Truck Bed Trough and Lift Arm Assembly for Easier Trailer Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing truck bed designs face difficulties in precisely aligning the hitch ball with the trailer coupler, requiring multiple attempts and causing user frustration due to the need for precise height adjustments and manual alignment, which increases time and effort in coupling and decoupling processes.
Innovation Solution
A truck bed with a centrally disposed trough and pivotable lift arm assembly, where the trough guides the trailer coupler into alignment with the hitch ball, reducing the need for extensive height adjustments and manual alignment, and the lift arms facilitate efficient loading and unloading of bales or reels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hitch ball is positioned in a recess in the truck bed, then trailer coupling is facilitated, but precise alignment between the hitch ball and trailer coupler is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
A trough structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the hitch ball recess and the trailer coupler. The trough extends from the recess toward the rear of the truck bed, serving as a visual and physical guide that mediates the alignment process. This intermediary structure makes the hitch ball position more visible and provides a reference for drivers to align the trailer coupler accurately, thereby resolving the alignment precision problem while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the trailer front is raised high to lift the coupler clear of the truck bed, then coupling can occur, but time and effort are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The trough structure performs a preliminary guiding function before the actual coupling action occurs. By providing a visible alignment reference in advance, the trough allows drivers to position the trailer coupler correctly before lowering it onto the hitch ball. This preliminary alignment action reduces the need for repeated raising and lowering of the trailer, thereby decreasing coupling time while maintaining operational ease.
3Measurement precision
If multiple attempts are made to position the truck relative to the trailer, then alignment may be achieved, but user frustration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trough structure provides a visual reference that enhances the driver's ability to see and judge the alignment between the trailer coupler and hitch ball. While the patent does not specify color changes, the trough creates a visible contrast or reference point (through its structure and position) that helps drivers accurately assess alignment without multiple attempts, thereby improving user experience while achieving positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A flatbed truck bed for coupling a trailer to includes a base unit and a lifting assembly. The base unit has a loading surface and a trough centrally disposed between opposite sides of the base unit. The trough extends downwardly through the loading surface and rearwardly through a rear end of the base unit. The base unit includes a pivotable access hatch with a recessed portion that forms a section of the trough. The lifting assembly has a crossmember and a pair of arms attached to opposite ends of the crossmember. The crossmember is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed to extend the arms away from the truck bed. A recess extends into the crossmember and is alignable with the trough of the bed.