Adaptable Mounting Mud Flap for Single Wide Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mud flaps designed for dual tire/wheel assemblies are not optimally compatible with single wide tires, as they are wider than needed, leading to reduced aerodynamic benefits and operational costs due to the inability to mount them securely on pre-existing mounting structures without compromising aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
A reduced width mud flap with an adaptable mounting section that can be used with pre-existing mounting orifices arranged for dual wide mud flaps, featuring a mounting section wider than the barrier section, with strategically placed recesses or apertures to facilitate secure attachment behind a single wide tire without protruding beyond the tire's width, allowing for optimal aerodynamic alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual wide mud flap is mounted on a pre-existing mounting structure, then the mud flap can be securely attached, but the mud flap width exceeds the single wide tire width, causing aerodynamic drag
Solution Approach 1:
The mud flap is divided into two distinct sections: a mounting section with width W1 that extends beyond the barrier section width W2. This segmentation allows the mounting section to utilize the full width of the pre-existing mounting structure for secure attachment, while the barrier section maintains a reduced width that aligns with the single wide tire, minimizing aerodynamic drag.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the mud flap have different widths tailored to their specific functions. The mounting section has a greater width (W1) to ensure secure mounting on the pre-existing structure, while the barrier section has a reduced width (W2) to minimize aerodynamic interference with the single wide tire. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between mounting security and aerodynamic performance.
2Loss of energy
If a single wide tire is used to reduce aerodynamic drag, then fuel economy improves, but the existing mounting structure for dual wide mud flaps cannot accommodate the narrower mud flap
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting section is designed with a greater width (W1) that is compatible with the pre-existing mounting structure originally intended for dual wide mud flaps. This universal mounting section can accommodate both dual wide and single wide tire configurations, allowing the same mounting structure to support the narrower single wide mud flap while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mud flap design transitions from a uniform width to a variable width structure where the mounting section extends further in the width dimension than the barrier section. This dimensional variation allows the mud flap to interface with the pre-existing mounting structure while maintaining compatibility with the narrower single wide tire, thus resolving the adaptability issue.
3Strength
If three or more fasteners are used to mount the mud flap, then the attachment strength is sufficient, but the mounting section width must be increased to accommodate the fastener pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting section is segmented into a functional mounting portion with greater width (W1) that accommodates the fastener pattern, and a barrier section with reduced width (W2) that aligns with the tire. This segmentation allows the mounting section to be wider than the barrier section, providing sufficient attachment strength while maintaining the overall aerodynamic benefits of the narrower barrier section.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure include a mud flap for a vehicle having a mounting section and a barrier section. The barrier section is configured to deflect matter discharged from a tire during vehicle operation. The width of the mounting section is greater than the width of the barrier section. The mounting section optionally includes a first set of mounting features, each of the mounting features forming a recess or aperture. One mounting feature of the first set of mounting features is arranged at and/or beyond a widthwise extent of the barrier section width. The one mounting feature is also arranged at least partially within a portion of the mounting section width extending outwardly from a widthwise extent of the barrier section width. Further embodiments include mounting a single wide mud flap on a vehicle configured to receive a dual wide mud flap.