Vehicle Trailer Hitch Assembly Rotating Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch assemblies face issues with dynamic forces during towing, leading to potential failure and safety concerns due to loose fitting components and material tolerances, which can compromise the structural integrity and towing capacity.
Innovation Solution
A hitch assembly design featuring a first body fixedly attachable to a vehicle and a second body with a rotating locking mechanism that secures the second body to the first body, providing a secure and removable connection, thereby enhancing structural integrity and towing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a loose fitting tube insert with cross pin is used to secure the tube to the receiver, then the hitch assembly allows for easy installation and removal, but dynamic forces during towing can be imparted to and experienced by the hitch assembly, potentially leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly is divided into separate components (receiver, tube insert, locking mechanism) that can be independently installed and removed. The locking mechanism itself is segmented into a rotating member with engagement features that can rotate between locked and unlocked positions, allowing easy operation while maintaining secure connection during towing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a rotating member that can dynamically transition between positions. The rotation allows the locking mechanism to adapt between a locked state (resisting dynamic forces) and an unlocked state (easy removal), making the connection dynamic rather than static.
2Ease of manufacture
If material tolerances and loose fitting components are used, then manufacturing is simpler and cost-effective, but structural integrity and towing capacity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism changes the engagement parameter from a loose fit (relying on material tolerances) to a positively locked fit. The rotating member with its engagement features transforms the connection parameter from friction-based to mechanical interlocking, maintaining structural integrity while allowing standard manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then towing capacity and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-securing through the rotation of the rotating member. The engagement features automatically engage with the receiver when the member is rotated to the locked position, eliminating the need for additional fasteners, tools, or complex assembly procedures. The mechanism serves itself by using the rotation action to create the secure connection.
Data Source
AI summary
Hitch assemblies are provided. The hitch assemblies includes a first body defining a receiving cavity and a locking mechanism, and a second body removably insertable into the receiving cavity of the first body. The first body is fixedly attachable to a vehicle and the second body is configured to operably connect to a trailing structure, and the locking mechanism includes a rotating member extending through the receiving cavity and rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein, when the second body is positioned within the receiving cavity and the rotating member is in a secured position, the rotating member secures the second body to the first body.