Rotatable Boom Side Recovery System for Vehicle Towing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current side recovery systems for vehicles are cumbersome, expensive, and require significant setup time due to their large size and permanent configuration, which complicates integration with recovery vehicles and affects manufacturing efficiency and performance.

Innovation Solution

A side recovery system featuring a rotatable boom with a locking device that can be adjusted between two positions to facilitate recovery operations from either side of the vehicle, along with a stabilizer foot system that can pivot between a support and a spade configuration to enhance stability and prevent tipping and sliding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a side recovery system is permanently configured to provide recoveries from each side of the vehicle, then recovery capability from both sides is ensured, but the system becomes large, expensive, and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery capability from both sidesVSAvoidsystem size and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side recovery system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between left and right sides. The boom assembly can be selectively positioned on either side of the vehicle using a rotatable boom mount that allows 180-degree rotation, enabling the same physical components to serve both sides rather than requiring duplicate permanent installations on each side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The recovery system components, particularly the boom assembly and outrigger system, are designed as universal units that can function on both the left and right sides of the vehicle. The boom mount incorporates receiving structures that accept the boom in either orientation, and the outriggers can be positioned to provide stability regardless of which side the boom is deployed on.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large permanent side recovery system is installed on both sides of the vehicle, then recovery operations can be performed from either side, but the vehicle size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside recovery operation capabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of permanently mounting heavy recovery equipment on both sides of the vehicle, the system uses a dynamic configuration where a single boom assembly can be rotated and secured on either side as needed. This eliminates the need to duplicate the entire boom, outrigger, and control system on both sides, significantly reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a side recovery system is designed to be reconfigurable between sides, then system size and cost are reduced, but the setup time and complexity of integration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem size and costVSAvoidsetup time for side reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The boom mount is pre-configured with receiving structures and locking mechanisms that are ready to accept the boom in either orientation. The outrigger system is pre-positioned with adjustable mounting points that can quickly accommodate the boom regardless of which side it is deployed on, eliminating the need for complex field modifications or time-consuming assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable boom mount with its receiving structures allows for quick mechanical repositioning of the boom between sides through a simple rotation and locking action, rather than requiring complete disassembly and reassembly. This dynamic reconfiguration mechanism significantly reduces setup time while maintaining the benefits of a smaller, more cost-effective system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the boom is made rotatable between positions, then the system can serve both sides of the vehicle, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom positioning capabilityVSAvoidboom rotatable mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The boom mount incorporates a rotatable mechanism with receiving structures that allow the boom to be positioned on either side of the vehicle. This rotational capability is achieved through a mechanically simple design that uses pre-fabricated receiving structures and locking mechanisms, avoiding the need for complex custom fabrication while still enabling bidirectional deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8540475B2Side recovery system for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.09.24 JERR DAN CORP

AI summary

A recovery vehicle having a side recovery system is disclosed. The side recovery system includes a boom having a first end and a second end. The boom is rotatable about the first end between a first position and second position. The side recovery system also includes a base having a portion for supporting the first end of the boom, a first receiving structure for securing the second end of the boom when the boom is in the first position, and a second receiving structure for securing the second end of the boom when the boom is in the second position. The boom further includes a locking device configured to selectively engage the first receiving structure and the second receiving structure for securing the second end of the boom.