Bolt-Pattern Winch Mounting for Weld-Free Vehicle Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of a consistent and reliable mechanism for mounting winches to vehicles, often resulting in improvised solutions that compromise efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a front frame assembly, a mounting plate, and a bumper, all coupled together using bolts without welds, to securely mount a winch to a vehicle, ensuring alignment and strength through complementary bolt patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional improvised mounting mechanisms are used, then installation flexibility is improved, but mounting reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a frame assembly with pre-configured bolt holes, a mounting plate with complementary bolt holes, and a bumper with additional bolt holes. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled, providing installation flexibility while maintaining mounting reliability through precise bolt hole patterns that ensure proper alignment and secure attachment.
2Strength
If welding is used to couple components, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and safety concerns worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical fastening system using bolts. The frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper are coupled together through bolt holes arranged in complementary patterns, eliminating the need for welding operations. This substitution maintains structural strength while reducing manufacturing complexity and eliminating welding-related safety concerns.
3Reliability
If a standardized bolt pattern system is implemented, then mounting reliability is improved, but adaptability to different winch configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates multiple sets of bolt holes arranged in different patterns on the frame assembly, mounting plate, and bumper. This universal design allows the same mounting structure to accommodate various winch configurations and sizes. The complementary bolt hole patterns ensure proper alignment and secure attachment while providing adaptability to different winch models and specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a frame assembly having a first set of bolt holes arranged in a first pattern, a mounting plate having a second set of bolt holes arranged in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is the same as the first pattern, a bumper having a third set of bolt holes arranged in a third pattern, wherein the third pattern is the same as the first pattern and the second pattern, and a winch coupled to the bumper.