Integrated Flat Tow Adapter for Easy Vehicle Frame Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles require the installation of aftermarket flat tow base plates on the front bumper, which is time-consuming, complex, and costly, as it necessitates the removal of several front-end components to access attachment points for flat towing.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle design that incorporates a built-in tow bar attachment point, featuring a body structure with a front side member support, bumper beam, and front side member plate, which includes a nut fastener and a towing bracket adapter that can be threadingly coupled to facilitate easy attachment of a tow bar for flat towing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an aftermarket flat tow base plate is installed on the front bumper, then the vehicle can be flat-towed, but the installation is time-consuming, complex, and costly requiring removal of front-end components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflat tow capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The towing bracket adapter is pre-integrated into the vehicle's body structure during manufacturing, with nut fasteners already positioned and ready for attachment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex aftermarket installation procedures and component removal, allowing owners to simply thread the towing bracket onto the exposed nut fastener.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The towing bracket adapter is designed as a separate, removable component that can be easily attached and detached from the body structure. The towing bracket itself can be removed from the adapter when not in use, allowing the system to be stored compactly and eliminating the need for permanent modification of the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an aftermarket flat tow base plate is installed on the front bumper, then the vehicle can be flat-towed, but the installation is costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflat tow capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nut fasteners are designed to serve dual purposes: they attach structural components during vehicle assembly and also serve as attachment points for the towing bracket adapter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive aftermarket base plates and reduces installation costs by utilizing existing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The towing bracket adapter is designed as an affordable, simple component that can be easily manufactured and installed. The system uses basic threaded fasteners and simple metal brackets rather than complex engineered solutions, making it cost-effective for both manufacturing and installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of time

If a built-in tow bar attachment point is provided, then installation time is reduced, but the body structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidbody structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The towing system is divided into separate functional segments: the body structure with integrated nut fasteners, the towing bracket adapter, and the removable towing bracket. This segmentation allows the attachment points to be built-in during manufacturing without complicating the overall body structure, while enabling quick assembly and disassembly of the towing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The towing bracket adapter serves as an intermediary component that connects the permanently integrated nut fasteners to the removable towing bracket. This mediator allows the body structure to remain relatively simple while still providing built-in attachment capability, as the adapter handles the complexity of the connection interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution eliminates the need for aftermarket flat tow base plates, reducing installation time and complexity while providing aesthetically pleasing and easily accessible tow bar attachment points without disassembling major vehicle components.

Implementation Method 1

The nut fastener can be welded to the front side member plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

a towing bracket adapter threadingly coupled to the nut fastener

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS20250135812A1Systems and methods for a vehicle frame with an integrated flat tow adapter

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle configured to be flat towed. The vehicle includes a body structure including a front side member support having an end portion and a bumper beam mounted to the end portion. The body structure further includes a front side member plate mounted to the end portion of the front side member support. A towing bracket can be mounted to the vehicle via the front side member plate. A nut fastener can be mounted to the front side member plate whereby a towing bracket adapter is threadingly (e.g., removably) coupled to the nut fastener. A towing bracket can be attached directly to the front side member plate (e.g., via a weld). A flat tow base plate can also be mounted to the body structure via a fastener (e.g., a bolt).