Swing Away Support Assembly for Tailgate Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spare tire carriers mounted directly to vehicle tailgates risk damaging the sheet metal and require costly and wasteful replacement of components like backup cameras and rear lights when upgraded.
Innovation Solution
A swing away support assembly that repositions and reuses existing spare tire carrier assemblies, including cameras and lights, by attaching to the vehicle's bumper and rear panel, providing additional support and clearance for heavy tires without damaging the tailgate, and allowing for easier and more environmentally friendly installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a spare tire carrier is mounted solely to the sheet metal on a vehicle's tailgate, then the installation is simple and direct, but the tailgate may be damaged when a heavy spare tire is mounted on the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swing-away support assembly as an intermediary component between the tailgate and the spare tire carrier. This support assembly includes a mount that attaches to the tailgate and a swing-away mechanism that can extend outward to support the carrier, distributing the weight load away from the tailgate sheet metal while maintaining installation simplicity through integrated mounting brackets and pivot points.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is divided into separate functional segments: a fixed mount portion attached to the tailgate, a swing-away arm portion that provides mechanical support, and a carrier mounting portion. This segmentation allows the load-bearing functions to be separated from the tailgate attachment points, reducing stress on the sheet metal while keeping the overall system easy to install as a modular unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aftermarket spare tire carriers require replacement of the vehicle's existing backup camera and/or rear light, then the new carrier can be installed, but the process becomes difficult, expensive, and environmentally wasteful
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate existing spare tire carriers with various configurations of cameras and lights. The swing-away mechanism and carrier mounting portion are configured to work with standard carrier attachments, allowing the system to support multiple carrier types without requiring replacement of electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of existing electronic components (backup camera and rear light) by designing the support assembly to maintain their original mounting positions and electrical connections. The swing-away mechanism is positioned and configured so that existing carriers with integrated electronics can be mounted without disconnecting or replacing the camera and light assemblies, thereby avoiding waste and reducing installation complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a swing away support assembly is used to support heavy tires, then the risk of tailgate damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly incorporates a swing-away mechanism with pivot points and movable arms that can dynamically adjust their position. This dynamic design allows the support structure to move outward to bear the full weight of heavy tires during normal operation, then swing inward or lock into position to minimize complexity when not in use. The dynamic elements use simple gravitational and mechanical forces rather than complex actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing-away mechanism is designed to be self-supporting through its own structural geometry and gravitational forces. The arm and pivot assembly naturally positions itself to bear loads without requiring additional actuators, motors, or complex control systems. The design uses self-aligning features and passive mechanical advantages to reduce the overall complexity while maintaining the ability to support heavy tires and protect the tailgate.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a swing away support assembly that can be installed on a tailgate of a vehicle, such as on a bumper and/or rear panel of the vehicle. The swing away support assembly can provide additional structural support for spare tires and/or other heavy mounted objects. Advantageously, the swing away support assembly is compatible with existing spare tire carriers, backup cameras, and rear lights.