Vehicle Tow Hook Retractable Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tow hooks do not effectively protect against impacts and automatically reset to the extended position after use, potentially causing damage or injury and failing to ensure continuous readiness for towing.
Innovation Solution
A tow hook assembly with a rotatable hook and spring mechanism that biases the hook towards an extended position, allowing it to retract behind a bumper upon impact and automatically reset when force is removed, featuring a hinge and coiled springs to maintain the extended position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tow hook is fixed in an extended position, then it is always ready for towing, but it exposes pedestrians to impact risk and may cause damage upon collision
Solution Approach 1:
The tow hook is designed to be dynamically positionable between extended and retracted states. The spring mechanism enables the hook to automatically retract upon impact while maintaining extended readiness for towing, thus resolving the contradiction between constant availability and safety.
2Reliability
If the tow hook remains extended after use, then it is ready for immediate reuse, but it may sustain damage from accidental impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide cushioning protection. When impact occurs, the spring absorbs the shock energy, allowing the hook to retract and avoid damage. This beforehand cushioning ensures the hook can withstand accidental impacts while maintaining readiness for towing.
3Strength
If manual resetting of the tow hook is required after retraction, then damage protection is achieved, but operational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is designed to automatically return the hook to the extended position after retraction. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual resetting, reducing operational complexity while maintaining damage protection benefits.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the tow hook is made retractable, then pedestrian protection is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be independently designed and maintained. This extraction simplifies the overall system by separating the protection function from the towing function, making the retractable mechanism less complex and more maintainable.
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
The solution provides enhanced pedestrian protection, reduces the likelihood of damage to the tow hook, and ensures continuous readiness for towing by automatically resetting to the extended position after impacts, maintaining functionality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A spring may be between the base and the hook positioned to bias the hook toward the extended position
Implementation Method 2
A hinge may be between the hook and the base
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a bumper. The assembly further includes a base fixed relative to the bumper and a hook supported by the base. The hook is rotatable relative to the base between an extended position and a retracted position. The assembly further includes a spring between the base and the hook positioned to bias the hook from the retracted position to the extended position.