Motor Vehicle Load Carrier Swivel Fixing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load carriers for motor vehicles lack a reliable mechanism to fix swivel parts in place, leading to swinging movements when driving over uneven terrain, which compromises the stability of loaded items such as bicycles or containers.

Innovation Solution

A swivel fixing device with projections engaging grooves along the pivot axis, allowing for pivotable fixing in a storage area and secure positioning in a loading frame holding area, utilizing tooth structures for precise adjustment and uniform load distribution across multiple pivoting positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the swivel part is made pivotable in the storage area, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to swinging movements when driving over uneven ground

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of pivotingVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel part is designed to be dynamically adjustable between two states: pivotable in the storage area for ease of operation, and fixed in the loading frame holding area for stability during transport. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A fixing device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the swivel part and the loading frame. This intermediary component enables the swivel part to be securely fixed in the loading frame holding area, preventing swinging movements while maintaining the ability to pivot in the storage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the swivel part is fixed pivotally in the loading frame holding area, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to limited adjustability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between fixed and pivotable states based on the position (storage area vs. loading frame holding area), resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the system have different properties: the storage area allows pivoting for ease of operation, while the loading frame holding area provides fixed positioning for stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple projections and grooves are provided for multiple pivoting positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pivoting positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of tooth structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is segmented into multiple discrete projection-groove pairs, each corresponding to a specific pivoting position. This segmentation allows for multiple adjustable positions while keeping each individual fixing element simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tooth structure with multiple projections and grooves serves multiple functions: it provides several fixed pivoting positions, ensures secure fixing at each position, and maintains a relatively simple overall design. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1995119B1Load carrier for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2012.05.30 WESTFALIA AUTOMOTIVE
  • EP1995119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1995119B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1995119B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The load carrier has a loading frame (12) provided for carrying load, which projects rearward before section of the vehicle (11) in an operating position of the loading frame (10) and provides a loading area for loading a load. A pivot part (18a,18d) is relocated axially along the pivot axis between the loading frame loading area and a loading frame holding area of the loading frame. A pivot part is fixed in the loading frame holding area relative to the loading frame.