Vehicle Equipment Bracket Assembly With Self-Aligning Hook and Ridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle equipment brackets for connecting to vehicle frames are inefficient in assembly and docking processes, particularly when using automated ground vehicles (AGVs), leading to increased complexity and time.
Innovation Solution
A bracket arrangement comprising a first bracket with a hook member and a second bracket with a ridge, where the hook member's slanted portion abuts the ridge's transversal end surface to prevent displacement, allowing pre-mounting and self-alignment, and a fastener element for fixation, simplifying assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional brackets are used to connect vehicle equipment to the vehicle frame, then the connection is achieved, but the assembly time is increased and the docking sequence becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket connection system is divided into two separate brackets: a first bracket with a hook member attached to the vehicle equipment, and a second bracket with a ridge attached to the vehicle frame. This segmentation allows each bracket to be independently positioned and aligned, simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing docking sequence complexity while maintaining connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook member and ridge act as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection between the first and second brackets. The hook member engages with the ridge to provide self-alignment during assembly, enabling rapid connection without complex docking procedures and significantly reducing assembly time.
2Ease of operation
If the hook member is allowed to self-align during assembly, then the assembly process is simplified and misalignment tolerances are reduced, but the connection must still prevent displacement under load
Solution Approach 1:
The hook member features an asymmetric slanted portion that interfaces with a corresponding asymmetric surface on the ridge. This asymmetric geometry enables self-alignment during assembly by guiding the hook into the correct position, while simultaneously providing mechanical interlocking that prevents displacement under operational loads, thus maintaining both ease of assembly and connection reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a bracket arrangement (100), comprising a first bracket (102), comprising a first interface (104) arranged to connect the first bracket (102) to a vehicle equipment (30), the first bracket (102) comprising at least one hook member (106) comprising a first slanted portion (108), a second bracket (202), comprising a second interface (204) arranged to connect the second bracket (202) to a vehicle frame (400), the second bracket (202) comprising a ridge (206) extending in a transversal direction (T) of the second bracket (202), wherein a portion of the ridge (206), in an assembled state, receives the at least one hook member (106), the ridge (206) comprising at least one protrusion (208) comprising a first transversal end surface (210), wherein, in the assembled state, the first transversal end surface (210) is arranged in abutment with the first slanted portion (108) to prevent transversal displacement of the at least one hook member (106).