Pivoting Tow Hook Assembly for Collision Impact Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tow hooks on vehicles, being rigid, can cause impact with barriers during front-end collisions, such as with pedestrians or objects, leading to potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable tow hook assembly with a housing, tow hook, and biasing member that allows the tow hook to pivot from an extended position to a retracted position upon exceeding a threshold force, returning to the extended position when the force is removed, thereby reducing impact with barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tow hook is made rigid to withstand large towing forces, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the harmful impact with barriers during collisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tow hook is transformed from a static rigid structure to a dynamic pivoting mechanism. The assembly includes a pivot axis allowing the tow hook to rotate between an extended position (for towing) and a retracted position (for collision safety). This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt its geometry based on operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between needing rigidity for towing and flexibility for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameter (position) of the tow hook by pivoting it from an extended to a retracted position during collisions. This parameter change allows the tow hook to move out of the impact path, reducing harmful effects while maintaining its structural integrity and towing capability when in the extended position.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tow hook pivots to reduce impact during collisions, then the harmful impact is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tow hook assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the housing, the pivot axis, the tow hook itself, and the biasing member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a unified system. The pivot mechanism is isolated as a separate functional unit, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member (spring) provides self-service by automatically returning the tow hook to its extended position after retraction during a collision. This eliminates the need for external actuators, motors, or complex control systems to reset the tow hook, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the pivoting functionality for collision safety.
3Shape
If the tow hook is positioned to extend through the bumper for aesthetic appearance, then the visual appeal is improved, but the risk of impact with pedestrians or objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tow hook assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows dynamic repositioning between an extended aesthetic position and a retracted safety position. When a collision is detected through the application of force, the assembly automatically pivots to retract the tow hook, eliminating the harmful impact risk while maintaining aesthetic appearance during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is pre-configured to automatically counteract collision forces by pivoting the tow hook out of the impact path before significant damage can occur. This preliminary anti-action protects pedestrians and objects by preemptively moving the rigid tow hook component away from potential collision zones during front-end impacts.
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 pivotable design minimizes impact forces during collisions by allowing the tow hook to retract and return to its original position, maintaining functionality while reducing aesthetic disruption.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member (60) coupled to the tow hook (40) and the housing (26) to bias the tow hook towards the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A tow hook assembly coupled to the cross member of a vehicle. The tow hook assembly includes a housing, a tow hook, and a biasing member. The tow hook is pivotally coupled to the housing and positionable between an extended position and a retracted position. The biasing member is coupled to the tow hook and the housing to bias the tow hook towards the extended position. The tow hook is configured to pivot from the extended position towards the retracted position upon application of a force exceeding a threshold applied to the tow hook.