18071135. VEHICLE WITH ADJUSTABLE HITCH simplified abstract (CNH Industrial America LLC)

VEHICLE WITH ADJUSTABLE HITCH

Organization Name

CNH Industrial America LLC

Inventor(s)

Jerry L. Brinkley of Woodridge IL (US)

Matthew Klopfenstein of Chenoa IL (US)

VEHICLE WITH ADJUSTABLE HITCH - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18071135 titled 'VEHICLE WITH ADJUSTABLE HITCH

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a vehicle with a fluid system that controls a cylinder to raise and lower a hitch. The fluid system includes an action select valve that can switch between single-acting and double-acting configurations to control the movement of the hitch.

• The vehicle includes a frame, a hitch, a cylinder, and a fluid system.
• The cylinder has a first chamber and a second chamber.
• The fluid system is fluidly coupled to the cylinder and includes an action select valve.
• The action select valve can be reconfigured between a single-acting and double-acting configuration.
• The fluid system supplies fluid to the first chamber to raise the hitch.
• In the double-acting configuration, the fluid system controls the cylinder to lower the hitch by draining fluid from the first chamber and supplying it to the second chamber.
• In the single-acting configuration, the fluid system controls the cylinder to lower the hitch by draining fluid from the first chamber without supplying it to the second chamber.

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in various vehicles, such as trailers, trucks, and agricultural equipment, to control the movement of hitches for towing purposes.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of efficiently raising and lowering hitches on vehicles without the need for manual intervention, making the process more convenient and user-friendly.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved efficiency in hitch operation, increased convenience for users, and potentially reducing the risk of accidents or damage during hitching and unhitching processes.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications of this technology include the automotive industry, agriculture sector, and transportation companies looking to improve the functionality and ease of use of their vehicles.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be hydraulic systems used in vehicles for lifting and lowering heavy loads, but the specific configuration of the fluid system with the action select valve may be a novel aspect of this innovation.

How does the action select valve switch between single-acting and double-acting configurations?

The patent application does not provide detailed information on the mechanism or process by which the action select valve reconfigures between the single-acting and double-acting configurations. Further details on this aspect would be helpful for understanding the operation of the fluid system.

Are there any safety features incorporated into the fluid system to prevent accidents or malfunctions?

The patent application does not mention any specific safety features integrated into the fluid system to ensure the proper and safe operation of the hitch control mechanism. Exploring the presence of safety measures in this technology would be crucial for assessing its reliability and user-friendliness.

Original Abstract Submitted

A vehicle includes a frame, a hitch coupled to the frame, a cylinder positioned to move the hitch relative to the frame, the cylinder having a first chamber and a second chamber, and a fluid system fluidly coupled to the cylinder. The fluid system includes an action select valve reconfigurable between a single-acting configuration and a double-acting configuration. The fluid system is configured to supply a fluid to the first chamber to raise the hitch. When the action select valve is in the double-acting configuration, the fluid system controls the cylinder to lower the hitch by draining the fluid from the first chamber and supplying the fluid to the second chamber. When the action select valve is in the single-acting configuration, the fluid system controls the cylinder to lower the hitch by draining the fluid from the first chamber without supplying the fluid to the second chamber.