External Chain Retention Device with Roller Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire chains and load-bearing chains face challenges in storage, as they become fouled by environmental elements and are either stored inside the vehicle, soiling it, or outside, where they are exposed to degradation and theft risks, with no effective solution to secure them safely and conveniently.
Innovation Solution
A chain retention device with a track member and elongated arm featuring rollers and guide surfaces, mounted externally on a vehicle, allowing for secure storage, easy access, and protection from environmental exposure, featuring a secure enclosure to prevent theft and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chains are stored inside the vehicle, then they are protected from environmental degradation and theft, but the interior of the vehicle becomes soiled
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the chain storage function from the vehicle interior and relocates it to an external mounting location. The retention device is mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle, allowing chains to be stored outside the cab while still secured and protected, thereby eliminating the soiling problem while maintaining security and protection from environmental degradation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chains are stored outside the vehicle, then the vehicle interior is protected from soiling, but chains become visible, unsecured, and at risk of theft
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device employs an asymmetric design where the mounting location and configuration are specifically tailored to the vehicle's exterior geometry. The device includes a mounting plate with specific attachment points and a retention mechanism that creates an asymmetric, secure configuration that is not easily accessible or visible from certain angles, thereby enhancing security while maintaining interior protection.
3Ease of operation
If chains are stored outside the vehicle, then access is convenient, but chains are continuously exposed to environmental elements accelerating degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it provides secure mounting to the vehicle exterior, offers easy access for chain loading and unloading through a user-friendly mechanism, and includes protective features such as a enclosed structure or cover that shields the chains from environmental elements like moisture and UV exposure, thereby extending chain life while maintaining operational convenience.
4Reliability
If a secure enclosure is added to prevent theft and damage, then chain protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a thin-walled enclosed structure or cover that provides protective enclosure for the chains. This thin-film approach offers adequate protection from theft and environmental damage while minimizing the added structural complexity and weight. The enclosure can be a simple box-like structure or a flexible cover that integrates with the existing retention device geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A chain retention device includes a track member configured to be mounted on an external surface of a vehicle. The track member includes at least two guide surfaces which extend along the track member and a first set of rollers mounted on the track member between the at least two guide surfaces. The chain retention device also includes an elongated arm including a second set of rollers and one or more chain support surfaces. The elongated arm is positioned between the at least two guide surfaces such that the second set of rollers is in contact with the track member, and the first set of rollers is in contact with the elongated arm.