mount and adjustable arms that can be positioned on either side of the trailer hitch, featuring pivot points and stops to prevent the arms from pivoting towards the tow vehicle, thereby preventing jackknifing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-position arms are used in hitch restrictor devices, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different trailer sizes and turning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed arms into adjustable arms that can change their position and angle. The arms are made movable through a adjustment mechanism that allows them to be repositioned along the extension tube, enabling the device to adapt to different trailer sizes and turning conditions while maintaining structural feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the arm position and angle parameters to be varied. The adjustment mechanism enables changing the distance of arms from the pivot mount and their angular orientation, thereby adapting the restrictor device to different towing scenarios without requiring complete structural redesign
2Reliability
If arms are allowed to pivot freely toward the tow vehicle, then the range of motion is maximized, but the trailer can jackknife during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing stops that preemptively prevent the arms from pivoting too far toward the tow vehicle. These stops are positioned to block the arms before they can reach positions that would allow jackknifing, thereby preventing the harmful effect before it can occur while still allowing adequate operational range
3Adaptability or versatility
If single-position arms are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot effectively inhibit jackknifing during negotiation of turns with different radii
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the arms dynamic rather than fixed, allowing them to be adjusted to different positions and angles. This enables the same basic structure to effectively handle various turn radii by repositioning the arms appropriately, without requiring multiple complete devices or overly complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer hitch restrictor assembly includes an extension tube that is attachable to a hitch receiver of a tow vehicle. A pivot mount is positioned on the extension tube and the pivot mount includes a pair of pivot points and a plurality of stop points. A pair of arms is each pivotally attachable to a respective pivot point thereby facilitating each of the pair of arms to be positioned on either side of a hitch of a trailer being towed by the tow vehicle. A pair of bumpers is each pivotally attachable to a respective arm to abut the hitch of the trailer when the tow vehicle negotiates a turn thereby inhibiting the trailer from jackknifing on the tow vehicle. A pair of stops is each attachable to a respective stop point thereby inhibiting a respective one of the arms from pivoting toward the tow vehicle.