Mudguard Attachment Assembly with Adjustable Arm and Fixation Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mudguard attachment solutions for heavy motor vehicles are inefficient for assembly-line mounting and lack versatility in vertical adjustment, as they are often customized post-assembly and do not accommodate various suspension types and regulations.

Innovation Solution

A vertically adjustable attachment assembly with predefined mudguard fixation and arm positions, allowing for stable and efficient mounting during assembly, featuring a bracket and arm securing mechanism that minimizes wear and allows for multiple vertical and lateral adjustments without modifying the mudguard or frame attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mudguards are mounted after assembly and adapted to individual trucks, then adaptability to different vehicle configurations is improved, but productivity and assembly efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different vehicle configurationsVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment assembly is pre-configured with multiple predefined arm positions and mudguard fixation positions during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the assembly to be mounted efficiently on the assembly line without requiring post-assembly customization, while still providing adaptability to different vehicle configurations through the predefined position options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment assembly incorporates adjustable arm positioning and mudguard fixation capabilities that allow dynamic adaptation to different vehicle configurations. The arm can be positioned at multiple predefined locations, and the mudguard can be fixed at different positions along the arm, enabling the same standardized assembly to adapt to various suspension types and vehicle requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If mudguards are mounted in-line during assembly, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to individual truck requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to individual truck requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment assembly is designed as a universal component that can be mounted in-line during assembly while maintaining adaptability to individual truck requirements. The standardized design with multiple predefined positions allows the same assembly to serve different vehicle configurations, suspension types, and regulatory requirements, eliminating the need for customized post-assembly modifications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment assembly incorporates adjustable features including multiple predefined arm positions and multiple mudguard fixation positions along the arm. This dynamic capability allows the standardized assembly to adapt to different vertical positions and vehicle configurations while being mounted efficiently during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment positions are provided for vertical positioning, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical positioning capabilityVSAvoidattachment assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment assembly is segmented into distinct components with predefined positions: multiple arm positions relative to the frame and multiple mudguard fixation positions along the arm. This segmentation allows for vertical positioning capability without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms, as each segment provides discrete predefined positions that can be selected based on vehicle requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If standardized attachment assembly is used for assembly-line mounting, then manufacturing precision and assembly efficiency are improved, but ease of operation for customization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidease of customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment assembly is pre-configured with multiple predefined arm positions and mudguard fixation positions during manufacturing, ensuring precise alignment and fit. This preliminary preparation maintains manufacturing precision while enabling easy customization, as the predefined positions allow operators to select and adjust to the appropriate configuration without requiring complex modification or alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3464032B1An attachment assembly for mounting a mudguard and a mudguard assembly
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 SCANIA CV AB
  • EP3464032B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3464032B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3464032B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6b

AI summary

An attachment assembly (4) for mounting a mudguard (3) on a frame (5) of a motor vehicle, comprising - an arm (6) extending between the frame of the motor vehicle and the mudguard, - an arm attachment device (7) configured to attach the arm to the frame in one of at least two available arm positions at vertically different levels with respect to the frame, - at least one mudguard fixation device (8) configured to attach the mudguard to the arm, wherein the mudguard fixation device is configured to attach the mudguard to the arm in one of at least two predefined mudguard fixation positions, wherein the predefined mudguard fixation positions are at vertically different levels with respect to the arm.