Vehicle Strap Support Groove for Spoiler Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle racks often damage the spoilers of sports utility vehicles and hatchbacks due to direct contact with straps, leading to warping, denting, or discoloration from friction and weight.
Innovation Solution
A strap support device with a groove system that displaces straps above the spoiler edge, providing vertical and horizontal clearance, and optionally includes adjustable rods, extenders, suction cups, and adhesive for secure attachment to the windshield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If straps are used to secure objects to the vehicle, then the object can be firmly attached to the vehicle, but the strap contacts the spoiler causing damage such as warping, denting, or discoloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spoiler protection device as an intermediary component between the strap and the spoiler. This device includes a support structure with a groove that receives the strap, positioning it above the spoiler edge, and a protective element that directly contacts the spoiler to prevent strap-induced damage. The intermediary device transfers the attachment function while isolating the spoiler from harmful strap contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler protection device is segmented into distinct functional components: a support structure for positioning, a groove for strap reception, and a protective element for spoiler contact. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the support structure provides positioning, the groove secures the strap, and the protective element prevents damage, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and spoiler protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the strap is positioned to provide clearance above the spoiler edge, then damage to the spoiler is prevented, but the attachment security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element acts as an intermediary that maintains the clearance between the strap and spoiler while providing an alternative contact path. The strap remains positioned above the spoiler edge for damage prevention, while the protective element contacts the spoiler surface to maintain attachment security through a different mechanical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the attachment interaction to another dimension by introducing a protective element that contacts the spoiler in a different spatial location than the strap. The strap operates in the vertical clearance dimension above the spoiler, while the protective element operates in the horizontal contact dimension on the spoiler surface, thereby maintaining both clearance and security.
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
Prevents damage to vehicle spoilers by maintaining clearance between straps and the spoiler, allowing secure attachment of objects like bicycles without causing warping or discoloration.
Implementation Method 1
the strap support may have at least one suction cup on the bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
the strap support may have an adhesive on the bottom surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes at least one strap support. The strap support has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is configured to contact a windshield of a vehicle, and the top surface having a groove configured to receive a strap. The strap support is further configured to displace the strap above an edge of a spoiler of the vehicle, so as to provide clearance between the strap and the spoiler when the strap is used to secure an object to the vehicle.