Receiver-Mounted Mud Flap Step Assembly Without Hitch Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mud flaps for pickup trucks are often cumbersome to install and remove, require a hitch for connection, and can increase the vehicle's length, leading to debris rebound and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A mud flap assembly featuring a bracket hanger with a body extending from a first end to a second end, where the first end is complementary to the bore of a vehicle's receiver tube, allowing for secure attachment without increasing the vehicle's length, and includes a coupler for compatibility with different vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hitch is used to connect the mud flap to the vehicle, then the mud flap can be securely attached, but the installation becomes cumbersome and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hitch component from the mud flap assembly, allowing the mud flap to be directly mounted to the vehicle frame without requiring a separate hitch. This simplifies the installation process while maintaining secure attachment through direct bolting to the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The mud flap assembly is segmented into separate components including the mud flap, bracket, and mounting hardware, allowing for independent installation and adjustment of each part without requiring a complex hitch mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mud flap is mounted behind the bumper, then it provides debris protection, but the vehicle's overall length increases and debris can rebound into the bumper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the mud flap from a horizontal mounting behind the bumper to a vertical mounting along the side of the vehicle, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of extending horizontally. This maintains debris protection while avoiding increased vehicle length and debris rebound issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the mud flap behind the bumper in the conventional manner, the patent inverts the approach by mounting it vertically along the side of the vehicle, changing the orientation from horizontal to vertical to solve the length and rebound problems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed mudguard is mounted within the wheel well, then it provides limited debris protection, but it cannot be readily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic mounting hardware including adjustable brackets and removable fasteners that allow the mud flap to be easily installed, adjusted, and removed. This transforms the static, fixed mudguard into a dynamic, adaptable assembly that maintains protection while enabling easy removal and reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A mud flap assembly has a bracket hanger and a mud flap. The bracket hanger has a body extending from a first end and a second end. The first end of the bracket hanger has a shape complementary to a bore of a receiver's maintube that extends along a width of the vehicle. The mud flap is connected to and extends downward from the bracket hanger. A coupler has a first end and a coupler bore opposite the first end. The first end of the coupler is complementary to an end of a maintube of a second vehicle. The coupler bore is complementary to the first end of the bracket hanger.