Convertible Roof Assembly With Automatic Backup Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Convertible motor vehicles face safety issues with the roof separating from the frame during use due to inadequate securing mechanisms, posing risks to people and objects nearby.
Innovation Solution
A roof assembly with a manual locking device and an automatic locking device that secures the roof to the frame, featuring lock bolts and a snap coupling mechanism to ensure stable constraint, enhancing safety and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only manual locking devices are used to secure the roof, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of roof anchoring is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines manual locking devices with automatic locking devices into a unified roof anchoring system. The manual locking device allows the roof to be secured in a closed position, while the automatic locking device provides additional automatic anchoring when the roof is in a specific position, creating a hybrid system that leverages both manual control and automatic safety mechanisms to enhance overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking device is designed to activate automatically when the roof reaches a predetermined position during its movement. This preliminary action ensures that the roof is secured before any potential safety issues can arise, providing an automatic safety net that complements the manual locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If manual locking devices are used, then the ease of operation is good, but the safety during vehicle use is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges manual operation with automatic function, where the user operates the manual locking device for normal roof securing, while the automatic locking device provides additional safety automatically without requiring extra user intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while enhancing safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking device performs the safety function autonomously without requiring user intervention. Once the roof is positioned correctly, the automatic locking mechanism activates on its own to provide additional anchoring, ensuring safety through self-service operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A roof assembly for a convertible motor vehicle includes a roof to be placed in contact with a frame of the motor vehicle in a closed roof position, a manual locking device carried by the roof and capable of being operated by hand when the roof is in the closed roof position according to a first operating mode, in which the manual locking device cooperates with the frame to carry out a first constraining action in order to secure the roof to the frame in the closed roof position, and according to a second operating mode, in which the locking device refrains from cooperating with the frame, thus removing the first constraining action, characterized in that it further includes an additional locking device carried by the roof to automatically exert a second constraining action to secure the roof to the frame at least in response to a positioning or a movement of the roof in/to the closed roof position, the additional locking device having release means capable of being operated by hand in order to remove the second constraining action.