Mud flap retractors
View Patent ↗A mud flap retraction system uses two artificial muscles that extend horizontally toward the mud flaps to an elbow, and then hang down alongside the mud flaps opposite the vehicle tire. Also provided is a source of compressed air or fluid, at least one valve for selectively inflating and deflating, the bladder(s), and an operator control inside the vehicle cabin that quickly and reliably raises (or lowers) the mud flaps at the operator's command. Inflation effectively raises the artificial muscles from a limp position (hanging with the mud flaps) to a stiff raised position (thereby raising the mud flaps rearwardly).
1. A mud flap retraction system for raising a mud flap of a vehicle, comprising:
a source of compressed fluid;
a valve connected downstream to said source of compressed fluid;
a valve actuator mounted inside a cab of said vehicle for actuating said valve;
an elongate artificial muscle connected downstream of said valve and configured to articulate from a limp position hanging adjacent said mud flap to a stiff raised position upon inflation thereof, thereby raising the mud flap.
2. The mud flap retraction system of claim 1 , wherein said valve actuator is a switch electrically connected to said valve for actuation thereof.
3. The mud flap retraction system of claim 1 , wherein said compressed fluid is air and said source of compressed fluid is a compressor.
4. The mud flap retraction system of claim 3 , wherein said artificial muscle is an extensible pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM).
5. The mud flap retraction system of claim 4 , wherein said PAM comprises woven-fiber sheath about a rubber hose.
6. The mud flap retraction system of claim 5 , wherein said PAM is sealed at one end by folding over onto itself, and clamping said folded end between two plates.
7. The mud flap retraction system of claim 6 , wherein said PAM comprises a quick-connect pneumatic fitting at another end.
8. The mud flap retraction system of claim 5 , wherein said PAM comprises an annular insert inserted into an end of said fiber reinforced hose.
9. The mud flap retraction system of claim 8 , wherein said PAM is attached to said vehicle by attachment to said annular insert.
10. The mud flap retraction system of claim 8 , wherein said PAM comprises an O-ring seated in an annular channel encircling said annular insert.
11. The mud flap retraction system of claim 10 , wherein said PAM comprises an O-clamp encircling said fiber reinforced hose and annular insert.
12. The mud flap retraction system of claim 1 , wherein said artificial muscle hangs over a lower cross-member.
13. The mud flap retraction system of claim 12 , further comprising a pair of flanges attached to each end of said lower cross-member for attachment to said vehicle.
14. The mud flap retraction system of claim 13 , wherein said pair of flanges are attached to an upper cross-member parallel to said lower cross-member and offset forward and upward therefrom.
15. The mud flap retraction system of claim 14 , wherein in an unpressurized state, said artificial muscle runs between said upper cross-member and lower cross-member and drapes down over the lower cross-member.
16. A mud flap retraction system for raising a mud flap of a vehicle, comprising:
an air compressor having an output valve;
a switch mounted inside a cab of said vehicle for actuating said compressor valve;
an artificial muscle connected downstream of said valve, supported by a first cross-member, and attached to said mud flap;
whereby activation of said switch actuates said compressor to inflate said artificial muscle and articulate it from a limp position to a stiff position raising the mud flap.
17. The mud flap retraction system of claim 16 , wherein said artificial muscle is an extensible pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM).
18. The mud flap retraction system of claim 17 , wherein said PAM comprises woven-fiber-reinforced rubber.
19. The mud flap retraction system of claim 17 , wherein said PAM is sealed at one end and secured to said mud flap at said sealed end.
20. The mud flap retraction system of claim 19 , wherein in an unpressurized state, said artificial muscle drapes over said first cross-member.
21. A method of raising a mud flap, comprising the steps of:
inflating an artificial muscle adjacent to said mud flap so as to articulate said artificial muscle from a limp position hanging adjacent said mud flap to a stiff raised position upon inflation thereof, thereby raising the mud flap.