Breakaway Recovery Hook Mounting for Towing and Rear Collisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recovery hooks do not effectively prevent damage during rearward collisions by failing to detach from the vehicle, potentially causing harm to other vehicles, and lack a mechanism to securely attach at multiple points for towing.
Innovation Solution
A recovery hook assembly with a ring and base portion that uses vertically and horizontally oriented fasteners to securely attach to a bracket on the vehicle's frame, allowing detachment during rearward forces, such as in collisions, while maintaining attachment during forward towing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the recovery hook is rigidly attached to the vehicle frame, then towing strength and stability are improved, but damage to other vehicles during rearward collisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into multiple fasteners (first fastener through fourth fastener) positioned at different locations and orientations. These fasteners can fail independently, allowing progressive detachment during rearward collisions while maintaining secure attachment during normal towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery hook assembly transitions from a static rigid attachment to a dynamic failure system where fasteners can detach under specific force conditions. The vertically oriented first fastener and horizontally oriented second fastener create different failure modes that allow the assembly to respond differently to forward towing forces versus rearward collision forces.
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the recovery hook, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first fastener serves dual functions: it provides primary vertical attachment during normal towing operations and acts as a failure point during rearward collisions. The second fastener similarly provides horizontal attachment while serving as an additional security mechanism that can fail independently. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fasteners are arranged in a nested configuration where the first fastener (vertically oriented) and second fastener (horizontally oriented) intersect and provide redundant attachment. The bracket structure with its aperture and slots creates a nested arrangement where fasteners are positioned at different levels and orientations, allowing compact integration of multiple attachment points.
Data Source
AI summary
A recovery hook assembly includes a recovery hook fastened to a vehicle frame by a vertically oriented fastener and a horizontally oriented fastener, which connect the recovery hook to the vehicle at three connection points. When the recovery hook is pulled in the forward direction, the recovery hook remains connected to the vehicle to allow the vehicle to be towed. When the recovery hook is pushed in a rearward direction, the recovery hook moves rearward and can break away from the vehicle, thus maintaining crash performance of the vehicle.