Rotatable Spare Wheel Latch for Easier Underbody Wheel Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spare wheel mechanisms are difficult to access, require significant physical strength to detach and lift, and prolong the wheel change process.
Innovation Solution
A spare wheel carrier with a rotatable latch that moves between a storage and release position, allowing the spare wheel to rotate from a horizontal to a vertical position, reducing the need for physical strength and enabling easy rolling of the wheel to its new position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the spare wheel is stored in a horizontal position under the vehicle, then the spare wheel is securely stored and protected, but the operator must provide significant physical strength to lift and drag the spare wheel to its new position
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism rotates the spare wheel from a horizontal storage position to a vertical release position, changing the dimension of movement from horizontal dragging to vertical rolling. This dimensional change eliminates the need for the operator to lift and drag the wheel horizontally, reducing physical strength requirements while maintaining secure storage during travel
2Reliability
If the spare wheel is attached with a complex mechanism, then the spare wheel is securely attached to the vehicle, but the operator needs more time to detach the spare wheel from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism uses a simple rotational movement to transition between locked and unlocked states. The dynamic rotation of the latch from its initial position to the release position provides both secure attachment during storage and quick release during wheel change, eliminating complex mechanisms while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If the spare wheel is stored in a difficult to access position, then the spare wheel is securely mounted on the chassis, but the operator has difficulty accessing the spare wheel
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating the spare wheel from horizontal to vertical position through the latch mechanism, the system maintains secure mounting in the horizontal storage position while providing easy accessibility in the vertical release position. The dimensional change allows the wheel to be both securely stored and easily accessed without compromising either requirement
Data Source
AI summary
A spare wheel carrier intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle comprising a chassis for storing a spare wheel, the spare wheel carrier comprising a mounting bracket intended to be mounted on the chassis of the motor vehicle; a latch mounted on the mounting bracket, the spare wheel being intended to be attached to the latch, wherein the latch is movable, with at least a rotation movement relative to the mounting bracket, between a storage position in which the spare wheel is intended to extend in a horizontal plane, in a horizontal position and a release position in which the spare wheel is intended to extend in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane, in a vertical position perpendicular to the horizontal position.