Quick-Connect Underride Guard Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underrun protection devices for vehicles require complex and costly mechanisms for adjustment and removal, often necessitating tools and significant labor, especially in applications requiring frequent installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A quick-connect device featuring complementary engagement areas between the underride protection mounting element and the frame connection element, with a tool-free locking mechanism that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the underrun protection barrier without the need for tools, utilizing projections and recesses with a bolt and spring mechanism for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the underride guard is made removable to avoid obstruction during loading/unloading, then operational flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the connection mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a mounting element on the underride guard and a frame connecting element on the vehicle frame. These segments can be independently attached and detached through the quick-connect mechanism, enabling operational flexibility without requiring complex integrated adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic quick-connect system. The underride guard can be rapidly moved between connected and disconnected states through the complementary engagement areas and locking element, providing adaptability for different operational conditions without complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If traditional screw and nut connection is used to secure the underride guard, then connection stability is improved, but the time and labor required for attachment and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complementary engagement areas (protrusions and recesses) are pre-configured on the mounting element and frame connecting element. When the underride guard is brought near the vehicle frame, the engagement areas automatically align and engage, eliminating the need for manual alignment and tool-assisted fastening required by traditional screw connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element automatically secures the connection once the engagement areas are aligned. The system self-locks through the complementary geometry of the protrusions and recesses, eliminating the need for external tools or multiple fastening operations. The underride guard connects and secures itself through the quick-connect mechanism.
3Strength
If multiple screws and nuts are used to clamp the underride guard, then connection strength is improved, but the ease of operation for frequent attachment and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex fastening system involving multiple screws, nuts, and clamping operations is extracted and replaced with a simplified quick-connect mechanism. The essential function of secure connection is maintained through the locking element and complementary engagement areas, while the cumbersome fastening operations are eliminated entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using threads (screws and nuts) to create friction-based clamping force, the invention uses direct geometric interlocking through complementary engagement areas. The locking element engages the protrusions and recesses in reverse fashion to traditional fastening, achieving secure connection through shape complementarity rather than threaded friction.
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 quick, tool-free connection and disconnection of the underrun protection barrier, reducing labor and costs associated with complex adjustment mechanisms, while ensuring positional stability and safety by eliminating the risk of unintentional entrapment.
Implementation Method 1
a bolt and spring mechanism for secure locking
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a quick-connect device for connecting an underride guard or underride protection barrier (100) to a frame (200) of a vehicle, wherein the quick-connect device comprises an underride guard mounting element (10) and a frame connecting element (50), wherein the underride guard mounting element (10) and the frame connecting element (50) have complementary engagement areas (14, 62) to each other, so that the underride guard mounting element (10) can be engaged with the frame connecting element (50), wherein a tool-free actuating locking element (12) is arranged on the underride guard mounting element (10) and/or the frame connecting element (50) in order to lock the underride guard mounting element (10) with the frame connecting element (50) in the event of engagement of the underride guard mounting element (10) and the frame connecting element (50).