Self-Locking Gear Attaching Device for Vehicle Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal mounting mechanisms for vehicle accessories are not user-friendly, often require multiple tools, and fail to provide a secure and theft-resistant connection, especially for complex vehicle geometries and demanding applications like magnetic bicycle lights.
Innovation Solution
An attaching device with a self-locking gear arrangement and flexible thread that allows single-user installation without extensive tools, providing a rigid and secure connection to various vehicle parts, and can be easily detached without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If universal mounting mechanisms are used to attach vehicle accessories, then the accessory can be attached to the vehicle, but the mounting mechanism requires multiple tools and is not user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mounting functions into a single integrated mechanism. The mounting mechanism includes a base, housing, self-locking gear arrangement, driving part, driven part, and flexible thread all integrated together, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and components that users would otherwise need to handle separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-locking gear arrangement automatically locks the mounting mechanism in place once the flexible thread is tightened, without requiring additional tools or steps. The mechanism serves itself by maintaining the tightened state through the self-locking property of the worm drive, reducing the need for continuous user intervention or multiple tools.
2Reliability
If universal mounting mechanisms are used to attach vehicle accessories, then the accessory can be attached to the vehicle, but the connection is not secure and may loosen during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical fastening with a self-locking gear arrangement based on worm drive mechanics. The worm drive inherently prevents back-driving, creating a self-locking effect that maintains the tightened state without requiring additional locking mechanisms or user intervention, thus securing the connection reliably while remaining easy to operate.
3Reliability
If rigid connections are used between mounting mechanism and vehicle, then the accessory is securely attached, but the mounting mechanism cannot be removed without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic mounting system where the flexible thread can be easily loosened by reversing the driving part rotation. The self-locking gear arrangement maintains rigid connection during use but allows controlled release when needed, transitioning between secure attachment and easy removal states without causing damage to components.
4Ease of repair
If mounting mechanisms are designed to be easily removable, then they can be detached without damage, but they are subject to theft and may loosen their grip
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking gear arrangement creates asymmetric mechanical behavior: easy to tighten by rotating the driving part, but difficult to loosen without the proper rotational direction and effort. This provides theft resistance while maintaining ease of legitimate removal, as the mechanism responds differently to intentional tightening versus attempted theft or accidental loosening.
5Measurement precision
If the mounting system is designed for precise alignment, then the accessory (e.g., magnetic bicycle light) can be positioned accurately, but the mounting system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting system into distinct functional components: base for positioning, housing for accessory mounting, and self-locking mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving precise alignment through the base-housing arrangement while keeping the overall system manageable through modular design.
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 easy, precise, and secure attachment of vehicle accessories to a wide range of vehicles, ensuring stability and preventing theft, while allowing for easy detachment without causing damage.
Implementation Method 1
a self-locking gear arrangement, such as a worm drive, arranged inside the housing, the self-locking gear arrangement comprising a driving part, such as a worm screw, and a driven part, such as a worm wheel
Implementation Method 2
said flexible thread is arranged to be coiled around the shaft upon rotation of the driving part, so as to tighten said flexible thread around the part of the vehicle, thereby securing the attaching device to the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5E
AI summary
An attaching device for attaching a vehicle accessory to a vehicle (601), such as attaching a bicycle light to a bicycle, the attaching device comprising a base (101) configured for contacting with a part of the vehicle (601), a housing (103) being configured for housing the vehicle accessory and/or for attachment to the vehicle accessory, a self-locking gear arrangement arranged inside the housing (103), a flexible thread (105), e.g. a wire rope,being configured for exiting the housing (103) through an opening, for being wound around a part of the vehicle (601), and for being fastened to the attaching device and/or to the vehicle (601). The flexible thread (105), e.g. a metal wire rope of 0.5-2 mm diameter,is arranged to be tightened upon rotation of a driving part (203) by a user, thereby securing the attaching device to the vehicle (601).