Hidden Vehicle Winch Assembly With Windowed Bumper Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winch assemblies mounted on vehicles either compromise vehicle aerodynamics and aesthetics or sacrifice visibility and access to the winch line when configured for a hidden installation.
Innovation Solution
A hidden winch assembly is mounted feet-up-and-forward to and behind a bumper structure of a vehicle, with controls routed to the cabin or remote and the winch line routed through the bumper structure. A viewing window through the bumper or fascia component provides visibility and access to the winch line, and an access panel in the skid plate allows access from underneath the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the winch assembly is mounted in a hidden configuration within the internal space of the vehicle, then vehicle aerodynamics and aesthetics are improved, but visibility and access to the winch line from outside the vehicle are sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper structure is segmented to include a viewing window that is selectively coverable by an associated door or panel. This allows the bumper to maintain its aerodynamic shape while providing segmented access - the window can be opened or covered depending on whether visibility or aesthetics is the priority
Solution Approach 2:
The associated door or panel is made movable between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic adjustment between visibility mode (door open) and aesthetics mode (door closed). This dynamic element resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements
2Shape
If the winch assembly is mounted in a hidden configuration within the internal space of the vehicle, then vehicle aesthetics are improved, but access to the winch assembly for maintenance is sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented access points - the viewing window with its associated door or panel provides one access route, while the access panel in the skid plate provides a second access route from underneath the vehicle. This segmentation allows maintenance access without compromising the hidden configuration aesthetics
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing access only from the front (which would compromise aesthetics), the system adds access from another dimension - underneath the vehicle through the skid plate access panel. This multi-dimensional access approach maintains the hidden configuration while enabling easy maintenance
3Ease of operation
If the winch assembly is mounted feet-down on an exterior bumper structure in an open configuration, then access to controls and visibility of the winch line are provided, but vehicle aerodynamics and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the winch assembly feet-down (traditional configuration), the patent inverts the mounting orientation to feet-up-and-forward. This inversion allows the winch assembly to be positioned within the internal space of the vehicle, improving aerodynamics and aesthetics while maintaining functionality through the viewing window and access panels
Data Source
AI summary
A hidden winch assembly for a vehicle, including: a winch assembly including a mounting structure defining a plurality of mounting points disposed on one side of the winch assembly; and a bumper structure including a mounting plate disposed on a back side of the bumper structure, wherein the mounting plate is disposed at an angle between a vertical plane of the vehicle and a horizontal plane of the vehicle; wherein the mounting structure of the winch assembly is coupled to the mounting plate of the bumper structure at the plurality of mounting points via a plurality of fasteners. A top portion of the bumper structure and/or the surrounding fascia component(s) define an opening through which the winch assembly can be viewed and/or accessed from an exterior of the vehicle. The opening includes one of a fixed panel, a removable access panel, a pivotable access panel, and a translatable access panel.