Electric Trailer Hitch Locking Gear for Stable Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitches, particularly those with motor-driven extension and retraction capabilities, often protrude from vehicles, affecting aesthetics and safety, and lack reliable positioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An electric trailer hitch with a simple structure comprising a fixed member, driven member, and driving member, utilizing an incomplete gear mechanism with toothed and toothless parts, and transmission guiding features to ensure stable positioning in both extended and retracted states, allowing smooth rotation and locking without additional mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor-driven extension and retraction mechanism is added to the trailer hitch, then the trailer hitch can be retracted to eliminate protrusion effects, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer hitch is designed to be dynamically adjustable between extended and retracted positions through a motor-driven mechanism. The hitch can automatically extend when a trailer is detected and retract when no trailer is present, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic detection and actuation capabilities where the trailer hitch can sense the presence of a trailer and autonomously adjust its position without manual intervention. The motor-driven mechanism self-activates based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for manual operation.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to ensure reliable positioning, then the positioning reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simplified toothed gear engagement mechanism. The driving member's teeth directly engage with the driven member's teeth to provide positive positioning at extended and retracted positions, eliminating the need for separate locking components while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses changes in the engagement state of toothed gears to indicate and maintain different positions. By varying the rotational position of the driving member relative to the driven member, the system achieves reliable positioning through the inherent mechanical characteristics of the gear teeth rather than additional locking parameters.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple structure with few parts is used, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the positioning reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer hitch system is segmented into distinct functional components: a driving member with teeth, a driven member with teeth, and a motor assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard machining processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while the interlocking teeth provide reliable positioning when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed gear mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the driving force for extension and retraction, establishes precise positioning at extreme positions through tooth engagement, and prevents reverse movement during operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, reducing part count while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a simple and reliable electric trailer hitch, including a fixed member, a trailer hook, a driven member, and a driving member; the driving member is directly or indirectly connected to an actuating device, the driven member is connected to the trailer hook, and the driving member is configured to cooperate with the driven member to drive the driven member to rotate; the driving member includes a transmission part and a locking part, and the driven member includes a transmission part and a locking part; the transmission parts and the locking parts are configured in such a way that, the locking parts engage when the transmission parts are disengaged, and the transmission parts engage when the locking parts are disengaged. The electric trailer hitch of the present disclosure has an extremely simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and has high operational reliability.