Quick-Release Grill Guard Latch for Easy Truck Front-End Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trucks, such as semi-trucks and tractor trailers, are prone to grill damage from collisions with hazards on the road, leading to significant repair costs, and there is a need for an inexpensive and effective protection method.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release grill guard system with a grill coupling portion, hinge, latching system, and vehicle coupling portion, allowing for easy rotation and attachment to vehicle tow points, featuring a latching mechanism with a clasped member and clasping member for secure engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grill guard is installed to protect the truck grill from collision damage, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and installation/removal difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grill guard system is divided into separate modular components: a grill guard assembly and a vehicle assembly with distinct coupling portions. The grill coupling portion and vehicle coupling portion can be independently installed and removed, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill coupling portion is designed to be rotatable relative to the vehicle coupling portion through a hinge mechanism with latching system. This dynamic design allows the grill guard to be easily deployed and removed, reducing installation complexity while providing reliable protection when engaged.
2Reliability
If a secure latching mechanism is used to ensure the grill guard remains firmly attached, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of operation for quick release deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is pre-configured with clasped and clasping members that automatically engage when the grill coupling portion is rotated toward the vehicle coupling portion. This preliminary positioning ensures secure attachment without requiring manual intervention, while the quick release bar allows for rapid disengagement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the grill coupling portion and vehicle coupling portion, providing controlled rotation and positioning. The latching system with quick release bar serves as a mediator that balances secure engagement during normal operation with rapid release capability when removal is required.
3Reliability
If the grill guard is designed to be permanently fixed to ensure maximum protection, then the protection reliability is improved, but the adaptability for removal and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grill guard system transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic removable design. The hinge mechanism with latching system allows the grill guard to be securely attached during operation for maximum protection, yet easily removed and repositioned when needed, providing both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grill coupling portion is designed to be extractable from the vehicle coupling portion through the quick release mechanism. This allows the grill guard to be completely removed from the vehicle if needed, while maintaining secure attachment during normal operation, thus providing both protection reliability and removal capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a quick release grill guard further comprising at least one latching system configured for the quick release and pivot of the grill guard away from the vehicle grill face. The quick release grill guard may comprises a vehicle coupling portion, a clasped member an elongate bar and a clasping member. The clasping member may be constructed and arranged to be releasably engaged with the clasped member. Further, actuation of the elongate bar may cause the clasping member and clasped member to disengage.