Releasable Pliant Non-Marring Mud Flap Friction Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mud flaps require damaging installation methods, are rigid, and do not accommodate various fender configurations, leading to compromised vehicle finishes and reduced resale value, causing many vehicle operators to forgo their use.
Innovation Solution
A pliant mud flap with a malleable engagement channel that frictionally and releasably attaches to a vehicle's fender flange without mechanical fasteners, featuring a U-shaped gripping surface and angled projections to securely engage the flange without damage, allowing for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional mud flaps are installed using drilling, clamping, bolting or screwing, then the mud flap is securely attached to the vehicle, but the vehicle's finish, corrosion resistance and resale value are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, clips) with a friction-based retention system. The engagement channel uses friction between its gripping surfaces and the fender flange to secure the mud flap, eliminating the need for penetrating fasteners that damage the vehicle finish.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement channel is made from a flexible polymer material that allows the mud flap to be installed without rigid mechanical fasteners. The flexibility enables the channel to conform to the fender flange while maintaining secure friction-based attachment, preventing damage to the vehicle's finish.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional mud flaps are rigid, then they provide structural stability, but they do not accommodate a range of fender configurations and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of rigidity to flexibility by making the engagement channel from a flexible polymer material. This allows the channel to adapt its shape and dimensions to accommodate various fender configurations and sizes while the mud flap panel itself maintains structural stability for its protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible engagement channel design creates a universal mounting solution that can accommodate different fender configurations and sizes. A single mud flap design with the flexible channel can be used across multiple vehicle models and fender types, eliminating the need for numerous specialized versions.
3Strength
If conventional mud flaps are installed with mechanical fasteners, then secure attachment is achieved, but removal is tedious and leaves bare metal exposed to the elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening and unfastening operations with simple friction-based attachment. The mud flap can be installed by pushing it into place and removed by pulling it off, eliminating tedious screwing, bolting, or clipping operations. The friction retention maintains security during use but allows easy removal without leaving exposed metal surfaces.
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 solution provides a secure, damage-free installation and easy removal of mud flaps, accommodating different fender configurations while protecting the vehicle's finish and maintaining its integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate malleable U-shaped channel is comprised of a malleable metallic material to provide pliancy to the channel
Implementation Method 2
The malleable engagement channel includes a generally u-shaped gripping surface and a plurality of opposed projections extending from said gripping surface and adapted to frictionally and releasably engage a fender flange
Data Source
AI summary
A removable mud flap includes a panel member having a curved top mounting edge, and a reinforced malleable engagement channel attached along the curved top mounting edge and adapted to frictionally engage a fender flange. The reinforced malleable engagement channel includes an interior U-shaped gripping surface defining a cavity, a plurality of opposed gripping lips protruding into the cavity, a plurality of gripping ribs protruding into said cavity, an exterior surface and an intermediate malleable U-shaped channel disposed between the interior U-shaped gripping surface and the exterior surface. The reinforced malleable engagement channel securely grips a fender flange without damaging the finish of the fender. The mud flap may be removed, without tools and without damaging the fender, by pulling it from the fender.