Pivoting Rear Radiator Mount for Off-Road Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing off-road vehicles with aftward-mounted radiators require radiator removal for access to components below or cleaning of the front side, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A radiator in off-road vehicles that is hingedly coupled to the frame and pivotable aftwardly from a forward tilted operating configuration to a substantially vertical or aftward tilted access configuration, allowing access to underlying components and cleaning without removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the radiator is mounted aftwardly behind the seating assembly, then the center of mass is biased rearwardly improving vehicle stability, but access to components below the radiator and cleaning of the radiator front side requires removal of the radiator increasing maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator is made dynamically reconfigurable through a hinge assembly that allows it to pivot between a forward tilted operating configuration and a substantially vertical or aftward tilted access configuration. This dynamic positioning enables maintenance access without complete removal while maintaining stable mounting during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator mounting system is segmented into a hinge assembly with pivot points, allowing the radiator to be divided functionally between its cooling operation state and its maintenance access state. The hinge assembly acts as a separate intermediary component that enables transformation between configurations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the radiator is mounted aftwardly behind the seating assembly, then the center of mass is biased rearwardly improving vehicle stability, but cleaning the front side of the radiator requires removal of the radiator reducing maintenance efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator's dynamic pivoting capability allows maintenance personnel to access the front side for cleaning by rotating the radiator to an access configuration, eliminating the need for complete removal and significantly improving maintenance efficiency while preserving the rearward center of mass benefit.
3Ease of repair
If the radiator is made pivotable aftwardly, then access to components below and cleaning of the radiator is enabled without removal improving ease of repair, but the device complexity increases due to the hinge assembly and lock mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly provides a relatively simple mechanical pivot mechanism compared to the complexity of complete radiator removal and reinstallation. The dynamic pivoting capability is achieved through straightforward hinge and lock components that enable easy configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock assembly enables the radiator to be self-secured in its operating configuration through a simple engagement mechanism with slots and projections, allowing easy positioning and securing without complex fastening procedures or additional tools.
4Temperature
If the radiator is positioned forward tilted in operating configuration, then optimal cooling performance is achieved, but access to the radiator for cleaning requires pivoting to vertical or aftward tilted configuration adding operational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator's ability to dynamically change orientation allows it to maintain the forward tilted position for optimal cooling performance during operation, then pivot to vertical or aftward tilted positions when cleaning is required, providing both optimal thermal performance and ease of maintenance access.
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
Enables access to vehicle components below the radiator and cleaning of the radiator without disassembly, improving convenience and efficiency in maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A radiator in off-road vehicles that is hingedly coupled to the frame and pivotable aftwardly from a forward tilted operating configuration to a substantially vertical or aftward tilted access configuration
Implementation Method 2
the radiator may be fluidically coupled to the engine such that heated fluid from the engine circulates through the radiator to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
An off-road vehicle includes a frame assembly, a powertrain coupled to the frame assembly and a plurality of wheels at least one of which is operatively coupled to the powertrain. A seating assembly is coupled to the frame assembly and a cargo box is coupled to the frame assembly aft of the seating assembly. A radiator is hingedly coupled to the frame assembly aft of the seating assembly and is configured to pivot aftwardly from an operating configuration to an access configuration. In the operating configuration, the radiator has a forward tilted orientation in which a top of the radiator is positioned forward of a bottom of the radiator. In the access configuration, the radiator has a substantially vertical orientation or an aftward tilted orientation in which the top of the radiator is positioned aftward of the bottom of the radiator.