Rail Mounted Accessory Locking Mechanism with Integrated Power Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle racks lack a reliable and efficient method to provide electrical power to accessories mounted on them, limiting the functionality and convenience of powered accessories such as LED light bars and cargo carriers.
Innovation Solution
A rack system with a movable lock member that mechanically and electrically connects powered accessories to vehicle rails, ensuring secure attachment and power supply when locked, and disconnection when unlocked, utilizing conductive contacts to engage with the vehicle's electrical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a movable lock member is used to mechanically connect the accessory to the rail, then the mechanical security is improved, but the electrical connection reliability may worsen due to contact wear or misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical locking function and electrical connection function into a single integrated movable lock member. The lock member simultaneously engages the mechanical locking surfaces and maintains electrical contact through integrated conductive elements, eliminating the need for separate mechanical and electrical connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lock member serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical locking to secure the accessory to the rail, maintains electrical connection through integrated conductive contacts, and enables disconnection when moved to the unlocked position. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the same component responsible for both mechanical security and electrical reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the lock member is moved between locked and unlocked positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental disconnection worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing dynamic control of both mechanical and electrical connections. This dynamic capability enables easy operation for intentional connection and disconnection while maintaining security when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the mechanical locking and electrical connection functions in the same movable component, the system ensures that both connections are made or broken simultaneously. This eliminates the risk of accidental electrical disconnection while maintaining mechanical security, as both functions are controlled by the same movement action.
3Power
If conductive contacts are integrated into the lock member, then the electrical power transmission is improved, but the device complexity worsens due to additional conductive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates conductive contacts directly into the movable lock member, combining the electrical power transmission function with the mechanical locking function. This integration eliminates the need for separate electrical connectors and reduces the overall number of components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lock member becomes a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical locking, maintains electrical connection, and transmits power. This universal design approach improves power transmission capability while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding separate dedicated power transmission components.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically-powered accessory for vehicles includes a vehicle structure. A connector mechanically connects an electrically-powered accessory to vehicle structure. The connector includes a movable lock member that mechanically locks the electrically-powered accessory to the vehicle structure when the movable lock member is in a locked position. The movable lock member causes the electrically-powered accessory to be electrically connected to an electrical power supply of the vehicle when the movable lock member is in the locked position, and electrically disconnects the electrically-powered accessory from the vehicle power supply when the movable lock member is in the unlocked position.