Multipurpose Swing Arm Assembly for Vehicle Accessory Rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle accessory racks lack configurability to efficiently carry different accessories such as coolers and spare tires, often requiring multiple racks or complex installations.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose swing arm assembly that can be configured to carry either a cooler, a work top, or a spare tire, using removable and interchangeable swing arm assemblies that couple to a base rack via a hitch coupling assembly, allowing for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed accessory rack is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot carry different accessories (cooler, spare tire, work top) efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm assembly is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of accessories (cooler, spare tire, work top) through standardized mounting points and coupling mechanisms, allowing a single rack structure to serve multiple functions
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory rack is divided into modular components including the base rack, removable swing arms, and interchangeable accessory holders, enabling flexible reconfiguration for different accessory types while keeping the base structure simple
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate racks are used for different accessories, then each rack can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the overall system becomes complex and requires multiple installations
Solution Approach 1:
A single accessory rack incorporates multiple swing arm assemblies that can each be configured for different accessory types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated racks for coolers, tires, and work tops while reducing installation complexity
3Ease of operation
If accessories are mounted high on the vehicle, then they are easily accessible, but the center of gravity increases and rear window blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm assemblies extend horizontally from the base rack mounted near the vehicle rear, positioning accessories in a lateral dimension rather than vertically, maintaining low center of gravity while providing accessible mounting positions that do not block the rear window
Data Source
AI summary
A multipurpose swing arm assembly for a vehicle accessory rack is described. The accessory rack includes a base rack that holds the multipurpose swing arm assembly, and a coupling assembly that couples the base rack and the multipurpose swing arm assembly to a hitch coupler of the vehicle. The multipurpose swing arm assembly is used to hold accessories for transported and use with the vehicle. The multipurpose swing arm assembly includes a multipurpose swing rod hingedly coupled to the base rack, and two cooler tray support rods. A cooler tray is coupled to the cooler tray support rods. A cooler is set on the cooler tray and coupled to the multipurpose swing arm assembly to be transported and used with the vehicle. A work top bar and a work top can also be coupled to the multipurpose swing rod to be used as a table top.