Tow Bar Load Carrier Support With Pivot Arm and Retractable Wheel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Load carriers on towing vehicles obstruct access to the trunk when parked, requiring frequent disconnection and load removal, and lack adequate support during travel, leading to friction and potential damage on uneven roads.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a coupling device, fixed and movable arms, and a wheel assembly that allows the load carrier to pivot and retract a wheel for ground contact, providing additional support and access to the trunk without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the load carrier is firmly attached to the tow bar for stable support during travel, then the load carrier stability is improved, but the access to the trunk becomes blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates a movable arm that can pivot between a first position (blocking trunk access) and a second position (allowing trunk access). This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt between different operational requirements - maintaining load carrier stability when needed while enabling trunk access when required, without requiring complete disconnection of the load carrier
2Stability of the object's composition
If the load carrier is firmly attached to the tow bar for stable support, then the load carrier stability is improved, but the friction and potential damage on uneven roads increases
Solution Approach 1:
A wheel assembly is introduced as an intermediary element between the load carrier and the ground. The wheel support pivots to a third position where the wheel contacts the ground, providing a rolling interface that reduces friction and potential damage compared to direct ground contact of the load carrier structure. This intermediary wheel element protects the load carrier from harmful effects of uneven road surfaces
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wheel assembly contacts the ground for support, then the friction is reduced, but the load carrier stability during travel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel support is designed to pivot between different positions dynamically. During travel, the wheel support is in a first position where the wheel does not contact the ground, providing stable support from the tow bar. When needed, the wheel support pivots to a second position where the wheel contacts the ground to reduce friction. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to optimize between stability and friction reduction based on operational conditions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
In a first aspect, a support structure for a load carrier of a towing vehicle is provided. The support structure comprises a coupling device couplable with a tow bar; a fixed arm fixedly connected to the coupling device; and a movable arm pivotably connected to the fixed arm. The movable arm is configured to support the load carrier to pivotably move the load carrier relative to the fixed arm. The support structure further comprises a wheel assembly having a wheel support pivotally connected to the movable arm and a wheel. The wheel assembly is configured to pivot between: a supporting position to rest the wheel on the ground; and a hidden position to prevent the wheel from contacting the ground. In a further aspect, a load carrier assembly comprising a load carrier supported by the support structure is provided.