Integrated Safety Net for Recreational Vehicle Door

Solution Overview

Problem

Recreational vehicle riders face serious bodily injuries due to the lack of effective safety features, particularly during roll-overs, as existing safety systems are often cumbersome, weight/size restricted, and frequently not secured properly, leading to exposure of limbs and body parts.

Innovation Solution

An integrated safety net system is coupled to the rear-hinged door and chassis of a recreational vehicle, providing upper and lower safety nets that move cooperatively with the door, minimizing operational steps for securing and unsecuring, and featuring adjustable straps for flexibility and tension adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional safety devices and systems are incorporated into recreational vehicles, then rider safety is improved, but device complexity and operational steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverider safetyVSAvoidsafety system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety net is integrated with the door assembly, combining two separate safety functions (door operation and net deployment) into a single unified system. The net is attached to the door and moves with it, eliminating the need for separate net installation and operation steps while maintaining comprehensive rider protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door assembly serves multiple functions: it provides entry/exit access to the vehicle and simultaneously deploys the safety net when opened. This multi-functional design consolidates safety features into existing vehicle components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple safety components are required for entry and exit, then rider protection is enhanced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverider protectionVSAvoidentry and exit convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The safety net is integrated with the door assembly, combining two separate safety functions (door operation and net deployment) into a single unified system. The net is attached to the door and moves with it, eliminating the need for separate net installation and operation steps while maintaining comprehensive rider protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety net is pre-positioned and attached to the door assembly, so that it is automatically deployed when the door is opened. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for riders to manually install or activate the net at the moment of entry, simplifying the operation while ensuring protection is in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If safety devices are made more comprehensive, then injury prevention is improved, but weight and size restrictions are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury preventionVSAvoidsafety system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The safety net is integrated with the door assembly, combining two separate safety functions (door operation and net deployment) into a single unified system. The net is attached to the door and moves with it, eliminating the need for separate net installation and operation steps while maintaining comprehensive rider protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety net utilizes a flexible mesh material that provides comprehensive coverage and protection while maintaining minimal weight and bulk. This thin film approach allows the safety system to be integrated into the door assembly without significant weight penalties, unlike rigid protective structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20130161931A1Integrated safety net for vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.06.27 ARCTIC CAT INC

AI summary

An integrated safety net system for a recreational vehicle having a chassis with a step-through door opening. They safety net system includes a door having a forward end and a rearward end, and a hinge coupled between the rearward end of the door and the chassis of the vehicle. Upper and lower safety nets are coupled to the door forward of the hinge and coupled to the chassis of the vehicle on or rearward of the rearward side of the door opening. The safety net and the door are collectively and cooperatively movable as the rear-hinged door moves to the open position or closed position. The door includes a latch at the forward end of the door to provide one operational step to release or secure the door and the integrated safety nets to the chassis upon ingress or egress of the vehicle.