Quick-Release Grill Guard Latching for Pivoting Truck Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trucks, such as semi-trucks and tractor trailers, face significant repair costs due to grill damage from collisions with deer and other road hazards, necessitating an inexpensive and effective protection method for their grills.
Innovation Solution
A quick release grill guard system comprising a grill guard assembly with a latching system, including a grill guard coupling portion, a vehicle coupling portion, a hinge, and a release member, allowing the grill guard to be easily pivoted away from the grill for protection and easy reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grill guard is installed to protect the truck grill from collisions, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grill guard system is divided into modular components including the grill guard assembly, coupling portions, latching system, and hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows for easier installation, maintenance, and quick release while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill guard incorporates a hinge mechanism that enables dynamic movement between attached and detached states. The quick release latching system allows the guard to be rapidly deployed or removed, providing adaptive protection based on operational needs.
2Reliability
If a permanent grill guard is installed, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grill guard is designed with a hinge and quick release latching system that enables easy attachment and detachment. This dynamic design allows operators to quickly install or remove the guard as needed, maintaining both protection effectiveness and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the grill guard assembly and the vehicle coupling portions. It provides a simple interface for quick attachment and detachment, making the system easy to operate while maintaining secure connection during use.
3Ease of operation
If a quick release mechanism is added to enable easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick release mechanism is segmented into distinct components including the release member, latching portion, and coupling portions. This modular approach allows for simple individual parts that are easy to manufacture and maintain, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching system is designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, with the release member directly actuating the latching portion without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. This self-service design simplifies operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a quick release grill guard further comprising at least one latching system configured for the quick release and pivot of the grill guard away from the vehicle grill face. In certain embodiments, the quick release grill guard further comprises a grill guard coupling portion, a vehicle coupling portion, a latching portion a hinge, a quick release bar; and a clasping member. In certain embodiments, the grill guard coupling portion is capable of being freely pivoted relative to the hinge by actuation of the clasping member by way of the quick release bar. In exemplary embodiments, the quick release bar is in operable communication with multiple latching systems so as to release the grill guard in a plurality of locations simultaneously.