Pivotable Spare Tire Carrier for Off-Road Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with fixedly mounted spare tires often suffer from reduced rear ground clearance and visibility issues due to the vertical position of the spare tire, which can be detrimental for off-road applications.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spare tire carrier system that includes a base, a pivotable mount, and a locking mechanism, allowing the spare tire to be positioned in high and low configurations relative to the vehicle, with a resilient member and detent system to maintain the desired position and prevent unwanted rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spare tire is mounted at a fixed vertical position on the vehicle, then the spare tire is securely held in place, but the rear ground clearance is reduced and visibility through the rear windshield is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed mounting system into a movable one. The mount is made pivotable relative to the base about a pivot axis, allowing the spare tire to be repositioned between a first vertical position (improving ground clearance) and a second vertical position (improving visibility). The locking member enables the system to switch between a locked state (secure mounting) and an unlocked state (allowing movement), thus resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and adjustability.
2Reliability
If the spare tire is mounted at a fixed vertical position on the vehicle, then the spare tire is securely held in place, but visibility through the rear windshield is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mount pivotable, allowing the spare tire to be repositioned between different vertical positions. When visibility through the rear windshield is compromised, the spare tire can be pivoted to a different position that clears the windshield view. The locking member ensures that once the optimal position is selected, the spare tire remains securely mounted, thus resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and visibility.
3Length of moving object
If the mount is made pivotable to adjust vertical position, then ground clearance and visibility are improved, but the mount may rotate unintentionally without a locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the feedback principle through the locking member system. The locking member can be engaged to lock the mount in a desired rotational position, providing feedback that the position has been secured. When the locking member is engaged, it prevents unintended rotation of the mount, thus maintaining position stability. When disengaged, it allows intentional repositioning, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustability and stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the pivotable mount, then position stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the locking function as a separate, simple component (the locking member) that can be independently engaged or disengaged. This modular approach allows the locking mechanism to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire carrier system. The locking member works with existing features on the base and mount, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while providing the necessary position stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The carrier system enhances ground clearance and visibility by allowing the spare tire to be positioned higher or lower without removal, improving operational flexibility and usability in off-road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient member rotationally biases the mount toward the high position
Implementation Method 2
The detent engaging the mount when the mount is in a predetermined rotational position relative to the base to inhibit rotation of the mount away from the predetermined rotational position
Implementation Method 3
The pivot member is rotatably received in the pivot aperture of the base
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier for a spare tire of a vehicle includes a base, a mount, and a locking member. The base is configured to be coupled to the vehicle. The mount is coupled to the base and pivotable relative to the base about a pivot axis. The mount is configured to support the spare tire for common rotation with the mount about the pivot axis. The pivot axis is offset from a central axis of the spare tire when the spare tire is supported by the mount. The locking member is movable between a locked position wherein the locking member engages the mount and the base to prevent relative movement therebetween, and an unlocked position wherein the mount is pivotable relative to the base.