Foldable Bumper Protector with Wheel Well Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bumper protectors are difficult to mount and store on vehicles due to their cumbersome design.
Innovation Solution
A bumper protector with a cushioning portion, foldable support arms, and adjustable mounting brackets that can be secured to the vehicle's wheel wells and trunk surface, allowing for easy deployment and stowage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bumper protectors are designed with rigid structures and fixed mounting components, then they provide stable protection, but they become difficult to mount and store
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are divided into multiple segments that can fold relative to each other, allowing the structure to be compact for storage yet extendable for mounting. The mounting brackets are also segmented with foldable portions that can be positioned independently to fit different bumper configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper protector transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The support arms and mounting brackets can change their configuration between deployed and stowed states, providing both stability when mounted and ease of storage when not in use.
2Device complexity
If bumper protectors use fixed non-adjustable mounting brackets, then they are simple in design, but they cannot adapt to different vehicle bumper shapes and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are designed with foldable portions that can be adjusted to different angles and positions. This dynamic structure allows the brackets to adapt to various bumper shapes and wheel well configurations while maintaining a simple folded state for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets can change their geometric parameters (angle, position, orientation) through folding mechanisms, allowing them to conform to different vehicle-specific dimensions and configurations without requiring multiple different bracket designs.
3Strength
If bumper protectors are made with large rigid support arms, then they provide adequate structural support, but they are difficult to store in vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are divided into multiple segments connected by foldable joints. When not in use, these segments can be folded together to reduce the overall volume significantly, while maintaining the full structural length and support capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable support arms can be nested or folded into a compact configuration that fits within the cushioning portion or vehicle storage spaces. The segments can be folded into each other similar to a nested doll structure, minimizing storage volume while preserving full extension capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper protector for mounting to a vehicle includes a cushioning portion configured to abut a bumper of the vehicle. A main mounting strap is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to be secured to the vehicle. A first support arm is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to extend around a first corner of the bumper. A first mounting bracket is carried by the first support arm, and the first mounting bracket is configured to extend into a first wheel well of the vehicle and be secured to the vehicle. A second support arm is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to extend around a second corner of the bumper. A second mounting bracket is carried by the second support arm, and the second mounting bracket is configured to extend into a second wheel well of the vehicle and be secured to the vehicle.