Flexible Flap Assembly with Ratchet Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mud flaps on trucks often detach due to road vibrations and adverse weather, leading to costly and time-consuming replacements, and drivers may forego replacement to avoid delays or fines, especially in the trucking industry where timely delivery is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A flexible flap assembly with a flap body made from durable, rollable polymeric material and attachment members like cable ties with ratchets, allowing tool-free mounting and dismounting behind vehicle wheels, along with a carrying case and reminder tag for easy storage and recall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mud flaps are used, then they provide basic protection against road debris, but they detach due to road vibrations and adverse weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from rigid conventional mud flaps to a flexible flap assembly that can dynamically adapt to vibrations and weather conditions. The flexible material allows the flap to move with road vibrations rather than breaking away, while the ratchet mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism enables the mud flap to self-adjust and self-secure without external intervention. Once installed, the ratchet automatically maintains secure attachment and allows for easy release when needed, eliminating the need for tools or specialized installation procedures.
2Reliability
If conventional mud flaps are replaced, then protection is restored, but it requires specialized tools and causes time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is designed to be operated by hand without any tools. The user can simply pull the release tab to open the ratchet and remove the flap, or manually advance the ratchet to secure it, making the entire replacement process tool-free and rapid.
Solution Approach 2:
The mud flap system is divided into separable components: the flexible flap body and the ratchet attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows the flap to be quickly detached and reattached without affecting the mounting structure or requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Loss of time
If conventional mud flaps are not replaced, then time is saved, but legal compliance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tool-free ratchet mechanism enables drivers to quickly comply with regulations during brief stops without needing to schedule maintenance or call for service, making regulatory compliance as convenient as any other routine truck operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible flap assembly with ratchet is designed as a pre-assembled unit that requires no preparation or special tools for installation. Drivers can keep replacement flaps onboard and immediately install them when needed, eliminating delays associated with ordering or scheduling repairs.
4Ease of operation
If flexible material is used, then ease of installation is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines flexible flap material with a mechanical ratchet attachment mechanism. The flexible material provides ease of installation and adaptability, while the rigid ratchet mechanism supplies the necessary structural strength and secure attachment to withstand road vibrations and weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible flap material dynamically absorbs vibrations and environmental stresses, while the ratchet mechanism provides static structural support. This dynamic-composite approach allows the system to maintain both flexibility for easy installation and strength for reliable operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible flap assembly configured to be mounted behind a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The flexible flap assembly includes a flap body portion, the flap body portion being formed from a flexible material; and a plurality of attachment members operatively coupled to an upper end region of the flap body portion, the plurality of attachment members being in the form of a plurality of retaining straps. The flexible flap assembly is configured to be releasably mounted to a portion of the vehicle using the plurality of attachment members. In one or more embodiments, the flexible flap assembly is provided as part of a kit, which also includes a carrying case and a flap reminder tag. A method of using the flexible flap kit is also disclosed.