Cargo Bed Rear Gate Restriction Mechanism for Muffler Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multipurpose vehicles face issues where the rear gate, when its holding mechanism is removed, can swing and come into contact with the exhaust muffler, leading to deformation or breakage due to high temperatures and forceful collisions.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose vehicle is designed with a restriction mechanism that limits the rear gate's swing angle beyond a predetermined point, preventing it from swinging towards the open state and thus avoiding contact with components like the exhaust muffler and engine, even when the cargo bed is inclined.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holding mechanism wire is removed to allow the rear gate to swing freely for easy loading and unloading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rear gate may come into contact with the exhaust muffler causing deformation or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rear gate and the exhaust muffler. It includes a restriction member that can be positioned to limit the swing angle of the rear gate, preventing direct contact with the exhaust muffler while still allowing sufficient swing for cargo operations. This intermediary control system resolves the contradiction by enabling free swing when needed while preventing harmful contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction mechanism is pre-configured in the cargo bed structure to automatically limit the rear gate swing angle before contact with the exhaust muffler can occur. The restriction member is positioned in advance at a safe distance from the exhaust muffler, creating a preliminary barrier that prevents the harmful contact scenario while maintaining operational freedom within the restricted angle.
2Ease of operation
If the rear gate is allowed to swing to a larger angle for complete opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rear gate may come near or contact devices under the cargo bed such as the exhaust muffler
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction mechanism serves as a protective intermediary that mediates between the rear gate movement and the vulnerable devices underneath. The restriction member creates a physical boundary that prevents the rear gate from reaching positions where it would be exposed to high temperatures or impact forces from the exhaust muffler, while still allowing adequate swing for operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction mechanism implements preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a limit on the rear gate swing angle that counteracts the potential harmful movement toward the exhaust muffler. The restriction member is positioned to actively prevent the rear gate from entering the dangerous zone where temperature exposure and impact risks occur, negating the harmful effect before it can manifest.
Data Source
AI summary
A multipurpose vehicle includes a cargo bed including a floor panel 22 and a rear gate 24 supported to be swingable between a closed state, in which the rear gate 24 is at a vertical position with respect to the floor panel 22, and an open state, in which the rear gate 24 has swung rearward of the floor panel 22; and a holding mechanism configured to be manually operable to enter a holding state, in which the holding mechanism holds the rear gate 24 at a first angle that is a predetermined swing angle, and a holding canceled state. The cargo bed further includes a restriction mechanism 40 configured to, while the holding mechanism is in the holding canceled state, keep the rear gate 24 from swinging toward the open state by more than a second angle that is a swing angle larger than the first angle.