Vehicle Canopy Support Ribs for Sag-Resistant Accessory Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle canopies, especially those with flat or minimally domed profiles, tend to sag, bow, warp, or deform due to temperature changes, necessitating additional structural support and complicating the attachment of accessories.

Innovation Solution

The integration of one or more support ribs within the main panel of the canopy, which are operable to provide rigidity and stiffness, preventing deformation and allowing for secure accessory mounting through integrally formed accessory mounting bosses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If support beams are added to prevent canopy deformation, then structural rigidity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support rib is integrally formed with the main panel as a single molded piece, combining the canopy body and support structure into one component. This eliminates the need for separate support beams that would require drilling, bolting, or screwing, thereby maintaining structural rigidity while reducing assembly complexity and part count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The canopy is constructed using composite materials (such as fiberglass reinforced plastic) that provide high strength-to-weight ratio and structural rigidity without requiring additional metal support beams. The composite material allows the canopy to maintain its shape and resist deformation while keeping the overall structure lightweight and simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If holes are drilled for accessory mounting, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Accessory mounting bosses are integrally formed into the canopy during the molding process, before any accessories are installed. These pre-formed bosses provide ready-made mounting points that eliminate the need for drilling holes later, thereby maintaining canopy integrity and reliability while enabling accessory attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bosses are combined with the canopy body as an integral part of the same molded structure. This integration ensures that the mounting points are as strong and reliable as the canopy itself, eliminating the weakness introduced by drilled holes while maintaining the ability to mount various accessories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250033447A1Vehicle canopy with support ribs and accessory mounting bosses

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A vehicle canopy, wherein the canopy comprises a main panel having a top face and a bottom face; a front wall extending from a front of the main panel; a back wall extending from a rear of the main panel; a pair of opposing sidewalls extending from opposing sides of the main panel; and one or more support rib integrally formed with the main panel and extending laterally across the main panel, the one or more support rib structured and operable to provide rigidity and stiffness to the main panel to prevent deformation of the main panel within the target zone.