Deployable Vehicle Side Guard Assembly for Perimeter Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle protection systems fail to effectively protect the sides, front, and back of vehicles from scratches, dents, and damage caused by contact with adjacent vehicles, shopping carts, and other objects, as they often require manual attachment, provide limited coverage, and are not capable of blocking heavy objects or adapting to various vehicle sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle protection system comprising vertically moveable guards connected by a lever, deployed and retracted using an actuator, which can be stored underneath the vehicle, and a linear force applicator to extend a protective plate from the bumper, providing comprehensive protection across the vehicle's perimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional manual door guards are attached to protect the vehicle side, then some damage prevention is achieved, but the protection is limited to narrow areas and requires manual attachment and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The door guard system transitions from static conventional guards to a dynamic deployable structure that can extend outward when needed and retract when not in use, automatically adapting to the protection requirements without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing door opening/closing motion to automatically trigger deployment and retraction of the guards, eliminating the need for manual attachment and removal by the user
2Adaptability or versatility
If narrow door guards extending less than one inch are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection coverage is insufficient for various vehicle shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The door guard is divided into multiple segments that can extend and articulate to cover different areas of the vehicle side, allowing the structure to adapt to various vehicle shapes and sizes while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable guard structure serves multiple functions: it provides extended protection coverage for different vehicle types, acts as a barrier against various objects (carts, other vehicles), and can be integrated with existing vehicle door mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional door guards are used, then some protection is provided, but they fail to protect the front and back of vehicles and only work when own vehicle door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines protection for the side, front, and back areas into an integrated deployable guard structure that can be activated by door motion to provide comprehensive perimeter protection across multiple vehicle surfaces
4Productivity
If manually attached door guards are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and convenience are reduced due to time required for attachment and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically deploys and retracts the door guards using the vehicle's own door opening/closing motion as the triggering mechanism, eliminating the time-consuming manual attachment and removal processes while the added mechanical complexity handles the automation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system offers automatic deployment and retraction, enhanced protection for a larger surface area, and the ability to withstand heavy objects, while being adaptable to different vehicle sizes and shapes, reducing the risk of damage and improving convenience compared to conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a linear force applicator to extend a protective plate from the bumper
Implementation Method 2
vertically moveable guards connected by a lever
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle side protector is disclosed. The vehicle external side protector vehicle external side protector has at least two 2-piece vertically moveable guards of a height from bottom of wheel to desired height up the vehicle and a connecting guard stretching from the first to the second vertically moveable guard. The 2-pieces of a vertically moveable guard are connected by a lever; and the length of the vehicle external side protector is less than the distance from the outer perimeter of a front wheel to the outer perimeter of a back wheel of a vehicle side to deploy and retract from underneath the vehicle and be stored underneath the vehicle in parallel plane to the vehicle's undercarriage. The vehicle external side protector rests on a track with an end point block; and connected to an actuator. Also disclosed are vehicle external front and back protectors.