Integrated Grab Bar Assembly for Vehicle Frame Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers in vehicles traveling on unimproved or unmarked paths experience substantial jostling, which existing grab bars do not adequately address for improved comfort and stability.
Innovation Solution
A grab bar assembly is integrated into the vehicle's frame assembly, with left and right grab bars attached to cage side members and a center hold member, extending between them, to provide additional support and stability for passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing grab bars are used in vehicles, then passengers can grasp them for support, but they do not adequately address substantial jostling experienced on unimproved paths
Solution Approach 1:
The grab bar assembly is merged with the vehicle frame assembly by attaching the left and right grab bars to the cage side members that form part of the frame structure. This integration ensures that the grab bars move with the frame during jostling, providing reliable support points that maintain their position relative to the vehicle body even when the vehicle encounters rough terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The grab bars are designed with curved surfaces that conform to the natural grip of human hands. This curvature provides ergonomic contact points that distribute force more effectively across the passenger's hand and fingers, improving grip stability and comfort during vehicle jostling on unimproved paths.
2Ease of operation
If grab bars are added to the vehicle frame, then passenger comfort and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage side members of the frame assembly serve dual functions: they provide the structural framework for the vehicle and simultaneously serve as mounting structures for the grab bars. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or additional structural elements, thereby improving passenger comfort without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grab bar assembly is segmented into left and right grab bars that can be independently attached to the respective cage side members. This segmentation allows for simplified installation and maintenance, as each grab bar can be installed or replaced without affecting the other side of the vehicle, thereby managing complexity through modular design.
3Strength
If grab bars are attached to the crossmember, then structural strength and rigidity are enhanced, but the attachment locations must be precisely spaced
Solution Approach 1:
The crossmember is designed with pre-formed attachment points or mounting features at the appropriate locations before the grab bars are installed. This preliminary preparation ensures that the attachment points are precisely positioned according to design specifications, achieving the required frame rigidity without requiring complex measurement and positioning procedures during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The left and right grab bars are attached at locations that are equally spaced from the center portion of the crossmember, creating a symmetric configuration. This equipotential arrangement ensures balanced load distribution across the frame structure, maximizing structural efficiency and rigidity while simplifying the manufacturing process through repetitive, standardized attachment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle assembly can include a frame assembly, a grab bar assembly, a vehicle seat and a crossmember. The frame assembly can define a passenger area and include a left cage side member and a right cage side member. The grab bar assembly can include a left grab bar attached to and extending from the left cage side member and a right grab bar attached to and extending from the right cage side member. The crossmember can be connected to the vehicle seat so as to support the vehicle seat. The crossmember can have a center portion. The left grab bar can be attached to the crossmember at a first location of the crossmember. The right grab bar can be attached to the crossmember at a second location of the crossmember. The first location and the second location can be equally spaced from the center portion.