Side Puller Accessory Frame for Tow Truck Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tow trucks are limited in their ability to recover loads from off the road, often requiring more than one lane of traffic, as they can only pull along their longitudinal axis.
Innovation Solution
A side puller accessory frame mounted on a car carrier, equipped with a powered winch and manually or hydraulically actuated legs, allowing for versatile pulling angles towards the sides and rear, reducing the lateral space required for recovery operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional tow truck pulls loads along its longitudinal axis, then the pulling force is applied in a straight line, but more than one lane of traffic is required for recovery operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by adding a transverse pulling capability to the conventional longitudinal pulling axis. The side puller frame extends perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, enabling the winch to pull loads not only forward/backward but also laterally toward the sides of the vehicle. This two-dimensional pulling capability allows recovery operations to be performed within a single lane of traffic by pulling loads directly toward the vehicle from off-road positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a car carrier is converted into a recovery apparatus, then the versatility of the vehicle is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the side puller frame as a multi-functional accessory that enables the car carrier to perform both its primary function (transporting vehicles) and a secondary recovery function. The same winch system can be used for different recovery scenarios by repositioning the nesting legs and adjusting the pulling angle, making the vehicle a versatile recovery apparatus without requiring multiple specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The side puller frame is segmented into modular components including the main frame structure, nesting legs, winch assembly, and sheave system. This segmentation allows for easier installation, maintenance, and adjustment of individual components while maintaining the overall structural integrity needed for both transport and recovery operations.
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 a car carrier to function as a recovery apparatus, allowing for efficient recovery of loads from the side of the road while maintaining operation within a single lane of traffic, enhancing the versatility and capacity of conventional tow trucks.
Implementation Method 1
The winch provides pulling force via a removable pivotable center sheave mounted in a center sheave mounting tube through a top horizontal frame tube
Data Source
AI summary
A side puller accessory frame for a tow truck having a cab and a truck frame mounts to the truck frame behind the cab. The accessory frame preferably includes two stiff legs, a wire rope winch mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck that provides pulling force via a removable pivotable center sheave that directs the pulling force to sides or the rear of the truck as desired. The accessory frame may include a removable pivotable side sheave that may mount in a side sheave mounting tube. The side puller accessory frame makes a conventional car carrier with a roll back bed a recovery truck.