Vehicle Hand Rail Bracket With Directional Load Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hand rail support structures fail to effectively manage loads applied in different directions, leading to unintended motion during vehicle operations such as changes in direction, acceleration, or deceleration, which can result in inadequate support for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly for vehicles featuring a bracket coupled to a structural portion with a channel, where the hand rail is secured and configured to prevent motion in one direction while allowing relative motion in another direction when a specific load threshold is exceeded, utilizing a flange or geometric features to manage loads and absorb impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the hand rail is rigidly fixed to prevent all motion, then support stability is improved, but the structure cannot absorb impact loads during vehicle maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with asymmetric constraint features that allow the hand rail to be constrained in vertical and lateral directions during normal operation, while permitting controlled motion in the longitudinal direction to absorb impact loads during vehicle maneuvers. This dynamic constraint system transitions from a static rigid connection to a controlled movable connection based on load direction and magnitude.
2Strength
If the bracket allows motion in all directions to absorb impact, then impact absorption is improved, but support stability during normal use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates different geometric features at different locations: a first geometric feature that prevents vertical and lateral motion to ensure stability during normal use, and a second geometric feature that allows controlled longitudinal motion to absorb impact loads. This local differentiation of constraint properties resolves the contradiction between stability and impact absorption.
3Ease of manufacture
If a symmetric constraint structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but directional load management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs asymmetric geometric features where the first geometric feature (for vertical/lateral constraint) and the second geometric feature (for longitudinal motion allowance) are intentionally designed with different shapes, sizes, and orientations. This asymmetry enables the bracket to differentiate between normal operational loads and impact loads, providing superior adaptability while remaining manufacturable using standard processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly includes a bracket coupled to a structural portion. The bracket is configured to prevent relative motion between the end portion and the bracket when a first load is applied in a first direction, and the bracket is configured to allow relative motion between the end portion and the bracket when a second load is applied in a second direction that is different than the first direction. In some implementations, relative motion may be allowed when the second load exceeds a threshold value.