Concealable Roof Rack Cross Bars for Lower Drag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle article carrier systems with stowable cross bars are not aerodynamically efficient and aesthetically pleasing, as the cross bars remain visible when in stowed positions, affecting fuel efficiency and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle article carrier system with L-shaped support rail assemblies that allow cross bars to be securely stowed in a hidden position, using pivotally secured and latched mechanisms, where the cross bars rest behind the vertical wall portion of the rail when in stowed mode, making them invisible from the sides and reducing aerodynamic drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cross bars are made stowable to reduce wind resistance and improve aerodynamics, then fuel efficiency and aerodynamic performance are improved, but the cross bars remain visible from the sides when stowed, compromising aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The cross bar is nested within the support rail assembly when stowed. The support rail assembly includes a recess that receives the cross bar, hiding it from side view while maintaining structural integration and aerodynamic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rail assembly extends vertically beyond the cross bar height when stowed. This vertical dimensionality allows the cross bar to be concealed from side view while the rail assembly maintains its structural function and aesthetic appearance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cross bars are stowed parallel to support rails to reduce wind resistance, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the cross bars are still visible from the sides of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The cross bar is nested within the support rail assembly structure when stowed parallel to the rails. The assembly's vertical extension and recess design conceal the cross bar from side view while maintaining the aerodynamic configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the vertical dimension, the support rail assembly extends above the cross bar when stowed, creating a profile that hides the cross bar from side view while maintaining the low-wind-resistance parallel configuration.
3Shape
If cross bars are made concealable in stowed position to improve aesthetics, then visual appearance is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support rail assembly combines multiple functions: structural support, cross bar mounting, and concealment housing. By merging these functions into a single integrated assembly, the design achieves cross bar concealment without adding separate complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rail assembly serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, enables cross bar attachment in operative position, and conceals the cross bar in stowed position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle article carrier system is disclosed for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. In one embodiment the system forms a swing-in-place style system with front and rear cross bar assemblies that can each be swung pivotally at one end from stowed positions on respective support rail assemblies, to operative positions extending perpendicularly between the support rail assemblies. In other embodiments the rear cross bar assembly is fully removable and can be positioned at a plurality of different longitudinal positions along the support rail assemblies. In all of the embodiments, the support rails include an L-shaped construction which is dimensioned in relation to the height of the cross bar assemblies, so the support rail assemblies are able to fully hide the cross bar assemblies from view when the cross bar assemblies are in their stowed positions. This provides an extremely clean looking aesthetic appearance, as well as significantly improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the system.