Trailer Hitch Scale Assembly With Sensor-Based Weight Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailer hitch systems require significant user intervention to determine the weight of trailed vehicles and their payloads, which is necessary for ensuring weight capacity limits are not exceeded and for optimal performance settings.

Innovation Solution

A trailer hitch assembly with a scale assembly and sensor system that automatically detects the position of a movable position indicator, allowing for the determination of weight applied to the hitch ball without user intervention, using a sensor assembly to provide an output indicative of the indicator's position and a controller to calculate the weight based on this position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a trailer hitch assembly uses traditional weight determination methods, then the system structure remains simple, but significant user intervention is required to determine weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight determination automationVSAvoidhitch assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale assembly is nested within the interior cavity of the hitch body, with the indicator pin extending through the hitch body wall. This nesting approach allows the weight sensing mechanism to be integrated into the existing hitch structure without requiring separate external components, thereby automating weight determination while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual weight determination methods with an automated sensor assembly that detects the position of the indicator pin. The sensor assembly converts mechanical displacement into electrical signals that can be processed to determine weight, substituting mechanical user intervention with automated sensing and calculation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual weight determination methods are used, then the device structure remains simple, but time consumption for weight assessment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight determination speedVSAvoidhitch assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale assembly is pre-configured within the hitch body with the indicator pin positioned to respond immediately when a trailer is coupled. The sensor assembly continuously monitors or readily detects the indicator pin position, enabling instantaneous weight determination without requiring manual measurement steps, thus improving productivity while keeping the structural addition minimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If no weight sensing system is used, then the hitch assembly remains simple, but weight capacity limits cannot be monitored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight capacity complianceVSAvoidhitch assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor assembly provides continuous feedback on the position of the indicator pin, which correlates to the weight applied to the hitch ball. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of weight capacity compliance, allowing the system to detect when weight limits are approached or exceeded. The integrated design within the hitch body minimizes the complexity increase while achieving reliable weight monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables precise and automatic weight determination of trailed vehicles and payloads, facilitating optimal performance settings and reducing the need for user interaction, with the ability to display the weight on various displays and telematics devices.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor assembly provided with the hitch body and configured for detecting a position of the indicator pin and providing an output indicative of the position of the indicator pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 2

a scale assembly at least partially provided within the interior cavity and having a movable position indicator with an indicator pin extending exteriorly of the interior cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a controller configured for receiving the output indicative of the position of the movable position indicator and determining a weight applied to the hitch ball based on the output indicative of the position of the movable position indicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight calculation:

Data Source

PatentUS12539723B2Trailer hitch assembly with a sensor

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 DEXTER AXLE CO LLC

AI summary

A trailer hitch assembly is configured for coupling a trailed vehicle with a motor vehicle. The trailer hitch assembly includes a hitch body at least partially defining an interior cavity configured for selectively receiving a hitch ball. A scale assembly is at least partially provided within the interior cavity and has a movable position indicator with an indicator pin extending exteriorly of the interior cavity. A sensor assembly is provided with the hitch body.