Vehicle Container Engagement System with Segmented Locking Base
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for attaching storage containers to vehicles, such as motorcycles, are limited by the need for custom-made containers, weight, bulkiness, and imbalance caused by integrated locking mechanisms, which restrict versatility and practicality.
Innovation Solution
An engagement system comprising a support attachable to containers with a locking mechanism and a base attachable to vehicles, allowing for secure, adjustable attachment of various containers without altering the vehicle's balance, featuring a key-operable locking mechanism and retractable handle for easy mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking mechanism is incorporated into the container, then the container can be securely attached to the vehicle, but the complexity and weight of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two separate components: a locking mechanism attached to the vehicle and a support with receptacle attached to the container. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be part of the vehicle structure rather than the container, reducing container complexity while maintaining secure attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is extracted from the container and relocated to the vehicle base. The support attached to the container contains only the receptacle portion, which receives the locking mechanism. This extraction eliminates the locking mechanism from the container's complexity and weight while preserving the secure attachment function.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism is incorporated into the container, then the container can be securely attached to the vehicle, but the weight of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted from the container and relocated to the vehicle base. This extraction removes the weight of the locking mechanism from the container, making it lighter and easier to handle when not in use, while the vehicle base assumes the weight of the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism is incorporated into the container, then the container can be securely attached to the vehicle, but the centre of gravity of the motorcycle is altered and balance is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted from the container and repositioned on the vehicle base. This relocation ensures that the locking mechanism's weight and position are part of the vehicle's fixed structure rather than being attached to the container, thereby maintaining the vehicle's centre of gravity and balance when the container is not attached.
4Ease of operation
If a rollable storage container with wheels and extendible handle is provided, then the container can be easily rolled along the ground, but the container must be custom made to fit the matching bracket of a motorcycle
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed with a universal receptacle that can receive the locking mechanism from the vehicle base and can be attached to various container types. The locking mechanism on the vehicle base serves multiple functions: securing different container types and providing attachment points for accessories. This universality allows rollable containers with different designs to be compatible with the same vehicle mounting system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Engagement system (3) for attaching a container (65) to a vehicle, the engagement system (3) has a support (21) which is attachable to a container (65). The engagement system (3) also has a base (5) which is attachable to a vehicle and which has a locking member (55) for releasably securing the support (21) to the base (5). The base (5) and the support (21) are interengageable such that upon attachment of the base (5) to the vehicle and upon attachment of the support (21) to the container (65), the base (5) and the support (21) are maintained in interengagement with each other by the locking member (55) to releasably secure the container (65) to the vehicle. The engagement system (3) makes it easier for the container (65) to releasably secure to the vehicle.