Shackle Cover with Resilient Latching for Weather Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shackle covers for motor vehicles do not adequately protect the frame-fixed attachment eye and shackle bolt from weather exposure and injuries, and are complex to manufacture and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A shell-shaped cover with a resilient latching connection to the shackle mount, incorporating a spring element for secure attachment and easy installation, made from plastic or metal, which encloses the fastening eye and shackle bolt, providing enhanced protection and simplicity in design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shell-shaped cover enclosing the fastening eye and shackle bolt is used, then protection against weather and injuries is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a shell-shaped protective enclosure and a separate resilient latching connection system. The latching connection includes a resilient element with a latching arm that can engage with the shackle, allowing the cover to be easily attached and removed while maintaining protection when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient latching connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cover and the shackle assembly. This mediator enables simple attachment and detachment without complex fastening systems, resolving the contradiction between protection and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a resilient latching connection is used to fasten the cover, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but reliability of the connection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The latching connection uses a resilient element that can dynamically adapt to the shackle's position and movement. The resilient nature allows the cover to remain securely attached during normal operation while enabling easy removal when needed, balancing reliability with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element changes its physical state (compressed, extended, engaged, disengaged) to provide different levels of connection strength. When engaged, it provides reliable attachment; when released, it allows easy removal, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter changes in the connection state.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is designed to closely adjoin the outer skin, then aesthetic integration and protective function are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover design separates the aesthetic/adjoining function (shell shape) from the attachment function (latching mechanism). This segmentation allows the shell to be designed for close integration with the vehicle body while the latching system provides a standardized, simple manufacturing solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell-shaped cover serves multiple functions: it provides protection, achieves aesthetic integration by closely adjoining the outer skin, and incorporates a universal latching mechanism that can be manufactured using standard processes, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic/protection requirements and manufacturing simplicity.
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
The solution offers improved protection against weather and injuries while maintaining ease of assembly and manufacturing, with a simple design that enhances the aesthetic integration and operational accessibility of the cover.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element is fastened to the section opposite the shackle protruding freely downwards (seen in the direction of the vertical axis), which spring element engages behind the legs of the shackle in the assembled state
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cover for a shackle arranged on the front and/or rear of a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, which is pivotably mounted on a shackle receptacle with a projecting mounting eye and a shackle pin. According to the invention, the cover (10) surrounds the mounting eye (4), the shackle pin (5) and the shackle (3) in a shell-like manner and is fastened to the shackle receptacle (2) and/or the shackle (3) by a spring-loaded locking connection (11).