Force-Divering Tail Light Guard for Off-Road Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tail light guards for off-road vehicles fail to prevent breakage of tail lights during impacts, as they transfer force directly to the tail light structure, leading to potential non-functionality.
Innovation Solution
A tail light guard with a base positioned between the tail light structure and the vehicle body, and a clamshell-style cage that surrounds the tail light, deflects debris and absorbs impact forces, redirecting them to the vehicle body, thereby isolating the tail light from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing tail light guards attach directly to the tail light structure with screws or adhesive tape, then the guard can be securely mounted to protect against debris, but the force of impact is transferred directly to the tail light causing breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base as an intermediary component between the tail light structure and the vehicle body. The base is mounted to the vehicle body rather than directly to the tail light, serving as a mediator that prevents direct force transfer to the tail light structure during impacts while still providing secure mounting for the protective cage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mounting function from the tail light structure itself by using a separate base that attaches to the vehicle body. This separation removes the tail light structure from the direct path of impact forces, allowing the guard to remain securely mounted without compromising tail light integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tail light guard is made with a strong cage structure, then it can effectively deflect flying debris, but it transfers impact force directly to the tail light during serious collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The base acts as a mediator that intercepts impact forces before they reach the tail light structure. The cage remains strong for debris deflection, but the base absorbs and redirects impact forces to the vehicle body, preventing direct force transfer to the tail light.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful impact force into a beneficial outcome by directing it through the base into the vehicle body structure, which is designed to absorb such forces. The strong cage continues to deflect debris while the base manages impact forces, turning potential tail light damage into controlled structural loading.
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 continued functionality of the tail light even after impacts, as the force is diverted around the tail light structure and absorbed by the vehicle body, maintaining operational safety in off-road environments.
Implementation Method 1
The bars of the cage function to deflect flying debris that might break the tail light structure
Implementation Method 2
in the event of a serious impact to the cage, the force of the impact is transferred through the cage, around the tail light, to the base, and directly into the body of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
the force of an impact is not transferred to tail light or its lenses, thereby avoiding breakage
Data Source
AI summary
A force-diverting tail light guard is disclosed for a vehicle having tail lights that project from the body of the vehicle with each tail light having a vehicle facing surface and a rear-facing surface joined by sides. The tail light guard has a base configured to be mounted against the body of the vehicle surrounding the tail light. The base may include a plate that at least partially covers the vehicle-facing surface of the tail light. A cage is configured to be mated to the base and at least partially covers at least the rear-facing surface of the tail light. The base and cage, when mated together around the tail light, at least partially surround the tail light. Attachment structures are disclosed for mounting the tail light guard to the body of the vehicle surrounding the tail light. The tail light guard is configured to divert external forces due to impact around the tail light and directly to the body of the vehicle to prevent impacts from breaking the tail light or rendering the tail light inoperable.