Detachable Tow Hook Assembly for Front-End Collision Impact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tow hooks on vehicles, being rigid, can cause significant impact during a front-end collision, potentially damaging both the vehicle and the barrier.

Innovation Solution

A detachable tow hook assembly with a tow hook body, support bracket, and disengagement bracket that allows the tow hook body to move and detach from the vehicle frame upon impact, reducing damage by deflecting and detaching from the frame when a predetermined force is exceeded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid tow hook is used to withstand large towing forces, then the towing strength is improved, but the impact force during front-end collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing strengthVSAvoidimpact force during collision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tow hook is designed with a pivotable connection to the vehicle frame, allowing it to rotate about a pivot point. This dynamic capability enables the tow hook to move during collision to reduce impact force, while maintaining structural integrity for towing operations when stationary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tow hook incorporates a curved profile with specific geometric parameters (radius of curvature, angle of curvature) that allow it to deform or pivot under impact loads. This changes the mechanical response from rigid to semi-flexible, reducing impact force while maintaining towing strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a rigid tow hook is used to remain secured to the vehicle during towing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases with detaching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring reliability during towingVSAvoiddetaching mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tow hook assembly is divided into separate components: the tow hook body, the support bracket with pivot connection, and the fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while simplifying the overall detaching mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support bracket serves as an intermediary component between the tow hook body and the vehicle frame. This intermediary provides the pivot connection and mounting interface, simplifying the attachment and detaching operations while maintaining reliable securing during towing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12617247B2Tow hook assemblies and vehicles including same

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A tow hook assembly includes a tow hook body, a support bracket, and a disengagement bracket. The tow hook body includes a leading end, an opposite rear end, and an angled portion sloping downwardly in a direction opposite the leading end. A rear open-ended hole is formed in the rear end. A front open-ended hole is formed in the support bracket. A front fastener extends through the front open-ended hole formed in the support bracket to removably couple the tow hook body to the support bracket, and engagement member received within the rear open-ended hole formed in the tow hook body to removably couple the disengagement bracket to the tow hook body.