Universal Hitch Assembly for Multi-Format Cart Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facilities with multiple types of wheeled carts face inefficiencies and resource misallocation due to the need for unique hitch arrangements for each cart type, requiring multiple powered cart movers or frequent hitch changes.
Innovation Solution
A hitch assembly with a vertically adjustable mount and pivotally coupled foot featuring multiple attachment features, allowing compatibility with various hitching elements, including circular holes, slots, and pins, to securely attach to different cart types with a single assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a powered cart mover is equipped with a hitch for a specific cart type, then it can securely couple to that cart type, but it cannot couple to other cart types with different hitch arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly is designed with multiple attachment features (first, second, and third attachment features) that can accommodate different cart hitch arrangements. The foot can be positioned in different orientations and locked into place, allowing a single hitch assembly to universally couple with various cart types including those with vertical hitching elements, horizontal hitching elements, and A-frame hitching elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch assembly incorporates a vertically adjustable portion with a foot that can pivot between different orientations. The foot is restrained in forward or lateral orientations by allowing it to bias fully upward such that features on the foot engage features on the mount, or can be releasably locked in a forward orientation via a locking pin. This dynamic adjustability enables the same hitch assembly to adapt to different cart configurations while maintaining secure coupling.
2Reliability
If multiple powered cart movers are provided for each cart type, then each cart type can be coupled reliably, but resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly with multiple attachment features and adjustable foot orientation allows a single powered cart mover to service multiple cart types. This eliminates the need to maintain separate powered cart movers for each cart type, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining the ability to reliably couple to different cart types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hitches are changed out on a case-by-case basis to match cart types, then compatibility is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases due to frequent hitch changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring hitch changes, the universal hitch assembly with multiple attachment features allows operators to directly couple to different cart types by adjusting the foot orientation and selecting the appropriate attachment feature. This eliminates the time-consuming process of changing hitches while maintaining compatibility with various cart types.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamically adjustable foot that can pivot and lock into different orientations enables quick adaptation to different cart types without requiring physical hitch changes. The locking mechanism allows the foot to be securely positioned in the required orientation, maintaining operational efficiency while achieving cart type compatibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a hitch assembly has multiple attachment features for different cart types, then versatility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a mount with vertically adjustable portion, a pivotally coupled foot, and multiple attachment features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design manageable. The attachment features are integrated into the foot structure, which itself is integrated into the adjustable mount, creating a modular yet unified 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
Enables a single powered cart mover to efficiently couple with multiple cart types, reducing the need for multiple movers and hitch changes, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing manual labor intensity.
Implementation Method 1
The vertically adjustable portion is biased in an upward position via a biasing element
Implementation Method 2
the foot can be releasably locked in a forward orientation via a locking pin extending from the mount and engaging a hole in the foot
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a hitch assembly for coupling a powered cart mover to a cart, wherein the cart has one of three different types of hitching elements. The hitch assembly comprises a mount and a foot. The mount secures the assembly to the mover and includes a vertically adjustable portion biased in an upward position via a biasing element. The foot is pivotally coupled to the vertically adjustable portion and includes first, second and third attachment features. Each attachment feature is configured to receive one of the three different types of hitching elements.