Trailer Cord Retention Mount for Clearance Without Hanging Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical cords connecting trailers to towing vehicles are prone to damage and pose safety hazards when left hanging, as they can interfere with operations and provide pathways for pests due to their length and configuration.
Innovation Solution
A retention mount with a body, tab, and arms that allows the electrical cord to be coiled and secured, featuring a plug-receiving opening and retention portions for the cable, optionally with rubber bumpers for cushioning and a magnet for secure attachment to a vehicle structure, enabling the cord to be wrapped and retained in a stable position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical cord is made long enough to reach the ground from the trailer to provide sufficient clearance for various towing vehicles and configurations, then the adaptability and clearance are improved, but the cord becomes prone to damage, interference with operations, and pest access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical cord from its harmful hanging state by providing a dedicated retention mount structure. The mount includes a body with a receptacle that receives and secures the electrical cord plug, effectively separating the cord from the trailer body and preventing it from reaching the ground and causing damage or pest access.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mount acts as an intermediary structure between the electrical cord and the trailer. It provides a mounting surface and retention mechanism that holds the cord in a secure, elevated position, preventing direct contact with the ground while maintaining electrical connectivity functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical cord is left to hang from the trailer when unattached, then it remains easily accessible and deployable, but it interferes with people working around the trailer and poses safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mount is designed to be rotatable relative to the trailer, allowing it to be positioned in different orientations. This dynamic capability enables the mount to be rotated out of the way when not in use, preventing interference with operations while maintaining ready accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mount is provided as a separate, removable component that can be independently positioned and rotated. This segmentation allows the mount to be moved to different locations and orientations on the trailer, optimizing both accessibility and interference prevention based on operational needs.
3Reliability
If a retention mount is provided to coil and secure the electrical cord, then damage and interference are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mount combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it includes a body with a receptacle for receiving the plug, arms with retention portions for securing the cord, and rotational capability for positioning. This merging of functions reduces the need for multiple separate components while maintaining comprehensive cord protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mount is designed to accommodate various electrical cord configurations and trailer types through its rotatable design and universal mounting options. The same basic structure can be used across different applications, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 retention mount effectively keeps the electrical cord coiled and secure, preventing damage, interference, and pest access, while allowing for easy installation and rotation to facilitate wrapping, thus enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet for secure attachment to a vehicle structure
Implementation Method 2
one or more rubber bumpers for cushioning
Data Source
AI summary
A retention mount for an electrical cord of a trailer is described that includes a body, a tab extending away from the body, and a plurality of arms extending away from the body. The tab defines an opening configured to receive a plug of the electrical cord therethrough and the plurality of arms each include a retention portion extending outwardly from the body, such that a cable portion of the electrical cord can be wrapped around the plurality of arms with the retention portions thereof retaining the cable portion on the retention mount. The retention mount can be removably or irremovably coupled to a structure of a vehicle.