Firefighting Vehicle Accessory Mounting With Nested Auxiliary Receiver
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firefighting robotic vehicles lack the ability to efficiently attach multiple accessories without consuming additional space due to limited space and interference with existing components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle accessory with an auxiliary receiver that allows for the attachment of additional accessories, such as a winch and hose manager, by utilizing an attachment assembly with a base, insert, and auxiliary receiver, enabling multiple accessories to be attached without occupying extra space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single accessory is attached to the vehicle receiver, then the accessory can be securely mounted and operated, but no additional accessories can be attached without occupying extra space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested attachment structure where an auxiliary receiver is integrated within the vehicle accessory itself. The auxiliary receiver is positioned on the base of the attachment assembly, allowing a second accessory to be attached to the first accessory rather than directly to the vehicle receiver. This nesting approach enables multiple accessories to be mounted in a hierarchical fashion without requiring additional external space on the vehicle body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is densely populated with componentry, then the vehicle structure is compact and stable, but there is little to no extra space available for attaching additional accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional attachment plane (the vehicle receiver surface) to a three-dimensional hierarchical structure. By integrating the auxiliary receiver within the volume of the first accessory's base, the system utilizes the vertical and depth dimensions rather than requiring additional horizontal space on the vehicle body. This dimensional transformation allows accessories to be stacked or layered without increasing the vehicle's overall footprint.
3Ease of operation
If the receiver is occupied by one accessory, then that accessory is securely mounted, but the receiver cannot accommodate another accessory simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the accessory attachment system into multiple independent attachment points. The primary accessory attaches to the vehicle receiver through one attachment assembly, while the auxiliary accessory attaches to the first accessory through a separate auxiliary receiver and its own attachment assembly. This segmentation creates functionally independent attachment interfaces, allowing each accessory to be installed, removed, or configured independently without interfering with the other attachment points.
Data Source
AI summary
A firefighting vehicle includes a firefighting vehicle body constructed and arranged to perform firefighting operations, a vehicle receiver coupled with the firefighting vehicle body, and a vehicle accessory which includes equipment constructed and arranged to operate while attached to firefighting vehicle body, and an attachment assembly constructed and arranged to attach the equipment to the firefighting vehicle body. The attachment assembly includes a base constructed and arranged to support the equipment and an insert coupled with the base. The insert is constructed and arranged to engage with the vehicle receiver. The attachment assembly further includes an auxiliary receiver coupled with the base. The auxiliary receiver is constructed and arranged to engage with an insert of an auxiliary accessory that is different from the vehicle accessory.