Winch Hook With Multi-Orientation Engagement Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing winch systems face limitations in engaging hooks with fairleads in multiple orientations, restricting flexibility and storage options, particularly in off-road and challenging environments where vehicles may become stuck.

Innovation Solution

A winch hook design featuring a hook portion and a loop receiving portion with three-dimensional features that allow engagement with a fairlead in at least four different orientations, utilizing a combination of prongs and pins to securely mate with various fairlead configurations, including hawse and roller fairleads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional winch hook design is used, then the hook can engage with a fairlead, but the hook is limited to a single orientation and lacks flexibility in storage and engagement options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement orientation flexibilityVSAvoidhook structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hook is designed with multiple engagement features including a primary engagement feature and secondary engagement features that can engage with the fairlead in multiple orientations (0, 90, 180, 270 degrees). This allows a single hook design to perform multiple engagement functions with different fairlead configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized hooks and providing storage flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hook is divided into distinct engagement features: a primary engagement feature for standard orientation and secondary engagement features positioned at different orientations. This segmentation allows each feature to independently engage with the fairlead, providing modular engagement capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall hook structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hook is designed to engage in multiple orientations, then flexibility and storage options are enhanced, but the engagement reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage option flexibilityVSAvoidengagement security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement features are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide secure engagement in each orientation. The primary engagement feature has a specific shape that mates with the fairlead, while secondary engagement features have corresponding asymmetric shapes positioned at 90, 180, and 270 degrees. This asymmetric design ensures reliable engagement regardless of orientation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The hook features pre-positioned engagement structures that are ready to engage the fairlead in multiple orientations from the outset. The secondary engagement features are预先 positioned at specific orientations, allowing immediate engagement capability without requiring repositioning or adjustment, thereby maintaining reliability while providing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12180046B2Hook for use with a fairlead

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 QUADRATEC

AI summary

A winch hook comprises a hook portion and a loop receiving portion adapted for receiving a loop of a winch line. At least one three-dimensional feature of the winch hook is adapted to engage at least one three-dimensional feature of a fairlead so that the hook engages the fairlead while the hook is in at least four different orientations relative to the fairlead.