Towing Hook Mounting Member Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towing hook mounting structures attach the hook to a relatively weak bumper reinforcement, leading to deformation and damage under load, and interfere with the energy-absorbing function of the bumper during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A towing hook mounting member with a plate-shaped portion is fixedly mounted to both the bumper wall and the supporting wall of a vehicle, providing a high-rigidity attachment point that shares load with the bumper wall and supporting wall, ensuring the hook is securely attached and preventing damage, while allowing the bumper reinforcement to maintain its energy-absorbing function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the towing hook is attached to the bumper reinforcement, then the towing hook can be securely mounted to the vehicle, but the bumper reinforcement may deform or fail under load due to its relatively weak structure
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into separate functional components: the bumper reinforcement (for energy absorption) and the towing hook mounting bracket (for load-bearing attachment). The bracket is separately attached to both the bumper reinforcement and the vehicle body, distributing the load path and preventing the bumper reinforcement from bearing the full towing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The towing hook mounting bracket acts as an intermediary component between the towing hook and the vehicle structure. It transfers loads from the towing hook to both the bumper reinforcement and the vehicle body, preventing direct stress concentration on the bumper reinforcement while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If components are housed within the bumper reinforcement, then the towing hook can be securely attached, but the bumper reinforcement cannot perform its energy-absorbing function during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The design separates the energy-absorbing function (bumper reinforcement) from the attachment function (mounting bracket). The mounting bracket is positioned outside the bumper reinforcement's cross-sectional area, allowing the bumper to deform and absorb energy during collision without interference from attachment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, utilizing the space between the bumper reinforcement and the vehicle body. This dimensional arrangement allows secure attachment without occupying the cross-sectional area needed for energy absorption.
3Ease of operation
If the towing hook is positioned with a long distance from the attachment portion, then the hook can clear the bumper face, but the hook may impact the bumper face when loaded in the width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket serves as an intermediary structure that provides lateral support to the towing hook. It prevents the hook from laterally displacing and impacting the bumper face while maintaining the necessary distance for the hook to clear the bumper face during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A towing hook mounting member includes: a plate shaped portion having an attachment means for removably attaching a tow hook to a vehicle. The towing hook mounting member is adapted to be fixedly mounted to a bumper wall of a bumper reinforcement and a supporting wall of a vehicle attachment supporting the bumper reinforcement in a manner that the plate shaped portion, the bumper wall and the supporting wall overlap one another.