Vehicle Towing Device Conical Surface Bending Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle towing devices and structural members face challenges in efficiently distributing bending forces during towing, often requiring strong and rigid materials, which limits the use of lightweight materials and increases production costs, and may not adequately address deformation or safety requirements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle towing device with a conical outer contact surface and a taper coupling mechanism that distributes bending forces through a conical contact surface, allowing for attachment to a vehicle structural member using a taper joint, which reduces the need for external support and enables the use of weaker materials like aluminum, while also providing a strong and reliable coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional towing device with a long cylindrical member is used, then the device can be supported at both inner and outer attachment points, but the device complexity increases and requires stronger materials to handle bending forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the outer attachment point and outer support structure from the traditional towing device design. The towing device now only has an inner attachment point to the bumper beam, eliminating the need for separate outer support structures and reducing device complexity while maintaining bending force resistance through the conical surface geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conical surface geometry between the towing hook and the inner attachment point. This conical shape (curved surface) naturally distributes bending forces along its surface, providing structural support without requiring additional attachment points or stronger materials, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity
2Strength
If traditional towing devices are designed to withstand bending forces, then strength is improved, but the weight of the device increases due to the need for stronger materials
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface geometry acts as a force-distributing element that naturally handles bending loads through its curved shape. This eliminates the need to use heavier, stronger materials to resist bending forces, as the geometry itself provides the structural support, thereby reducing towing device weight while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the towing device by introducing a conical surface with specific angle and dimensions. This parameter change allows the device to withstand bending forces more efficiently, reducing the amount of material needed and thus reducing weight while maintaining required strength
3Ease of operation
If a tapered part with small surface length is used, then mounting is facilitated, but bending forces result in large pulling forces on the inner bumper member nut
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface geometry distributes the bending forces along its extended surface area, preventing concentration of forces at a single point (the inner nut). The curved surface naturally redirects bending loads, reducing the pulling force transmitted to the inner bumper member nut while maintaining ease of mounting through the tapered geometry
4Adaptability or versatility
If a long cylindrical member is used between attachment points, then the device can be used in applications with no bumper design restrictions, but the device complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for outer attachment points and outer support structures, simplifying the elongated part to only require connection to the inner bumper beam. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces device complexity while maintaining versatility across different bumper designs, as the conical surface provides inherent structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The conical surface geometry serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for bending forces, facilitates mounting through its tapered shape, and distributes loads to reduce forces on the inner nut. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the device while maintaining adaptability to various bumper designs
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 conical taper coupling effectively distributes bending forces, allowing for the use of lightweight materials and reducing the need for external support, enhancing safety and deformation zones, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the second portion has a conical outer contact surface extending peripherally from the first portion towards the attachment arrangement
Implementation Method 2
the conical contact surface having a first cone radius at an end of the second portion facing the first portion and a second cone radius at an end of the second portion facing the attachment arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A vehicle towing device (1) with a first extremity (2) comprising a towing member (3), a second extremity (4) comprising an attachment arrangement (5), and an elongated part (6) extending there between is provided. The elongated part (6) comprising a first portion (7) and a second portion (8.The second portion (8) has a conical outer contact surface (9) extending peripherally from the first portion (7) towards the attachment arrangement (5). The conical contact surface (9) has a first cone radius (10) at an end of the second portion (8) facing the first portion (7) and a second cone radius (11) at an end of the second portion (8) facing the attachment arrangement (5). The first cone radius (10) is larger than the second cone radius (11) and a longitudinal extension of the second portion (8) exceeds the second cone radius (11).