Trailer Hitch Shank Alignment and Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer hitch systems face challenges in aligning trailers with tow vehicles, leading to potential damage and complexity, particularly due to the need for precise positioning and the use of heavy ball mount assemblies and anti-sway bars, which can cause binding issues and require significant effort for installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A trailer hitch system featuring an adjustable shank with a stop mechanism and friction-reducing elements, such as rollers, that allows for easy alignment and attachment to a receiver on the tow vehicle, eliminating the need for complex installations and reducing friction during engagement, while maintaining compatibility with standard equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ball mount assemblies and anti-sway bars are used, then trailer stability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch system is divided into separate functional components: a receiver assembly mounted on the tow vehicle, a shank assembly with ball mount on the trailer, and removable anti-sway bars. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and removal procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver assembly is designed to be universal and compatible with standard tow vehicle receivers, while the shank assembly can be used with various trailer types. The anti-sway bars serve multiple functions including stability control and weight distribution, reducing the need for separate specialized components.
2Reliability
If precise positioning of the hitch ball under the trailer tongue is required, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ball mount features a spherical ball that naturally guides the trailer tongue into proper alignment through its curved surface. This curvature provides self-alignment during the attachment process, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
A receiver assembly with guiding features acts as an intermediary between the tow vehicle and trailer. The receiver provides alignment guides and positioning features that facilitate easy coupling, mediating the connection process and reducing the skill level required for proper attachment.
3Strength
If heavy ball mount assemblies are used, then load bearing capacity is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to installation and removal effort
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy-duty load-bearing components are segmented into the receiver assembly on the tow vehicle and the shank assembly on the trailer. This allows the substantial weight and complexity of load-bearing structures to remain fixed on the vehicles, while only lighter connecting components need to be installed and removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shank assembly incorporates adjustable features and movable components that allow for dynamic adaptation during installation. The ability to adjust shank length and angle provides mechanical advantage, reducing the physical effort required to install and remove the assembly despite its substantial load-bearing capacity.
4Ease of operation
If friction-reducing elements like rollers are added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Friction-reducing rollers are applied locally at specific contact points where friction would otherwise impede movement. Rather than redesigning the entire hitch system, rollers are strategically placed at the interface between the shank and receiver, providing targeted friction reduction with minimal impact on overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Rollers replace direct sliding contact between metal surfaces with rolling contact, substituting a high-friction mechanical interaction with a low-friction rolling mechanism. This substitution significantly reduces the force required for engagement and disengagement while adding only a simple mechanical element to the system.
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 system simplifies the attachment process, reduces the risk of damage, and enhances safety by facilitating quick and easy connection of trailers to tow vehicles, even for those without significant physical strength, and can be used with both weight-carrying and weight-distributing hitches.
Implementation Method 1
friction-reducing elements, such as rollers, that allows for easy alignment and attachment to a receiver on the tow vehicle, eliminating the need for complex installations and reducing friction during engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer hitch system for improving the speed and safety of attaching the trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch may include a shank that may be attached to the trailer through a ball hitch. A receiver may be provided on the tow vehicle such that attachment of the trailer to the tow vehicle may be accomplished by introducing the shank into the receiver when the tow vehicle is backed to the trailer. A funnel shaped guide member may be provided to facilitate aligning the shank with the receiver. Also, friction reducing rollers may be used with the shank or the receiver. Moreover, a height adjustment and visual guidance system may be included to facilitate connecting the trailer to the tow vehicle.