Movable Trailer Tail Light Bracket for Water Launch Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trailers for transporting recreational vehicles face issues with water exposure damaging the lighting systems and electrical components during launch, leading to potential short circuits and corrosion, especially in saltwater environments.

Innovation Solution

A trailer design with a movable tail light assembly that can be positioned away from the rear during launch, eliminating water contact and incorporating a locking mechanism for secure transport, reducing the need for additional fastening means and minimizing component exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tail light assembly is positioned at the rear of the trailer in a driving position, then the trailer can be properly transported, but the tail light assembly is exposed to water during launch causing corrosion and short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting system reliabilityVSAvoidwater exposure to tail lights
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket structure is made movable between a first position (tail lights at rear for transport) and a second position (tail lights away from rear for launch). This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt to different operational modes, protecting the lighting system from water exposure during launch while maintaining proper rear positioning during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tail light assembly is separated from the main trailer body by being mounted on a movable bracket structure. This segmentation allows the tail light assembly to be independently positioned - either at the rear for transport or away from the rear for launch protection - resolving the contradiction between transport requirements and launch protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the bracket structure is made movable to reposition tail lights, then water exposure is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater exposure preventionVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket structure utilizes the trailer's own motion and gravity to achieve repositioning. During launch, the natural backward movement of the trailer causes the bracket to pivot and reposition the tail lights away from the rear automatically, without requiring external actuators or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket structure serves multiple functions: it mounts the tail light assembly, provides a pivot point for repositioning, and integrates with the trailer frame. By combining these functions into a single integrated structure, the design avoids adding separate complex mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional fastening means are added to secure the vehicle, then transport safety is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle transport safetyVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable bracket structure serves dual purposes: it positions the tail light assembly to protect it from water, and simultaneously acts as a fastening mechanism to secure the vehicle to the trailer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fastening devices, reducing component count while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket structure that positions the tail lights is merged with the vehicle fastening system. The same structural elements that hold and reposition the tail light assembly also provide the mechanical connection to secure the vehicle, consolidating multiple safety functions into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2905171B1Trailer for transporting a vehicle and method for placing a vehicle for transport on a trailer
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 TRAILER IND I ÅSELE AB
  • EP2905171B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2905171B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2905171B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a trailer (1) for transporting a vehicle (2). The trailer (1) comprises a supporting structure (3) adapted to carry said vehicle (2), and a bracket structure (4) comprising a tail light assembly (5) attached to a section thereof, said tail light assembly (5) comprising tail lights (6) for said trailer (1). The trailer (1) is characterized in that said bracket structure (4) is movable between a first position in which said tail lights (6) are positioned at the rear of the trailer (1) in a driving position, and a second position in which said tail lights (6) are positioned away from the rear of the trailer (1) in a loading position. The invention also relates to a method for placing a vehicle for transport on a trailer.