Vehicle Accessory Coupler With Alignment Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for attaching accessories to vehicles, particularly motorized vehicles, require complex alignment and articulation processes due to their three-point connection design, making it difficult for users to mount accessories efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design featuring a mounting assembly with alignment and positioning structures, including grooves and slots, and a locking mechanism that allows for easy alignment, pivotal support, and secure locking of accessories, simplifying the attachment process by using upper and lower male members that engage with corresponding attachment plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a three-point connection design is used in the coupler, then the coupling strength and stability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is divided into multiple functional components: alignment structures (guides) that separate the alignment function from the locking function, pivotal connectors that enable rotational movement, and positioning connectors that provide precise placement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mounting operation while maintaining three-point connection stability
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment structures (guides) perform the alignment action preliminarily before the final locking occurs. The guides pre-position the attachment component relative to the coupler frame, ensuring correct alignment is achieved automatically during insertion, eliminating the need for manual alignment of all three connecting points
2Manufacturing precision
If elaborate alignment steps are required for mounting, then the positioning precision is improved, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment structures and guides are designed to automatically perform the alignment function without requiring operator intervention. When the attachment component is inserted, the guides self-align the components, and the pivotal connector automatically rotates into position, eliminating time-consuming manual alignment steps while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal connector introduces dynamic movement capability, allowing the connection to rotate and adapt during the mounting process. This dynamic feature enables the connector to automatically find its correct position through rotational movement, reducing the need for precise manual positioning and decreasing mounting time
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler for securing an accessory to a motorized vehicle and comprising an accessory attachment component securable to the accessory and a coupler frame securable to the vehicle. The accessory attachment component includes an accessory pivotal connector and an accessory positioning connector. The coupler frame has a coupler pivotal support defined in the coupler frame configured to receive and pivotally support the accessory pivotal connector and a coupler positioning support configured to receive and guide the accessory positioning connector in a coupled configuration. The accessory positioning connector is aligned with the coupler positioning support when the accessory pivotal connector is received in the coupler pivotal support and slidable toward the coupled configuration. The coupler further comprises a locking mechanism engageable with the accessory attachment component and the coupler frame to lock the accessory attachment component and the coupler frame in the coupled configuration.