Vehicle Load Carrier Attachment Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carrier attachment arrangements for vehicles with rearward facing doors or tailgates are not universally suitable and lack robustness against upward forces, such as those encountered when driving over bumps.
Innovation Solution
An improved attachment arrangement featuring a first upper attachment member and a first lower attachment member, where the upper member includes an engaging portion that interacts with the vehicle's upper surface to prevent upward movement, allowing for design flexibility and enhanced stability by potentially engaging with a rear spoiler, and optionally incorporating adjustable components for secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the attachment arrangement uses a lower attachment member engaging with a downwardly facing edge of the tailgate, then it prevents upward movement, but it is not suitable for all types of tailgates lacking such edges
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment arrangement is designed to work with multiple tailgate configurations. The upper attachment member can engage with various surfaces (flat surfaces, edges, spoilers) while the lower attachment member provides additional anchoring points, making the system universally applicable to different vehicle types including minibuses, vans, station wagons, and SUVs with varying tailgate designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment arrangement is divided into separate upper and lower attachment members. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and configured to match specific tailgate geometries, providing flexibility in adapting to different vehicle designs while maintaining secure attachment through multiple discrete engagement points.
2Device complexity
If the attachment arrangement relies on the tailgate edge for upward force resistance, then it is simple in design, but it lacks robustness when driving over bumps
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the attachment arrangement have specialized functions: the upper attachment member is designed to resist upward forces from bump impacts, the lower attachment member provides additional anchoring, and engagement portions are positioned to interact with specific geometric features of the tailgate. This localized optimization of each component's properties enhances overall robustness while maintaining design simplicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the attachment members are positioned far apart vertically, then stability is improved, but the attachment arrangement becomes more complex to install
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment members are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing installers to optimize the vertical spacing between upper and lower members based on specific vehicle geometries and stability requirements. This dynamic adjustability enables optimization of attachment stability while simplifying the installation process through flexible configuration options.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a load carrier (2) for a vehicle (4) comprising an attachment arrangement (1) for attaching the load carrier (2) at a rearward facing door or tailgate (3) of the vehicle (4), the attachment arrangement (1) comprising, - a first upper attachment member (10) for attaching the load carrier to an upper portion (40) of the vehicle at the rearward facing door or tailgate, - a first lower attachment member (11) for attaching the load carrier to a lower portion (41) of the vehicle at the rearward facing door or tailgate, the lower portion (41) being provided below the upper portion (40), as seen in a vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, wherein the attachment arrangement (1) further comprises an engaging portion (12) being adapted to engage with a first surface (401) of the upper portion (40) of the vehicle (4) when the attachment arrangement (1) is attached to the vehicle (4), characterized in that, the engaging portion (12) is further adapted to engage with the first surface (401) such that the attachment arrangement (1) is prevented from being moved upwardly in the vertical direction (z) when the attachment arrangement (1) is attached to the vehicle (4).