Vehicle-Mounted Sand Ladder Release for Rapid Off-Road Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sand ladders are bulky, difficult to deploy, and require significant time and physical effort to position correctly, often failing to provide sufficient traction for vehicles stuck in soft terrain.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly featuring an elongated body with a mounting assembly and an activatable release mechanism, allowing the sand ladder to be automatically deployed and positioned under the vehicle's wheels without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional sand ladders are stored within or outside the vehicle and manually deployed, then the sand ladders can be positioned adjacent to the vehicle tires, but it requires significant time and physical effort to remove and position the sand ladders
Solution Approach 1:
The sand ladder is pre-mounted to the vehicle in a stowed position before needed. The mounting assembly holds the sand ladder ready for deployment, eliminating the need to manually carry and position it when the vehicle becomes stuck. This preliminary positioning resolves the contradiction by having the sand ladder ready in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism automatically deploys the sand ladder when activated, without requiring manual removal and positioning by the driver or passenger. The system serves itself by using the vehicle's existing motion and the release mechanism to position the sand ladder under the tires, reducing both time and physical effort.
2Reliability
If conventional sand ladders are used, then traction can be provided on soft terrain, but the sand ladders are bulky and difficult to fit in or on some vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The sand ladder system is divided into modular components: the elongated body with flanges, the mounting assembly with track, and the release mechanism. This segmentation allows the sand ladder to be mounted in a compact stowed position while maintaining full functionality, reducing the complexity of fitting it to various vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sand ladder is nested in a stowed position within the mounting assembly when not in use. The elongated body fits within the mounting track structure, allowing compact storage on the vehicle without requiring excessive space or complex external mounting arrangements.
3Reliability
If sand ladders are deployed after the vehicle becomes stuck, then the sand ladders can be positioned adjacent to the tires, but it may still be difficult to get the vehicle to roll onto the sand ladders depending on how deep the tires are embedded
Solution Approach 1:
The sand ladder is pre-positioned in a stowed state on the vehicle before becoming stuck. When the release mechanism is activated, the sand ladder is quickly deployed to the correct position under the tires, enabling faster response compared to manual deployment after the vehicle is stuck.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly and release mechanism create a dynamic deployment system that can rapidly transition the sand ladder from stowed to deployed position. This dynamic system allows quick adjustment to match the vehicle's position and tire location, improving deployment speed while ensuring proper positioning.
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
Enables quick and effortless deployment of sand ladders, improving traction and reducing the risk of vehicle entrapment in soft terrain, while minimizing physical effort and time required for deployment.
Implementation Method 1
the release mechanism comprises a solenoid and the retractable element comprises a moveable magnetic plunger within a coiled wire, the plunger being moveable by application of electrical current to the coiled wire
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle assemblies for providing traction to vehicles off-road are provided. The vehicle assembly may comprise: an elongated body having a first end and a second end; a mounting assembly comprising: a mounting base connectable to an underside of a vehicle; and a mounting track extending from the mounting base, the mounting track supporting the first end of the elongated body; an activatable release mechanism connectable to the underside of the vehicle, the release mechanism releasably engaging the second end of the elongated body; and wherein activation of the release mechanism releases the second end of the elongated body, and wherein release of the second end allows the first end to slide out of the mounting track to release the elongated body from the vehicle. Related kits and methods are also provided.