Breakaway Winch Bracket Resolving Collision Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid mounting of winch brackets on vehicles prevents deformation during collisions, leading to high input loads and inadequate energy absorption.

Innovation Solution

A breakaway winch bracket design with hook-shaped members that allows high rigidity in one direction and low rigidity in another, enabling the bracket to separate and rotate during collisions, allowing the bumper to absorb energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the winch bracket is rigidly mounted to the vehicle frame, then the bracket strength and durability are improved, but the vehicle's ability to absorb collision energy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket strengthVSAvoidcollision energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arrangement transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system where the winch bracket can rotate relative to the vehicle frame during collision events. The bracket remains fixed during normal operation but allows controlled rotation when subjected to impact forces, enabling energy absorption while maintaining structural integrity during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its mechanical parameters (rigidity) based on operating conditions. During normal operation, the bracket maintains high rigidity for strength and stability. During collision events, the bracket allows rotation to change the effective rigidity, enabling energy absorption. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between needing strength and needing energy absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the winch bracket is rigidly mounted to the vehicle frame, then the mounting stability is improved, but the bracket's ability to allow bumper deformation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidcollision load transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arrangement provides stable mounting during normal operation through the fastening mechanism, but dynamically allows rotation during collision events. This dynamic behavior enables the bumper to deform and absorb energy while the winch bracket remains securely mounted during normal vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the winch bracket is mounted with high rigidity in all directions, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmounting arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: fastening elements for secure attachment and rotating elements for collision response. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, maintaining structural strength while managing complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9334144B2Breakaway winch bracket and method of mounting same

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A winch bracket assembly and method of mounting same on an associated vehicle includes a winch bracket extending from an end of a frame of the vehicle. A mounting arrangement secures the winch bracket to the frame of the associated vehicle and allows the winch bracket to have high rigidity relative to the frame in a first direction and a different, low rigidity relative to the frame in a second direction.