Front Fender Cover Retaining Member for Unlocked State Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front fender cover attachment structures on utility vehicles do not provide a clear indication when the cover is not locked, leading to potential unnoticed unlocking situations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a retaining member, such as a spring coil member, attached to the front fender or fender cover, which retains the cover at a predetermined distance from the fender when it is not locked, allowing users to easily notice the unlocked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the front fender cover is inserted to the first end of the front fender without a retaining member, then the attachment structure is simple, but the user cannot readily notice when the cover is not locked
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining member is introduced as an intermediary component between the front fender cover and the front fender. This retaining member provides visual indication of the locking state without fundamentally changing the insertion-based attachment mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between information loss and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member utilizes color changes or visual position changes to indicate the locking state. When the front fender cover is locked, the retaining member is positioned in one location; when unlocked, it moves to a different position, providing clear visual feedback to the user without adding complex electronic or mechanical indication systems.
2Reliability
If the retaining member is positioned far from the lock members, then it provides clear visual indication, but it cannot effectively retain the front fender cover
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is positioned at a specific location that optimizes both retention effectiveness and visual indication. It is placed adjacent to the lock members, which provides clear visual feedback while maintaining sufficient proximity to effectively retain the front fender cover, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and information loss.
3Strength
If the retaining member is attached with separate bolts, then it has secure attachment, but the attachment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment of the retaining member is merged with the existing bolt structure that attaches the front fender to the lower fender cover. The retaining member is jointly fastened by the same bolt, eliminating the need for separate attachment hardware and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
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 solution ensures users can readily identify when the front fender cover is not locked, enhancing safety and usability by providing a clear visual cue through the use of retaining members positioned adjacent to lock mechanisms and attached with existing bolts, while also preventing scratches and maintaining the cover's structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a retaining member (95) configured to retain the front fender cover (93) at the second end of the front fender (91) at a predetermined distance from the front fender (91) in a state where the front fender cover (93) is inserted to the front fender (91) and is not locked
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment structure of a front fender cover of a utility vehicle, the attachment structure includes: a front fender; a front fender cover attached to the front fender by being inserted to a first end of the front fender and locked at a second end of the front fender; and a retaining member attached to the front fender or the front fender cover and configured to retain the front fender cover at the second end of the front fender at a predetermined distance from the front fender in a state where the front fender cover is inserted to the front fender and is not locked.