Hinge Mount System for Utility Vehicle Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accessory mounts for off-road vehicles, such as Jeep and Wrangler models, often require the removal of doors or windshields to be installed, preventing simultaneous use of these features with the mounts.
Innovation Solution
An accessory mount design featuring hard mounting points, a body mount portion, a lateral support portion, and a pivot portion that allows for attachment to hinged interfaces like fold-down windshields, enabling the use of both moving members and accessories simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If accessory mounts are installed using hinge assemblies that attach to door frames, then the accessory mounts can be securely attached to the vehicle, but the doors cannot be simultaneously attached or operated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting bracket as an intermediary component that attaches to the vehicle body at locations away from the door hinge interface. This bracket serves as a mediator that provides secure accessory mounting without interfering with the door's attachment points or operation, thus resolving the conflict between strong attachment and door usability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into separate functional components: the mounting bracket attached to the vehicle body, the accessory mount attached to the bracket, and the door hinge assembly remaining independent. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with others, particularly allowing door operation to proceed independently while accessories remain mounted
2Adaptability or versatility
If doors or windshields are removed to install accessory mounts, then the accessory mounts can be installed on hinged interfaces, but the moving members cannot be used simultaneously with the mounts
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with universal applicability to attach to various vehicle body locations without requiring removal of moving members. The bracket serves multiple functions: providing a stable mounting base, accommodating different accessory types, and coexisting with door and windshield operations, thus achieving versatility without sacrificing usability
3Ease of manufacture
If existing accessory mounts are used that require door removal for installation, then the mounts can be attached to the vehicle exterior, but additional time and effort are required for installation and removal of doors
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-installed on the vehicle body at appropriate locations before accessories are mounted. This preliminary action eliminates the need to remove doors or windshields during accessory installation, as the bracket provides a ready-made mounting interface that is accessible and independent of moving member positions, thus saving significant installation and removal time
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
Enables the attachment of accessories while maintaining the functionality of doors and windshields, providing enhanced storage and access options without the need for removal of these vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
a pivot portion connected to and extending from the lateral support portion, the pivot portion being configured to connect to a moving member of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A door hinge bracket for a vehicle having a door and a door frame, the door hinge bracket includes: a door flange arranged against an outside surface of the vehicle, the door flange having a hard mounting point; a body mount portion configured to connect to the door frame of the vehicle; and a pivot portion extending between the door flange and the body mount portion, the pivot portion being configured to connect to the door of the vehicle. The hard mounting point is configured to accept an accessory bracket and the accessory bracket is configured to accept one or more accessories.