Pivotable Vehicle Tire Mount Reducing Gate Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire mounts, when fixedly coupled to exterior vehicle components like tailgates, can impede gate operation and access due to their weight and interference with the gate and its components, causing wear and functionality issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable mount apparatus with a pivotable and slidable design that allows the tire mount to move relative to the vehicle, reducing forces on the gate and enabling easier access by pivoting and translating between positions, and incorporating a locking system for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tire mount is fixedly coupled to the vehicle gate, then the mount is securely attached to the vehicle, but the gate operation is impeded and wear increases due to the mount's weight and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed mount attachment to a movable attachment system. The mount includes a sliding mechanism with rollers that travel along tracks on the vehicle body, allowing the mount to move independently from the gate. This dynamic attachment allows the gate to operate freely while the mount remains securely attached to the vehicle body through the sliding mechanism, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of gate operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tire mount is fixedly coupled to the vehicle gate, then the mount provides stable support for the spare tire, but forces from the mount are directed at the gate causing wear and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the mount's attachment point from the gate structure. Instead of coupling the mount directly to the gate, the sliding mechanism extracts the attachment function and relocates it to the vehicle body through tracks and rollers. This allows the gate to be free of the mount's weight and forces, while the mount maintains stable support for the spare tire through its connection to the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a sliding mechanism as a mediator between the mount and the vehicle structure. This intermediary system includes rollers and tracks that allow the mount to move independently while maintaining secure attachment to the vehicle body. The intermediary mechanism absorbs and redirects forces away from the gate, preventing wear and damage while maintaining mount stability.
3Shape
If the tire mount is fixedly coupled to the vehicle, then the mount remains in a fixed position, but access to rear compartments is impeded by the mount's interference with gate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mount's position adjustable through the sliding mechanism. The mount can be positioned at different locations along the tracks on the vehicle body, allowing optimization of space and access. This dynamic positioning capability enables the mount to be moved out of the way when access to rear compartments is needed, while maintaining a stable fixed position when not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustable mount apparatus for use with vehicles and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a mount for a vehicle. The mount has a first portion to receive an object to be carried by the mount and a second portion that is pivotably coupled to the first portion. The second portion is to slidably couple to a right or left side of the vehicle.